Chapter 8: Is it nice to meet you?

Estelle

It's already morning. Today is our third day here in Underground Academy. Today is also our first day as official students of UA. The uniforms were delivered yesterday evening and the other school details has been sent too so we are ready to start the day.

I am in my room doing my routine— the routine I made since I started living here. I am wearing the midnight blue suit with a white inner polo and a tie with pencil skirt plus the silver name plate on my chest. I proceed to the body length mirror while holding my 4 inches heeled black shoes. I stare at my reflection. I take a deep breath as I wear my shoes while staring at myself.

I grab my bag. I open the door and left my room. I proceed to the living room since it's what our plan is. Everyone is already there. Loris is reading the catalog, Oliver is playing with his nails and Heartle is spacing out. I shrug my shoulder and approach them.

"Let's go," I said.

They look at me and I didn't bother to talk again because they already stand. Heartle is still spacing out and it's obvious because her uniform color is royal blue. Anyways, Loris opens the door  and we made our way into the food court, located at the topest floor of this building, to have our breakfast.

The hallway in our floor is silent as our first night here in UA. Oliver leads the way into the elevator. When the elevator opens, Oliver makes his way before us. I glance at them. Why do I have this feeling that Oliver and Loris is keeping something?

I shrug my shoulder as the elevator opens. We left the elevator after. Everyone is busy eating their breakfast but when we entered the food court, most of them began to whisper. I didn't mind them. Those aren't useful gossips so why bother? I directly find a clean table, since I am the foremost among the team, to basically sit and eat my breakfast already.

Just like gentlemans, Loris and Oliver did the ordering. They both left at the same time and so Heartle and I are left in the table. Since I am bored, I stared at Heartle and within a span of a minute, I already figured out that she is hiding something yesterday.

Yesterday, I saw her getting the card and went out alone. When she arrived back, I noticed that she is sweating. She immediately go to her room. She even forgot to return the card in the kitchen drawer.

I cleared my throat. "What did you do yesterday?"

Her eyes widened. I smirk. I'm wondering why are they even shocked when I ask them the questions like that always. I'm a little psychiatrist slash psychologist remember? I am born and raised to be one actually.

"Four o'clock you left the apartment. When you came back, you—"

"Shhh." She covered my mouth. She roll her eyes. "Noong nasa Underground Supermarket kami, I heard a gossip about Rogue Championship. Blame me but I got curious"—she scanned the area—" that's why sumali ako."

My eyes instantly widened. We just got here for less than 36 hours yet she already entered that Rogue Championship? We haven't even gotten in our first class yet. This is impossible as the dudes.

I close my eyes. "Alright!" I stared at her. "Why did you enter? I know it's not just curiousity because if it is"—I scanned the place—" you must have been spying and not showing yourself and then entered that thing."

Heartle roll her eyes again. "I don't know. Baka this is because my apelyido is chaos. Estelle, I am raised and born to fight just like the way you are born and raised to read minds and behavior."

I bit my lip. "Then what? I'm sure this isn't a simple fight, Heartle." I stare at her. "Underground Academy isn't simple at all. It's a conundrum chaos. Let's say you are good at fighting, since you truly are, but I already figured out that you want this to be a secret. What do you want the boys to feel? Untrustworthy?"

She breath deeply. "Yes, as much as possible I want this to be a secret." She stares at me. "Parang feel ko like being part of the despicable society is a one step closer to us being complete." She looks away. "It feels right, Estelle. There's a rain but isn't it there's also a rainbow after?"

"Heartle, what's the connection?" I scan the area before continuing. "Do you remember when you cried after we revealed it? Do you remember what you said?" I sit properly. "You said, do you know what it feels to be untrustworthy?"

Heartle didn't answer me. She remain silent so I continue.

"Even if there's a rain and there's a rainbow after, if the rain will not stop then there will be no rainbow. Go and feed your curiosity, it's alright. It's yourself anyway."

She opens her mouth but she didn't replied due to the boys are fast approaching with a french toast on the platter they're holding. They approach us with something is different. I can't figure that out at the moment but there is something about this dudes.

Loris and I are walking into the hallway and looking for our classroom for the whole morning. Oliver and Heartle is in the third section while Loris and I are in the first section. Our first class, for the whole morning, is biology under the regime of Mr. Joseph Hyde.

As usual, Loris is the navigator. He found our classroom. Three seats are available left. We have no choice than to sit with that chairs. Loris chose the seat which is a few chairs away from mine. I noticed that most of my classmates are sophisticated and smart. I shrugged that I idea because it's not important at all.

I am just staring at my shoes when I felt that someone sitted on the seat beside mine. I didn't mind him. Yes, I know it's a him because they way he steps and his perfume says it all. My eyes widened suddenly. This fragrance is familiar. Where did I smelled this?

"Good morning. Everyone, your attention please." Everyone stared at him. "I know you know. Newbies, introduce yourselves."

Loris and I immediately stand. I suddenly felt some chills without knowing the reason behind it. I closed my eyes and my heart is beating pretty fast. I open my eyes and take a deep breath.

"Good morning, I am Loris Amaury. Nice meeting you," he said before bowing at everyone.

"Estelle Clemence. Happy to be with you," I said before I directly sit on my chair.

The teacher claps his hands and the lesson for the whole morning started. Time passed, I went to the food court alone. I went to my music class with Loris. I went home alone. I am here in the apartment alone.

Loris said he is going somewhere. I have no idea where the hell is Oliver. Heartle is probably on the 7th Powerhouse, one of the despicable groups. I am in my room thinking of them. I am lying down in my bed while staring at ceiling. What should I do?

I stand when I feel the boredom is evading my room. I stand slowly and scan my room. I directly approach my closet and change my clothes into an oversized hoodie and a fit thick leggings. I grab my knife for security purposes. I hide it in my boots since I want to wear some. I immediately left the apartment with the card with me.

A very dark hallway but light from the moon makes it visible. I am walking when I felt a presence. I didn't mind it because probably it is just our neighbors. My eyes instantly widened when someone grabbed my hands and pulled me directly into the elevator. I can't fight because my hands are at my back. My legs aren't useful because I can't easily kick.

"God! Who are you!?" I said.

She let my hand go. "Shhh." I turn around. "Pupunta ka ba sa Rogue Championship?" she said excitedly.

I roll my eyes. "Of course not!"

"May not so baka hindi siya pupunta," she whispered. She smiled. "Hindi mo ba alam na may mangyayaring massacre ngayong gabi?"

My eyes widen. "Impossible as the dudes."

"Hindi impossible," she left the elevator since it already open. I follow her immediately. "Alam mo ba kung bakit may massacre every independence hour?"

I roll my eyes. I'm new here, hello? How would I know?

"Selentell Hanh. Nagsimula ito nang mamatay siya sa kamay ng current SAC school monitor at dito din nagsimula ang massacre." She turn around. " Ito ay bilang pagbigay pugay at pagaalala sa kanyang pagkamatay. Mahal siya ng lahat kahit nang mga kasuklam-suklam na grupo."

"Why would I care?"

"Kasi kailangan mo, Estelle." I frown. How did she know my name? I am certain that she isn't my classmate. "That is because caring will lead you into progressing, ya'n ang huling sinabi niya bago mawala sa mundo."

She is supposedly be leaving when I remember a question. "Who are you?"

She stops and turn his head back. She smirk. "I'm Secret, wanna know my secret?"

End of the Chapter 8

Other works:

KEEPING THE KEEPER

LOVING MY LOVER

TAKE A ONE-SHOT

Dedicated to HoneyphaWP & lgrizzlyl