31

Sometimes, the weight of life was bound to strike one down.

I was torn.

I looked like it.

The past few days wasn't what I expected. There came the rush of thrill and joy, and next was reality, that bore everything to me.

School is but a sea of ugly personalities and diverse characters. An institution for survival, and I couldn't be less happy for being tossed into this whirlwind of pain.

It made me see it all in its pure state.

My own legs felt numb. Numb on to the way to the dining hall, where the pain sure would return.

But I had put my bowels on hold for a while now, not prepared enough to come facing them all, but I couldn't go on starving myself.

My body screamed to be fed.

I pushed into the area, gaze shifting all around the room, taking in the busy-minded figures.

Fortunately, the food was better much of an interest, than a girl whose diary was put out to the whole school.

Just like Audrey said, give it two days or more, and no one would even remember what you did.

I hope it truly was like that. It was hard living when everyone you walked by tend to follow a sneer your way. It was saddening.

At the far end of the room, I found the form of Audrey, sat with Hannah Grace.

The former's hands shot up at the sight of me, waving me over, but that gloom expression never left the face of Hannah.

Her fork remained poking at the food, refusing to look my way.

She hated me. There was no denying that now.

It was best I stuck to that fact. The nerves struck the instant I began pulling to the counter, to have my food served.

I don't know what it was, but it seemed like there were a thousand eyes fixed on me, all judging me, but I knew otherwise.

All of the students attention was fixed on filling their bowels to its satisfaction, having the best of their meal, and eating to their limit, for as long as the hour lasted. Yet, I felt like those scrutinies remained on my form.

It seemed like I was at the center of—

"Excuse me, I'd rather get an energy drink—I'm kind of low on my nerves"

I stared at the figure that had jumped in front of me, eyes affixed on the view of his back, the only thing my ears caught onto was the sound of that voice.

"We don't give energy drinks to our students"

I recognized the voice of Sadie, the head chef follow after.

The silence that came about, lasted for just a second, and you could hear the scoff that followed afterwards.

"That's ridiculous considering what our Tuition sums up to"

"Are you new here?" You could hear the exasperation in the tone of Miss Sadie, I could only imagine the irritated expression sat on her face, while she faced this fellow.

That same expression which she bore to everyone who came her way, not unless, she takes a particular liking to you.

And Sadie rarely took a liking to anyone, believe me.

"Yes, I am new, in fact" That voice came in, figure inching even closer to the counter, and only when that form had pushed forward had I caught glimpse of that profile.

"The school's cafeteria only gives out Orange juice and Apple juice"

My voice had managed to snap his gaze my way, eyes taking in my form.

I caught a rush of bewilderment fill his gaze, the silence being passed, leaving me to wonders of if I had crossed my boundaries.

"Not even coke?"

"Not even coke"

"What do they give during gym class?"

"During sports, we get water" I let out.

"No fucking way!" That voice came.

"Mister, if you have no intention of getting your food. Do us a favor and step out of the line" Miss Sadie called at once, staring him square in the eyes.

"Is she always like that?"

He had turned to me, whispering into my ears.

"Yes, she is" The chuckle left my lips, eyes watching his.

"My advice to you is to avoid her by all means" I let out.

"I'll ensure to do that" He gave a nod.

And then that silence came. With the eyes of the boy gaping at me, I caught the grin which lingered on his lips.

"Can I know the name of such beauty stood before me?"

"Beauty?" I chuckled. "That's the first"

"Oh come off it" He called. "You surely must be aware of that which makes you up" He followed but I only remained staring at him, watching the levity which filled his eyes.

"Well, every boy that has come your way must be mad then to have beheld you, and speak nothing good of what glorifies you"

My entirety was left flattered. Flattered at how bold this stranger was.

And at the call of his words, my mind found it best wandering to thoughts of just one person.

Zac.

I had made certain not to even think of him. And in my world, I made sure he didn't exist, that, I intended on doing.

"The name's Niko"

The figure before me spoke, arms outstretched to me.

"I'm Anna" I returned that smile that took his lips, reaching to take his handshake, but he had pulled my hands to his lips, planting a light kiss behind my palms, earning a snicker from Sally.

"I look forward to knowing you, Anna" The words of Niko were low, eyes fixed in mine.

***

Hello, reader!

The character, Niko, wasn't planned at all. I only decided to introduce him, sometime later in the novel, and here he is.

What are your perceptions of him?