That afternoon, Aubrey got ready for her job as a cashier in the Oxford main cafeteria as usual. She first got the job as a freshman and decided to keep the work after her first semester. Because nothing eventful tends to happen in the cafeteria, Aubrey doesn't mind doing what others tend to consider a tedious job. In fact she kind of likes it as it gives her more time to think about stories to write and daydream about webnovels she's read. Plus, she gets to have free food everyday, admittedly not the best tasting but still palatable nonetheless.
Thinking that this day would proceed as it normally would, Aubrey began to hum along to the song playing on the radio as she worked the register. Her mind was already half thinking of her upcoming meetup with Beverly Taylor and Richard Davies, when a sudden commotion caught her attention.
There was suddenly an influx of students in the cafeteria when it was supposed to be the downtime before dinner. Odd.
Rhyland made a mistake. He should have taken up Maria that morning rather than skipping breakfast entirely. After he was pulled to play in a spontaneous basketball match, Rhyland was famished. He would rather eat off campus but he has class in the next hour so that only leaves his last resort, the school cafeteria. The Hunger was growing stronger. He knows he needs to have something to satiate the Hunger lest he risks his werewolf traits showing. Meat. He needs to have meat, the rarer the better.
So Rhyland resolved to have a burger.
But dammit he didn't want to have an audience while having a meal. A posse of students bewitched by his good looks and charm had begun to follow him around since the gym earlier. Rhyland sighed. He knows this is going to be another daily occurrence. He's had his short respite from this kind of behavior during the winter break but that's over now. Guess he will just have to live with it. It's one of the downsides of being Rhyland Darling.
"Well well well look who decided to grace us common folk with his presence." A grating voice came from behind him. It was Michael Scott. The self professed rival of Rhyland Darling.
Rhyland decided to ignore this meager annoyance. He didn't bother to turn around as he placed an order at the register.
"A coke and One cheeseburger, with a side of fries, make that rare please."
"Hey! I'm talking to you!" Insulted at being snubbed, Michael angrily grabbed Rhyland's shoulder in an effort to force the man to turn and face him. Unfortunately for Michael, he didn't exert enough force so Rhyland didn't budge an inch.
"Did you see that?"
"That was so awkward," Murmured some of the people who gathered around to watch a showdown between the school bully Michael Scott and the most popular guy in school.
Rhyland sighed. He didn't want to be dealing with this today. He's ravenous. And if he didn't have a bite to eat soon, he's certain his brown eyes will begin to change into a bright amber. The next to come out would be the fangs. He definitely can't have that happening. Rhyland turned around. With a manner of carefree indifference, he spoke. "And you are?"
Loud snickering noises erupted from around the mess hall.
"Why you!? How dare you pretend not to know me!" Michael shouted looking clearly affronted. The pair had already taken several classes together. And he hated how the professors and girls always fawned over Rhyland.
"I'm sorry but I really don't know you." Rhyland glibly replied with a shrug.
Angered and embarrassed, Michael grabbed Rhyland's collar just as the latter takes a step forward when suddenly a girl in a cafeteria uniform comes between them.
"Pl– please don't fight in the mess hall," she said in a quiet, shaky voice.
"Hey! Mind your own business." Michael growled. He wasn't the type to care whether it was a boy or a girl, he didn't want anyone butting into this. In his mind, all he could think of was needing to teach Rhyland a lesson. This damned pretty boy dared to look down on him. Just because you're a little rich doesn't mean you get a free pass. 'I'm still the senior here and should be treated with respect.'
Rhyland's brows furrowed. He could see this getting messy. He knows his uncle, Rahl, has his minions stationed everywhere. It wouldn't do any good if word of this got to his uncle. However, it doesn't look like this Michael person is planning on backing down. No doubt he got butthurt from Rhyland's indifference and all the jeering around him.
Michael continued to pull at Rhyland's collar disregarding the discomfort of the small female stuck between them. Rhyland could smell the intense feelings of anger and hatred from the former and his hunger intensified. From below him, Rhyland heard the girl give a muffled cry.'Dammit. This has to end now.'
With preternatural strength, Rhyland easily pushes off Michael while gently cradling the woman with one arm. The former unceremoniously lands on his butt inciting further laughter from the bystanders.
Michael reddened in embarrassment and swore at Rhyland before making a mad dash out of the cafeteria. Rhyland shook his head. He didn't even have time to pay attention to any of this because in the scuffle, the woman's necklace gets caught on Michael's shirt and it comes unclasped and the ruby pendant falls on the floor.
Suddenly a floral fragrance wafts across the air. And Rhyland immediately feels himself becoming calm. His hunger has dissipated completely.
This girl… her scent was intoxicating.