AYESHA POV
"Class, tonight we'll explore the fascinating world of bats and their incredible abilities… to hunt and… find their food. So listen carefully because this will be part of your final examination."
The last word the professor said made the entire class groan in unison, as if all of us were equally cursed.
"So don't fall asleep in my class if you want to pass," Sir said with a tight smile while connecting his laptop to the large flat-screen TV. He started typing, and suddenly an image of bats appeared on the screen.
"Class, meet the Little Brown Bat, scientifically known as *Myotis lucifugus*. This is one of the most common bat species in North America. These bats use echolocation to navigate and hunt insects in the dark."
The screen behind him displayed a diagram of echolocation as he clicked on his keyboard.
"Let's hear how they sound."
He tapped his laptop and a spotlight shone on a model of a Little Brown Bat while sound effects simulated its echolocation calls.
"Woaah!"
"Kind of creepy but relaxing."
"Sir, there are lots of those in the restroom!"
"Idiot! Hahaha!"
"Yuck!"
"Sir, Stevan is being disgusting!"
Tsk. This idiot is so perverted. Instead of studying, he always prioritizes nonsense.
"Quiet, class," Sir said as he tapped his table and glared at Stevan. "Mr. Gomez, is this a joke to you?"
Stevan bit his lip and shook his head like a scolded child.
"...Sorry, sir."
Professor Lei pointed his stick at him. "This is your warning. If you don't stop, detention will be your next stop."
Stevan scratched the back of his head in embarrassment.
There, keep being disgusting. See what happens.
"Okay, let's continue." He glanced at Stevan before clicking the keyboard again.
"The Little Brown Bat is impressive, but they're not the only ones with remarkable hunting skills. The Big Brown Bat—"
I started to daze off while staring out the classroom window. I was wondering if I should just let my mother send me to Italy so I would never have to hear her annoying voice again, or if I should continue being a rebellious daughter until she finally disowns me.
*Flashback*
"Ayesha, I got your report card yesterday and you know what angers me the most? Your grades are stuck in the 80s! What the hell is wrong with you?"
The loud slam of the door and my mom's voice greeted me first thing in the morning.
In the freaking morning, you disturb my sleep for that? Come on, I was sleeping!
"Mom… just leave it. Those are my grades, not yours," I said sleepily, hugging my pillow tighter.
"WHAT? Are you insane? This is your FUTURE and you want me to just leave it here? Ayesha, if you don't fix your grades before the final quarter, believe me, I will freaking send you to an isolated boarding school in Italy!"
My drowsiness vanished instantly, replaced by anger. I covered my ears and face with my pillow so I wouldn't hear her anymore.
"F*CK! I shouldn't have let you grow up wtth your crazy father. Now look at you—learning how to rebel!"
She slammed the door hard.
*End of Flashback*
"Tsk, crazy? She's the crazy one between the two of them."
I didn't realize I said it out loud. Professor Lei and my classmates were all staring at me.
Shit, shit, damn it, stupid mouth.
"Ms. Reyes, are you calling me crazy?" he asked angrily, pointing his stick at me.
I'm dead. I know where this is going.
"N-No, sir! It was just a misunderstanding!" I tried to reason, but he clearly didn't believe me.
"A misunderstanding? You were looking straight at me when you said it!"
If I could slap myself, I would've done it a thousand times already.
This is Mom's fault!
"Sorry, sir," I said, scratching my head in shame.
"Sheesh," Stevan muttered with his fist over his mouth. I swear, I wanted to punch him.
"And also, talking while I'm doing my job is not a misunderstanding, Ms. Reyes. Or have you already turned into a bat and developed echolocation abilities?"
The whole class burst out laughing.
Ha. Ha. So funny.
"Go to the detention office and wait for your punishment," he said, pointing at the door.
I sighed, grabbed my bag, and walked out.
"Ouch, that hurts—" Stevan was about to speak again.
"You too, Mr. Gomez. Since you love interrupting, join Ms. Reyes at the detention office."
Stevan frowned and scratched his head as we left the room filled with laughter.
**Detention Office**
"Ugh, this is all your fault! Now I got dragged into this," Stevan kept rambling nonstop.
I just glared at him and raised my middle finger.
There were four of us inside me, this idiot beside me, a girl at the far corner with braided hair and her head down, and a guy with long hair tied halfway, the rest falling at the back of his neck, with short bangs in front. He was holding his chin, with bruises on his face and knuckles. Looks like he'd been in a fight.
I looked away when he suddenly glanced at me, smiled, and even waved.
Better avoid people like that. I may be rebellious, but I won't drag myself into dangerous stuff.
*Breathe in. Breathe out.*
The room would've been so quiet if not for this idiot beside me who wouldn't shut up.
I was about to yell when another student entered. He was tall, wearing glasses, slightly slanted eyes, no double eyelids, short hair, and clearly looked foreign. Based on his uniform, he was an SSG officer.
"Oh, looks like there's a new face here," he said while glancing at me. I just gave a small smile.
He had a slight accent when speaking Tagalog. He really looked foreign, maybe Chinese… or Korean?
"First time?"
I raised my brow, thinking, 'Are you stupid?'
But I kept quiet. The last thing I needed was a longer stay here.
"She just got on the professor's bad side—" I said, but Stevan cut me off.
"She called Prof. Lei crazy—OW!"
I stepped hard on his foot and gave him a fake smile. "s.h.u.t. u.p."
The student in front of us laughed.
"I see, I see… but calling Professor Lei crazy? That was brave."
"He's the mad scientist in the science department, right?" he asked, clearly amused.
"Uh…"
"Hahaha, wah—*michyeosseo* (you're crazy)," he laughed.
"H-Ha?"
"Nothing. Anyway, you're allowed to leave now, but go straight to the science department."
His smile suddenly disappeared when he looked behind us.
"Tsk, those two again."
He shook his head, sat at the front desk, and started checking some papers.