Love of a Thousand Colors

Chapter 3

"How did you know about Jacob's Robe? Don't even think about lying and stalling."

Why, hello there, I'm Trina. What's your name? How have you been doing? Oh, you want to choke me to death? How interesting! That's what's been reeling inside my mind but externally, I'm obviously petrified. I don't know this guy's issue is and he looks damn scary. The way he stares so intently definitely shows he's not fooling around.

He removed his hand and studied my expression. "Can you talk?" Yeah, I can.

I screamed and as fast as a blink of an eye, I got shoved inside the locker and Mr. Most Popular joining in.

"Quiet!" He warned me, his voice low and impatient. "I'm not gonna hurt you silly. I just want information. So quit being hysterical and calm down!" His menthol breath fanning over my face.

"Oh, I'm so sorry. Am I being hysterical? I barely managed to breathe minutes ago. I apologize if that ticked you off! HELP! HE-" He covered my mouth again. I hear people about to come in! Thank goodness!

Before I had a chance to formulate my escape plan, he opened the locker with a kick and grabbed me by the hand.

"Stop! Where are you taking me?!" I shouted, pulling my hand away and prying his fingers off. But I guess the difference in diet and lifestyle is strongly evident between us considering I can't even take his pinky off.

He dragged me outside the changing room, crossing paths with the other girls from my PE class. I opened my mouth to tell them I'm being abducted in plain sight. But I realized they are one of the hyenas, my mouth closed again with a click.

There's a blinding light at the end of the tunnel. Or rather, the gym lights at the end of the narrow corridor. I blinked my eyes many times to adjust my vision. The whole gym has their eyes on us. One volleyball player forgot to make her serve and the students at the bleachers just stopped talking among themselves.

My coach raised his arm, pointing his wrinkled finger at us with his whistle on his lips. But decided against stopping us and calling our attention, I mean what's he going to call us out for?

It took me a while to realize that we're heading to the PE main office. I've been called there too many times, so there's no mistaking it. What does he want to do now?

The doors are wide open and there's the senior instructor polishing his team's trophy from last season's National Tug Of War Championships.

"Good afternoon..." My abductor said politely. He spoke in an entirely different manner, I would've mistaken him for a different person. A two-faced jock, I knew it! Most of the school's A-Listers are!

He finally lets go of my hand and grabbed me by the waist instead. Unbelievable! I'm filing for harassment! I pinched and slapped his hand for a good measure.

"Ow!" He grunted and shook his injured hand to ease the pain. He glared at me and I challenged him to do the exact same thing he did minutes ago.

"If you two lovebirds are going to fight here, this is the wrong place. But the boxing gloves are in the red drawer over there just in case you need them." The old coach continued wiping the trophy clean and applying some wax to make it shine. The chemical's stench is hurting my nose.

"We're not in a relationship." I clarified. "He assaulted me in the ladies' locker room and he brought me here." The thought of the sentence doesn't sound right though.

The man's eyebrows shot through the roof in skepticism. "He attacked you and brought you here. I guess he's going to... continue while a headteacher looks on?" He asked, he didn't even mask his disbelief.

"He did and he brought me here to... To... Why did you bring me here!?" This is so stupid!

Mr. Most Popular scratched his head as if he doesn't know what I'm talking about. The old man put down his trophy and sighed. He leaned his back on his office chair and crossed his hands. "Are you here to confess?" The old man smiled, trying to ridicule me and my claims.

I face-palmed myself in frustration. Fine! If no one believes me, I'll just walk out of here and just steer clear of this guy in the future.

"Yes, I confess..." Mr. Most Popular said, his brown hazelnut eyes twinkling in mischief. A round of murmurs like a hive of disturbed bees erupted outside the room, exactly behind the walls beside the door. Can't people be more discreet?

He continued, "This girl right here..."

I can hear hundreds of people literally holding their breaths.

Then out of the blue, my PE teacher walked in, not minding the queue of gossipmongers he passed by.

"You think you can skip classes and do just whatever you feel like doing in front of my face!" His face reddens in anger. It's unfair though that he's only reprimanding me and not the primary person responsible for this mess.

Mr. Most Popular stepped in front of me and placed himself in between me and the angry teacher. "I humbly apologize, sir." Bowing his head a bit, "I confess to taking your student without permission. Actually, she's being recruited by my team to enter the eSports class instead."

Recruit? E-Sports class? What are you talking about?

"A girl?" My coach said. "Isn't your team an all-exclusive group for boys?"

Mr. MP was at loss for words for a second. "We plan to integrate players of the opposite gender to make it more open for diversity. Sir, we want to be more inclusive." Smooth...

"Oh, if that's the case, then you just have to inform her PE teacher here sooner and your group adviser of your plans." The head PE coach said, with a hint of annoyance in his voice. "You don't have to make a ruckus about it. Good day kids and goodbye."

That's it?

The next few minutes passed by like a blur and I found myself sitting on a chair surrounded by the school's eSports team. They are the school's star players, their popularity, looks and charm are higher than the real physically active athletic sports members of the school. Many tried to get in, but they say the tryouts are nothing they have ever seen or experienced.

Well, I can't believe I'm in without breaking a sweat, and to tell you honestly, I'm desperate to go home. I have never felt like an outsider as I do here, being inside this club room. And quite frankly, the neon lights, unfamiliar gadgets, game posters, and merchandise are intimidating. I can just imagine the price tag that came along with the items. Even more so the high-end clothes and shoes the team is wearing.

It also didn't help like I'm being scrutinized like a piece of ancient artifact. I wanted to blur out the same lingering question that they have in their minds. What the hell is this girl doing here?!

"Hotseat!" One of them finally broke the uncomfortable silence. The rest of the gang nodded in agreement.

The one with glasses brings out his phone and did a bit of scrolling. "First question from a schoolmate of ours in Snapchat." He paused for dramatic effect, as if it's necessary. "Is she a new member or just someone assigned to take out the trash?"

"That's mean..." The other member behind him said. He's playing something on the computer with his back on us. But clearly he can multitask as he can tap his fingers on the keyboard, move the mouse with the other hand and listen to my initiation ritual without difficulty.

Mr. MP is nowhere to be found. The guy illegally detained me by tossing me inside and locking the door outside. Minutes later, his crew went in and didn't appear that shocked when they saw me sitting alone on the sofa like a terrified cat.

"NEXT!" The redhead said while eating one of his nails anxiously. Compared to the rest of the members, he's the one looking most worried.

"Don't worry. The conundrum today hasn't reached TechCrunch and PC Gamer. There aren't any emails or text messages from them yet." The one who read the message said.

The redhead relaxed a bit but hasn't stopped munching on his fingers. "Terrific," he said, without joy or any other emotion.

"Next question" He shoots another one, "Who is she? Is she even studying here?"

"Lame" The one playing the game commented.

The redhead finally thought enough is enough and motioned his friend to stop. "Deactivate the account momentarily. We don't want this to blow up more than it should."

"You serious? That will be bigger news." Glasses guy reminded him.

"It means we're being evasive." The player's game ended with the word 'VICTORY' flashing on the monitor in a fiery fashion.

"Then you answer the questions! Minimize the damage!" The worry-wart cried.

The glasses guy laughed a bit. "You bet. We wouldn't want you fainting and getting hospitalized because you can't handle the heat."

The player handed me a soda and a bag of chips. He asked for my name and the real reason why I suddenly become a new member of the team. I shrugged, unable to talk with all the chips in my mouth.

They stared at me with more amazement. I blushed. I forgot to maintain my poise despite my hunger.

"Do you play tank, MM or support?" The player asked, his tone very considerate and kind.

I pondered for a moment. "I just eat them. I don't actually play with my food."

The horrified look on their faces is unmistakable. Dark, ominous clouds formed outside the building. Claps of thunder can be heard from the distance.

"ISRAEL!" The glasses guy screamed over the phone.

"We're doomed!" The redhead fell on his knees beating his chest in a dramatic fashion.

The player unpinned his club ID from his jacket and threw it outside the window. My answer must have shocked them terribly, it has garnered such reactions.

Israel aka Mr. MP entered the room nonchalantly. He turned on the smart flatscreen TV and mirrored his phone's screen.

"All male young professional gamer group, Esahardon, broke the gender glass ceiling by getting a new female member."

"This will be released tonight and some influencers and Youtube gamers want the piece of the info in the next few days. Brace yourselves, we're going to be very busy." Israel said. "Questions?" Nobody from his team spoke a word.

"I do. Can I go home?" I asked, mustering all my might not to strangle or punch him. If I were a skillful gamer, I would be ecstatic about this news. But I'm not. It appears I'm destined for another humiliating rollercoaster ride of my life.

"Of course. I'll give you a ride home, Ms. Trina." Israel said too sweetly.

I gulped. I didn't expect that answer.