Changes

After the announcements in the auditorium, the student council members instructed everyone to line up. A long table was in front, and the teachers handed them their welcome letter with their schedule and section inside a white envelope.

Xylia was the first one to receive it since she was the student council president. Aciel didn't like being first and was disgusted by how the girls and the teachers treated Xylia. But he was more annoyed with her since she didn't even do anything about it. She was used to being the most important person in that school and was always the first to get what she wanted. That was what Aciel thought of Xylia.

"You're still classmates with Xylia. Why does it always have to be you? I mean, we never became classmates." Liliana ranted at Chelsea.

Xylia chuckled. It was weird that Liliana wanted to be with her even though she knew that Xylia's mom didn't like her. Liliana was a nice girl, and she would always come to their classroom during lunchtime. Liliana's family had a restaurant, and Xylia loved the food there, so she would bring the latter different kinds of food and desserts.

"We're still in the same school, and besides, we always hang out outside, so it doesn't matter if we're classmates or not. We're friends. For me, that's the most important." Xylia said to comfort Liliana.

Xylia knew the reason why she and Chelsea were always together. Her mother requested it. She didn't have any objections about it, though, but she felt bad for other students who didn't have a choice. She also felt like Chelsea knew about it but never confronted her to confirm.

"Xylia, the principal asked if we could start the tour for the new students." Zoey, another member of the student council, said.

She nodded, thinking about who and how they would tour three hundred boys around the school.

"Maybe we could ask some volunteers from our side. We're only six, so I think we need help from the others." Xylia suggested.

"We'll help." A girl's voice interrupted them.

A group of five girls approached them; they weren't really Xylia's preference because the group was led by Heather Spade, another rich kid who always had heavy makeup on her face. She wasn't fond of the student council, especially Xylia. She always competed with her even though she knew she would never win against her.

Xylia sighed. She couldn't ignore Heather's offer since they needed help to finish the task assigned to them.

"Fine. But you will listen and do what I instructed. This is not the time to play with me, Heather. Let's do that another day."

"I know. I'll listen to you, but remember, this is the only time I will do that. After this, you're still my enemy." Heather answered while rolling her eyes at her.

Chelsea was making faces showing her annoyance towards Heather. Xylia ignored the two and began giving her instructions. Afterward, another group of girls came in and volunteered. With a total of twenty girls, the boys were split into fifteen groups.

"Are we ready, Xylia? The boys were waiting." Mrs.Romero asked.

Xylia nodded and told the principal everything she had prepared for the tour.

"Xylia, I think it's better if you would personally tour Mr. De Silva. I mean, alone."

She was again surprised. Her head was a bit light already from the announcements earlier, and hearing those words from the principal made her nauseous.

"Also, I want to tell you that the board decided to have another election for new student council members. They want to allow the boys to have the opportunity to vote for someone from their side. You will still be the president, but they said two positions need to be replaced."

Xylia couldn't believe what she had just heard. Everything happened so fast. She wasn't prepared for the sudden change inside the school. She wanted to argue with the principal, but instead, she smiled at her and nodded.

"I-I think that's a good idea. The boys might think they don't have a place here if the student council members were all girls, so I totally understand."

"Oh! I thought you wouldn't accept it. I'm happy that you understand. You really are a good girl, Xylia." The principal happily said.

Just a few steps away from the two, Aciel stared at Xylia. He didn't hear what the principal told her, but from Xylia's first reaction, she didn't like what she heard. Then she suddenly smiled and looked like she agreed with what she was told.

A fake smile. He thought. Why would she act that way? Why did she agree if she didn't like what the principal told her?

Xylia felt someone was looking at her, and then she saw Aciel was again intently staring at her. She turned her face away because she felt like Aciel could see the real her if he looked into her eyes.

"Mr. De Silva!" The principal shouted, waving her hand.

Aciel walked toward the two and smiled at Mrs. Romero.

"Well, I asked Xylia to tour you around personally. Just the two of you. I want you to memorize the school and get used to being here."

So that's what she asked Xylia to do. He thought inwardly. He wanted to reject the offer but didn't want to be disobedient on his first day, so he agreed and went with the flow.

When the tour started, Chelsea didn't like to leave Xylia alone with Aciel. But she insisted it was okay and she would be okay about it. Before Chelsea's group left, Aciel received a warning stare from her.

"I'm sorry about Chelsea. She's my best friend and sometimes very protective of me." Xylia said.

"It's fine. Let's get this done so we can both rest." Aciel answered coldly.

Xylia felt the coldness from Aciel's voice. It made her anxious again, but she tried harder to show him she wasn't affected by his words.

"Okay. Let's go." She simply answered.