9

~Anika~

My footsteps sounded through the hallway of the academy as I made my way to class. The air buzzed with giggling girls talking high on the top of their voices that I couldn't help but overhear and my curiosity lengthened.

"I heard Master Xander is absolutely drop-dead gorgeous!" exclaimed one girl, her eyes sparkling as she covered her eyes so dramatically.

They must be the new set of students.

"Oh, but master Xavier is just as handsome," replied another. "I swear, his smile could melt a thousand womens heart."

I paused, my hand tightening on the straps of my backpack. Xander and Xavier? I had never heard of Master Xander but not Xavier before. The names sent a shiver of anticipation down my spine somehow I longed to catch a glimpse of these legendary master they are all so in love with.

That said , I continued my journey my eyes scanning the faces of the passing students interestingly. The academy was vast, with countless hallways and classrooms yet seeing both Masters was like a once in a blue moon thing. I mean they aren't even a celebrity.

As I rounded a corner, I noticed a group of girls huddled around a tall, handsome young man.

His piercing blue eyes and chiseled features matched perfectly. A collective gasp rippled through the crowd as he flashed them a disarming smile, are they here to smile at men or what?

In a distance I watched a girl with trembling hands, who lifted my backpack and stepped closer to the guy. "Excuse me, are you Jordan?" she stammered.

He turned to face her.

"Yes?" he asked.

She could barely speak. "I'm... I'm a new student and my name is..."

"Aria." he finished for her. "I've heard about you. You're one of the new girls."

She blushed deeply and I scoffed straight up. "I'm... I'm not sure about that." she protested.

"But you are." he insisted. "I can see it in your eyes."

She stared into his eyes mesmerized by his words. And all because of the handsome Jordan? oh please what's this am witnessing. I mean can't she see he's a big player?!

The bell blared and the piercing sound seemed to vibrate right through my bones where I stood not minding my own business.

I was already late, even though I should care I ran but the sea of students was the worse of any obstacle. I wanted to scream, to shove them all out of my way. I wanted to swallow them whole, just to get to my classroom.

For an academy meant for discipling, aren't they too much?

Finally, I broke free of the human swarm and saw the entrance to my class. Pushing through the door, I was just in time to see the teacher turning around.

Ignoring him, I slammed my backpack down on the desk, the usual noise not missing.

The whispers started immediately, a symphony of judgment.

"Here comes trouble." I heard a girl say, her

"She's always late." another chimed in but I care less. I felt their eyes on me, boring into my back, their gazes unwavering and yet I ignored them, hating them all.

I needed to be alone, to disappear from this place but it wasn't as if I have a choice.

This is my fate now and I have to deal with it.

I sat down, my back stiff and straight as I just hung my head low. Where wasn't the teacher saying anything or screaming at them at least?

The next day was a cruel reminder of last week's humiliating incident—the collision with Erica, the cheerleader. I never thought they would have one in this academy though.

She swaggered into class, her cheerleading squad trailing behind her like a pack of puppies.

"Shut the fuck up!" I slammed my hand down on the nearest desk, the impact reverberating through my palm as I shouted at them the class falling silent immediately their eyes wide with surprise.

Erica's mouth hung open, like she wasn't expecting that.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" She hissed. "You're just a nobody."

"I'm someone who's sick and tired of your noise. This is a classroom, not a circus.' I hissed back at her.

A low murmur spread through the class as Erica's friends rallied around and looked down at me like who can never fit in with their crowd and main reason I had to show them I wasn't intimidated.

"You think you can shut us up? We're the cheerleaders, the most popular girls in school. We can do whatever we want."

"Then you're welcome to leave, I don't have time for your childish banters." I shot back.

For a moment, Erica seemed taken aback as if she had never encountered anyone who dared to challenge her authority before.

"I might have to go but you'll regret this." she swore.