Wrong Arrow

8 : Wet Sock

Today, she was more exhausted than ever. She checks her hair from the reflection of her phone and releases a sigh. Maybe sleeping late last night was a bad idea. Then again, when was sleeping late a good idea in the first place?

Pearl glances behind her and a frown settles on her face. Someone bumps into her. Books scatter on the ground, but it's followed by a wave of apologies. Once they've gathered their books, the student rushes down the hall.

She seemed to be in a hurry. Pearl fixes her uniform before proceeding down the hall. Vaeri called earlier in the morning saying she'd come to school early but she had yet to be seen.

Pearl glides through the hallway, watching as faces and places go by. By the time she reaches the classroom, about ten percent of the students have already taken their seats.

She walks to the desk closest to the window and settles there, placing her bag down. Behind her, she can't help but pick up a conversation coming from her fellow peers. Whether or not she intended to eavesdrop, it's a situation that can't be controlled. They're loud. And sitting right behind her desk.

“I heard there’s a new student coming next week.” Girl one - who’s sporting wavy brunet hair- utters to her group of friends. An echo or gasp follows right after:

“But won't we be having our exams by then?” Girl two drags the tip of her finger across her upper lip. She blinks her feline-like eyes slowly and looks at the two expectantly.

Girl one hums as she leans her body against the edge of the desk. Her fingers tap delicately against the surface. “From what I heard, he’s pretty smart. What do you call those genius- ah right. Prodigy. He was known to be a child prodigy at the age of five.”

“So he’s a nerd.” The third girl with short blond hair implies while thinking.

“He’s got the brains and the looks. Half Thailand or thai. I heard a bunch of students say he’s half Thai and American. That’s like what? The perfect combo. At least now, school won’t be so boring.”

Girl two smirks teasingly. “Don’t tell me you’re over Stell already? Because if you are, I’m taking him.”

Seemingly offended, the brunette widens her gaze and gasps. “What on earth are you talking about? Of course I’m not over him. Just because I’m looking forward to see the new student doesn’t mean Stell isn’t my top priority. Because he is. And will always be.” The loyalty in her tone is visible. The whole theater-like show causes the two friends to chuckle.

“Of course he is.” The blond one says just as the door to the classroom opens. Vaeri can be seen coming inside with one sock grasped tightly between her fingers.

If you look closely, you'll be able to see the ends of her hair dripping with water. Pearl's chin slides away from her knuckles, eyes strained on her friend.

Grumbles pour out of Vaeri's lips the closer she gets. She ignores the stares coming from her fellow classmates, but something tells Pearl she'll get annoyed very soon.

The latter strides past the three girls and plops on her seat. The one in front of Pearl. She continues to mumble under her breath. Words that don't exactly reach her ears. It's pretty clear someone had annoyed her. Vaeri squeezes the life off the sock and watches as the water drips from the material to the ground.

Pearl rests her cheek on top of her knuckles, raising an eyebrow upwards. She's gonna get herself in trouble if she keeps that up. Behind us, the girls have come to a silent. They're too busy paying attention at Vaeri.

"You shouldn't be doing that. If the teacher sees that, you'll be in big trouble." Pearl points a finger at the ground, indicating the indoor puddle she's creating.

"I'll mop it later."

"Later? You'll be in detention then.

"It'll dry."

Pearl zips her lips and looks away for a moment. Whoever did this to Vaeri won't be able to hear the last of it. They'd need to have some guts too. Knowing her personality and everything. She's basically feared throughout the whole building. One can only feel sorry for whoever did this to her. She will have her revenge.

There’s one question circling Pearl’s mind as she stares at her best friend.

Why’s her sock wet?

Vaeri slides her backpack off and settles it on the side of her desk. When she notices people muttering about her behind her back, she glances over her shoulder and glares. They're looking at her, equally confused as pearl. Then again, who wouldn't be? Instead of shoving the sock inside a plastic bag or something, she goes parading with it in her hand. Who wouldn't stare in confusion? There's also the situation of her hair being a complete mess.

"What are you looking at?" She spites at them with a very angry expression.

It's enough to scare a baby and a bunch of fully grown adults. Those three girls let out a peep before looking away. They should know better than to get on Vaeri's bad side. She can get quite crazy.

"Cut them some slacks, Vaeri. They're just confused." Pearl utters softly. Her gaze's still fixed on the sock.

"They should learn to mind their own business." Vaeri answers in a grumble. She grabs a bunch of tissues from her backpack and scatters it on the wet floor, leaving it to dry.

“Did something happen?” Pearl hesitates to ask but does it anyway. Vaeri let’s out a sigh before shoving the wet sock inside her bag.

At the same time, a certain cupid's circling outside the classroom. They're anxious and guilt ridden. They did something they shouldn't have and there's a possibility they'd get into a whole lot of trouble.