The Lumen Princess

Shana Angelica Levin   “It’s your first day in the University, Shan, you better hurry up,” said my bestfriend Jillian Williams who is currently waiting for me in the living room.   It’s our 2nd year in college already when Jillian’s parents decided to transfer me to where Jillian is attending her college. I was against it at first but her Mom pleaded me that’s it’s so hard to say no to her.   I’m an orphan since I was a baby. I’m 7 years old when the Levin family adopted me. I was so happy and I feel so loved when we became family but then, when I reached the age of 15, they were murdered in our own house. My father hid me to the basement where in a secret room is located. And from that room, I saw how a masked assassin killed them.   They were lying cold on their own blood when the police came. The investigation for their murder only lasted for two years when they decided to close the case and declare it as suicide instead as they can’t find any evidences that they were indeed murdered and there were also no suspects.   After that incdent, Jillian’s parents took me. Now the two of us live in a apartment near the university. "Wait Jill!" I called her and get my bag to run after her when I saw her already walk out of the gate. ”You move too slow,” she complained but I just laugh at her and cling my arms on hers. To help Jillian’s parents on my living expenses, I’m a working student where I usually get my daily allowance. I also have a part time job where I give the 3/4 of my salary to Jillian’s parent and the other 1/4 as savings. I owe them so much and I cannot just take them for granted. We’re walking towards the jeepney terminal when saw a girl walking and then suddenly someone grab her bag.   She screamed and run after that guy so I gave my things to Jillian and also run after him. I heard Jillian calling my but I ignored her and run faster. I manage to get into him. I immediately grab his hand to face me and punch him in the face. I know he was caught off guard and I took that as a chance to kick him in the stomach and then on his face, making him lie on the ground. ”Next you do this, make sure you should run faster so no one can get into you.”   I said and kick him again before getting the bag and giving it to the lady.   “Thank you so much,” she said as she try to catch her breath. I saw Jillian running with a frown on her face so I smiled at her.   When the Levin family took me, my father started teaching me martial arts and use some other weapons like katana, daggers and archery. And I continued these things after the death of my adoptive parents.   It’s like I’m trying to get myself ready for the chance to meet my adoptive parent’s murderer. I swear to them that I will look for that monster and make sure to get the justice that they deserve.   After going to my part time job, I usually go to our old house. On our basement, I usually practice different fighting techniques. Jillian will sometimes watch me and tell me how much I improved but I know that at this rate, I still can’t defeat that assassin. * We stayed in the university canteen on our vacant hour as Jillian tell me some stories about the university. We were chatting happily when we heard some squeal from the girls as they headed at the canteen’s entrance. I look around to know what’s happening but then I saw some other girls taking out their perfume, foundation, lipsticks and some other cosmetics and I notice Jillian doing the same thing. "Hey what’s happening? What are you doing?" I ask her when she started putting some foundation on her face and more lipsticks on her lips.   She didn’t answer me and just continue on whatever she’s doing. And then the squeals grew louder when a group of student enter into the canteen. All the students’ eyes were on them as they walk into the canteen. Some are trying to talk to them but they just ignored them. Well except from the one girl and boy from their group who’s entertaining some of them.   “I’ll tell you about it later, okay.”   Jillian said and stood up. There were three boys and three girls on the group. I don’t know what’s so special about them for the students to act like this. Their not even celebrities. Instead of wondering who they are and what’s with them, I just focus on my food and started eating. I was busy eating when I notice that it became so quiet all of a sudden so I look up again to see what’s going on, only to find those 6 people standing right in front of our table. I look away and tried focusing on my food. Now I can actually feel that all their eyes are on me. I was about to drink from my bottled water when someone snatch it from my hand and drink on it. "That’s my water. What’s your problem?" I asked calmly and stood up. "Nothing. I just did that to see your face. We notice that you’re kinda different. You didn’t even pay  attention to us unlike other students in this canteen," said the guy who seems like their leader and gesture the other students around us. "Why? Are you some kind of celebrities or something for me to pay attention on your group? Besides, I’m hungry so I’m eating.”   “Ooohhh. I think your charms are not working anymore, Kyle. She’s the first girl in this world to choose food over you,” said that friendly guy from earlier. "Shut up Jiro. And you, I think you’re new here so you don’t know us yet. So let me introduce ourselves.” He took a step towards me so I took a step back. "No need. I don’t think it’s necessary since we’re not in the same class either." And then they laugh which brought laughter also to the other students. "Really? If that’s what you think," he said and put his hands on his pocket. "Hey Kyle, we better go. Shone might be looking for us,” said the other girl. She pretty actually but she got this creepy vibe around her.   Kyle took a last glance at me before they started walking away. "We better get something to eat first before going back," said the friendly girl from earlier.   Right after they were gone, Jillian grab my hand to get out from that place and then she lock ourselves inside the comfort room. "Gosh, Shan! I can’t believe you just did that! Even if you’re martial arts master, if you happen get into Kyle’s gut, you will surely can’t even throw a punch on him!" she said while shaking me as if trying to wake me up from my trance. "Hey, stop it! I’m getting dizzy,” I told her so she stop."I don’t understand why you’re reacting like this but, I didn’t do anything wrong. As far as I can remember, I didn’t cuss on them.”   She sighs and then shook her head.   "That guy you talked rudely earlier, that’s Kyle Gallens, the son of the owner of this universty. And for your information, no one has ever beat that guy in a martial arts.”   “Oh, he’s the son. Then great. I don’t see the reason why other girls acted like that earlier.”   Jillian gave me that what-the-f*ck look.   “Are you gay? Or maybe you just need a pair of glasses. Didn’t you see how handsome and how hot he is?”   “Well…”   Now that I think about it. He is indeed handsome.   Wait what? --