Xyrine Jean's POV
"Ugh, what really happened over the weekend?" Ella's voice cut through the air, and she had been pestering me with the same question for what felt like an eternity.
I shot her a glare, my patience running thin. "Just stop asking," I muttered, my brow furrowing as the memories threatened to resurface. I didn't want to think about it anymore.
"What's with the attitude? You're being so distant," Ella remarked, her voice laced with concern. She was walking beside me for the first time in a while, and something about it felt strange.
I ignored her and kept walking, my pace quickening. "Wait, why are there so many girls at the gate? What's going on?" Ella pointed to a growing crowd by the entrance, her voice tinged with curiosity.
I glanced toward the commotion, but then my gaze froze. There he was—Spade. The idiot who seemed to be everywhere I didn't want him to be. He stood there, wearing his signature black shades, arms crossed, leaning nonchalantly against his car. The picture he made was almost comical, as if he were posing for a magazine ad.
I wanted to look away, but my eyes betrayed me, unable to tear themselves from the sight of him.
What is he doing there? Is he planning to beg for money?
Before I could stop myself, my gaze snapped back to him. His posture oozed arrogance, like he was above everyone. And for some reason, it made my heart race in a way I couldn't explain.
"Stay away from everyone. That's an order!" The words escaped my lips before I even realized it.
I froze mid-step, feeling a weird pang in my chest. 'Shit! Why does my heart react like this whenever he's near? I must be losing my mind.'
"Why is Spade here? Is he waiting for me?" A girl next to me asked, her voice practically dripping with excitement.
"Ella, stop being delusional," I snapped, my voice flat, "and listen to me. We need to leave now."
I turned to walk away, but before I could take another step, a strong hand gripped my uniform from behind.
"Running away again, huh?" His voice was teasing, irritatingly calm.
I spun around. "Ugh! Why do you always do this?" I tried to yank myself free, but he quickly blocked my path, his height towering over me.
"Are you crazy?" I barked, irritation flooding my words.
"Yeah, and you're really stubborn. Anyway, you're in Class A too, right? Follow me," he said with a grin, tossing me his bag as though it was the most natural thing in the world. "My dear mistress."
His smirk was infuriating as he turned and started walking away. The whispers of students around us only made it worse.
What's their deal? Do they want to carry his bag too? Ugh! And what's with this 'mistress' nonsense? That lunatic!
I didn't have time to respond. "Ella, you hold it—"
"Yay! I'm going to be late! See ya, cousin!" Before I could even protest, she dashed off, leaving me with no choice but to follow Spade toward Class A.
Inside the classroom, the silence was deafening. Every face was turned toward us. The other four members of Class A—Ren, Ten, Louren, and the always-annoyed Monique—looked equally stunned by our entrance.
I caught Ren, Ten, and Louren's blank stares, but it was Monique who spoke first, raising an eyebrow.
"Is that Spade's bag?" Tennessee asked, his tone incredulous.
"Why are you two together?" Ren asked, his voice tinged with disbelief.
Louren was quiet but wore a knowing smile. I quickly averted my gaze, unsure of how to respond.
"Is there something going on between you two?" Monique's voice was sharp, like a dagger aimed at my chest.
I frowned, my eyebrows knitting together. "Excuse me?"
"So, why are you holding his bag?" Ten pressed, his voice insistent.
"We bumped into each other at the gate, and I had no choice but to—"
"We spent time together last night," Spade interjected with a mischievous grin.
My jaw dropped. "WHAT?! What the hell?" I turned to him, wide-eyed, unable to process his words.
Last night? What's he talking about? He passed out after I hit him on the head!
"And I don't see anything wrong with that. She's my mistress anyway," he added nonchalantly, clearly relishing in the chaos he was causing.
I wasn't sure if I wanted to strangle him or flee from the room. "That's a bluff!" I shouted, my voice thick with anger.
The three of them didn't react, though Louren seemed to be holding back a smile.
'Ugh! Whatever!' I thought to myself, giving up on trying to explain.
Breaktime
The morning classes were finally over. I was still trying to get a handle on this whole "normal class" thing. I'd been here for a few days, but today was the first time I actually had to attend regular lessons.
I was on my way to the cafeteria when I felt someone grab my arm, spinning me around. My eyes locked onto Monique and her gang, all of them glaring at me.
"What's your problem, besides your face?" I sneered, narrowing my eyes at her.
"You'll regret it if you don't stop causing a scene," Monique hissed, her voice laced with venom.
"Oh, I'm scared," I replied sarcastically, rolling my eyes. "And what nonsense are you talking about?" I shrugged off her hand, trying to ignore the tight knot forming in my stomach.
"You know exactly what I mean, freak!" she spat. "I let you study here, let you be part of Class A, and you still have the audacity to flirt with the four kings—especially Spade?"
I threw my hands up in exasperation. "If you don't want me to be with them, then replace me as their TOY!" I snapped and turned, ready to leave.
"You'll pay for this!" Monique screamed after me.
I ignored her, my mind already searching for Ella. But just as I started walking, I bumped straight into someone's chest.
Ugh! Who's this idiot who didn't see me? Is he blind?
"Hey, watch where you're—"
Shit! Run, Xyrine, run!
I tried to dart away, but before I could, a hand grabbed the back of my uniform.
"Why are you always running away from me?" he asked, his tone playful yet annoying.
"And why do you always grab my uniform?!" I snapped, my anger flaring.
"I'm free to do so..." he replied casually.
"Get your dirty hands off me!"
"If I don't?"
"Remove your hands, dumbass!"
"Don't run first, idiot!"
"I'm not an idiot!"
"Then I'm not a dumbass!"
"Yes, you are! Mr. Sunovabitch!"
"What?"
"Crazy Sunovabitch!"
I glared at him, my heart hammering in my chest, but to my surprise, he looked away, a soft sigh escaping him. "You're wasting my time," he muttered, turning on his heel and walking away.
I stood there, still seething, as everyone around us stared. Don't they have anything better to do?
"Hey, couz!" Ella's voice echoed from the cafeteria entrance.
"I've been looking for you. You've been here all along," I said, walking toward her.
"Sorry, I stopped by the student council office to check if it's true."
"True about what?"
"That Sharina's back."
"Who's Sharina?" I asked, taking a bite of my food.
"Student Council Vice President."
"Oh," I said, not sure why that was important.
"What do you mean 'oh'? She's a threat! Did you know they're saying she's Spade's fiancée, and Louren has a thing for her?"
I stopped chewing. Louren liked her? And Spade's fiancée?
I didn't understand everything yet, but it made sense why he'd called me his "mistress." But they weren't even married, right? Whatever.
Ella kept talking as the cafeteria grew louder.
"So, she's finally here, huh?"
"Aww! She's really beautiful!"
"Like a living goddess!"
The whispers filled the air, and curiosity tugged at me. I couldn't help but glance toward the girl everyone was talking about.
She was stunning. The word "beautiful" didn't even do her justice. She looked like she belonged to another world—so pale, like the sun never touched her, with light brown, slightly curly hair that framed her face perfectly. Her eyes? Dreamy.
In short…
"She's like a goddess," Ella sighed, still staring at Sharina in awe.
"Right," I muttered, feeling a pang in my chest that I couldn't quite place.
I hadn't meant to look at my reflection in the glass beside me, but there it was. My face was stiff, my black cap pulled low. I looked... ordinary.
"It's hard to accept, but it's undeniable. She fits with any of the four kings. Just look at them," Ella added, pointing at the group.
I turned my gaze to them. Spade, Ren, Ten, and Louren. They were all smiling, gazing at Sharina like she was the only thing that mattered.
"What's with the look? You're losing hope? Sharina was Ms. Montreal last year, and you still had the nerve to speak to her. You're gorgeous! With a little polish, you could totally compete for Ms. Montreal this year, especially with the school festival coming up," she added with a grin.
I narrowed my eyes at her. "Where did you get that idea? Anyway, I'm done eating. I'm heading out."
I got up and left before she could say anything else, my thoughts swirling. Am I really competing with her? What's this Ms. Montreal thing? No. I'm not affected. Of course not.
I made my way to the maze garden, needing a moment to clear my head.
I tried to rest, but no matter what I did, sleep wouldn't come.
Ugh! What's wrong with me?!
Louren's appearance
Suddenly, I heard a voice.
"Hi."
I jumped, my heart leaping out of my chest.
"Son of a—!" I hissed, quickly recognizing the voice. My eyes met Louren's, his usual calm smile on his lips.
"I knew you'd come here again." He smiled knowingly.
Wait, what? "Again? Have we met here before?"
"Uh, yes? It was memorable. You asked me something."
"Something?"
He cleared his throat, mimicking me. "Has anyone ever fallen in love with me? I think not. Alright, you take over." His smile was wide, teasing.
I blinked. "That was you?" I stammered, shocked.
"Yep," he said, grinning. "First time I saw you. You were the only student I knew who skipped class and napped in the maze. I even followed you the night you were kidnapped."
I gaped at him.
"Why did you save me, knowing it would put you against Spade?" My voice shook slightly, and I clenched my fists. "Why do you always help me?" I barely recognized my own voice.
He looked at me for a long moment, his expression softening. "Maybe you remind me of someone. I couldn't just let that go."
I blinked, trying to process his words. "Don't get me wrong. I'm still one of the four kings, but... I know you didn't take it the wrong way, right?" His smile returned, playful.
I was speechless.
"Okay," I managed to say after a long pause, my heart still racing.
I swallowed hard, then asked, the question burning in my chest.
"Do you... do you like Sharina?"
He blinked, clearly surprised by my bluntness, but then his gaze turned serious, and his smile softened.
"YES," he said simply, meeting my eyes.