Astilbe

CHAPTER 2: The meeting

It was mid August in Kyoto high school— the hallways were bustling with students, girls were chattering and boys were goofing around; A typical everyday scenario in a classroom. In the back row corner of the room near the door is where a student who seems to be studiously writing in his notes is currently seated. Unlike the other students he is unfriendly, that's why he tends to be alone all the time.

When the bell rang the students instantly went back to their respective seats. A few seconds after the bell rang, the male class adviser who is holding a class record, along with a girl with platinum hair, went inside and stood in front of the wooden lectern. The classroom is suddenly filled with murmurs with the new face presence.

The adviser slammed his hands three times at the lectern" Everyone, settle down!"and the silence came in.

"She is a new student and will be joining us in this section. I hope that you treat her with kindness and make her feel welcome in this class" said the class advisor while putting his both hands at the lectern 

"Introduce yourself to the class" he added while looking at the new girl. 

She nodded in response, "Good day everyone, My name is Ashley Miller. I like to plant especially flowers. In the future, I want to be a floral designer and open my own shop" she smiled after introducing with slight enthusiasm. The students clapped giving her a warm welcome, some were banging their desks –there are even some boys who commented on her qualities. She went and took a seat at a vacant chair next to the window; Maximillian on the other hand, was frozen, gaping at her. He couldn't take his eyes off the girl, her beautiful hair that graciously falls on her shoulder, her soft almond shaped eyes and ...her smile. 

"Hunter"

There's something about her smile..

"Maximillian Hunter?"

“H-here” He stuttered while raising his hand, feeling embarrassed by his actions he turned to look the other way.

“Please pay attention” His adviser warned him and continued to roll call 

"Okay take out your books and open to page 17" the adviser's voice becomes less and less audible to Maximillian as he keeps glancing at the girl who is attentively listening, and the rest of the day continues.

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On the lunch break usually students race to the cafeteria or they group together but not Maximilian. He is briskly walking to the back of the school, tightly holding the strap of his backpack, hoping to not be spotted by someone.

“There you are!” A male voice exclaimed behind him calling his attention. He turned around and faced the very familiar presence. He mentally sighed in disappointment with the person which he hoped not to see in front of him. This person is Cain and he is the biggest bully in this school. He always thinks that he rules the whole school and is always the trouble maker. He is from a pretty rich family and his father always gives donations to the school that’s why teachers tolerate and students try to appease him at his every whim. The three students who are always with him are just taking advantage of his status.

“Where are you going? Ahh..don’t tell me you’re hiding from me?” He smirked while tilting his head slightly, he could hear snickering and laughter from the man’s company.

“Hey, give me your assignment” One of his minions stepped forward to assert dominance. 

Maximilian hesitated to speak for a moment and gathered some courage to say something “I didn’t do it..”

“And even if I did I won’t give it to you” He know he will be in trouble if he say these but Maximillian is not a person to easily give in

" What the fvck did you just say!?" replied back by the guy earlier raising his voice with hostile glare.

Maximilian stubbornness will always make him in trouble. Seeing the guy getting pissed by his remark, flake his confidence "I can't give you my assignment..."

"Did you just hear what this fvcker is talking about?" The pissed student asked his other friends, holding back the urge to punch him. 

"Hey, get his backpack" Cain ordered his minions while taking out a cigarette. With this Maximillian took a step back and was in complete panic as the three students slowly approached him.

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After a few minutes of beating up Maximillian and going through his stuff they finally stopped after they rummaged through his books. After finding what they’re looking for, one of them passed the book to Cain who was squatting down while smoking pot on the corner. Feeling satisfied, he dropped his cigarette and stomped on it. He then approached Maximillian with the book in this left hand 

Cain stopped in front of the messed up Maximillian who was still sitting on the ground after getting beaten up. He crouches down and grabs a handful of Maximillian’s hair while whispering in his left ear "If you just cooperate in the first place then this wouldn't happen to you" Maximilian can only groan in pain as Cain harshly pushed his head aside and walked away with his underlings

"Haha bye loser!" One of them shouted while waving in a mocking manner. 

Being defeated, Maximilian slowly gathered his things which were scattered everywhere. His hair is very messy, his face has bruises and his uniform is soiled. While picking up his things he suddenly realized that his pencil case was missing. He exhaustively looked for the white case, he couldn't leave it because he just bought it yesterday. As he crouches down looking for his case in the bush nearby, he couldn’t help but think about how awful his life is. He thought that maybe if he was braver then maybe they would leave him alone and all will be fine.

“Is this what you’re looking for?” A soft voice suddenly called up to him; as he looked back, he saw the person he doesn’t want to see  the most in this state.

“M-miller?”