Calm before a storm
'Sólo vivimos una vez, vivir bien'
My heart pounded fast and hard as I read it over and over again. Live well? Is this a prank? Is he trying to say good bye in a mysterious way or something? Tsk. Vincent Gu! What kind of joke is this?!
I dialed Vincent's number. His phone rang three times but no one answered. I felt irritated and worried at the same time so I called him again and again until I could not connect to his line anymore. It looks like he turned his phone off.
My grip on my phone tightened with irritation. Fadjie Bar! What is wrong with these men?! Is turning their phone a trend now a days?
I took a deep breath and told myself to not be too emotional. I don't have that much energy to spare anyway. I need to rest early since I still need to go to school tomorrow. Vincent doesn't have any reason to seriously say good bye to me so this must be a prank by my big brother, Qian. He must have placed this card inside the suitcase before handing it to Mr. Yan. That's right. This explains everything. With this conclusion, the tension and worry that formed inside me vanished. I feel more relaxed now. Vincent won't keep any secret from me anyway.
Even though I don't like receiving such weird and odd things from them, it seems like I don't have a choice but to keep them temporarily. With this in mind, I closed the suitcase and called for a manservant to help me remove the items from my bed. After making sure that things are finally in order, I got ready to go have my beauty rest.
The next morning
Vincent did not come to pick me up so Mr. Shin drove me off to school. When I arrived at my classroom's doorway my 6th sense keep on giving me this vibe that something is not right. I looked around me and then I realized what was wrong. Everyone is quiet this morning. Too quiet for my liking.
This is very unusual, the students of these campus are not afraid of voicing out their distaste. Every morning, no one greeted me because they are too busy gossiping about how beautiful and intelligent I am. And how boys fight over me. What happened to them to suddenly become mute? They actually evaded me like a plague.
I shrugged my shoulders and entered my classroom with the confidence that I am born with. A peace and quiet atmosphere is not that bad. I just hope that this is not what the elders call 'the calm before a storm'.
With a straight back and a nonchalant expression on my face, I elegantly walked towards my chair. I didn't hear my classmates mumble or whisper incoherent words to each other as I walk by. I didn't hear any villainous remarks from the so called 'it girls' of my class. Very unusual behavior.
I was about to place my bag on top of my desk when I noticed something different. What happened? Why... Why is my chair and desk different?
I inspected it from top to bottom. I carefully examined each edge and corner of my seat. What happened? I painstakingly cleaned my old desk! Even if I cleaned it very well, it still wont magically transform into a brand new set. I suspiciously eyed my classmates but no one is looking my way.
The desk that is in front of me right now is brand new. No signs of a single pen mark or even a scratch. Very far from my old desk which my very kind haters vandalized. Others might think that I am being too sentimental right now but who would want a new desk when I already exerted my effort in cleaning my old one?
My classmates acted like I'm air and I don't want to start any conversation with them so I let them be. It's slmost time for class, it will not look good if I suddenly start interrogating them. Better keep my cool and go with the flow for the time being. I sat down and waited for first period to start. I know the right place to go to where I can find the answers anyway.
During Lunch break, I stealthily entered the ladies room. I hid inside one of the cubicles. I patiently waited for my informants to come in the ladies room. I did not wait long though. I heard the clicking sound of high heels as they walked on the tiled floor.
Girl 1: Hey, did you know the latest issue in our school right now?
Girl 2: Shhh.... lower your voice. I heard that those who gossip about it are now in the discipline room.
Girl 3: What? So it really is true?
Girl 2: Yeah. I personally saw Master Kyle and Master Neo walking out of the Student Council room this morning. After that, the news spread like wild fire.
Girl 1: Irene Sy and her sister Veronica almost got expelled!
Girl 2: Ssshhhh... Lower your voice.
Girl 1: I'm sorry. Its just that I cant accept the fact that Master Neo personally came to the student council to help that b*$*&.
Girl 3: I heard that he actually volluntered to be the witness.
Girl 2: That's not the only surprising news. The biggest news is that Master Neo actually announced in front of a crowd that no one is allowed to touch or bully that girl.
A loud bang suddenly echoed inside the comfort room. The girls who were so focused in their conversation got so surprised that they unconsciously jumped in shock.
Their faces turned pale as they saw me standing by the cubicle with my hand against the door. "Wha...What are.." Girl 3 said with a shaky voice.
"This is the ladies room. And I am a lady. Do i need to elaborate?" I said in an indifferent tone of voice.
"No.. No.. You don't have to." Girl 2 said. She then picked up her make up kit. "Let's go." She said to her friends.
I raised an eyebrow as I saw them squirm their way out of the door, but before they set foot outside, I suddenly yelled "Stop!"