Jujube stepped into the washroom, set her bag on the sink counter, and pulled out a small packet of bandages. Her wrist was scraped raw. She poured antiseptic over it with a sharp breath, then wrapped the bandage around it like she was sick of its existence.
The door opened. Another girl walked in, dressed head to toe in branded black. A cropped jacket, a fitted skirt, long leather boots, loose waist-length brown hair, and a face that could easily land her on a magazine cover. She paused only for a second when Jujube glanced at her, then went to fix her lipstick. Jujube struggled with the bandage again.
A group of girls walked out from the stalls, whispering and giggling. One of them tilted her head.
"Isn't this the lottery girl?" The girl in black had her head snap at the new girls, her gaze holding something weird. She then looked at Jujube and back at them realizing they were talking to Jujube.
On of them extended their hands as if about to reach up to her hair but Jujube seemingly oblivious to it or at least ignoring their existence all together. The second the hand of the girl reach the strand of Jujube's hair a girl in black snapped.
"Are you a pig? Don't you know you have to wash your hands after using the washroom?"
"Huh?' Her words catching them in the act as their heads snapped at her. "Who the hell are you?' they looked her form head to toe as if slowly taking in her presence.
"Well someone totally better then you at least." She said. Her voice wasn't loud, but the tone cut straight through. The group froze. One stepped forward like she might hit her, but the girl with the boots didn't back down even half a step. She stood like she had no doubt she would swing first if needed.
Jujube's eyes lifted and she gazed at them.
The bully's confidence cracked."It's not worth it. Let's go," she muttered, dragging her friend out.
The washroom fell quiet again. Jujube didn't react, didn't thank her, didn't even look at the retreating footsteps. She just kept fighting with the bandage, irritated.
After a few seconds of watching, the girl spoke."Here. You're doing it wrong."
Jujube paused but didn't pull back when the girl stepped in close and wrapped the bandage properly, firm and neat. Once done, she stepped away just as quietly.
"Thank you." in a very halfhearted manner she said those words, grabbed her bag and walked out. The girl blinked after her, puzzled.
"Students here are so rude," she muttered to herself and fixed her hair again.
—
He was sprawled on the couch in Hawthorn House's lounge, phone in hand, eyes locked on the new contact he had just saved.
"Strawberry." A grin tugged at his mouth.
"Time to begin," King murmured as he typed.
Hey, you're the new student, right?
He watched the message deliver. Double tick. Then blue.
A single reply came back.
"?" He chuckled under his breath, already imagining her face.
"I saw you today in the hallway. You looked beautiful. Thought I should tell you."
Seen immediately. No reply. King leaned back, the smirk widening.
"Who is?" Grey asked, lifting his head from the couch across the room after catching that look on King's face. King did not look away from his phone. "My test subject."
"You already started?" he said, half amused. "Aren't you a little desperate?"
King scoffed. "I want to make sure people don't think I have lost control, i need to bring myself justice, also I cannot wait to see her sorry face." His smile sharpened. "I want to wipe that awful expression off her face. Who does she think she is."
"You are really holding a grudge," Grey muttered, shaking his head before going back to studying. "People will forget about it."
"I don't care, i just need to make an example out of her so no one else tries to be funny with me. I have a reputation to keep up." he said "I will get back at her for everything," King casually kicked the magazine off the table and placed his legs comfortably over the table. "Just wait."
Two minutes later, his phone buzzed. "Who are you?"
King straightened on the couch, posture shifting like he was about to do something calculated and cruel. His fingers moved quickly.
"Just an admirer. I could not get you out of my head since this morning, so I thought why not invite you to the welcome ball? You can find out who I am there."
He sent it and watched the ticks turn blue.
A response came fast.
"No thanks. I don't go out with random people." King smiled and typed again.
"That is exactly why I want to meet you at the ball, so we won't be strangers anymore. Just give me one chance."
"How about i send you a token of my love so you know i am not joking around?"
"Okay lets see it then, the toke of your love."
His eyebrows narrowed for a second and he leaned back, satisfied, already convinced the hook was set. "She is just another gold digger. This is gonna be easier then i thought."
He closed the message tab and scrolled through his contacts before tapping Grace's name. The call barely rang before it was picked up.
"Yes, Master," Grace said instantly, like he had been waiting for an order and might collapse if he did not get one.
"Find me something," King said. "A dress, jewelry, anything. Something that would suit a redhead. Pale skin."
"A redhead?" Grace paused. "Master, are you planning something. Is this about that girl?"
"Do as I say," King snapped, irritation slipping into his voice. "Send me options. Quickly."
"Yes, Master," Grace replied again.
King ended the call.
Grey glanced up from where he was sitting, one corner of his mouth curling. "Something that would suit a redhead? Seriously?" He chuckled. "You sound like you are shopping for your wife."
King clicked his tongue, annoyed. "You do not understand. You have to give girls very specific gifts. Otherwise they think you did not put any thought into it."
Grey nodded slowly, exaggerated and sarcastic. "Right. Of course."
He did not look convinced at all.