The bell in Lockhart High was that of a gentle chime that rang out to the ends of school grounds. It came from the grand clock tower that acted as the center point of the academy, it was as old as the school itself; nearly two hundred years old.
This ancient gentle chime played out onto the grassy field, alerting the crowd that had rallied around Eric Graves of a far greater importance than gaining his attention; not being tardy on the first day of school.
It was like a festival as I watched all of the Strings of Desire suddenly cut away from Eric; like a flower blossoming. From what I could tell, he couldn't see the strings himself; as his gaze was solely fixed on mine.
He stared at me with a strange bewilderment, likely thinking 'Who the hell was I to confront him'? And during the use of his [system], no less.
I felt my face run white hot as I tried my best to not buckle under the pressure of his attention. I wanted nothing more than to run away, to blend in with the crowd, and to pretend that this never happened. But that was no longer the case, as I was now on Eric Graves' radar; and I could now be his next target.
Lee looked up from where he was, he was staring at me. I can imagine what he was thinking, it was the same bewilderment that Eric shared-- but in the vein of, 'Who are you? And why are you standing up for me? Please, go save yourself!'
But as I caught his glance, I saw a curious look in his eye, he must've recognized me from the cafe; this was a work of fate between him and me. I could sense that mysterious being chuckling to himself over this turn of events.
Suddenly, I felt my shoes leave the ground as a familiar tug strained my throat; it was Eric who had lifted me from my collar.
"What's your problem, bitch?" He hissed, vitriol oozing from his eyes.
The hope that he wouldn't lay a hand on me because I was a girl now fizzled out sourly, I was preparing myself for the worst now as I tensed my stomach if he were to jab me there.
But, no such violence came, and to my surprise, I was let go as I fell to the ground. I looked up to see Eric no longer staring at me, but at something behind me.
Fearing that it might be a Teacher coming here to cite us, as I turned my head around to see for myself, I was met by the tight-lipped frown of a certain blonde-haired girl; it was Ria Goodgarden.
But her serious look wasn't aimed at me, but at Eric, as she crossed her arms and began to speak.
"As my duty as Class President and Daughter of the Headmaster, you're coming with me to detention, Eric Graves," She commanded as she pointed at him.
When did she get here? Was she in the crowd this entire time? How could I have missed her if she were? She was such a striking figure, that it felt impossible to miss her even in a sea of people. But, whatever it may be, she was here now, and she was going to book Eric; I felt a wave of relief wash over me.
But, just as I was about to relax, Eric untensed himself and dug his hands into his pockets; he wasn't phased.
"Oh no, you got me," He mocked as he kept a nonchalant swagger.
"Come with me now, or you'll be further cited," Ria demanded, she kept her cool against his irritating display.
It was unnerving to see the both of them be at odds like this. To believe that they would carry out a hidden relationship, but seeing them now it felt impossible.
"Maybe, you should just let me go, hell, I won't even hold a grudge against you if you did," He asked as he took a step toward her.
But Ria didn't budge from where she stood, I could sense the morning air's chill grow colder as their distance shortened; something was bound to happen.
Ria then looked at me, she gave me a faint smile as she motioned me to look at where she was looking at; she was looking at Lee.
Was she asking me to help him get out of here? But, if I did, what about her? I didn't trust leaving her and Eric alone, especially now that I know he can force his will on anyone's [Heart's Desire].
Wait... what if... that must've been it!
Eric had used his [system] to force Ria into a relationship with him. It all made sense now! As if they would ever naturally become a couple.
But if that's the case, then I can't leave her now. If I did, he'd use his [system] on her, forcing her into a relationship.
And if anything, if they were to never get into a relationship, then wouldn't that mean...
I looked at Lee, he was now fully dressed again. Within a month, he would discover Eric and Ria on the rooftop, and subsequently die for it. But, if they were to never get together, then Lee would live.
I was stuck, I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Ria was sacrificing herself right now to get Lee and me to leave, but I couldn't leave or Lee would die within a month.
Think, think, think! There has to be a way to get out of this without sacrificing anyone--
if anything, I should sacrifice myself. I've been given this new life, and if anything, I'm a blank canvas. Lee has nothing, while Ria has everything, they both deserve to live their lives without Eric Graves tainting it.
I can survive his bullying this time, I'm not a loser anymore, I have a fighting chance...
But if I can't beat him with brute force, then I'll have to beat him with what I do have--
"E-Eric!!" I shouted out to him again, surprising the three of them with my outburst.
"Oh great, Bitch has more to bark about," Eric groaned as he turned his attention away from Ria, who shot me a confused glance as she watched from her distance.
As I got up to my feet, I felt my chest tighten as I closed my eyes and prepared myself for what I was about to say next--
"I-I-I LIKE YOU!! PLEASE GO OUT WITH ME!!!!" I screamed, breaking through the sound of the distant bell toll as I covered my red-hot face in embarrassment.