CHAPTER 22: Extremely Hot Summer

"Aye! Someone is calling you. Pick up your phone." 

"Yes dad, I'm coming now." Rei replied running down stairs and took her phone.

"Hello, It's Rei."

"Hi Rei, it's been a long time not hearing from you.  We are planning to meet up today since everyone are back, to have a picnic get together with the rest of our friends.  Are you free today?"

"Yes, its fine for me. Where and I'll follow."

"The place we usually hangout too, the river near the park across the school. see you."

"Sure, I'll be there in 1 hour." Rei replied then hang-up. She told her dad that he was meeting her friends.

"Go ahead, do not forget to bring your phone and keys. Be back before dinner and enjoy."

It took Rei almost 1 hour to reach the place they were to meet and found them near the largest tree closer to the river.  They are talking about their own experiences when one notice Rei coming.

"Rei, hmmm.... You look different. Is that the effect of entering the University?" The person who saw her first asked.

"Well, good/bad 'different'? Anyway, thank you Cindy, I choose a different college." Rei replied smiling.

"Oh! I see, that's why someone asked if you changed school or delayed enrollment. So which school then." Lyrica, another friend asked.

"Not as known like Essai University but has complete facilities and good academic records. So, how about the rest of you? How's college life?" Rei  answered and asked to prevent another question.

"Oh well, at least most of you are studying to a high rated college." Nessa replied.

"Although graduating in a known college gives an edge but that does not end there.  For me, experience, skills, and performance are still better assessment when related to work. So do not be discouraged, we are all different, some will go first then some will follow." Rei assured her.

"Thanks Rei, you are right. By the way what did you bring?"

"Everyone's favorite cake, Tiramisu."

"Yes! Finally someone thought to bring some. I have been starving myself to lose weight. Now I can eat again. Thank you Rei, your a friend." Abby replied while rushing beside Rei.

Rei prayed for the food and for everyone and they continued to talk while enjoying the food and summer breeze. The park was wide and the place they choose to stay is a bit far from the busy street, quiet, and a bit secluded.  Rei notice suddenly the feeling of being watched and felt uncomfortable. She suggested that they visit the nearby mall since it ia open for sale. Thay pack up and cleaned the place than started walking. Reaching where more people are present Rei tild them to go ahead dor she left something behind.

"I left something behind, so go ahead and I'll follow up" Rei left them without them suspecting anything. As Rei reach the area she purposely drop her purse, she saw someone picked it up.

"Excuse me, that is my purse. Please return it." Rei cautiously asked in a distance of 2-3 meters for safety.

"Interesting, your different. Rather than leaving you actually left this behind. How brave of you, a freshman from Bermuda." The young man asked but Rei did not need to answer for it was more of a statement than a question, rather she asked.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Rei directly asked while walking back lengthening the distance between the 2 of them. She does not want to underestimate him, for someone who can recognize her without any proof means he has a way of knowing.

"I'm here just to assess my opponent if you are better than the rest." He said while acting like cleaning his shirt.

"Opponent? I don't even know you or what your talking about? I am just an ordinary people." Rei answered looking at him.

"Really, it's a shame. I was expecting a better playmate." He said while his hand extended asking her to take her purse.

Rei made a decision, she stepped forward to hit the man's wrist and snatch her purse then drop down avoiding another person who attack her back. Without looking back she run where her friends are, but found that they are talking to someone with the same uniform to the one who she left running from. She approached her friends while controlling her breathing.

" Hey guys! You don't have to wait for me here. Let's go before we run out of the things you need to buy." Rei called and remind them of the mall sale.

"Another one ha,? What is it with you all? Even approach my friends. Shameless!" Rei told the man after her friends are out of hearing range.

"Sorry, you might be accusing the wrong person." He answered with hurtful look but Rei felt that there is someone behind her and kick the knee side of the one in front of her making him fall then turn around to punch bust below the ribs of the man behind her. Before the first man get up and point the gun at her she left running again to the nearby crowd without looking back walk to the mall entrance.

===============================+========================

ESSAI UNIVERSITY (Headmaster's Office)

"WHAT IS THE MEANING OF THIS? YOU ATTACK SOMEONE IN PUBLIC, AND YOU ARE WEARING YOUR SCHOOL UNIFORM! YOU VIOLATED ALOT OF RULES."

"We are sorry sir, But she is a student of our enemy." The student said justifying their actions.

"AND? What is your basis of attacking? Is she harming anyone, destroying property, impersonating, in different form?"

"No sir, we just----" another student started but cut off by the Headmaster.

"No excuses, I know why you did it. You are suspended from any mission on this day forward. Be thankful you all are not removed from the University. All your weapons arr confiscated, remember that we want is obedience to follow."

The 3 left the room, they thought since they were not removed from school they still have a chance so they plan to revenge themselves from the humiliation they went through.

"I ha_have i_investiga_gated the_the g_irl. She ha_has a resem_semblance to_to Ms. Freesia." The assistant reported once they are alone.

"Provide a photo of her, I would like to confirm something."

"I un_understa_stand. The_ the photo wi_ll be avai_lable in a_a while."

"Also, Mr. Clark make sure those 3 make sure they do not leave the school with weapons with them." After hearing the instructions, Mr. Clark left him but even if he has a lot of paperwork he still unable to concentrate remembering her daughter.