Chapter 14: Avoiding a Hurricane

Today was the first day of class.

The entrance ceremony yesterday went rather smoothly... well apart from a certain black-pink duo's antics which almost led to a hurricane utterly destroying the school's garden.

'But today is a new day!! I'm sure it won't be as troublesome as yesterday' or so our pink haired lady thought as she resolutely made her way to class.

She was a bit anxious since she did not recognize the names of anyone on her class register.

Blake, Ray, and Karlyle were all in the same class but none of them were with her.

'That stupid power abusing Snake probably arranged to be in the same class as Ray, while conveniently forgetting about the one who put her life on the line yesterday so he could befriend her'

Alythia huffed and puffed at such thoughts as she stood at the door's threshold.

She glanced at the seating arrangement posted outside the class window before unhurriedly walking towards her seat – the one closest to the door.

She sat down and started rummaging through her bag when all of a sudden she felt something touch her right shoulder.

As she glanced up she saw a tall boy with ash-brown hair and light green eyes staring back at her.

"Hey, aren't you pretty?" the boy said with a grin, his hand still leisurely resting on her.

Before she had a chance to rebuttal, the boy sat down on the seat to her right and bravely ventured on with his flirting.

"I've never seen a gal with pink hair and eyes before, it's quite captivating" he hummed as he placed two of his fingers under Alythia's chin – tilting her head back so he could get a better look at her. "Do you want to join me for lunch after morning classes?"

Her eyes grew wide as fear completely enveloped her face.

Does this guy want to die that badly??? HUH!?!? Does he want to drag me along with him??? Thank goodness Kai isn't in my class...'

Alythia hurriedly yanked her head away from his hand and was about to refuse him when she heard an irritated voice from behind.

"Oi move. That's my seat" the voice said.

'Eh? This voice sounds familiar...'

She glanced back and saw the blond blue-eyed boy from yesterday.

His face was completely scrunched up as he wore a threatening glare.

He walked over to the boy sitting next to Alythia "I said MOVE" he scowled.

The ash-brown guy wanted to refuse but before he had the chance, the teacher walked in commanding everyone to go to their designated seats.

So he reluctantly stood up and walked over to his chair – situated at the opposite end of the classroom.

"Thanks" Alythia said gratefully.

"No problem" the blond boy replied, as a light pink spread across his cheeks.

"I'm Alythia Ashwrith... and whom might my savior be?" she asked with a smile.

The boy glanced away before softly saying "Damien... Damien Damiano"

Alythia giggled at him.

'He really is cute, like the younger brother I never had. He does look quite young though... maybe it's because his face is shaped so delicately – like a girl's'

Damien turned back to see the girl attentively examining his face. The blush on his cheeks grew darker.

"W-What are you looking at?" the boy asked, clearly embarrassed by the scrutiny of her stare.

"Hmmm.... Damien, isn't it unfair? You're delicate face is prettier than mine but you're a boy"

Damien just stared at her with furrowed brows before clicking his tongue and turning his head away. "You really know how to shoot a guy down huh?" he mumbled underneath his breath.

But Alythia didn't hear a thing.

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After morning classes ended Alythia packed up her things and was about to head out the door when she saw the figure of a man – from the opposite end of the classroom – making his way towards her.

She suddenly felt Damien grab her arm and push her out the door.

"That guy looks like the persistent type; I'll stall him while you make a run for it"

Alythia's eyes shone with gratitude towards the boy.

'He's my guardian angel, I'm sure of it!!!'

But just when she was about to bolt she hear a sound – quite a dreadful one at that.

"Stall who?"

As the voice echoed Alythia could've sworn something else accompanied it – it was sort of like a faint snipping sound, like the sound of her life string being cut.

She robotically turned her head around.

"Kai... what a surprise... ah you're here to pick me up? Well then let's get going hahahaha don't want to keep Blake and Ray waiting"

She skipped up to him but Karlyle grabbed her wrist and intensely stared at her.

"Tia, you're acting strange. What happened?" he asked, narrowing his eyes at the girl.

'NO WAY I'M TELLING YOU!! What? That some boy touched me and tried flirting with me... EH? You think I want to see the entire school blown away huh? You think I'm suicidal????'

"Someone touched you?" Karlyle growled, as his grip around her wrist tightened.

'EKKKKKK!!!!! SCARY!!!!! This guy is a mind-reader for sure!!!!'

Just then Alythia hear another sound – like the agonizing huff of Hope breathing out its last breath.

"Pretty Pink laaaadyyyyy~" the voice sung as the boy emerged from the classroom door "Shall we go on our lunch dat---" but his voice stopped as soon as the boy saw the murderous atmosphere surrounding Karlyle.

He glared at the boy with the ash-brown hair "He's the one?" he asked, looking down at Alythia in order to read her reaction.

She just stared at the ground – unable to even attempt to lie to him.

Instantly he let go of her wrist and walked up to the boy still standing in the doorway.

Karlyle leaned over and whispered something in his ear before swiftly turning around and heading towards the cafeteria, with Alythia's hand firmly interlaced in his.

As she glanced back she saw the ash-brown boy just standing there in shock, his mouth wide open. She felt pity for the guy and wondered what Karlyle had said to frighten him so.

When they were a good distance away from her class she was unable to contain her curiosity and longer.

"Kai, what did you tell him?" she ventured to ask.

Karlyle's feet came to a halt and he turned towards the girl, gently lifting her chin with his finger and softly kissing the corner of her mouth. "Oh I just described to him how Dragons tend to deal with trash"

Alythia looked at him, utterly bewildered "Trash? What kind of trash?"

He kissed the other corner of her mouth before responding "The kind that touches what doesn't belong to them"

And with that he straightened up and continued walking – Alythia obediently following him from behind.

However, as they approached the cafeteria she felt a bit strange.

She was short of breath, her head was now spinning, and her vision began to blur.

Before her feet gave way, she was able to weakly call Karlyle's name.

As she plummeted to the ground she heard his frantic voice in the background...