10

~Anika~

With that, Erica and her posse stormed out of the classroom, and I took a deep breath, but I knew the consequences would not be easy since she looked like an important person to the academy.

I sat hunched over my desk, my gaze fixed on the analog clock that ticked away relentlessly. I wonder when class will be over.

As the seconds ticked by, I couldn't resist crossing my arms together, why were my classmates so silent and gawking at the door? Just as I was about to ask, the door open, and a man she's never seen before stepped into the room.

He was tall and slender, with a chiseled jaw and piercing blue eyes.

His dark hair was swept back, and he wore a crisp white shirt and tailored suit pants. His appearance was undeniably striking like she heard the gossip but there was something about his demeanor that made me question the rumors... he doesn't look cruel.

Unlike the ruthless master Xander, this man looked calmer, his eyes even scanned the room, taking in every student, and a hint of a smile played on his lips. He was handsome, yes, but not up to Xander.

As he began to speak, his voice was clear and captivating that I wondered what I was doing thinking such. He introduced himself as Xavier and for the first time since I had entered the classroom, I felt anticipation toward the class that lay ahead.

~

"What do you mean I can't even speak with my parents?" I stepped back and raised my voice.

In short, I feel my parents made a big mistake already.

I luckily met Master Xander on his way into his office and thus, I am here, inquiring about the main reason of this craziness.

"The rules of the Academy." He didn't even look me in the eye as he mouthed.

This is absurd I don't deserve all this.

"It's just a harmless phone call yet I can't even have that? I might has have be informed beforehand this was a prison rather than the reprimanding academy it meant to be. Is this incompetence or a baseless collective torture since that's all I can see since I have been here.

I'm done pretending I am fine. You knew whether my parents were under a drug cause why the hell would I be brought here to suffer this much? I'm not so sure this was what they sent you guys."

My words came out choked.

At first I'm trying to be cautious if not I know of what I could have said and won't even be this lenient.

"Watch your words." He growled as if he won't hesitate to throw me out.

I flopped on the chair he didn't even care to offer and sighed. "Let me phone them now."

When he shunned me, I added, "Just one minute please."

"Get. Out." He blasted and I was left speechless.

"I'm not going anywhere until I have phoned my parents to tell them they made a grave mistake with where they had brought me? Not even that because I can still vividly remember being bundled over by those bunch of husky men.

I won't deviate from the real issue here but you should know I won't accept being cheated nor will I shy away from speaking my mind for the fear of being imprisoned. I don't care anymore. I need the phone." I stuck my palm out.

"Have you forgotten this isn't your home where you can spit whatever you like?" He chosed to remind me.

Did I lose my memory or what?

"I came here in peace and you know it but I can't but tell the truth of how poor and unfair and unjustly I'm being treated here. Just hand me a telephone or whatever, my parents will come and take me the hell out of here and finally at least you'll have a burden of your overflowing plate."

I wheezed in a breath through my right lungs.

I'm just doing this for the peace of both of us. I'd be gone and he won't have to see my face again but ain't choosing that.

"This is a job paid for. A task and burden of your types that this Academy has been dealing with for years. You think it's our first time nurturing someone like you?" He cocked a brow at me.

That was the less mean statement he's said to me in a while, I feel surprised but that wasn't supposed to be my business.

"So everyone one them put up with being imprisoned and couldn't raise their voice? Are they so dumb they couldn't have found a way out..." Only when the deed is done did I realize how much I had ranted.

His eyes burned me on the spot.

"What are you waiting for then? Since you're so good at escaping what are you still doing stuck here?" I can feel a drip of mocking in his voice, like he wanted to laugh at my utterance but that had break his... reputation?

"Not my fault this place is too heavy guarded." I launched a chuckle at him, following in his path since he wants to play the game I don't mind playing it with him.

"When you are done, you take your leave and shut my door." He grumbled, wiping harshly across his phone's surface.

For Pete's sake that almost has me bursting into laughter.

"Life isn't that hard. Why are you so mean and grumpy over a simple phone?"

I continued when he didn't answer, "I shouldn't even be here when there are many other people who will willing give me there phone without bothering me as much as you can. To me, you're not only wasting your time but mine too." I stared at him with annoyance and a tinge of anger, willing the phone in his hand to fall on the floor.

Something that can only happen in my imagination.

He doesn't appeared bothered though.

"You and whoever gives you the phone should be ready to spend an holiday in the cell then."

Stay calm, Anika.

Breathe.

Just breathe.

I laughed while I closed my eyes at the first I just wasted my precious time.

His presence suddenly closed in one me and I only know he's hovering over me a little late. He chuckled once, then continued to chuckle.

"What's funny?" I blunted before I can stop myself and I knew right there the cell's gate is already letting itself open for me.

"You're the dumbest student I have ever come across, pitifully." He sighed wistfully, frustration has seemed back into his tone.

"Now, come on and get up. Get going." He stood and walked a feet away to reach the door, looking back at me as he flung it wide open.

Dazed I managed to raise up, shame grinning at me and rubbing itself to my face.

I assumed he was going to be merciful for once in his life but over a mere phone, he showed me just how much cruel he could become.