Alena really wanted to go unnoticed this time.
But, the voice she least liked to hear reached her. "Well, look who it is."
Fucking Freddie. Of course, it was him.
He still wore that unsettling smile all over his face, "Haven't seen you in a while."
"Been busy," Alena instinctively took a step back.
"Oh." Freddie's grin widened. "So, what are you doing here now though? I thought your shift ended two hours ago."
"It did," She replied with a sigh."I just came from my second shift."
His tone softened immediately, "Oh, overworking now? Need money? You know, I can help-"
Alena's body stiffened the second his hand brushed against hers. "Thanks, but I've got it covered," she said, pulling her hand away.
Unfazed by the rejection, he leaned in closer, "Alena, come on. Jokes aside, I'm just trying to help. You're always taking on so much. I hate to see you struggling. Come on, Ask for help, you know. Being a little selfish once in a while doesn't make you a bad person."
She stayed silent. She was just so tired of this guy. But Freddie was universally known to be the man who doesn't understand hints. So even now, he lived up to it and continued to press on her,
"Look, I get it. You're still mad about… well, everything. I shouldn't have proposed the way I did. But hey, that's old news, right? We can move past it. We're friends, aren't we?"
Oh god.
Alena stared at the ground, the hairs on the back of her neck bristling. She could feel the comforting weight of her ax in her bag. Yeah, this urge to swing this shit on this fat fuck…
Right then.... like a sudden reprieve.... a voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"Freddie. That's enough."
Kamala stepped between them. Her posture was commanding and her dark eyes locked onto Freddie, who blinked, startled by her abrupt arrival.
"I… I was just trying to help. Nothing wrong with that, is there?"
Kamala's expression didn't waver. "Help by getting in the jeep. Now."
He hesitated but eventually trudged off toward the vehicle bay, muttering, "Yeah, sure, ma'am. Can't even be nice these days."
As soon as he was out of earshot, Kamala turned to Alena. "You okay?"
Alena exhaled slowly, her shoulders relaxing. "Thanks. He's… persistent."
Kamala chuckled. "Yeah, I know, right? But you did reject him already, didn't you?"
Alena : "I did, but I don't think Freddie knows what rejection means."
Kamala : "Persistent types like him never do. Good thing I showed up. By the way, how's Kalli?"
Alena blinked at the sudden change in topic but nodded. "Yeah. She's at a school picnic today with Lys. Should be back soon."
"Good," Kamala said with a small smile. "She deserves some fun. You all do."
Miles away.....
Kalli flicked her lighter absentmindedly, the small flame dancing against the backdrop of trees and chattering students. Chatter chatter chatter chatter.... The picnic grounds were noisy, too noisy for her liking.
Can't even sleep in peace.
She leaned against a tree. A cigarette dangled from her lips as she lazily watched Lys and his girlfriend, Sofia, lost in their own world.
"Gross," Kalli mumbled under her breath. Watching them, to her, felt like witnessing a rom-com in real life, "Don't they have any shame at all?"
A familiar voice interrupted her thoughts. "Don't wanna hear that from you, bro."
Startled, Kalli turned to see Jenna standing a few feet away with a bemused expression, "Oh see it's Ms. Joestar."
"Don't call me that bro. And, Still fucking smoking at a school picnic? That bald guide's too scared to even ask you to put it out. What did you do to freak him out so bad?"
Kalli smirked, dropping the cigarette butt to the ground and grinding it under her boot. "You don't need to know that. Anyway, where's Sia?"
Jenna raised an eyebrow. "I don't know. I thought she was with you, bro."
"No, she wasn't-," Kalli frowned. "Wait, maybe earlier, I saw her with Sofia."
Jenna : "Then let's ask her, bro."
Kalli's gaze drifted back to Sofia and Lys.
Lys.... Her brother. Adopted, but still her brother. Since they'd arrived, he hadn't so much as glanced her way. All his attention was on Sofia.
"Fuck it, you go," Kalli said with a dismissive tone. "I'm not going near them. You know, i really don't like Sofia."
Jenna rolled her eyes. "You're so persistent about hating people, bro. This is why you don't have much friend except us."
"What the fuck?"
Without waiting for a proper response, Jenna approached Sofia, who was still giggling at something Lys had said. From a distance, Kalli watched the whole exchange.
Jenna asked Sofia something. Sofia's face twisted in confusion, but before she could respond, her phone rang. After that, Sofia hurried off.
Jenna returned, looking annoyed.
"So? She doesn't know?" Kalli asked.
Jenna shook her head in affirmation. "I really don't like that girl, bro."
"Wow same," Kalli said in mockery. "For now, let's just find Sia, Ms Joestar."
The two girls stood up and began searching the picnic grounds, weaving through clusters of students. Jenna called out Sia's name repeatedly, but there was no response.
"Where could she have gone?" Jenna muttered.
Kalli's jaw tightened as she scanned the area, unease churning in her gut.
And then she saw her. Near the corner of a small shop.
But She wasn't alone. She was surrounded by four older boys. One of them gripped her shoulder, his fingers digging in rough enough to make her wince. Their mocking laughter echoed the air, setting Kalli's nerves alight.
"That's my fucking friend," Kalli growled under her breath. She took a step forward, but Jenna grabbed her arm, pulling her back.
"Bro, wait!" Jenna hissed. "Think this through. We can't just charge in. There's four of them. Just… breathe."
Kalli shot her a sharp look but forced herself to exhale. In no time, a crooked smile formed on her lips. "Breathe, huh? Yeah. So…"
She closed her eyes for a brief moment and then started jumping, "One-two-three-four." "One-two-three-four."
Jenna frowned. "What are you doing, bro?"
"Just steadying my heartbeat, Ms Joestar. Listening to what it has to say about this messed-up situation. I'll follow the rhythm it gives me. And do you know what sound my heart's making right now?"
Before Jenna could stop her, Kalli took off. Her movements were really swift. The boy holding Sia barely had time to react before Kalli's boot slammed into his chest, sending him sprawling to the ground.
Sia stumbled back, her eyes wide with shock as Kalli stepped forward, standing between her and the remaining boys.
"Sup, bitches," Kalli said, addressing the remaining three boys with a wave of her hand.
The largest boy snarled, "Who the hell are you?"
Kalli took out her lighter, flicking it on with a sharp click. Then come out the whisper, "Let's dance."
Those goons were confused. "What's this crazy chick talking about?"
One of them lunged at her. Kalli sidestepped smoothly and smashed the lighter hard against his temple. He cried out, collapsing to the ground as the flame grazed his skin.
The remaining two boys froze, uncertainty replacing their earlier bravado.
Kalli crouched beside the injured boy, holding the lighter close to his face, "I asked all of you something before. Sup, bitches?"
A tense silence hung in the air until a new voice cut through. "What's going on here?"
All heads turned. Simon, their bus driver, strode toward them. Kalli noticed Jenna was walking behind him, her face pale.
Kalli shrugged, "So she called for help."
"Picking on schoolgirls now, huh?" Simon said, his voice dripping with disdain. "You want me to call the cops, or are you gonna scram?"
The boys exchanged nervous looks before muttering curses under their breaths and retreating into the woods. The injured one scrambled to his feet, glaring at Kalli as he stumbled after his friends.
Jenna went up and helped Sia to her feet, "You good?" Sia nodded, though her eyes were still glossy,"Yeah… thanks, Jojo."
"Don't call me that, bro. By the way, Thanks Simon."
Simon gave a small smile and started walking.
The injured boy looked at their group for one last time, and touched his temple, it's raw and blistered. "That girl… she's trouble."
Kalli glanced back at him. Then, flicked her lighter again. That flame illuminated her unholy smirk.
"Thats gotta be a demon," The boy flinched, his breath hitching as he cowered away. This moment would leave a lasting scar on his life. For sure.