Chapter 1: Aine's Greatest Misfortune
Aine furrowed her eyebrows in annoyance as she looked at the sight before her. She was already in a bad mood because of her twin brother but now...she had to see this.
"ha..."
She couldn't help but feel bad. She'd been staring on the floor ever since she entered the classroom.
Her classmates also saw her reaction but stayed quiet. No one comforted her...
No one tried to talk to her...
"What is this?"
Aine bit her lips.
It was because of the scattered notebooks, books, and pens infront of her. The pages were torn, some are even wet while her bag was ruined.
For her, who didn't like messy things, it was truly horrible.
She wanted to freak out and cry in despair.
Those are all her things. Even the one that she was using to take her notes was now ruined. She fre*king spent time writing those notes so she could use it to review once exam week starts.
How is she supposed to use this again?
Aine clenched her hand into fist. She was frustrated.
Just by remembering how much effort she put onto those notebooks, made her tremble in madness.
"hoo..." Aine exhaled as she roamed her eyes around.
Just a while ago, she left her bag here to pass her project to their subject teacher as it was already the deadline but it took her longer than expected since she was told to do some things in the faculty room.
But who would have known that after she left her bag unattended for a while, some f*cker would mess up her things?
Aine then turned to face the man who was staring at her, amused by her reaction. She wanted to give him a taste of his actions, she wanted to slap his face and make him feel what it's like to have his face ruined but she couldn't. She was not a kind of person who would be a violent person just for this.
Still, her eyes remained on him.
"What? Are you accusing me?"
Aine faked a laugh. Of course she is.
No one would try to do these despite knowing who her father and brother was aside from this man.
And Aine was sure that if there was one person in a million who would try to bully her using these kinds of petty tricks, it would definitely be him. No doubt.
So without even someone telling her who did this, she could guess immediately that it was her gangster seatmate,
Jax Langston.
The heartthrob bully who abuses his right as a son of a wealthy couple and of course, the person she despised the most.
Aine could only glare at him the whole time. Usually, she wouldn't have paid attention to his actions but this is just too much.
"What? Are you mad? Will you punch me using that scrawny arms of yours?"
Jax uttered as he laughed at her. He was clearly making fun of her.
To be honest, Kirsten wanted to do what he had just said. She had been eager to do that for a while now and most of all, she wanted to do something to vent her anger.
She was even imagining herself just last night tearing off every limb that Jax has.
However despite the urge to do so, she simply closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She shouldn't be beaten by her emotions like this.
Her mom had always mentioned this, if you want to stay collected and sharp all the time, do not let your anger take over you and deal with whatever it is with cool mind and judgement.
'When did this start again?'
Aine looked back three weeks ago,
***
"I've been telling you the whole time to wake up earlier, Gavin. We're now late."
Aine said while her twin brother entered the car hurriedly. He has a messy look making her assumption, right.
He woke up late.
'Of all days, he has to be late now...'
She had been waiting for him for almost an hour already. Before, she would always remind him to sleep earlier but since Gavin got home too late last night, she wasn't able to do so.
Aine sighed.
Of course, she could have left him but no, she wouldn't do that. Also, the two of them have a tradition to do every first day of school as siblings.
That is to leave home at the same time using the same car.
It was a tradition made by their parents so they could have some bonding but unfortunately, for Aine who was simply grade-conscious, it wasn't a good thing.
And Gavin is not a good student...
All he cares about was his cars and girls.
Being late for the first day of school is nothing but horrible. Their school isn't that strict but Aine never wanted to have a record like this. Of course, even though the school isn't that strict, the teacher in charge of her subjects could also get mad depending on the situation.
She just hope she wouldn't get scolded.
"Stop getting mad... I'm sorry... I was out until midnight."
Aine didn't bother answering him anymore.
Fight in the morning would just ruin her day.
Obviously, despite not saying anything, her brother could tell that she was already starting to get annoyed so he simply stayed quiet while sitting comfortably.
He was older than her by seconds but he doesn't know how to priotize his studies to the point that their mom would even confiscate his cars so he would go to school at proper time.
Not to mention, just like last night, he would always party here and there with random girls. Even at school, he has a bad reputation.
Yes, he's a known womanizer.
She glanced at her watch, it was already 10 in the morning. Meaning, their first subject is already close to ending.
Aine fixed her seat and turned her head toward their driver,
"Please drive faster."
Their driver then did what she said immediately. He was a driver hired by their parents for her since she was not allowed to drive yet unlike her twin brother, Gavin.
It was not only because they were too worried about her. It was because Aine also doesn't have the skill to drive. The last time she checked when she had a driving test and lesson, she smashed up the car.
That made her parents decide to just hire a personal driver for her.
And since her parents has a history of almost and being involved with car accident, her mom's greatest order was to always drive slowly but now, Aine doesn't think it's good to do that or else she wanted to reach the school at third subject.
Luckily, it was not that traffic today so they were able to reach the school immediately.
Along the way of getting out of the car, she could hear her brother screaming but just like a while ago, she simply ignored him.
Aine looked ahead while her hands were busy looking for her school ID.
Since their school has good technology, she just have to swipe her ID to enter the school.
It was an amazing thing considering the fact that she was still in high school. Not to mention that it was so convenient to use.
Both she and her brother were studying in a prestigious school. It was known for having elite teachers, good environment and advanced educational system. Aside from that, her dad is also an alumnus here.
Some of the old teachers are even mentioning her dad's name whenever they see her in their class or in some sorts of hallways.
"You seem late for the first time, Miss."
Aine only smiled. It was the guard at the gate. She had been seeing him here since last year.
The school must have liked his work. Normally, every year, the school decides to hire a new guard so the students would feel safer. And the fact that this guard managed to keep his job must means that he was a trustworthy man who was good at his designated job.
Of course, there are also a couple of guards around the academy, inside or out.
This school needs tight security after all.
It was because this is a place where the students were mostly from prominent families.
Anyway, what the guard said was true, all her life as a high school student, this would be her first late record in school.
Aine was rather surprised he remembered. She looked at him, confused.
But when her sibling came into her view, her expression immediately changed.
She once again gritted her teeth in annoyance as she remembered it again, if only Gavin woke up earlier, she wouldn't be this late.
She took a deep breath as she felt herself getting mad. This useless emotion won't do anything good to her.
...
"Good morning Mr. John, I'm sorry for being late."
Aine apologized as soon as she entered the classroom. There, a man who seems to be her teacher was fixing some of his things, he was probably about to leave now
She heaved a sigh of relief.
Contrary to her expectation, Mr. John, their teacher in Science only smiled at her.
"It's fine, you're good academically so I know this wouldn't cause a problem to your grades. Just make sure to be earlier next time, Ms. Grey,"
After saying those words, he then dismissed the whole class for a break. Aine heavily sighed.
She was relieved that she was not scolded. If it was other teachers, they would have put her in detention room.
She was truly fortunate that it was that teacher who saw her coming inside the room.
Aine then looked around the classroom. The interior were the same as her classroom before. Mirror glasses, fans and aircons and a combinations of black, grey and white color of walls.
There are also a few students who looks familiar to her but most of them, they're not.
Probably a transferee or she never became their classmates the past years.
She then plastered a smile as she looked for a seat where she could sit the whole school year.
Normally, she would sit at the front as usual since she prefer listening closely but Aine felt a little off.
The classroom seems to be too quiet despite not having a teacher and they seems to be avoiding someone at the back too.
Aine looked at the man. He was in uniform but just like her brother, he was kind of messed up.
Seeing her classmates avoiding one person at the back made her shiver
'Is that man being bullied? Why are they avoiding him?'
However, she was confused. The man was a handsome man, there's no way that girls would avoid him like this. Not to mention, he seems tall and strong too.
'Does he stink?'
Aine contemplated for a while...
But... soon decided to sit beside and approach him.
"Hi! Are you alright?"
When she approached the man, she felt the gazes of her classmates. They were all staring at her wondering why she was doing this.
Some are even whispering to each other but Aine didn't bother giving them attention. One even tried to stop her but she just brushed her away.
She doesn't plan on listening to them. After all, they were trying to gang up on one person which is the behavior she hates the most.
"..."
Aine waited for his answer but looking at him, he seems to have no plans of answering her.
She once again tried to talk to him.
"Ah, do you have no friends? I can help you make some friends if you want."
Unlike a while ago where the man did not respond, this time, he stared at her. But he still did not say a single word.
Aine almost flinched. She didn't know but this man's eyes is somewhat scary but... beautiful. He has a sharp, clear, green eyes.
Still, she did not give up. She wants to help this man become an insider in their classroom. At least that way, he could live peacefully until the school year ends.
"D-do you want some c-candy?"
She said while she handed him a piece of candy she got at home. She uses this to calm herself most of the time but she decided to just give this for now. She could just buy somewhere incase she needs it.
"What a dumb girl,"
'Dumb? Who? Me?'
Aine froze on the spot.
'What? I'm the top student in this school'
"See? You're dumb. Should I show you something good?"
...
Jax Langston was sitting bored as always. He was leaning on his back while looking outside the window where a few students could be seen. If only his mom did not try to cut his card, last night, he wouldn't be here. He would be there outside beating a bunch of people
Just as when he was at the peak of his mood, a certain woman approached him offering him a candy.
Jax wanted to laugh at her.
What does she think of him? A child who would be lured by some sorts of candy?
She was familiar.
'Ah!'
He finally remembered. She was a girl he got to know accidentally in the past from his so called friend.
Jax strangely found her interesting.
'What a clueless girl'
He scanned her face. With an angel-like appearance like that, he was sure that guys must be dying to get her attention.
Even his ex friend, he was so inlove with this woman before to the point that he would even try to change his grade section just so he could see her every minute.
That was so cringey. Why would he even do that?
Although he could somehow understand his friend before...
even he was attracted to her.
She has a perfect face that everyone could just dream of and her body is well proportioned too.
Well, maybe a one night with her would be fine to satisfy him?
Jax laughed. That seems good.
Again, he stared at the woman as he slowly lowered his head.
"Should we head off to a hotel nearby?"
The woman still looked at him, confused. She must have been shocked by the fact that someone called her dumb.
Jax smirked.
However, he didn't really like her reaction, he wants to see her get crazy at his proposal and show her lewd side.
With an annoyed look, he stood up and threw one of his classmates on the floor causing a loud sound.
This is when Aine finally regained her consciousness.
"W-what?"
Jax punched another man.
"S-stop! What are you doing?!"
"Answer me now if you don't want me to hurt another person,"
Aine trembled. She doesn't like what she's seeing. The man whom she thought was the one being bullied was getting too violent.
Aine turned her head to him, troubled. She didn't know what he was talking about.
And she couldn't bring herself to ask him again.
Fortunately, he seemed to have understood her gaze.
"This is the last time I'm repeating myself to you, I want to head to a nearby hotel later, come with me."
'The h*ck? Why is he saying those nonsense?!'
Aine felt her veins popping in madness. This was the first time someone asked her something this explicit.
'And why would she even want to? Aside from his handsome face, he has nothing more to offer'
What an egoistical man.
Aine glared at Jax, she shouldn't have sat here in the first place.
Without saying a word, she turned her back around and picked up her bag.
She doesn't want to talk with that kind of person anymore. Not unless he changes his tone and words.
Just then, Aine felt someone's hand on her, pulling her toward him.
It was Jax.
Aine wanted to brush him off of her but he was too strong for her.
"What a disrespectful girl. Shouldn't you answer me first before leaving?"
They are so close. Aine could even feel and smell his breath on her.
Well, he indeed smells nice but that's it.
She looked into his eyes, he has malice in it. It was as if she was staring at the cruelest person in the works.
"Get off me, gross."
"..."
"Don't make me repeat the same words again."
Aine heard Jax laugh at her. He was obviously taking her words lightly.
"Is that a threat? This is so fun... I thought you'd be only useful to warm my body but I guess you're not that easy,"
Aine still struggled to remove his hand on her wrist.
"Fine, should I give it a try now?"
It was then that Aine felt his hand rummaging through her bag and the next thing she knew,
He was already holding her water bottle.
"Now, observe properly. This is what you have to do from now on."
At that moment, Jax slowly poured the water inside of her tumbler onto her head.
Aine couldn't move. She couldn't understand why was he doing this and why it has to be her when in fact, she only approached him because of goodwill.
Was it that fun to make fun of others?
She wants to cry. She had never been treated like this.
She was frustrated, she wants to tear up and removed every upset feeling she have to continue her day but she couldn't. All she could do was tremble in madness.
She was humiliated.
"This is really interesting, I like seeing your soft eyes turning sharp like this,"
Jax lastly said as he put a towel on her head before leaving the classroom.
Aine followed his back until he vanished, she wanted to put a hole in his back.
'Why would he put a towel on my head when the reason why I'm this wet was because of him? Was it guilt?'
Aine discarded her thoughts. There's no way.
If he could feel guilt that he wouldn't have done this.
This is when her classmates finally walked toward her, worried.
"A-are you okay? Do you have clothes to use? You need to change now, you're going to catch a cold."
Aine then smiled at them weakly, she appreciate their help but she was in no mood to answer their questions.
"For now, you should change seat."