Commotion at the cafeteria

“I won’t be able to pick you up later because I need to work overtime, so just order for dinner.”

“Alright mom”, I wore my bag and kissed her goodbye. But before I shut the door, I remember something.

“Mom, you received a letter yesterday and I left it in your office”

I don’t think she has seen it yet since she's exhausted from work and she went to bed early.

“What letter?” She asked in confusion. I was right she hasn’t been in her office since yesterday.

“It’s in a fancy envelope with a seal that has a letter R on it”

My mother's eyes widened in surprise.

“Did you opened it?”, she asked immediately

“No.” I shook my head, and she seemed relieved by my response. What is it about that letter? that my mom seems agitated.

“Okay. Take care” she tried to smile but I know it’s fake. I closed the door and wave at her as she drove away.

I started walking towards the building surrounded by students around me who are giggling and happily talking with their friends and then there’s me, a loner. I went to my locker to get my things and attended my classes. I don’t feel like going to school today because now is the start of my community service. After my class I will assist in the library for 2 hours, it should be just one hour but the student assistant there is absent so they need an extra hand.

I was tapping my pen at the desk as I wait for my break time. During the whole class, I was just thinking about what should I do with my 2 hours of free time. Then the bell has finally rung. I immediately fixed my things because I’m so hungry. I wasn’t able to eat my breakfast properly because my mom and I both wake up late and Jensen didn’t even bother to wake us up, well at least he cooked breakfast. My mom hates being late so I only had three bites and then we left.

“Celestine!!”

I was frozen in my place as I heard that familiar voice.

My cousin Faira approached me with a wide smile on her face. I was thinking of running away but I know it's too late. I took a deep breath and turned to face her.

"What?" I asked, sluggishly.

"You have to come with me!", she said energetically and she clung to my right arm.

"I don’t want to" I tried to remove her grip on my arm but she was strong.

"As if you had a choice my darling. It's either, you will come with me or you will come with me"

Right, Faira doesn't take no for an answer. I should have just left the room sooner.

"When and where?"

I think she wants to go shopping again since every time she asks me to join her, it's always about shopping, yet she just bought 5 branded clothes this week! I can't believe she's wasting all her money on that.

" Clark is playing right now for the school and we have to watch it! like right now!”

I looked at her in disbelief.

"I don't feel like going!" I expressed my dissatisfaction, but all she did was raise an eyebrow at me.

"And since when did you care about Clark's game?”

Faira only watches his brother's game if her mother insists, because she finds it boring.

"I'm not going to watch because of Clark! I'm going to watch Daniel"

"Who is that?" I asked with a frown. Faira is always associated with boys and I can’t keep up with her.

"New member of the football team! And You know what? He's hot"

She whispered to me but when she noticed my disgusted expression, she burst out laughing.

"Just kidding! but He's cute"

"Whatever"

I shook my head and we walked to the field where Clark's game was taking place. I didn't even know they're playing and he didn't tell me yesterday when he drops me off at the house.

"Honestly, I don't know why I have to come with you"

Don't get me wrong I wanted to support my cousin but I'm starving.

"Don't be such a bummer besides aren't you a school writer? You need to cover this event"

"I'm an editorial writer FYI, not sports so can I just leave?"

I also don't want to see my org mate here especially after I didn’t attend the journalism class yesterday.

"Oh! Hey Nicole nice hair you look like spoiled corn"

Faira said to the woman as we pass by her. She looked offended but Faira didn't care.

"I think she has an eye problem; can't she see how awful the color of her hair is? Her skin tone doesn’t match her hair color." I just shrugged in response.

When we got close to the field, Faira pushed away those people who are blocking our way. It was a bit difficult to get on the bench because there were a lot of people watching. It was so crowded that Faira and I separated so I wasn't able to go inside which is fine by me. I will pretend that I was pushed away so I didn't bother to follow her. I went straight to the cafeteria because I was really hungry. I took the passage at the back of the Engineering building because it was quiet there and while walking, I heard a woman and a man talking.

"Did you hear that the vampire attacked again last week"

When I heard the word vampire I immediately stopped. A vampire? Is he serious?

"Of course, they covered it up again but I found out from dad that the victim might be the girl in Sir Villegas' scandal, that’s why the police are hunting Sir Villegas but he is nowhere to be found”

Is that the reason why Sir Villegas hasn’t been attending our PE class for 2 consecutive weeks?

I peeked a little to see who's talking. I know him, he is Chester, the son of the Chief of Police here in Madiville.

"You're sneaking at your dad's files again!", said the woman he was talking to.

"I have no choice; he doesn't want to tell me the truth"

"I know you're obsessed with those creatures but it's not making sense"

I agree with the girl, it's my first time hearing this kind of story.

"In dad's file, the girl didn't kill herself, she has bruised and a bite on her neck. The victim was wearing the same dress like the one in Sir Villegas' scandal. “

When I looked, the two of them were gone, so I went straight to the canteen. While I was eating, I could stop thinking about what I had heard. I can't believe what I just heard, first Sir Villegas has a scandal, second, the girl in that scandal is dead, and third, Sir Villegas is a vampire who killed the girl. Is that even possible?

"What are you thinking that you didn't even notice I'm here"

Jensen ruffled my hair and sat across from me. He also took my food but I couldn't care less.

"Do you believe in vampires?" I blurted out.

My brother stopped eating and gave me a weird stare.

Chester is claiming that vampires exist and they're here in Madiville, attacking people which is absurd but suddenly I was reminded of my dreams about Celestia, Lorenzo, and Nadia, who are vampires.

"I'm not crazy yet to believe in those things, why have you seen one?"

He said with a laugh. I just shook my head and drank my coke. It's impossible that what Chester is claiming is true, maybe he's just mistaken or his imagination is just too wild like mine.

My brother stood up so I looked up at him.

"I still have class, go home first or go with Clark ---"

Jensen didn't finish what he is saying because he was suddenly hit in the face, knocking him to the ground. I stood up in surprise, noticing that nearly everyone in the cafeteria was looking at us.

"What the hell, Brandon?"

I shouted at Brandon for what he has done. I glared furiously at him, but he ignored me and instead approached my brother like he was ready to punch him again but I stepped in between them to block him.

"Get out of there Celine"

I pushed his chest but he didn't even move as if I was the one who was hurt by what I did. I felt Jensen touch my arm but I kept my eyes on Brandon.

"What's the matter with you Brandon?"

"Your good brother is flirting with my girlfriend!"

I almost laughed at what he said and he frowned when he saw my expression.

"I told you I was just helping her!"

My brother defended himself. I crossed my arms and stood tall when I looked at Brandon. I believe in my brother there's no way in hell that he will like Stephanie.

"I bet it's your girlfriend who's flirting with my brother, she flirts with everyone. Why not ask Billy? "

Brandon's face was flushed with surprise, which was quickly replaced by rage. He didn't know, as predicted. He approached me and grabbed my arm hard. Brandon's eyes were practically burning with rage, but I showed no signs of fear.

"Brandon let go of her, she has nothing to do with this"

Jensen said seriously trying to take me away from Brandon but he pulled me firmly closer to him and his friends started to approach us as well.

"What did you say"

"Do you want evidence? I'll send you the video or I'll just post it on social media. If that video spreads she will lose her dignity, her reputation will be damaged and she will be removed from the SSC, and it's all because of you"

I pointed at him, and he kept his eyes on me.

"For sure she will never forgive you because you ruined her life."

"Shut up !!"

He growled at me. The thing about Brandon is he loves Stephanie, they’ve been together since 7th grade. He is a possessive jerk. It sounds cringy but he can't afford to lose Stephanie so when the video spreads of course I will point out that Brandon is to blame. Stephanie loves the council more than Brandon, I don't even know if she truly loves Brandon or she just loves him because he is a famous basketball player at our school.

"What the hell is going on? !!"

Stephanie shouted that made Brandon let go of me and I smirked. I noticed that my two cousins and the whole football team were also here.

Clark pushed Brandon hard that separated us and Faira stood beside me.

"What's your problem?"

Clark yelled at him. The basketball team stood by Brandon's while the football team stood beside us. The two groups exchange heated stares as if a fight will break out at any moment

"Stop it, Brandon”

Stephanie scolds her boyfriend. She shifted his gaze to me but I just raised an eyebrow at her. Of course, she won't fight me because I know her dirty secret. She can be annoying but in times like this, she knows where to stand because I won't back down.

"Let's go"

She walked first but when she noticed that her boyfriend didn't follow her, she frowned and turned to us.

"I said let's go Brandon !!"

She shouted and Brandon and his group walked away.

"Are you okay?", Clark asked me with a concerned look on his face.

"I'm fine"

He looked at my red arm where the mark on Brandon's hand is visible because he was holding me tight earlier. I smiled at Clark and Faira to assure them that I was really okay then I looked at Jensen. Now my two cousins also looked at him while the football team was sitting at the other table.

"Wait? Did Brandon punch you? !!"

Faira tried to touch Jensen's face but he avoided it.

"Guys chill, it's just a misunderstanding "

He tried to convince us that its nothing but we didn't buy it. He touched the part of his face that Brandon punched and it was obvious that he was in pain.

"Damn my handsome face

I can't believe he's joking at moment like this. He looked at his watch and his eyes widen as he sees what time it is.

"I'm late!

He grabbed his bag and left.

"Go to the Clinic"

I shouted and he raised his thumb as a response without looking at me. After my brother left, Clark and Fair looked at him intently.

"Now, tell us what exactly happened and why the hell did you leave me at the field?

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