Chapter Twenty Five

< Nina >

Well, three weeks have passed and I have been successful with this little game that I’ve accidentally created.

Since the academy is bigger than the whole area of Liberty High and not to mention there are fewer students in here, it will be easier to stay in my favorite hiding spots.

Yeap, apparently Clarence wasn’t lying when he said that students would do anything for him, they also tried to inform him about my whereabouts.

Yet, not once have I been caught. I rarely give chase and the only time I have to run is when the bell rings or during PE class.

After a week, my classmates finally gave up, thinking it’s a waste of time and energy.

Somewhere along the way, they started ignoring me, sometimes girls intentionally gossip loud enough for me to hear and sometimes they make me trip.

This really reminded me of the humble beginnings of my bullying phase. How nostalgic, I muse myself pitifully.

And later on, when Clarence had the gall to install CCTVs in the hallways, I tried my best to move on without getting caught.

He thought he could find me easily but because it was in the hallway, it was easier to just blend in with the crowd and make my way to a blind spot. It is something Gene and I mastered after all those years.

And later on, the students express their concerns about the CCTV and decide to remove them, much to his dismay. I thought he was the king on this campus but he has his limitations.

Some students are now impressed with how long I’ve lasted this chase. A part of me feels a bit confident with skills I’ve never realized to be useful.

I mean, I didn’t run away from my bullies all these years for nothing.

The only time when I feel relaxed is in the presence of a teacher. Although I don’t understand a single word they say, I just feel relaxed without being caught by Clarence.

Despite the fact that he’s literally behind me.

Speaking of Clarence, since he hasn’t caught me till now, I think his confidence plummeted. Each time he thought he was one step ahead, I just easily avoided them that way. I guess that’s the reason why he hasn’t been smiling till now.

Funny how they were just the same tactics when my bullies were thirteen back then. This clearly shows how inexperienced Clarence is in this cat-and-mouse chase.

Everything is fine and dandy until the inevitable happens.

“So, we’re going to group you in pairs,” says my English teacher. “You need to create an ideal society with your partner and present it by the 2nd week of October. You can make any medium, be it a play between you two, a comic or poetry.”

This is the first-ever pair project I have in this school. Normally, I often choose Gene if we were in the same class or alone if no one wanted to pair up with me.

“So, I’ve already assigned pairs.”

What? Well, actually it won’t be bad to have a pair assigned to you but if Clarence is going to be my partner, I’m screwed.

Behind me, I hear a soft chuckle.

I have a bad feeling about this.

…………………………………….

< Nina >

So as expected, I’m paired up with Clarence.

Whether this is a coincidence or it was all intentional...I’m leaning on the latter knowing Clarence’s resourcefulness.

He seems to be back in his former self since he has been smiling coyly during the pair meeting.

I sigh then I stand up and approach my teacher’s desk. “M-Mrs. McLaren, can I change partners?” It’s just a cry of desperation. If she isn’t on Clarence’s side, I hope she can read how frantic I look right now.

“I’m sorry, Miss Caulfield. Before the class, Mr. Benz volunteered to be your partner so you can pass my class.”

I knew it, I thought grimly. He finally found a way to win this game, huh? But I shouldn’t give up.

“W-well, can’t I just do the project myself?” I’m sure that presenting something like a society isn’t that hard...I guess?

She just sighs, a visible look of annoyance showing on her face. “Miss Caulfield, I am afraid you don’t have the position to choose since you have been struggling in class. Mr. Benz is the top student in Dawn Peak Academy , he will definitely be your greatest asset.”

“B-But—”

“I believe this conversation is over, Miss Caulfield. Please get back to your seat and discuss this with your partner.”

I bite my lower lip, my face reddens with embarrassment. I mumble a thank you to the teacher as I slowly walk myself back to where Clarence is.

“So, how did it go?” He says as he smirks.

I won’t say anything as I sigh and sit in front of him. It’s the pair discussion period and once this is over, we are going to be meeting a lot starting from now on.

“You know, this is my first time seeing you face to face without your eye pad.”

“Yeah, my eye got better two weeks ago,” I reply without a care.

But honestly, I’m glad the eye pad is off because it’s starting to annoy my eye. Yu had me checked at the clinic and the doctor said it was safe to remove it now that my eye is fully recovered.

“You had me there, parvenu. To think that you are hiding an incredible skill of stealth, I should have made it more difficult for you.”

Actually, you did have a hard time, I thought to myself. I don’t want to be involved with him, really. And if he really hates my face, he should just ignore me in peace.

So, I ignore my inner thoughts and change the topic. “So, can we have our meetings in a café?”

“Why not here in this classroom every after school?” He suggests, cheerfully. His hand is placed in his chin.

“No, t-thank you,” is my immediate response.

“Aww, that sucks, Nina.” He says as he shows me a playful pout.

“I like to be safe from you when there are people around.”

“Then how about at your place?” And with that suggestion, my eyes widened.

“I mean, your parents won’t mind, right? Or do you prefer my place instead?” He smirks at the suggestion, making me instantly pale.

The bell rings before I answer and instead of dashing out, as usual, I stay there, my mouth drops before I come to my senses and answer him, “No, that’s impossible.”

“Why not? I mean, if we are at your place, you’ll be safer and I assure you, Nina,” he says as he pats my head to which I flinch. “I won’t do anything in front of your folks that are out of line.”

“B-Because—” I cut myself and try to think of a reason.

“Well, parvenu? It will be at your most convenient if you are at the comfort of your home.” Home is not really in Luca’s apartment which is always empty whenever I arrive home early, home isn’t really there at all.

If anything, we should just have this project done at the café and go back to where we are. But this is Clarence we're talking about here. He has finally got his chance to gain the upper hand in this situation.

I sigh, resigning my fate to another unfortunate event. “I’ll try my best to ask him.”

“Good, let me know when we’re ready to do this project.”

“Sure, I will k-keep you updated then,” I say nervously.

"One question," he says and for the first time, I've never seen this expression before.

"Why aren't you affected by it? After all these weeks, any person will get mentally depressed with the hostility, the bullying and all sorts of things I've done to you. So why?"

I don't get where he's getting at but I try to be more civil. "It's because I'm used to it. The bullying, the hostility and everything else."

He doesn't answer for a while, like he has something in his mind.

How unusual of him.

But that quickly changed when Clarence’s lips curved into his signature smile. “Thanks for your response, Nina. However, in case you have forgotten it’s already time. No one's here but us now."

And after he said that, I realized the students had already left minutes ago when I was still interacting with him.

Oh cripes.

“But I’ll give you a chance since you’re doing well for these three weeks. On the count of ten, I will start chasing after you, deal? Well, I’ll start—”

And with that, I stand up, cheeks flustered as I immediately gather my things and place them in my satchel bag.

“One.”

He doesn’t need to count as I immediately leave the room without a single moment of hesitation.