The first 2 classes for today had been nothing but ordinary.
I have even observed Ms. Melton while she lectured us, and came to the conclusion that she's calmer and more composed now.
Maybe because her confidence was rejuvinated when she realized that her father was holding me by the neck.
'I need to come up with countermeasures, in case she plans to harass me for payback.'
I might just be paranoid. Or not.
Because I did threaten her back then. And now that she has the upper hand, it wouldn't be unreasonable for her to threaten me too for her own benefits, especially now that she's aware of my capabilities.
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The bell rang and I got pulled out of my thoughts on how to handle Ms. Melton.
'Most of my plans backfired on me, so for my next actions I will make sure not to be complacent anymore. Even if I have to turn this school upside down, just to achieve a hundred percent efficiency.'
I went out of the classroom after inviting Darren which he rejected, and walked to the nearest cafeteria.
As always, the cafeteria is packed full of students. But I still managed to found the one person that I needed a good talk with and sat in front of him.
"Hey there Kyle. May I sit here?"
"Sure, its not like I own the cafeteria, haha."
I nodded at kyle and put down the sandwhiches and milk box that I ordered. Then I started eating and talking with my mouth full.
"Hey Kyle. Why were you trying to kill me?"
I have interrogated and even tortured many intelligence agents before. And over the course of my work, I have developed the ability to see through lies using various observation skills.
Behavioral pattern, dilating irises, and heart rate status are some of the things that I could effectively observe due to my ESP. I call this minor ability of mine the Pinocchio Syndrome.
Faced with such a straightforward question, Kyle should've given me any kind of immediate reaction that will help me determine wether his answer would be the truth or not.
Any sign of being surprised or startled, even in the slightest bit, could not be seen in his eyes. Instead, he looked at me and reacted with genuine confusion before answering
"What are you..what kind of question is that? Why would I want to kill you?"
I focused on my hearing and found that his heart rate did not show any sudden change. Not even a drop of cold sweat could be seen from his forehead.
'That means he's either telling the truth, or he's a unique breed of liar.'
"Nahh. I'm just messing with you. I just wanted to check how you've been doing after that whole life and death situation."
"That reminds me Ocho, are you really in the condition to go to school now? I mean, your arms must've been busted pretty bad right? You even have that bandage on your head. Is that really okay now?"
'He redirected the topic huh?'
"...Ah no, no. Don't mind it. The doctor said it was just some minor injuries, nothing more life threatening than being pointed with a gun."
"Yeah, fair point hahaha. I haven't checked in on Nicole yet. She seems fine, but something as traumatizing as that would linger in her mind for a long time."
"..The men we killed. Nicole's mother said that she will handle everything."
"We?"
Kyle looked at me with the same genuinely confused look.
'So he was the latter huh.'
Kyle continued
"Ocho. Did you perhaps mentioned my name when you were interviewed by feds? Because I'm gonna be honest with you, okay. I'm affiliated with the underground, so being prosecuted with me in a case of massacre will bring you nothing but more trouble."
"No need for the concern. I did not mention your involvement to anyone, not even to Nicole. I'm even thankful that you did not came back for me that day or else you would be seen with me."
"...I-is that so?...then. Thank you."
And now he's looking at me with genuine appreciation. Even though I just said something sarcastic, like him abandoning me in a forest with severe wounds.
'I can't read him....'
I can already tell how many unpredictable variables this guy will spring up.
When Kyle realized that I wasn't planning on replying to him, he changed the topic once again to continue showcasing his dominance on our little psychological warfare.
"Ah yeah, I almost forgot. Minji said that we should all gather at the clubhouse today immediately after school. What do you think its all about?"
"Joseph said something about the future of this school."
Kyle nodded and continued eating his food, choosing not to reply to my open ended answer to his question.
At this point, I did not bother questioning him more since I reckon that our conversation will just be manipulated in his own favor. So I just sat there and did the same thing he's doing.
Eating silently.
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The 3rd class had already started and Mr. Michael went on with his lectures.
Since I had a great sleep last night, I did not feel sleepy on this particular class. So for the whole time that Mr. Michael lectured with his dead voice, my senses were very active and was receiving constant glances from a specific girl.
'She's starting to show signs of it now. My actions had paid off.'
Even from this far in the back, I could see glimpse of concern in Nicole's eyes.
There's even a hint of guilt sometimes, everytime I make a low pained grunt and touch' my bandaged forehead.
Since the whole class are always dead-silent on Mr. Michael's class, my noises of "suffering" are barely audible for everyone to hear.
So not only do I get glances of guilt from Nicole, I'm even receiving countless annoyed glares and concerned looks from my classmates. Darren even started whispering at me at me, which was dangerous since Mr. Michael did not like any form of disturbance and tardiness in his class.
Darren told me to follow him in the bathroom so we could either smoke a weed or drink a bottle of tequila. He said he did not have any painkillers so those things will do.
I answered him with my lowest voice
"I'm okay, I just feel itchy underneath this bandage...But, wouldn't it be better to go to the clinic instead of drinking that for mefenamic?"
Darren answered with his normal voice. Which was a really bad move.
"Yeah but dont be such a bitch. Medicines are for pussies."
Immediately after he said that, a white board eraser flew from across the classroom and Darren got hit in the cheek.
Everyone looked at Mr. Michael and heard him warn Darren with the same monotonous voice but with a more serious look.
"That will be my last and final warning Mr. Darren. Now hand me back my eraser like the bitch you are."
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"Hey guys! Mind if we walk with you?"
"Jeez. Don't just go shouting at people Riza! You startled me."
After Mr. Michael and Mrs. Lily's classes, Kyle and Darren invited me to have lunch with them, but I declined them and instead went to the Councilors office and got severely warned about the cheating incident by Mr. Kramer.
After that, he made me find and apologize to Mr. Sheldon before his class starts so I did not have time to eat lunch.
And when Mr. Sheldon's class ended. Darren, Kyle, and I went straight to the clubhouse and met Levi with Riza along the way.
"You guys could go first. I'll stop by the cafeteria. I did not have the chance to eat earlier."
"I'll go with Ocho. I'm feeling kind of hungry myself too."
Darren and I both separated from the others after Riza told us to be quick, and ordered a take out in the cafeteria.
As we walked together towards the club house, Darren sprung up a conversation out of nowhere
"Hey man. Can I ask you a solid?"
"I guess so. Why? What's this about?"
"Well. You do know that I'm a junior cop right?"
"I nodded my head."
"But did you know that Kyle is a member of a syndicate? See I've been conducting an investigation and found this out just recently with the help of a certain senior."
"Really? But aren't gang-affiliated students common in this school? So why are you suddenly concerned with Kyle specifically?"
"....Kyle is a suspect of bombing an officer....so..can I trust you on finding evidences on his house this coming monday?..that officer was a close friend of mine you see."
Darren stopped walking and looked at me over his shoulder with grief and anger evident in his eyes.
"This is a once in a lifetime chance for me as a cop to get inside a syndicate's possible lair. And I promised myself that I'm gonna bring him in.....even if I had to use force."