3 Page 3: Junior High

As we expected it to be, news of our night interaction invaded the morning news with a lot of positive and violent comments from the fans on both sides. I was trying to enjoy my hearty toast and scrambled eggs with avocado when Dave, wearing his usual suit and tie under a fluffy pink apron, turned up the volume of the TV. The reporter was excitedly asking for comments to the guest of the morning news, who happens to be a colleague of mine.

"Trevor has been getting popular lately, huh." Dave said as he sat down beside me at the dining table.

"That's just because he ventured into acting a few months ago." I reply biting into my honey glazed toast, "He's been getting a lot of attention after the drama he's a second lead on aired sometime last February."

"For a newly debuted actor to get the second lead in a highly rated drama says something," he says sipping on his coffee.

I shrug.

Trevor, a famous male model from Lancelot Entertainment also known as LancEnte, the same age as I am. He's a curly-haired 176-centimeter person who only wears branded clothing and is very explicit about it. Nobody knows his real name or where he came from, but he mentioned in one interview that he's part American. Trevor debuted as a model at the age of five, as a model for Bear Land, an amusement park in the city. He was so cute that children and mothers were so entranced by him that Bear Land's ticket sales have risen in just a short amount of time back in the day. It was similar to how I pulled Queen back up to the leading charts but Trevor's did not only gain popularity within the country but also to the foreign tourists. The child model is a formidable foe in the advertisement world. I always end up thinking of how fortunate that he's not interested in pursuing modeling for a fashion magazine, then I would have gained another rival. We only worked once in a project for Queen around the summer of last year wherein we shot a bunch of hiking photos with N*ke's new line of sport's wear. He's really professional I must say, but his personality is HORRIBLE. I'd work with him, sure, but making friends with him is a different story. I'm not going to go all out and bash him here for now, but let me tell you that this guy is a self-centered prick and is most certainly not a gentleman. He hates me and I hate him too. End of story.

"So Trevor," the reporter excitedly cheered, catching my attention as I drink my milk, "Being the person who has worked with Hera before, what do you really think is the meaning behind these two top models' of the two famous rivaled magazine brands of the country, following each other on TeaDiaries last night even though we've never seen them interact with each other before?" Heiress's latest shot of Cherry flashed behind them with my latest shot wearing a plaid skirt on Queen's cover side by side. Seriously? They chose the body shot and Cherry got the close-up? Talk about proper representation in the media. Oops. Me and my priorities. Trevor chuckles on screen. Visually pleasing, emotionally taunting.

"As what you've said, I have once worked with Hera in one of Queen's monthly magazine, and this girl is amazing. It's known to everybody that Hera does not smile in all of her photographs, but did you see those eyes? Those eyes speak so much that she doesn't need to smile to tell a story. As for Cherry, I've never met her nor had worked with her, but I do think that she's a very sweet girl which makes it understandable why she followed Hera on TeaDiaries last night. I don't have much to share since I don't know if these two will have an upcoming project together, but it is safe to assume that despite them being in two different agencies, it is evident that these two young ladies are friends." he smiled and the reporter melted into a frenzy.

My glasses almost fell from my nose. I am shocked. I couldn't even finish my toast hearing what he just said. And I can see Dave is as surprised as I am, his hand is frozen holding his mug. My manager is a witness on how Trevor treats me behind the camera, and he is not going to buy this stunt.

"Why is that Trevor talking about you like he doesn't hate you?" Dave exclaimed pointing at the TV.

Surprisingly, I am not even questioning his method. It's a very tricky method but he's wise to play it out as 'someone who knows me well'. Trevor has always been the type to dodge the topic whenever he's asked about me. But this time that he sees how a brawl is about to unfold, he's unknowingly placing his bet on the other party by confirming to the public some things only he can verify as someone who has worked alongside Hera. And when the time comes that things will start to look bad for me, he'll use that opportunity to spout unnecessary information as he is what people call 'a valid source'. I look at him on the TV and he's grinning too much with his profound cheekbones higher than the hills at Arthur's seat.

"Don't read too much in it Dave. You'll never understand that guy." I said finishing up the last bits of my food, stacking up my plates, and dropping them off at the sink. "I'm gonna go change into my uniform now. I don't want to think about anything related to Hera for now." and I went ahead to my bedroom. I took my hanged uniform from the clothesline on my wall and carefully laid it down on my bed. Because it's still a bit chilly, we're using the sailor long sleeve matched with the school's red bow and navy blue pleated jumper skirt that extends half an inch above the knee. Knitted blazers are allowed as long as it's either cream-colored, peach or light grey, but usually, I don't wear one unless it's the start of fall. We also have an option to wear black socks or black tights for this set, I chose the latter. Most girls my age choose their school based on the uniform, and I think that speaks so much of our generation's priorities (laughs in junior high girl drama). But because I'm flooded with extreme couture when I'm Hera, I chose the school that had the least flashy uniform but good quality education. Good, not the best. Not being too fashionable when I'm in school is my top priority so people won't get a chance to come up with ideas that I work as a model. I know, I'm too paranoid, but my physique just gives me away for the most part. The very least I can do is to make the uniform not accentuate my best-defined features. I can't be too careful now can I?

As soon as I got my uniform on, I sat on my dresser and went for a quick brush on my hair before parting them and braiding it into twins. I lightly pulled down a number of my side hairs so it doesn't look too bare even when my forehead is showing. Conceal the eyebags with a peach based choux, a light dust of powder on the T zone and a little tap of pink tint to top my lips. A natural finish. Just when I was finishing up, Dave knocks on my door and peeks from the slight open.

"Yeah?" I said, looking at him poke his head in from the door. Dave was grinning. What could possibly be going on now? "I'm not late am I?" He shakes his head on my remark.

He comes in carrying a pink small rectangular box with a red ribbon wrapped around it. I put out my open palms and he puts it over, still smiling.

"What's with the present?" I glance at him.

"It's your first day of school and I thought 'what best time it is to give you a gift' than now?" he said proudly, "Open it!"

I pulled the hanging tail of the ribbon and the whole wrap comes loose. I pulled the cover of the box and was greeted by a pair of specs in thin glossy red frames.

"New glasses?" I said. What made him think I needed new ones?

"You mentioned before that you had been wearing that silver aviator frame since you were a kid and that it really creates a mark on your nose bridge since it's full metal. I wanted you to have this less heavy rounded one as a marker of your teenage years." he bashfully smiled, "And I know you worry if it's plastic, so I had it made of a special plastic that won't break that easily."

And this is why Dave is the only manager for me. The guy nags at me like a mom every day, but simple acts like this forgive him for being such a nag all the time. I am absolutely touched. He remembers most of what I say to him and he keeps that in check from time to time. I bet he really saved up just to buy me these. I look up to him seeing his face waiting for me to try it on. He's so easy to read. I scoff and removed the aviators I've been wearing, resting it on my dresser and pulls out the new ones from the box. I carefully unravel the temples making sure the screws don't get too shocked, who knows when was this last opened anyway, just making sure. I slip them into my face poking it up to my nose line. Perfectly prescripted lenses and a perfect fit.

"Well? How do I look?" I said, and he bawled his eyes out so happy that he was going to choke.

"It's so beautiful on you! You look so beautiful!" he wipes his tears. He makes me laugh. Dave really does immediately switch into mom mode without even him knowing he's doing it. But oh well, that's the Dave I know, a person who has an attention for detail. I know I love Dave like my own mom, especially when he's wearing such a cute apron, however, this crying of his is really getting annoying.

"Okay, I think that's enough crying..I've got to go!" and his crying persisted despite that.

After his unrestrained sobbing, Dave escorts me to the entryway and watches me change into my thick-heeled leather loafers.

"Are you sure you don't want me to drive you to school?" he said as he hands me a three-tier stacked metal lunchbox that had sturdy safety locks on the side. Very industrial. I open my backpack and carefully arranged my lunchbox along with my utensils that he secretly slipped in my bag. I try to pretend that I don't notice him doing that, but I do know he slips in my utensils when I'm still asleep.

"School is only a twenty-minute walk, Dave. You know it'll be risky if someone recognizes you," I smile sheepishly, "Besides, we can't take the black Lamb to school. It attracts too much attention."

I see Dave frown, so I quickly think of something to cheer him up. I know he just wants to send me to school once in a while.

"Well," I turn my back towards him, "If you can find a way that you won't get recognized, I might just let you drive me to school sometimes."

I peek a little and I see his eyes glint in excitement. He's such a simpleton.

"I'm off!" I waved and snapped the door open, walking out into the bright sunshine. I heard Dave yell out 'Take care' the instant the door clicked close.

Walking down the street when it's just the start of Spring is beautiful. There's a good amount of sunlight and the breeze is just cool enough but not to the point of feeling frosted down to your calves. I think it's been a month since I've walked from my apartment to school. After I took the finals at the end of seventh grade, I pretty much bailed myself out of the academe and focused on work for a while. Come to think of it, Dave did tell me I topped the finals with full marks, not that it makes any difference to me. I always ace the tests not because I work hard for it, but because the lessons were too easy. I was homeschooled as a child and the lessons I took up were those already advanced ones, maybe even enough to get me to a good college. I only got to experience a real school environment last year when I started Junior High. My folks were enraged on my decision to quit homeschooling. It was really bothersome when I was stuck in that house up until the first half of 6th grade. I knew I had to get out of there if I wanted to pursue my plans. That's when I came to a decision to leave the main house for good and live alone. At first, I was living with Dave as a prelude to my modeling career but then I knew that wasn't enough. I knew that to be able to know how to make my plans into action, I need an actual human society that I can experiment with my behaviors on. I needed to know how humans interact normally on a daily basis which I never had growing up, caged in that stupid mansion. So instead of continuing my homeschool education, I had Queen use their connections to get me into Junior High last year, with only a certification that I did finish grade school. Luckily, the school I am in right now let me take the entrance exam through such thorough discussions with Mr. Kim as my guardian. And without a doubt, I passed the exam and ranked first. I was offered a scholarship due to my excellence, but I declined it and told them to give it to the most deserving person that was also included in the top 10. Right now, my status in school is a distant relative of Mr. Kim that was homeschooled all her life so she has to try and blend in with society as much as she can.

The moment I got in the school gates, students were already flocking in rushing to the bulletin boards erected at the entrance of the building. The beginning of the school year is one of the busiest and one of the most exciting events for the students. I noted that the first time I got to school last year. It's interesting how these people are either crying because they didn't get into the same class as their friends or they are squealing for joy, that finally this year they get to be in the same classroom as their crush. As society's fresh cub, I do not see much difference. No matter where you are placed, you can just meet up after school and hang out. Not that I know how it feels to hang out with friends.

Let's just get this over already. I look up at the boards to quickly scan for my name. I think this is one of those moments where I am thankful for my height. I won't have a hard time when I'm in a crowd such as this. But then, I am standing out too much since girls my age are usually just about the height up to my chin.

"Ishioka..Ishioka.." I mumble to myself as I search for me among the lists. My sight lands on class 2-C with my name eighth on the list. I sigh in relief. Okay, that didn't take me long enough compared to last year. Last year was just too bad of a trial period for me. My hair was shorter compared to now, I remember so well how I directly entered the building not minding the displayed bulletin boards thinking it was too much of a bother to squeeze myself in with the crowd. I ended up on the third floor realizing I didn't have a clue on what to do and I was lost. About to panic, I called Mr. Kim and he told the principal to where I was and he sent someone to get me to help me look for which class I belonged to before the opening ceremony started. Tragic.

Just when I was about to leave the area, I notice the crowd that was clumped earlier had become a scattered ring of people around me. What? What happened? Why am I surrounded by a fair amount of distance? I hear some girls whisper, "Isn't that the girl who barely comes to school?", "She topped the finals but didn't even bother coming to school." and some boys who looked like freshmen since they had their ties on green (our batch is red ties for boys and red bows for girls, it helps the teachers distinguish) who were talking about how tall I am. Sheesh, this is awkward.

"Eve!" A girl from the crowd yelled. I knew that voice. It was the same voice as the person who fetched me last year when I got lost. The girl forcefully busts into the crowd and looked excessively relieved seeing my face.

"Miya, good morning." I greeted the bob haired girl who was panting, walking towards me.

"The moment I heard a tall girl was surrounded by the entrance, I knew it was you." she said trying so hard to catch her breath. I chuckle noticing how she must have run all the way from the Principal's office again just to look for me.

"Miya, you don't have to run. Your legs are too short for that." I smirked pointing out how she's just about my chest height.

I see her pout, anger snapped in her eyes, "Eve! That's really mean!" and she started hitting me with her puppy-like strength. I just laugh at her.

Miya Langley, daughter of Principal Langley, and the owner of the school we are at⁠—Langley International Academy or LIA for short. The reason why I got accepted after passing the examination without further questioning of my previous education is that LIA caters to students of the most complicated situations, foreign students, students with no parents, or students who were abandoned and caged up in a mansion (okay that was me). LIA is a respected institution for their strict secrecy policy, that's why more and more students with complicated family backgrounds enroll in this school. LIA gives opportunities to even the highest profiled person to become a regular student and just be themselves without the shackles of where they came from.

Going back to Miya, she is the principal's daughter and only heir of LIA. Miya was assigned to me by the principal to become my personal "Society Development Guide". I'm pretty sure the principal just made up that title, but Miya's job is to make sure I fit right in and teach me the ways of normal society. Consequently, she became my best friend⁠—my only friend to be exact.

After that awkward scene at the entrance, Miya takes me to the gymnasium after we dropped our bags at our classroom. Luckily, we are classmates again this year (Gee, I wonder why). We sat near the front, about five rows from the stage to get a better view, and because I have terrible eyesight. Opening ceremonies are important during the start of the school year. This is where the principal gives out a speech about his expectations for the year and introductions on new teachers. Miya told me I was supposed to give out a speech as the highest scorer of last year's finals beating even the seniors' smartest student. But because I was too busy tending to my sickly grandmother in the countryside (the lies that Dave probably made up when I was busy at the shoot), they decided to let the second-ranking student who also happens to be in the same year as we, take the spotlight for this year's opening ceremony speech.

After Principal Langley's speech, he calls out this year's student representative to give a speech to the body. A boy in a white button-down and matching navy blue blazer, black slacks and red tie came out from the backstage. The boy had this golden hair neatly kept and eyes green as jade. Wait....he looks awfully familiar. Where have I seen this guy?

I feel Miya nudging my side as she whispered, "Isn't he cute?" staring at the one giving the speech.

"He's your type?" I whispered back.

Miya nods frantically and I stifle a laugh, "I can't believe you're actually after pretty boys, Miya."

Miya suddenly gave me the confused look as if I was supposed to know something, "Don't you find him attractive, Eve?"

I look back to the guy in front of us, but instead of feeling attracted, it's as if I've known him from somewhere. I shake my head in response to her question.

"Instead of feeling attracted, I feel like I've met him somewhere before." I said folding my arms trying to figure it out.

"Oh! Maybe this'll help." Miya pulls out her phone and secretly flashes me a picture from below so we won't get caught (it's a violation kids, so don't do this or you'll get detention).

My eyes wanted to pop out from its sockets when I saw Cherry's picture on her phone and realized the striking resemblance. I looked at Miya with eyes begging for an explanation before I could jump to conclusions.

"Didn't you hear, Eve? That guy over there is actually famous Heiress model Cherry's twin brother."

And the world couldn't be smaller from that.