Chapter 3

A week had passed and I busied myself studying, reviewing, and going over all my notes. Tomorrow is the start of our semester midterm in which I am feeling confident that I would ace each and every exam thrown at me. I just spent the whole weekend studying by myself since Ronny didn't feel like being my study buddy. She is probably in some bar or at an underground fighting arena causing trouble.

When it came to underground fights, we always go for the leader of the gang. Defeat the leader, gang backs out. The winner also gets the cash price from people's bets. Not that we need it but, we had to accept it because it is part of the game. Nonetheless, we earn their respect which is the most important thing to a fighter. Anyways, Ronny and I are alike but I am more of the responsible one.

That night, I fell asleep on top of my desk using my arms as my pillow.

I woke up feeling an enormous strain on my neck. I winced as I moved it in circular motion hoping it would alleviate the pain. Upon doing so, I felt an unusual coldness in my room. It's in the middle of September after all. However, it wasn't the cold that the winter season brought, it's something else.

I am so mentally drained that I couldn't care less so I tried to clear my mind off of it. I gently rubbed my eyes as I straightened myself but, something fell off of my shoulders. I looked behind me and found a blanket sliding down my back.

How?

The last time I checked I was so preoccupied that I didn't even bother to wrap myself with a blanket. I glanced at the door and it is still locked just as I remembered. No one could have entered my room and put a blanket on top of me. I was stopped from my train of thoughts when a gentle breeze blew in. I glanced at the door leading to my balcony. It was slightly open.

It was at that exact second that that particular scent brought by the wind hit me, along with that specific presence from last week. My pulse started racing uncontrollably again. Someone is in my room. I slowly reached underneath my seat and grabbed the dagger that is attached to the chair. Leaving the blanket behind, I immediately stood up gripping the dagger tightly. I looked around the room, studying it, my eyes narrowed and my ears listening intently.

After a couple of minutes, I sighed in relief, contented that no one was here but me. 'You're just imagining things' I thought to myself, shaking my head. I put the dagger back and walked towards the door to close it. I lazily strode to the thermostat and turned it up because this weird coldness is not going away.

After a day spent glued to my desk, my eyes started to feel heavy. I needed a good night sleep to relax and be ready by tomorrow. I tiptoed to my bed and climbed on it. I snuggled under my comforter and adjusted myself. I was so mentally exhausted that I didn't even care neither pay attention to where that scent and presence were coming from since I was already satisfied that nobody was around.

It was probably just in my head. Lydia might have lit a candle or something that smelled of rosewood and patchouli with that mint thing. It is becoming my favorite scent now that I got to take a whiff of it again.

~

"Dear, it's time to wake up you're gonna be late for your midterm." a hand then began to lightly shake my shoulder. I didn't mind Lydia trying to wake me up, I need more sleep.

"Calli-" she was cut off by the door swinging open. After that, I heard heavy footsteps nearing my bed.

"That's ok Lydia, I'll take it from here." wait that's Ronny's voice. I felt Lydia getting off the bed then eventually closing the door.

"Calliope Sofija Barisonova wake your ass up! You made me come all the way over here just to wake you so get your butt off that bed unless you want me to drag you to the bathroom because I will!" Ronny yelled straight to my ear then she took the comforter off me. I brought my hands to my ears and tightly covered it.

She got on the bed and started jumping like a little kid. "Will. You. Wake. Up. Already!" she whooped, jumping at every word she had said.

"Urgh alright alright." I groaned and got off the bed to go take a shower. Gosh she annoys me to my nerves to the point that I don't even know how I've kept up with her all of these years.

I remember the first time we met. Three years ago, I spent a Friday night in an underground arena when Paul, the person in charge called my name and told me someone challenged me to a fight. While I was bored and my knuckles were itching very much to hit someone, I accepted and walked to the center. People cheered punching their fist in the air. Just then a leg from behind me slid on the floor causing me to trip. I fell on my butt which made me wince in pain. A figure of a lady then confidently marched in front of me. "You didn't see that coming, did you?" she said with a smirk plastered on her face.

"Attacking from behind, huh? You know there's a perfect word for that .... coward." I commented. The smirk faded from her face. I took that moment to do what she did to me, though I did more. I extended my leg and kicked her on her stomach then I turned around sliding my leg across the floor which made her loose her balance and fall. I quickly got up to my feet, patting the dirt off my pants.

"Need some help there?" I teased and extended my hand to her. Using her free hand she took my hand while the other is holding on to her stomach. I firmly gripped her hand and pulled her up but, as soon as she steadied herself she threw a punch at me. I anticipated that she would do that so in my defense, I caught her fist with my hand. She didn't expect that I would catch her hand, her reaction says it all.

She raised her knee and was about to hit me on my stomach again but I dropped her hand and jumped back balancing my weight on my right foot. She began throwing punches at me and all I did was to avoid and take a step back. Damn she's fast. I was getting exhausted from avoiding and catching all her blows so when she swung her fist at me again, I ducked and hit her on her side causing her to step back. She moaned in pain and arched her body to the side where I hit her.

After recovering, she quickly sprint towards me, leaping in the air and coming down with her fist. I managed to avoid her but she did a whole body turn then came with her elbow striking me. I received a hard blow to my lips. My blood started entering my mouth which made me spit it out on the ground, wiping the remaining blood from my lips. I have to say, she is good. I have never fought someone this good before. And now I am quite enjoying it.

'Finally, someone worth fighting with' I thought to myself and briefly smiled at her. Our fight lasted longer than expected with no intention of giving up from either of us.

I jumped as high as I could and did a complete turn in the air before landing my foot on her face. The impact caused her to crash to the ground. I was about to grab her when we all heard a loud announcement. I turned my head to the main entrance of the underground basement.

"Police! Everyone lie on the ground!"

Everyone ran in different directions. Soon the basement went chaotic. I glanced at the girl who is still weakly lying on the concrete floor. I guess that kick was too much for her. I bent down and pulled her arm to stand her up. "Come on. We gotta go" I said and lead the way to the hidden exit where it is currently packed with people trying to get out.

As soon as we got out, we started running together because a cop was chasing us, shouting for us to stop. We turned a corner and turned again until we came to a stop in front of a pub. We entered and blend in with the people. I walked to the bar counter and sat at one of the high stools. She followed behind and sat beside me.

"Water please." I called to the barista.

"Thanks for getting me out of there." she said. I grabbed the glass of water and gulped it down. "That was a good fight, I hope we do it again" she stated inviting me for a second round. I nodded in agreement.

"I'm Ronny by the way" she introduced and drank her water as well. "Callie." I said in return. That night we parted ways - I came home with a busted lip and she went home with a purple splotch on her left cheek.

"Callie? Helloo? Are you listening?" Ronny snapped her finger in front of me.

"I said I gotta go to the bathroom so you can head to class first." she informed and left. I fixed the way I'm holding my notes and went on my way. As I turned to the curve of the hallway, I rammed right into someone. Great! This again! To hell with deja vu!

"Oh! It's you again. We really have to stop meeting like this" she chuckled showing her perfectly smile. It's her again! Octavia.

"Yeah, no kidding" I agreed. I eyed her down, she looks stunning. She looked at me for a second and said "Why don't I take you out sometime?" My eyes widened.

"Sorry but I'm not gay" I said weirdly looking at her. Did she just ask me out?

"G-Gay?" she asked confusedly. She seemed to be not familiar with what it means. That's unusually impossible.

"I don't do girls. I'm straight" I explained.

She looked at me and as if she understood what I meant, she burst into laughter "No no no. That is not what I meant at all. I am happily married." she exclaimed. Married? She looks just my age. Too young to get married, in my opinion,

"I just wanted to do something good, .... you know for bumping unto you twice today now" she said innocently.

"Oh, that's fine you don't have to, really." I answered. She looked at me and seemed to want to say something but somehow she couldn't. I took the opportunity to ask her what she meant last time. "Hey, what exactly did you mean when you said 'nice to finally meet me'? Do you know me by any chance?" I waited patiently for her answer.

She put her hand on my shoulder and smiled again. "You will know soon." she uttered and walked pass me. Still confused, I entered our class. Not a while later, Ronny came in and sat beside me.

While playing with the pencil on my hand, I can't help myself to think of what Octavia had said. I will soon know what? What did she mean? She seemed to know me and yet I just met her last week. My thoughts wondered off when Ronny kicked my seat and the words 'Are you ok?' formed on her mouth. I nodded and decided to start answering the examination questions.

Later that night, I came home extremely exhausted. I feel like my brain is going to burst out of my skull. I took a quick shower and changed into my shorts and tank top. I hopped on to my bed and immediately drifted to sleep.

I was awakened by a knock on my door. "Calliope dear, are you awake? I brought you some milk." it was Lydia's muffled voice on the other side of the door. Not knowing that there isn't enough space for me as I flipped to the other side caused me to fall off the bed with a thud. I looked at the clock and it was almost 11pm. I wiggled out of my comforter when I heard a soft chuckle.

My eyes widened upon hearing a manly voice. I quickly got up to my feet and readied myself for something. Anything really. "Hello? Is anyone there?" I called paying extra attention to my surroundings. "Callie?" Lydia called again.

I went to open the door but as I was about to turn the door knob, I heard a brief shuffling behind me. Then the door to my balcony suddenly opened and closed immediately. It happened under a second that when I turned around my room is eerily quiet like nothing had just happened. Everything is in place. However, a shadow that just passed by my balcony did not escape my sight. It was a glimpse of a silhouette that disappeared so fast.

What the hell?

I rushed towards my bed and reached for my gun which is attached to the bottom part of the bed. I sprint to the balcony trying so hard not to make a sound. After opening the door, I raised my hand holding my gun in place as I search the area. The balcony is a little dark with the moon as the only source of light. It was a full moon shining brightly. My eyes were still adapting to the sudden change of lighting when I felt a coldness behind me.

Oh gosh. It's that presence again.

I swiveled around but just then, I am met with a figure standing so close to me. In a blink of an eye, my back slammed to the wall - A strong hand placed on my waist holding me still and the other pinning my hand which is still holding the gun to the wall. I was caught off guard that I let go of the gun, hearing it clank to the floor.

How did that happen?

My heart pounded inside my chest. It wasn't because I was scared, it is something I don't understand. And that scent, it belonged to him! It smelled much stronger now that he is centimeters away from me.

"Hello, my love."

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