Comeuppance

Chapter 7 - Who Are You

I pulled my towel from my back and then wiped off the sweat on my face and neck. I looked around and sighed a breath of relief. I am so tired but at the same time relieved for I have finished it. Finally done cleaning. I had some janitorial works because I accidentally destroyed the locker yesterday and that Xavion, he makes me clench my fist and grrrr whenever I think of him, he's merciless.

This university is really really big and I had to clean 5 floors, including everything on it, each floor had more than 20 rooms, imagine my misery. The students were looking at me everywhere. Hayst. I even heard that I am the talk of the school right now, I mean yeah, just like what I've seen in dramas but my case is different, fictional main character girls become the talk of the school because they're pretty and the famous boys are into them and I became the talk of the school because I am dumb as f**k and never seen anything dumber.

I am totally feeling and fulfilling that life of a dumb transferee and then having Cade rescue me all the time.

I went inside the classroom earlier than usual. I can't be late again. All the teachers are holding a grudge against me. I mean, can you blame me though? I'm really tired so I just accidentally fall asleep in the middle of the discussion and I even get into class late. They're literally like "what have you been doing? Even the school president who's the busiest can even get there on time."

I sat down on my chair and waited for the time to fly until some unknown students came into the classroom. Their scents are new to me since I never smelled them in this classroom. I wonder who they are, but I just can't care much since I am unaware of everything here.

I stretched my arms and even my neck and also sat down straight to stretch my back and I even stretched my legs a bit too. My muscle cramps are just too much but it wasn't like the first time. Whenever I get reminded of those days, I feel like I was really in hell at that time. The training was nothing I'd ever seen. Even athletes or police officers or the army in my world don't train like that, but I am maybe a little relieved to say that I can see improvements.

The unknown students started talking..

"Due to some personal issues, the previous secretary dropped out of the school. To cut to the chase, we need a volunteer for the position of secretary in the student council."

I am not interested in those kinds of things, so I just don't mind it, though I can hear my classmates' murmurs. There are lots of trustworthy and smart students here in my classroom. I didn't even know how I got here. That's why the teachers were like "Are you really from this section? It seems that you're lost." I looked at my bag and touched my maps. There were lots of maps in my bag, but imagine, I could still get lost.

I looked at Miss Rostingdias who is always busy reading books, but I saw her look at the unknown students when the unknown students started talking again.

"Where's Tengukonoshi?" One of the unknown students asked.

"She is not feeling well," someone answered. I think a classmate of mine. Tengukonoshi? The girl who talked back against that Vice President? The one who also hurt her knee like me? I wonder what happened to her. I barely notice her here in this room and I kinda feel like the girl who answered the unknown student's question is a girl from their squad.

I can hear my classmates' murmurs and small laughs from the front even if I was leaning my head on my armchair and even if I was far away and wasn't looking at them. Maybe this is an ability I slowly developed after staying here for a few days.

"I suggest and nominate Ms. Vanidestin." one of my classmates said that made me sit straight and had my eyes widened. Their laughter even echoed all around the room. I was so surprised. I mean, what are they up to again? I'm already caught up in a lot of things.

"Which one is she?" the unknown student asked, which made almost all of my classmates point their fingers at me. No. No no no. I was sitting quietly, I wasn't even doing anything. Why am I getting involved again? Why can't I just have a peaceful life?

"We want to suggest and recommend her coz she's a verrryyy responsible student." my classmate really prolonged the word 'very' as if he was trying to sound really sarcastic.

Aish. What is their problem? If they're bored, they shouldn't involve people who are trying to live a peaceful life. I swear to God karma will come to him grr. Then we suddenly got quiet and surprised when a very loud rumbling from outside was heard after a lightning flash.

They all looked at the window surprised. What? Don't tell me they're scared of lightning when their world even has the fanciest color of lightning.

Then the unknown student fixed his uniform and said, while looking at me, "What are you waiting for? Stand up and come with us."

"Uhm I don't think she likes the idea based on her reaction. This doesn't include forcing people to take this responsibility, right? You know it's quite heavy. It's not easy to deal with tasks like that, especially when you're a transferee."

When I heard that statement, I instantly looked at Miss Rostingdias. Thank you so much, you will be blessed. Whenever I'm in trouble, Cade or Miss Rostingdias always helps me.

"This is none of your business, Ms. Rostingdias."

"Obviously, it's my concern, using your common sense won't hurt and, as you can see, her gesture just suggests that she does not agree."

I nodded, agreeing to what Miss Rostingdias said.

I confidently stood up and fought for my right to follow my own will. "I'm sorry, there must have been a misunderstanding.. I won't and I can't-----"

"You are a white collar student. We don't accept duty desertion from you, especially when most of your classmates recommended you. Now come before we drag you out."

But all of my confidence faded and my eyes widened.

drag you out..

drag you out..

drag you out..

What is this? What am I getting myself into again? What foolishness? Me? A secretary? This is really getting ridiculous day by day. I feel like the gods are punishing me for entering an area I shouldn't be entering. Maybe this is karma. I sighed and when I looked at my classmates, they were even laughing. I mean, what did I ever do to them? I just don't get it. Why does it always have to be me?

I heaved a deep, problematic sigh. I looked and smiled at Miss Rostingdias and gave her a thumbs up, our eyes met and I'm sure she was really worried and I'm grateful that she tried to speak up for me and so I had to assure her that I was fine. Am I though? I should be! So I won't have to keep bothering them.

I stretched my shoulders, neck and back because I could still feel my muscle cramps. Why does it feel like all the misfortunes in this world have been thrown at me?

I am already a tired and busy person, I can't even do my school work well and then this added up. This is really getting crazy, what kind of punishment is this? What kind of sin did I ever commit to be this unlucky in this life? Why did I even think I could blend in here? Surviving alone is already draining me.

I just followed the unknown students to wherever they were going until they went inside a room with the sign "Mandatos de Administracion", then there were some students with computers on their table. They looked at us, it. It was a big room filled with transparent cubicle-like tables, then at the edge of the room, there was another door and then the unknown students opened the doors and then I caught the scents of the two people I dislike in this school. When I entered, the so-called vice president was busy with something like a pile of papers while drinking something and the president was reading something while sitting at his table.

They look nothing like how I expected them. I mean their uniforms are all messed up, their hair and even their neckties.

"We have brought the new secretary from the White Collar Section of your batch, your sovereignty."

The vice president spit out what he was drinking upon hearing the statement. I know what he's thinking! He's obviously trying so hard not to laugh. Then, when I looked at the president, he was as usual with his cold look, it seemed that he always felt mad towards the world.

What's his problem? Me, who feels like all the misfortunes have been thrown at me, could not even get mad a bit.

"Of all the students, you chose her?!" he asked while wiping his mouth and laughing. This jerk, what gives him the right to laugh at me hmph.

"What about Tengukonoshi?" The president asked.

Of course, they'd want Miss Tengukonoshi since I heard she's the smartest and top of the class. I just stared at the vice president angrily when he came near me and laughed so hard.

"She was the most suggested student in your room, we cannot decline majority. Besides, I was told that Tengukonoshi isn't feeling well at the moment, " the unknown student said.

"Tingin mo ba papayagan yung si Tengukonoshi na kumuha ng trabaho na to? Prinsesa yon. Di yon hahayaan ng three pigs." (Translation: Do you really think Tengukonoshi will even be allowed to take this job? She's a princess. The three pigs (lightning brothers) won't let her.)

My eyes widened after hearing the Vice President talk using the Filipino Language. He knows how to speak Tagalog? And he really even sounded like one with his accent, it seemed so natural. Oh right! Cade and that teacher, they also know how.

"You may now leave." I smiled and turned my back along with the unknown students and started walking towards the door. I am somehow relieved, I know they won't take me in, they know how I do in class, I'm sure they won't----

"Not you, Vanidestin."

I was about to hold the door knob, then instead of me, the unknown students grabbed it and made their way out and closed the doors.

I thought they wouldn't approve me for this position since it's too much of a responsibility and I don't seem trustworthy.

I faced them and looked at Xavion. "I thought you wanted someone else to be your secretary, besides, do you really think I'd fit in for this position?"

"I changed my mind. Chace, you know what to do."

"I mean can't you just search for another? There are lots of smart students in the classroom. I don't really think I am fit for anything like this, as you can see I can't even---"

"Can't you just shut up and do as you're told?"

"You never told me what I should do. Besides, I was only speaking my thoughts about this. No one else knows about myself more than I do, I know my limits and capabilities ver--"

"I just did. Be quiet and follow Chace. I can only say that this position is not something with a definite size."

I rolled my eyes and mimicked what he said in my mind.

I looked at Chace who was sitting on the table, he stood up and went to another room and then went back out and----my eyes widened, it was only one minute, but then his uniform, his hair, everything got fixed. He now looks so fresh. He walked towards me while fixing his tie.

"I know I am too handsome, but don't you think it is inappropriate to stare?"

HAH! Big word! Handsome! I rolled my eyes. "I stared because I have never seen such an ugly thing ever exist, not until now."

"Hah anyways. Let's go."

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"Just be quiet and follow me."

"What if you jump off a cliff?"

"What? You're really an i***t, an even weirder type. Just follow me."

I mean, just in case, I know they don't like me as well. Who knows what they could possibly do to me? People here have magical powers. He can save himself if he ever jumps off a cliff, while me, I can't save myself, and maybe it could be their way of getting rid of me. Hmp hump, I better watch out. They might be holding a grudge meant for me, since we all know how irresponsible I am. I am even having a hard time managing my time between my training and classes.

He then started walking and I followed him. I sighed. Am I really sure about this?

While walking...

"Hey." I said

"Hm?" He responded, so I immediately went to walk beside him.

"Can't you really just look for another? I can't really do this, I don't think I can." I said while walking with my head down.

"Why do you think you can't?" He asked while looking straight ahead.

"Why would you even ask that? Are you pretending---- argh, anyway, we all know I do not do well in class."

"Well, yes, indeed an irresponsible student."

I pouted after hearing that. It was the truth, yes, but could he at least lie and compliment me a little, at least if they're trying to persuade me in taking this position? Too harsh. What do I even expect? They don't even know how hard I am training just to survive in this world. Why did I even come here? I should've just gone back to my world.

"But do you know what curse has been given to us humans?" he asked.

Curse? What does he mean curse? And for humans? I was shocked. Oh no does that mean he knows---

"It is that we, humans, are too flexible, we can adjust and adapt to any changes anytime. That's how we know that you'll be able to fill this role."

I heaved a breath of relief. I didn't know they considered themselves humans here, but now I do. I frowned though, are they really that smart that they believe anything they think is right? They don't even know me. If they find out I am not from this world, what could even happen? They will surely kill me."

"You don't even know anything about me."

"Pfft." he stopped walking and..

Ow! I blinked and nearly didn't catch that! Why would he flick a person's forehead--ahh ow. I held it and it really hurt.

"Look here, a person's identity isn't much of a big deal to us, it isn't our basis, so we don't really care about a person's identity or character as long as we can use them to our advantage. But it seems that you really dislike it that much, so we will try to look for someone new, but as of now, just be the substitute for awhile." he said and continued walking, leaving me behind, but of course, while touching my forehead, I still had to follow him.

So he talked a lot about the rooms that we were passing by. "This is the section..." bla bla bla bla. But instead, I am hearing people's comments and rumors. This guy, Chace, must really be that famous that people are talking about him being with me right now.

While walking around, I managed to truly appreciate the beauty of the university. It is really a big school and as if it was a hotel, it doesn't even have a tiny bit of dust. It even has an elevator. And--WHAT?!

WAIT WHAT?? I rubbed my eyes to see it clearly. Wow, this is really too much and getting out of hand. 125 floors?! Ain't this too much? I mean it's a fictional world after all. What's there to be surprised about?

While the elevator was going up, I noticed the horripilation on my arms as l started to sense a lot of different pressures and smell lots of unknown scents. Maybe there are lots of upper-class students who are stronger here above. In dramas or usually movies, if there are large and tall buildings, the strength of a person determines which floor count they should stay on. The elevator suddenly stopped, but I don't think this was our stop.

My back suddenly got itchy, so I slowly lifted my arm and scratched wherever the itchy part was, but then I felt a bump when suddenly something hit my arm. It was the Vice-President's arm, he was also scratching something on his back, but then all of a sudden, I felt a hand on my waist pulling me, it was the vice president, he just did what? He pulled me closer to his side.

I was about to curse the hell out of him char, just kidding. I was about to react anyway, but when I saw his facial expression, he seemed so serious, it was as if all his playfulness disappeared, it was as if he was a totally different person. But my eyes caught him staring at something, so I lifted an eyebrow and looked at where he was looking and then....ooohhh lala.

A guy entered the elevator. He's tall, probably the same as the vice president. But he's weird, he is really really weird. I don't sense any pressure from him. I don't smell him either, he doesn't have a scent! My mouth suddenly opened a bit from shock, this guy.. maybe he's a human like me! Aha! Gotcha! Hahahah I know your secret. The elevator closed and it continued to move up.

I looked at the guy from head to toe. He is legit handsome, I can even feel my heart beat beating fast out of nervousness, he has a jaw-dropping look, I could even feel as if my saliva would drip, looking at him. What happened to this face? Oh God, did You sculpt and mold this creature with your own bare hands? How can someone be this good looking?

I didn't notice that I was staring at him, not until our eyes met. And the horripilation on my arms doubled. Those eyes.. They're cold. His eyes were only passing by but still I continued staring at him, he's probably used to these things. I mean he's handsome. How can he not expect people to stare at him, right? I noticed how he had those cold stares at everything. He reminds me of the President as they have some unresolved grudges on this world.

I was so busy staring at him while still scratching my back when my arm suddenly hit something again. I looked at what hit me but I couldn't stop itching. When I turned to look, I saw the vice president also scratching his back. The Vice President suddenly pulled me and placed me on his left side. Now he's in between me and the handsome guy.

I pouted. What's wrong with the vice president? I wanted to stand beside the handsome guy even just for a few seconds or minutes.

The elevator opened and the vice president held my wrist as we stepped out of the elevator. He let go of my wrist and started walking away immediately while I stole a last glance at the handsome guy before the elevator closed. My back's itch finally got satisfied and so.

I looked for the vice president since he walked too fast and I could barely keep up with his pace. I ran slightly to keep up with him and now, his facial expression changed again, it went back to normal. Awhile ago, he looked too serious and it was creepy. We aren't close but I can tell if there's a sudden change, since he was always showy of his playfulness.

We went inside, something through I could say, a door? It seemed like a portal to me. How big could this university ever get? I really can't stop myself from staring and looking and wondering around the place. I was still following the vice-president's scent though, while walking backwards, because my eyes couldn't get over what we just saw.

Boogsh!

That was the last thing I heard and when I opened my eyes, I was already sitting on the floor and there were lots of books scattered on the floor.

"Vanidestin!"

It seemed that I bumped into someone and so, I threw him a look, but I also noticed the cold stare in his eyes. It horripilating! What is happening? Why do all the people here seem so cold? As if they were all emotionless and just got annoyed by every little thing that exists.

But wait, he seemed familiar, and his scent as well. I think he was the other transferee in the room. I instantly grabbed the books that were scattered on the floor and piled them properly and placed them properly on top of the books the transferee was holding.

"I'm sorry" I said then bowed. I felt the Vice-president pulling me away from the scene.

"What were you thinking? Concentrate on walking!" He aggressively whispered in my ear.

"I'm sorry.." I said as I was looking down while walking, I could even hear his sigh from there.

I think this is the place the vice president was planning to take me, since we stopped here and he went looking for someone and told me to wait in this specific spot. It's a big office with lots of cubicles and a lot of people were occupying each table in every cubicle. It seems like a workplace, everybody's busy minding their own businesses.

Mr. Vice President once again pulled me towards another spot. I could tell he is fond of pulling people.

When we stopped at a corner, there were lots of lights. I also noticed there was a camera, so I'm guessing that this is something like a photobooth. I looked at the Vice President with lots of questions. However, he just said

"Stand there" and pointed to a spot in front of the camera which I just obeyed because we might distract people if we had argued.

The one controlling the camera, signalled me that he was gonna capture it in 3.. 2.. 1..

I stood there and posed with a peace sign.

"Oh my, you're not supposed to pose, Miss" said the cameraman.

"Hoy gagoo, para sa ID mo yan" (translate: hey i***t! That was supposed to be for your ID"

I was taken aback, "Oh I'm sorry. I didn't know. If only you had said it earlier!"

And so I stood straight and just smiled at the camera.

I was waiting for them to signal that it was already okay and I could see the vice president, checking my photo out if maybe it came out good.

I noticed how he scowled at the photo. Wow, did he really have to display his displeasure upon seeing my face?

"Don't turn the flash on" he said to the cameraman.

"I don't think the flash was on. It's off the whole time."

"If it was off, why is she covered in light? Try it again. Make sure to turn it off. "

He then looked at me and said "Yana, one more time."

Yana? Did he call me Yana? Anyways, I stood straight once again and smiled at the camera.

The cameraman went to check it and he scowled as well. What is wrong with my face, I said as I puffed my cheeks. These people are being too much.

"I made sure to turn it off, really!"

"Then why is it still like that?"

"I'll ask the artificers."

I pouted and frowned. I walked towards the vice president. "Is something wrong?"

"You are always covered in white light, there must be something wrong the camera. He's having the experts check it."

White light? What does that mean? I can see the cameraman walking with a grown up man.

"Is she the one you're taking pictures of?" The grown up man pointed at me and so I smiled slightly and bowed at him.

"It's impossible to take pictures of her when she's wearing all those accessories."

My eyes widened. He noticed. That easily. He noticed the concealers I'm wearing. I could hear my heart beat.

Flashback...

I was looking at Cade while he's putting the jewelries back onto my body.

"What are these for?" I asked since I heard them call it concealers awhile ago and when they took it off me, my body felt weak.

"They're concealers. You are not to let anyone else take it off. This is bound by my magic so it won't be taken off by just anyone however, if a Z-Class meddles with it, it will be taken off."

I pouted and held the necklace. "But what are these for?"

"It's to hide your identity."

Right, I'm a human of the other world, I do not belong here. Cade is really my knight, he put these on me so it could keep me safe, so identity will be hidden and people could not harm me.

I hugged him. "Thank you, Cade."

End of Flashback...

"Yana, he says you have to take those jewelries off."

I looked at the Vice President while holding the necklace. "I cannot"

"What does it have to do with the picture anyway?" The Vice President turns around and asks the grown up man.

"We are not on advanced lens yet, it will affect the lighting because of the ability of those jewels to refract."

"You have to take it off for just a little moment." He turned to me again.

I was just looking at him, shaking my head with widened eyes.

"You have to" he said as he came closer to me and tried to take off my jewelries but I stopped his hand.

"I said no."

"You have to. We walked a long way here to get your ID."

"No. I won't take these off."

I was fighting his hands off and was not able to stop the hand the took the necklace off.

The necklace dropped along with my heart.

The room that was filled with noise, instantly became silent or maybe I was just deafened.

I could see the shock in the vice president's eyes and so I pushed him and took the necklace on the floor and ran away.

I ran as fast as I could and reached the garden. I was panting.

But my heart dropped one more time when I saw him leaning on a pillar, looking at me.

"You..."

He said as he started walking towards me. I turned my back on him to run away again and yet, before I knew it, he was already in front of me again.

He walked towards me. As I walked backwards, until I felt that it was dead end.

There was a wall behind me and I couldn't walk back further. I am nervous. My hands are trembling and I am sweating. Lord, are they gonna find out about my identity now? Will my life end here? I closed my eyes.

"What are you?" he said that made me open my eyes and look at him, only to see that he was pinning his arm on the wall, locking me up.

"No, maybe the question should be, who are you?"

I gulped.