Chapter 2 2

Unbelievably, I surveyed the whole class. Some girls were busy applying makeup, while others threw random objects at each other. Some were flying paper airplanes, and a few engaged in wrestling at the back while other boys cheered.

"Class, may I have your attention please?!" our teacher shouted.

For a moment, my classmates became quiet as she spoke. Surprisingly, they still knew how to listen to the teacher.

"She will be your new classmate. Be nice to her, okay?" Ma'am announced.

After our teacher said that, my classmates resumed their activities. They became loud and chaotic again.

"Introduce yourself, dear," Ma'am instructed me shyly.

Reluctantly, I smiled at her and faced my classmates, who didn't bother to give me any attention.

"Good morning, everyone. I am Summer Pascua," I introduced myself.

After I finished speaking, to my surprise, a crumpled paper hit me in the face, causing the whole class to burst into laughter.

"Alright, dear. Take your seat now," Ma'am awkwardly instructed.

I looked around, and the only available seat was at the back, next to the window. What? I'll sit at the back, next to an annoying guy who will be my Prince Charming? How cliché.

I started to step towards my seat, but suddenly, a foot blocked my way. I looked to see whose foot it was, and I was greeted by the face of a girl who looked like a clown due to her heavy makeup. Is she trying to trip me?

"You look familiar. Wait..." she said, turning to her seatmate. "Hey, girl, isn't she the one? The wanted girl?"

What? Wanted?

Her seatmate looked at me. "Yeah! She does look like her! Damn, she's even uglier in person!"

I couldn't believe I stood there dumbfounded by their words. What did they say? U-ugly? Oh my God. How did I even enter this school? Why did everyone seem decent during the entrance exam yesterday? Why does my first impression at Tan Siu International Academy feel ruined now?

"Miss Pascua, please take a seat," Ma'am ordered.

"Uh, yes," I replied, quickly bypassing the girl's foot.

I sat next to the window. Surprisingly, the whole class remained silent, and all attention was on me.

"Uh, Miss Pascua, may I request you to please choose another seat? That seat is already taken," Ma'am said.

"Oh, sure, Ma'am," I replied, quickly moving to the next available seat.

The entire class still had their attention on me, and it became deafeningly quiet.

"Even that seat is taken, Miss Pascua," Ma'am said with an awkward smile.

I stood up again and went to the farthest seat, next to the wall.

"Is this okay?" I asked.

Ma'am smiled in response, and I took my seat. The whole class remained fixated on me, their silence becoming unbearable.

"Miss Pascua, would you mind moving to another seat? That one is also taken," Ma'am said with a forced smile.

"Ah, okay, Ma'am," I replied, quickly moving to another seat.

The whole class still stared at me, and it seemed like the tension in the room increased.

"Guys! She's here! Hurry up! Let's go watch!" shouted a sweaty guy as he ran out.

All my classmates hurriedly left the room, following that guy. In just a few seconds, it looked like our classroom had been abandoned, with chairs scattered and papers flying.

I looked at Ma'am in confusion as we were the only ones left. Suddenly, she also exited the classroom. What's happening? Since I was alone, I reluctantly stood up and left the room. If there's no class, I might as well go home and study there. It seems like I should focus on self-study instead of constantly transferring to different schools.

I was stopped in my tracks when I encountered other students running towards me. In the chaos, I got pushed, and I found myself running along with them.

"I shouted, 'Wait! Please don't push me!' But it seemed useless as everyone else was also yelling, and I couldn't hear my own screams. I reached the school's covered court, my own feet seemingly not under my control. Despite the crowd inside, students pushed me to get in, almost crushing my small, frail body.

Out of self-pity, I knelt and crawled to find a spacious, empty area. I continued crawling until I abruptly stopped when I saw a guy collapse in front of me. Terrified, I sat back. Looking up, I witnessed more guys falling. I covered my eyes, not wanting to witness brutality.

"Wow, he's strong! He can take down a gang even by himself!"

"Did you hear? Those idiots spiked his drink, so he got drunk and passed out. Serves them right."

I glanced at two girls beside me filming the chaos. Startled, they looked at me, and I quickly averted my gaze.

"Wait. Look, isn't that him? The wanted guy?"

They looked closely, then pulled out a paper from their uniform pockets. They examined it before looking at me again.

"Oh God, he's the one who brought Jack to the hospital!"

My heart pounded. Hospital? Wanted? Please tell me the Cursing Machine isn't here!

I cautiously stood up and approached the two.

"Uhm... Do you know me?" I asked awkwardly.

They nodded slowly in response.

"H-how?" I nervously questioned.

They slowly showed me a paper they held, revealing a drawn and photocopied image of my face. It looked like I was a missing person being hunted down, but the text read "Wanted: Dead or Alive!" with a reward of fifty thousand pesos. You've got to be kidding me!

I looked back at the two girls to talk to them, but they recoiled as if scared. Glancing around, I noticed many people staring at me.

Okay, what's going on? I don't want anyone's attention. Please, I want them to look away. I'm scared. This anxiety...

To my surprise, someone suddenly hugged me from behind, causing everyone to gasp. The person let go, but held my shoulders, facing me towards him.

"There you are, silly. Finally," the guy who hugged me said with a meaningful smile.

My eyes widened in disbelief. How in the world? How?!

Suddenly, he embraced me and faced me towards a girl with a scowling and frowning face, resembling an angry dog. She had a closed fist and looked ready to growl.

"Meet my new girlfriend. Now it's proven, isn't it?"

I almost gaped at what he said.

"How can I prove that when you used me too? You just made others believe you're my girlfriend because you're still bitter about Jasmine!"

I looked at the Cursing Machine as he tightened his grip on my shoulder.

"You want proof? Fine." He answered with obvious irritation. "Damn, I hate public displays of affection," he said and suddenly grabbed both my cheeks, bringing his face close to mine.

He stared seriously into my eyes and smirked.

"You liar. I really am going to cut your tongue," he said.

My eyes widened at his next action. It felt like the world stopped spinning after he claimed my lips.

Moments passed, and he quickly withdrew his lips from mine. He straightened up and looked at the girl in front of us while I remained stunned by what he did.

"Need more proof?" he said, smirking at the girl in front of him.

Slowly, I raised my hand and touched my lips. It's the first day of class, and I've already lost my first kiss to this...ugh! Jerk?! I don't even know who he is! This is... Oh, God!