THE LAST WARNING

The school doesn't feel the same  anymore. Everything changes. The stares of the students on our class that was used be filled with admirations and reverence changes.

Murderers, criminals and delinquents. Those were just the few words that we always hear in a daily basis. We kind of get used to it anyway. I still have my connections with Luther and Detective Davien, but our investigation has no progress yet, and it's frustrating the fuck out of me.

"You look so troubled. Mind sharing what's bothering you?"

My reverie was interrupted when someone speaks beside me.

"My problems are none of your fucking business, jerk," I muttered while shooting daggers at him.

Sloane chuckled and sits at the chair in front of me. As usual, my other classmates are busy with their respective businesses. And it seems like this bastards wants to ruin my day again. He really enjoys seeing me annoyed.

"You have a very sharp tongue, girls who swear are walking red flags."

I felt my blood boil. I pointed the pencil I'm holding right at his smirking face. "You're so sexist. When men curse, you think it's cool? But when girls do, it's a turn off? That's stupid. Second, I don't care if you hate women who cuss, it's not like I want to impress you or something."

I rolled my eyes in annoyance. Good grief! This guy really mastered the ways of ruining my peace.

He shrugged his shoulders. "If you say so. It doesn't matter actually, I will still taste your lips even if it only spits bad words."

I felt blood rushing up to my cheeks when I heard those words. I was tongue-tied for a moment.

I gritted my teeth and glared at him. "You fucking pervert!"

I was about to hit him really hard, but he immediately hastened away from me while laughing.

I heave a deep sigh. That guys is really indecipherable. Understanding his volatile mood is like grasping at straws. One moment, he's like that funny and annoying dude who would make your blood boil with his twisted antics. He can also be an intimidating person if he wants too.

Talk about having multiple personality.

I shook my head and just focus on reading. But I stop when I felt someone's presence behind me. Thinking that it's Sloane again, I ignored it. But it's not him, it's Summer.

She sat in front of me. My forehead creased. Summer and I had never any interaction, except for those casual and short conversations that we had. That's why I'm confused as to why she's now sitting in front of me.

I cleared my throat. I don't know why but I felt uncomfortable around her, she has this mysterious and uncanny aura that gives an unsettling feeling. Not to mention that she's one of the person I suspected before. Maybe I'm just being paranoid.

"How are you, Lauren?"

I was even more baffled. She must have seen the confusion on my face and smiled.

"Am I too intrusive? I'm sorry, I know you're wondering why am I suddenly initiating a conversation with you. Oh well, it's just that, I really wanted to have a new friend."

Her eyes turned to another direction. I followed her gaze, she's now staring at Amber and her other friends with envy.

I remember that she was once friends them, that probably explains the way she looks at them right now. Though I don't have the slightest idea why their friendship ends, I sympathize on her.

We're only disrupted when a professor enters the room apprehensively. I even see the fear in her eyes as she looks at us. She probably heard the gossips about our section. Wow, should we be happy that we're the main character?

She puffed out a heavy breath. "Ms. Clara asked me to tell y'all that there will be an important announcement. Proceed to the gymnasium. Mr. President?" Pierce raises his hand. "Lead your section, and don't do anything stupid."

My gaze narrowed with her last line. Is she expecting someone from us murder students in the broad daylight? Seriously.

The entire gymnasium was veiled in cacophony of noises from other high school students. Just like us, it seems like they have no idea of what's happening. I'm rolling my eyes every now and then because of the stares of these imbeciles. They're seriously burning holes in our body and it's damn infuriating.

"Good morning, students of Ridley University." the dean's voice silence the loud crowd. "I want to thank all of you for coming under a short notice. Don't worry, this would just be very short."

The crowd waited in anticipation.

"We'll be having a grand ball that will be held on the last day of next month. I announced this earlier because I want all of you to have an ample preparation."

They immediately rejoice with the dean's announcement. Except for us, though. No one in our class seems to be happy. Even Amber, Lei and Ashley who are fond of parties, look like they hated the idea. I think it has something to do with our current situation. We hate socializing with the people around us, the four corners of our classroom became our comfort zone now.

"Moreover, that ball is mandatory, so I'm expecting all of you to attend. That's all, study hard, students."

Our eyes widened. We're screwed up.

•••••

I was wrong. I guess partying is already embedded on their genes and it will not fade despite our current situation.

"This perfectly suits you!"

I rolled my eyes when Lei showed me a red backless gown. "That's too revealing."

She grimaced and tried to choose again. Obviously, we're in a women clothing store to find a dress that we'll wear in the prom. This is all Lorelei's plan, and she just dragged me to it. My supposed to be weekend rest was bothered because of her.

She sounds excited when she called me just this morning, contrary to the face she showed when the dean announced the event.

When I asked her why, she only answered me with a, "Duh, even if I don't want to attend that event, we still need to look presentable and stunning. I don't want those bitches to make us as their laughing stock again. We'll show them they are still inferior against us, even with our current stupid issues."

I couldn't help but to roll my eyes when she said those. As if I would buy her excuse. I know that she's excited to show off and flaunt her face despite the trouble we're going through.

"How about this one?" Lei emerged from the racks of clothes and shows me another dress.

I throw her an irked glance. "Do you seriously think that I will wear that?" I asked while pointing at the black off-shoulder gown with a long side slit.

She rolled her eyes at my complaints and shove the clothe to my face. "You are so picky!"

I shook my head. Since this kind of thing is not my cup of tea, I let my best friend decides for me. I trust her fashion sense because Lorelei's wardrobe is a chef's kiss and a complete perfection. Trust me when I say that this brat always looks like she's going in a run way every time she dresses.

But I immediately regretted it afterwards. She's been showing me revealing dresses! I'm not against girls who love flaunting their skins, but I just can't do the same thing. I don't have the perfect and sexy curves neither a fair glowing skin that I can brandish. Adding to the fact that I was also raised by my conservative parents.

I look around the place, this store exudes with so much sophistication. Their dresses are sumptuous as well, a piece of paradise for people like Lorelei. Suddenly, my gaze settled on a white satin gown embroidered with stylish sequins designs. It looks simple yet elegant. It's not that revealing but I think it will give justice to my body.

My hands caress the dress. However, when I look at the price, my mouth dropped to the floor.

What the fuck? 750$ for a dress?!

"You like that?"

I flinched when someone speaks behind me. I turn around, and to my surprise, Sloane's smiling face greeted me.

"W-What are you doing here?" I asked after composing myself.

He shrugged his shoulder and sat on the couch beside him. With a creased forehead, I scan the area. And I was more surprised when I see Lei along with Amber, Ashley, Pierce and the twins.

"You are such a bitch! Why didn't you invite us here?!"

I heard Amber's high-pitch voice who seems chastising Lei, the latter is just laughing behind her.

"Duh, I invited both of you last time and you told me that you don't want to. You even said that you're planning to ditch the prom," my best friend retorted.

Amber and Ashley rolled their eyes. I chuckled at their bickering.

"Damn, these three are so loud," Ethan said before his gaze went to me. He waves a hand. "Hi, Lauren!"

I replied with a smile. I greeted Evan and Pierce too, the latter busy reading a book, as usual.

"I heard you, Ethan!" Lei said from the other side while glaring at him.

I shook my head and sits behind Sloane since the couch is spacious enough for the both of us.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked him.

"To eat."

My gaze narrowed that earned a light chuckle from him. "Amber and Ashley invited us over. They actually called Lei a while ago but she's not responding to her call. It appears that you two were already here," he explained.

I nod my head. He shifted his weight and looks at me. I arched a brow.

"Why didn't you get that dress? Your eyes were sparkling when you stared at it earlier."

I look at him in surprise. "Sparkle? Really, Sloane? T-That, wait-." I bit my lips to stifle a chuckle. But when I turned to him, I finally burst into laughter when I saw his crumpled face.

"Damn, t-that was hilarious," I uttered after recovering from laughing. "I-I'm sorry, your choice of words was just too funny."

He snorted. "Whatever, just answer my question, dimwit."

I scoffed on what he called me. "That dress is so damn expensive. What the hell? The price is already my allowance for an entire month."

"Broke ass," he taunted.

I throw daggers at him. "I know, you insensitive jerk."

He laugh at my remarks. "Get it."

I frowned. "Get what?"

"The dress that you like. Don't worry about the price, it's on me."

I stared at him blankly. I know that he's rich as fuck, but I didn't expect him to be like this.

"Why?"

He looks at me as if I asked a dumb question. "What do you mean why?"

"Why do you want to treat me? I mean, we're not friends or something."

He grips his chest dramatically. "Damn,  it hurts. You seriously don't look at me as your friend?"

I chuckled at his dramatic antics. "Shut up."

"But come to think of it, it's alright that we're not friends," he said. "we can be more than that." He whispered the last words that's why I wasn't able to hear it.

I throw him a confuse glance. "What did you say?"

I don't know if my eyes are playing with me, but I saw his cheeks turning red. "N-Nothing, I said nothing." He laughs awkwardly. "Anyway, I'm serious. I know you want that dress, get it and let me shoulder the expenses."

I shake my head. "Nah, maybe next time. I have money from my savings, I'll just use that. I'm pretty sure I can find an affordable dress. Besides, luxuriating is not really my thing."

I'm grateful and fluttered with his offer, but I'm not that comfortable with the idea of him spending money for me.

He hissed. "You're so stubborn," he said that I ignored. A saleslady passed by in front of us, and I was surprised when she greeted the person next to me. I look at him with a questioning look. He just smiled before standing up. I saw him signaling that saleslady.

I just averted my gaze and let my eyes feasted with the clothes.

"Miss?" I turned my attention to the woman who's smiling widely at me. "Can you stand up so I can get your exact body measurement?"

My forehead creased. She must have noticed my confusion. "Mr. Laxon requested for it so we can tailor the dress that you want as soon as possible."

I squinted my eyes on the culprit behind this. He's burying himself on the racks of clothes, acting oblivious of the situation. His eyes suddenly turned to me, and I immediately throw him a glare that he avoided right away.

I'm going to strangle this bastard to death later.

I looked at the sales lady apologetically. "Miss, I didn't request for that gown. I-I don't have any money with me right now," I admitted.

She shakes her head. "You don't need to pay, Ma'am. Mr. Laxon's the owner of this shop, her mother to be specific. So please? He said that he's going to fire me if I won't be able to convince you. Please Ma'am, I don't want to lose my job."

I was dumbfounded for a moment. That explains why they are greeting that bastard.

I sighed. "Do I have any choice?"

She chuckled lightly. "I guess you don't."

"Lauren, you already found a dress that you like?"

I averted my gaze from the magazine I'm reading and turn my attention to Lei. "Hmmm," I hummed as a response.

When all of us were done with our business on that shop, we exit the place right away. Amber suggested to eat first before we have a stroll around. It's a good thing that I have a decent amount of money with me.

The mall was a bit crowded. I can only imagine the three girls' grunts and crumpled faces. They hate tight places.

Someone bumped on me that I almost lost my balance. The stranger grabs my wrist and put something in my hand, it's a piece of paper. I look at that person wearing a hooded jacket and a black mask, who's also staring right back at me. I squinted my eyes on that person, and I was certain that it's a girl base on her physique. Her gaze settled on me for a moment, something glinted on her eyes, as if she's warning me.

Warning me on what?

I bowed, trying to remember those familiar set of orbs, but when I raise my head, that person was gone already. I tried to look for her, but the swarm of people already blocked her from my vision.

My gaze dropped on the paper I'm holding. With uncertainty, I slowly open it, and the words written on it stirs an unsettling feeling inside me.

"As everyone gets adrift in the rhythm, when their souls dance in liquors and ecstasy, I will creep along the darkness. As the pale crescent moon glimmers like a silver claw, the scent of cruel fire will pervade the night. Before the sun cast a rosy hue across the morning sky, they will bite the dust and will be soaked in blood."

My forehead creased. What the hell is this? Another clue? I tried to comprehend the set of words and figure out the connotation behind it, yet I understand nothing.

Damn, this is more complicated that any math problems that I have encountered.

"Why are you standing there like a lost psycho? Come on!"

Once again, I casted a wary glance around before heaving a deep sigh. I remove all the hint of uneasiness in my face before facing Lei who's standing not far from me.

I need to tell detective Davien about this. Maybe he knows what to with this word play. I hope.