** "Ashley has an intense phobia of Deep Ocean Blue Eyes.
You wish to see her crumble before you? Get blue contacts."** the note read.
A fresh wave of elation instantly overrode the pent-up rage and infuriation that kept her company all this while. This was made ostensible by the evil grin that took root on her face, spanning through both ears. True, the note's authenticity was still under question. But one thing was certain now: an idea to make Ashley kneel before her was literally in her palm and she already could not wait to test it out and see what happened then.
Just then, Hana walked in.
"Hey, Hana! Over here." Sakura flagged down her attention, then she walked over.
"What's up?"
"Look what I found on my desk," she said with vibrance coating her tone, extending the note to her. "Let's go shopping for contacts, Hana. This is gonna be so much fun," she jabbered giddily while Hana was reading the note.
"You saw this on your desk?" She asked with a look that portrayed skepticism, holding up the paper.
"Of course."
Hana being the insightful one of the bunch looked vertically at her and the paper.
"Do you not also want Ashley at your feet? Why do you look hesitant?"
"You walked right into the class, on a random note on your desk, and you're already glowing with excitement? Who put this here?" Hana bashed her ignorant little sister.
Sakura dragged the paper from her. "I'll go shopping alone then. I can't wait to see the helpless look in Ashley's eyes when I confirm this."
"And if it doesn't work?"
"Well, there's only one way to find out," she put bluntly and turned around to fit it in her bag.
"Hold on." Hana ceased Sakura's movements when she tried to walk away. Looked like she also bore a measure of resentment towards the said Ashley. And it should probably not be a fuss to give this absurd idea a shot. "I'll come with."
***
~~Ashley's POV~~
I was already getting sick and tired of the nonsense spiraling around me all in the name of date night! If only I could come up with an excuse to absent myself from school, I'd love to. But all the same, I knew I shouldn't let the fiasco get to me. Yet, it did! The couple of random guys who approached me with distasteful flowers weren't making my struggle any easier. No matter how much I yearned to rest behind the shadows, those guys driven by lust and a sheer desire to secure a date before D-Day stumbled themselves to me. Those ones would go on the date with pigs if possible, as long as they got to showcase their affluence. 'Somebody help!'
Whenever our lecture hall was devoid of lectures or lecturers as the case may be, I delved into my alone time at a seemingly lonely spot I discovered recently – in my quest for a breathing space – somewhere within campus, away from the lecture halls. It was already day three here, and like other days, I was almost certain no one would be able to find me here.
This part of the campus was mostly surrounded by tall trees, the sound of the gentle breeze rustling through its leaves, and the mellow chirps from the birds on them. Sitting under a tree, this time, I kept my headphones and drawing book away and just indulged myself in the beautiful melody nature had to offer. I never really gave nature a chance but right now, I discovered it could actually be therapeutic. I closed my eyes and just inhaled the fresh breeze.
'The heck is that?!' A scowl forced its way to my face when I smelled something different and offensive moments after. It was a harsh cologne. Mine was way gentler and floral so it just had to be someone else's. 'But what the hell is this feeling?' my inner voice whispered. I didn't hear any footfalls and yet the person was this close. Was I too engrossed? Or was this person just good at concealing his or her presence?
I shot my eyes open and swung my head to the left to meet those eyes. Again. This blue-eyed guy managed to find me again. How did he find me?
Deep Ocean Blue Eyes.
The nightmares.
The darkness.
Blood.
The disturbing thoughts that flowed through my head distracted me from the fact that our eyes were locked for way too long. And then realizing I stood at risk of letting my eyes give away my fear, I looked away and jumped up hurriedly. I heard him chuckle slightly afterward but didn't bother to spare him another glance.
Without uttering as much as a sound, I made to walk away when I felt his hand wrapped around my wrist. His hold was commanding yet firm enough to spare me any pain. Then I felt my hand pulled downwards before feeling his presence really close this time; he was standing behind me.
I gulped down saliva, continuously reciting in my head that he wasn't the monster in my nightmares and I didn't have to feel so scared.
"Why do you love going away from me? Do I look like the monster in your nightmares?" My eyelids went the farthest they could from each other when I heard those words. He couldn't possibly have heard my thoughts, right? That was some weird ass coincidence right there.
Great. Now he was standing right in front of me.
I tried averting his piercing gaze but he followed my darting eyes instead lowering his head.
"Look Ashley I..." With a mild touch against his sturdy chest, I pushed him to increase our distance then using the ropes attached to his hood, pulled him back again, but this time it was followed by a hard kick against his shin which made him fall on one knee.
"Ouu…" he grimaced in pain.
"Stay the hell away from me!" I warned shooting him daggers to make the 'hard girl' act flawless. But as usual, they had zero effects on this guy. Instead, he sniggered, his face still contorting in pain. It looked like he was having his fill teasing me right now. 'What am I going to do with this guy?'
I simply stormed out the scene. I didn't know why I did what I did, but something kept telling me I could risk letting out those shackling emotions I tried to bottle up, the longer I remained around him. And of course, I did not want to give him the impression that his presence gave me the chills.
I walked to the class only to be met with another disaster. Hana and Sakura were standing around my seat.
'What wrong did I commit today?'
I walked up to them daringly.
"Well well well. If it isn't Ashley, my co-girlfriend," Hana remarked with scorn.
"What do you want?"
The sly smile she had on disappeared into thin air. "I want you to kneel before me."
'Huh???' If not that I wasn't in the mood to entertain their qualms, I would've burst into hysteric laughter 'cuz what the hell? I should kneel before her? Was she okay??!!
"Pardon?"
"You heard her, Ashley. Kneel," Sakura still backing me while sitting on my desk butted in.
Okay, now I truly wondered if something was wrong with them upstairs. It wasn't April for it to be April Fool's Day so what stunt were these bitches tryna pull?
"And if I don't?" I was now curious to see where this was heading. Now with my arms crossed on my chest, I assumed a gutsy stance.
Hana flashed me a mysterious smile and then stepped back. Sakura on the other hand stood upright and then turned around to face me.
A sharp sting immediately zoomed through my chest the moment our eyes met.
Those eyes. They looked nothing like they used to. They were deep blue now.
'Son of a gun!' It finally dawned on me what dirty tricks they were pulling. Who the heck told them about my phobia?
My already palpitating heart drummed faster, increasing the pressure I felt around my neck. Before long, my head followed suit, responding duly to the signals sent through my neck. My world began spinning in a fury. It would only take a moment until my episode kicked in completely.
Until now I managed to mask up, but soonest, the violent shudders sourcing from my heart that coursed through my veins traveled down to my limbs, ridding them of any life. This moment. What they yearned for, I dreaded the most.
I crumbled before them.
My chest tightened; my breathing lost rhythm. My senses were losing clarity but I still could hear their swirling evil laughter and voices.
"I never thought it would work. She's this weak and yet acted so impertinent."
"I should film this."
The class was nearly vacant but there were still students around who were witnessing this. Yet no one stepped in to lend a hand. With hands squeezing my chest tightly to contain its pain, my inner voice desperately cried for help. I didn't want to pass out here and now. 'Oh God, this was humiliating!'
"So…" I parted my lips to speak but my voice was arrested. I then remembered the lens Miss Antonia had given me and instantly regretted shoving it aside, remaining lax. 'But I promise to be different now. Somebody help, please.'
I tried holding on to a chair for support but a leg kicked it out of my reach, propelling me to grovel this time. What did I ever do to deserve this??!!!
My heart slowed down. Oh no, I was losing consciousness. My greatest fear. With gritted teeth, I looked up at them. They merely watched from their elevated points, probably feeling on top of the world after rendering me defenseless. I cussed inwardly, promising to make them pay if I made it out of this alive.
Just when all rays of hope were shut down…
A blurred figure burst through their center. I recognized it but my brain was too enraged to process any thoughts right now. If it was here to help, that was plenty for now.
Next, I felt a sturdy arm around my back, and another beneath my knees. Before I knew what was going on, I was off the ground and being led out of the class, wrapped firmly in its arms.
Its height.
Sturdy arms and chest.
The distance my hand journeyed to span its shoulders.
It was a guy, I could tell. Archer? No, he didn't have this build.
I tried sneaking a peak at his face from under his jawline but my eyelids felt too drained to comply and pave the way. I eventually listened to them and just shut my eyes for now. The worst phase is over at least, I thought, letting darkness take over.