Chaotic Starts With K

I REALLY CAN'T BELIEVE THIS. All attention went to Kaoru and me. He called up to me as soon as Miss Valencia got out of the classroom. "Do you know the new kid, Ellie?" Andy asked. We still haven't talked about anything because of this guy. How could he forget what he promised me before so quickly?!

An hour ago…

"Of course! I'll do everything milady tells me to do."

That sounded weird, but I didn't bother saying anything else as I looked at my skirt. I didn't know I'd miss wearing this pink and black pleated skirt. I miss going to school with no worries, although I still hate studying. Nothing changed with the way to school. The busy streets and the people are all the same.

Their lives keep on moving, just like mine. Even though things in my life drastically changed, that doesn't mean the world would stop and wait for me to adjust. When the driver parked the car, I told Kaoru not to go out for 5 minutes since it'll create an issue if people discovered that we came to school together. People love gossiping about me, after all.

I took a deep breath when we arrived in the parking lot. "Promise me, Kaoru. You will not act like you know me, okay?" Kaoru saluted and smiled. "Don't forget, okay?" I keep reminding him since he looks so carefree, and it's like he'll forget it in a minute.

Since I needed to go out before him, I didn't stay any longer. It took me a lot of courage to walk toward the hallway. There aren't many students around in the farthest parking lot. Why do I feel like it's the first day of class, and my anxiety's attacking me so hard? My heart's thumping so loud that I can't hear anything else. It's the same school, but it feels so different and as if I'm all alone.

"Isn't that Noelle?"

I flinched upon hearing my name coming from somewhere. "I thought her family's company went bankrupt? She's still wearing that frivolous uniform, though?" Why do they call my uniform frivolous? It's the same as what they're wearing, only different in color. "I think she still has that princess complex of hers. It's amazing." Hearing that made me walk faster.

'See? I heard that before, but it didn't affect me, so why do I feel affected now?' It used to have no effect when people whispered behind my back, but now I feel so hurt by those words I'm used to hearing. Why is that?

It used to feel so wonderful going to school and meeting other students, but now it feels suffocating. The murmurs get louder the more I try to ignore them. How did I even manage to feel happy all the time? With people always talking about me behind my back?

"Oh my god, Ellie!" Andy screamed my name as soon as I opened the door, and he rushed to hug me. He almost broke his round glasses because of how excited he was. "Where the hell did you disappear to?" He asked while hugging me tightly. I was stunned, but I felt Andy's warm arms wrapping around me, and it almost made me cry as I hugged him back.

"What's with this dramatic scene first thing in the morning." I turned to my back and saw Ryzen. He glared at me, but then that familiar bright smile formed on his face. "What took you so long? Andrei's being ten times annoying because you're not here." He said as he pulled me away from Andy and helped me get to my seat without feeling awkward about the other students. Ryzen is also my childhood friend. That's why we're close.

"Do you want me to comfort you?" I shook my head, making Ryzen chuckle, and he left me.

Andy rolled his eyes at what Ryzen said as he sat beside me. "What's with that guy? He's acting like he didn't use Ellie as a piggy bank before." He muttered, which I clearly heard but chose to ignore. "Anyway, since you've been gone, Ace started acting weird. She was the early bird, but now she's often late. I don't know what's going on with her either." Andy said as he placed his chin on his palm.

"But are you really okay?"

"H-Huh?"

Andy stared at me with doubt in his eyes. "I don't know if it's because you're not talking about Night, or is it because your parents are—"

"You don't really know when to stop." Andy couldn't continue what he was trying to say when Ace arrived and covered his mouth. I saw that familiar pixie haircut and brown hair that shone under the fluorescent light. A smile formed on my face. It's really Candace, she's standing in front of me with her usual unfriendly look. "Hey, you're back." She smiled as she greeted me, but it felt weird. Ace looks tired, dead tired. Her eyes bags are darker, and her round hazelnut eyes look like they lack sleep.

"Ace? Are you— doing fine?"

I didn't know why I asked her, but I felt worried. Ace just smiled at me, making me feel even weirder. "I should be the one asking you that." She sat in front of me. "Are you okay?" Those words were simple, you can always hear people ask that, but it almost made me tear up. I swallowed it all up and let them see my brightest smile.

I don't want to worry them.

"Things are getting better," I said; I mean it. Suppose I'm still misunderstanding my parents' situation. In that case, I probably can't act like I'm okay… even though I'm still not sure they're alive. A single letter can't prove that, but I choose to believe in grandpa Kenta. He showed me pictures of my dad when he was younger, and he was indeed his adoptive son.

"I'm starting to get used to living in—"oops. I almost blurted that I'm currently living with Night.

"What?"

I shook my hands in front of me. "I'm getting used to living in another place." Wait, what excuse should I say about the place I live in? "I currently live with my—"

"Good morning, class." Miss Valencia cut me off when she got inside the classroom, and I'm thankful for that. "Go back to your proper seats. I'll be introducing a new student to this class." She said with a hint of annoyance in her tone. My classmates must feel weird because it's already half the semester, yet someone still transferred to our class. 'It's Kaoru.'

"Come inside."

Kaoru entered the room with a huge bright smile on his face. Kaoru waved his hand at me when our eyes met, causing everyone to look in my direction. 'What in the world is he doing? Did he already forget his promise to me?!' "You can introduce yourself now." Miss Valencia said as she prepared her materials for the class.

Kaoru cleared his throat, but I couldn't look at him anymore. "My name is Kaoru Takahashi; nice to meet you." He said with too much enthusiasm. He chose a seat behind me, which made me feel more awkward and nervous about this. I hope he didn't forget what he talked about inside the car because he clearly waved his hand at me.

The class started, and I couldn't focus because I didn't know any of the things Miss Valencia mentioned. "Miss Alcantara, go to the faculty room later after class." Miss Valencia said after she finished her lessons. Am I in trouble? Due to that, I became even more distracted and couldn't focus on the other classes. Lunch came soon after.

That leads to the present.

"Let's go eat, Ellie," Andy said, and I stood up from my seat, but I felt something holding my arm, stopping me from following Andy. "Do you know the new kid, Ellie?"

I looked behind and saw Kaoru holding my arm. "What are you doing?" I mouthed. Did he really forget about what he talked about?

"I need to be by milady's side all the time."

My eyes widened.

"Milady?"

I turned to Ace and Andy. "H-He's just kidding. Y-You see—" What excuse should I use? "Oh! Kaoru's the son of my father's friend. Y-You know he used to live in Japan, right? Kaoru's family learned about my situation and decided to help me. That's why I'm living with him and his family. Isn't that right?" Kaoru tilted his head as if confused. Don't tell me he doesn't get what I'm trying to say?

"That's right!"

I sighed out of relief after Kaoru said that. "Then why did you call Noelle' milady'?" Ace asked. Shoot! It's hard to fool Ace when she doubts something. Everyone looks at us weirdly as they hear our conversation loud and clear. It's embarrassing!

"I-It's because…." I looked at Kaoru, but I knew I couldn't expect anything from this innocent, stupid-looking guy. He's too much of a mess! "It's a role play! Kaoru loves playing like a butler or something, and y-you know I am indeed a princess." Why does this feel so embarrassing? I did think of myself as a princess before, though! It's shameful now!

Ace's eyes landed back on Kaoru with an eyebrow raised. 'She does not believe it that easily.' "That's right, Ellie is my master," Kaoru said confidently again; he has too much passion. They won't believe him if he says it like that.

I slapped my forehead. 'I'm already stressed out.'