chapter 5

"Aren't you guys nervous?" Daisy asked, standing before the entrance of the campus.

The college was absolutely humongous. It might have some secret laboratories where they're experimenting on human bodies.

Sorry about my exaggerated imagination.

There were many students walking into the building, looking excited because they're entering a new stage of their lives.

"I'm nervous," Dawson said, looking at the college building with a frustrated expression. "I mean, what if we end up getting bullied or something?! I'm sure you guys have noticed those gangster looking dudes standing in the hallways and smoking even though it's not allowed!"

"That's what you're worried about?" I scoffed. "Look, just focus on working hard, and enjoying your college life. Don't worry about those clowns."

"Sure, but can you take off those damn aviators?" Dawson asked, looking annoyed.

I didn't react to Dawson's request and kept looking forward.

Both Daisy and Dawson started purposely staring at me to make me uncomfortable.

"Oh he's getting shy!" Daisy said, trying to break my stoic expression.

I sighed and started walking into the building.

"Wait up, you damn show-off!" Dawson said, following behind.

Daisy giggled and followed too.

We entered the building, and wow. It was impressive. It was incredibly clean and well maintained.

"Hey do you know that this entire campus was built by some famous rich guy?" Daisy said.

"That explains why so many people wanted to join here. I don't know who you're talking about but he must be very well known if he has so much influence," Dawson said.

"That's why reading the news is important. Most people spend their time glued to their phones watching useless garbage instead of something useful," I said.

"Then what's the name of the guy, genius? You must know it since you're not like rest of us losers," Dawson said sarcastically.

"I never said I knew who he was. Unfortunately, I'm also included among the people who don't read the news," I said.

"You're so weird," Daisy said, looking at me.

"Weirdly honest," she said, correcting herself.

There was an awkward silence among the three of us while we were walking through the busy hallway.

Daisy clapped her hands to break the tension and said, "anyways, which classes are you guys assigned to? Let's compete to see who gets the highest grades shall we?"

"I'm not interested in studies. I'm the guy who will go beyond this dumb system. I will never be trapped in it," Dawson said, clenching his fist in front of him.

Daisy laughed and said, "Wow, chickening out already? that's embarassing! Just say that you don't stand a chance against me, Dawson."

While those two were talking, I was busy pondering about the events that transpired yesterday.

The kid I saved, Ivan. I wonder how he's doing.

And also, he also insinuated that I would get into serious trouble if I mess with the gangster looking guys in this campus.

What was really bothering me was, if there were such corrupt people on this island, why isn't anything being done about it?

Wait, I'm not exactly sure if those gangsters are being brought to justice.

But if they are operating in gangs and they hold so much power, then what else are they doing behind the scenes?!

"Hey....hey!" Daisy said, snapping me back to reality.

I looked at her.

"You look so serious....is anything going on?" She asked, looking concerned.

"There's something he isn't telling us," Dawson said. "Let me in on the juicy details man."

"Tch. Shut up. Don't bother me." I said in a harsh tone, but I regretted saying that the second it came out of my mouth.

Daisy and Dawson looked at me in a shocked manner.

"I'm sorry for bothering you, Hasan." Daisy said, looking down. "I was just worried."

"No need to feel sorry. This bastard is looking down on us," Dawson said, looking mildly angry.

I glared at Dawson, and he flinched a bit.

"What did you say, you damn coward? I barely even know you," I said.

Dawson gulped, and took a step back.

"Stop it you two! So immature," Daisy said, getting in between us.

Daisy looked nervous, so I decided to stop.

"And Hasan, why are you so short tempered? This isn't even a serious situation. You're just making it serious on your own," Daisy said.

I got pissed and decided to walk away from those two.

It wasn't even my fault. They were the ones who interrupted my thoughts.

It wasn't my damn fault.

It's not even such a serious situation, is there even a need to get so worked up for this?

No, those fools interrupted me first. It's not my fault.

And me? Short tempered?! I'm the calmest guy around! She doesn't know anything!

It wasn't my damn fault.

I didn't even bother looking behind. I barely even know those two and they think we're close enough to correct each other's mistakes?

I checked the classroom I was assigned to and went in and sat in an empty seat near the window.

I was impressed by how neat the desks were.

That's when I heard a notification sound from my phone. I turned on my phone and was shocked to see a text from Ivan.

"Thank you for yesterday." It read.

Then another text popped up.

"I'll definitely pay you back for this."

"Don't go around picking fights with everyone. The way you're treated in this school solely depends on your status in society. The rich families have it easy. They can get away with anything."

How does this guy know all this? Has he already studied here before me?

I typed:

"If anyone messes with me, whether they're a beggar or a prince, I'll bury them."

I could almost sense him being disappointed with my reply.

Then Ivan texted me again,

"Don't mess with the hierarchy. I don't want the guy who saved me to end up getting hospitalized. Remember, when somebody does something offensive to you, just be patient and let them do it. I'm begging you. Please don't pick a fight with them. I know how this place works."

I got frustrated from that message he sent and turned off my phone.

What kind of man would I be if I just let them walk all over me?

And it's not like the teachers are just going to let that stuff happen right? Then again, Ivan said the rich students get can away with anything.

The teachers are probably being paid to keep quiet and do nothing about it.

"Found you!" Daisy said, and sat at the desk next to mine.

Dawson didn't say anything and sat at the desk in front of me.

He was still upset from the exchange we had earlier.

Dawson turned back to face me.

"I didn't come here on my own okay? This idiot over here forced me to sit next to you," he said, pointing at Daisy.

"I don't mind," I said.

"What?" Dawson asked, though I'm sure he heard me the first time.

"I don't mind," I repeated. "And I apologise for earlier."

"Finally, you two made up!" Daisy said. "Hasan, you looked so scary back there. You reminded me of my grandpa."

Dawson laughed.

"You damn geezer!" He said, pointing at me.

I held my forehead, annoyed.

"Well, my grandpa was a soldier, and he was so scary that whenever he gets angry I start crying." Daisy said, reminiscing her days back at home.

"But he would get so hurt when he saw me crying and immediately buy me whatever I ask him," she said, smiling.

"So he's the one who keeps calling you every single night," Dawson asked.

"Yeah. He was curious about you two. He was more interested in Hasan to be honest," Daisy said looking at me.

I made a confused expression.

"Why was he interested in this self-centered show-off?" Dawson asked her, clearly trying to annoy me in the process.

"Well, my grandpa's always worried about my safety, so he asked who are my roomates and how they're treating me. I told him that there's one guy who was kind enough to get a covering for me to make me feel comfortable. He wanted to thank you Hasan," Daisy said.

"You're welcome," I said, nodding.

Soon all the students started entering the class and occupying their seats.

"I can't believe we three are in the same class," I said, feeling relieved inside, but not showing it.

"I can. I mean, look at us. It's quite easy to believe since we're both right in front of you," Dawson said, smirking.

What an annoying clown. But he's quite funny so I'll let it slide.

"Stop it Dawson. Don't start another stupid fight," Daisy said, staring at him with a motherly disciplining stare.

While these two were talking, I was busy paying attention to the students in the class. Who among these students were dirty?

It's hard to believe that I even enrolled in such a college.

Crash!

The loud noise broke me out of my thoughts. I saw a student grab Dawson from his chair and throw him onto the ground.

Dawson grunted in pain, as he hit his head severely on the floor.

The student who threw Dawson on the ground took Dawson's seat, and kicked Dawson's stomach.

Dawson cried out in pain.

Looks like trouble always finds me.

Dawson was an annoying fool alright, but I still considered him a friend. Maybe.

I looked over to Daisy and she was already near Dawson, sitting beside him and checking if he's alright.

"Hey," the student who attacked Dawson said to me.

"Take off those aviators."