CHAPTER FOUR- THE ENCOUNTER

MADISON

I glanced at Sishy who is now raising her eyebrows to me like she’s saying that it’s my time and should grab it. Well… I stood up and went to the stage not minding everybody’s stares. They were all looking at me, but I was nervous with this man’s stares. Otis Hughes, who really are you?

A man assisted me as I went up the stairs, he was smiling so I smiled back to return his generosity. “Madison, huh?” he suddenly uttered that made me look at him. “Congratulations.” He added and went to Otis’ side.

As I got closer, I know that I was intimidated by his stares and I just kept on reminding myself to be calm. He handed me a card so I slowly accepted it even if my hands were trembling because of nervousness. Never have anyone ever intimidated me the way he did and I just can’t accept it!

“Our lucky student for today is Ms. Madison Forne! Hope you enjoy your stay here in our school, Ms. Forne. Don’t forget to approach us, the SSG officers, when you need help.” Otis winked at me that made a loud noise from the students. The only thing that I can’t forget was his smirk and I’m sure of what I saw. After I got this card thing, I then thanked him and went back to my seat.

What a mysterious man!

Upon arriving in my seat, Sishy is now clinging to me again and saying about how lucky I am to get the black card on my first day of school. I just shrugged away the things she was saying since I wasn't really in need of this kind of things.

I looked at her when she suddenly let away her grab from my arm and looked at me with those puppy eyes. "Aren't you going to treat me for lunch? Let's try using your black card! I really don't feel like paying a lot for today."

Uhm, okay? So that's it? I just rolled my eyes in my head and just nodded for her to stop those puppy eyes she is throwing at me.

Seriously, I really feel uncomfortable because of how she clings on me even though we just met a while ago. Are students here really like that?

I don't wanna think more negativities since it is still my first day in school. I guess that I just needed to go with the flow and bet that this Sishy girl can help me in my mission.

After a few more minutes that turned into an hour, this SSG finally let go of us and now, we will be returning to our designated classrooms and as usual; like the movies, introductions from teachers and students will follow.

"You know what, Otis really is highly respected here in our school. Not only because of him being the SSG President but also because of his father's role in our country," Sishy stated while walking carelessly.

Even while walking, she is facing at me and her back to the lobby as if she was very confident not to hit anyone.

I went back to minding what she said and looked at her curiously, "What'd you mean?"

She smiled at my sudden attentiveness and now faces at the lobby we are walking normally. I finally sighed to what she rightfully did.

"Well, his father is our country's President."

I immediately turned my neck on her direction and can't stop myself from being amazed of what I have heard. But damn! I even sensed more danger about what Sishy has shared to me.

Danger because I am surely be doomed if my secret will be revealed. I shook my head and washed away those assumptions and scenarios in my head.

Sishy looked at me with an asking eyes. I shook my head again and told her that we must hurry up or we'll be late for our class. Thankfully, she didn't questioned me further.

We arrived at the classroom and saw a lot of our classmates talking to their group of friend, Sishy grabbed me and went to the back part of the seats that were arranged.

"It's better here, we can do things freely." she winked at me and laughed when I made a funny face about what she said. What a bad influence this girl is!

But I can't hide the fact that I also liked what she is thinking so... no comment.

There are people who went near us and greeted Sishy, they were all smiles when they are talking about what they did last summer and I was just here listening.

Later, a girl with high heels paved the way to our direction and looked at Sishy with her one brow lifted.

"Befriending the transferee, huh? What a nice thing of you," this bratty girl spatted. I looked at Sishy who is now looking at me, she moved on closer and said something to me that I hoped of her to just whisper it.

"That girl right there is one of the people who is insecure of me. I sincerely apologize for her behaviour," she said all smiles and then looked at the bratty girl's fuming reaction.

"Argh, you really get into my nerves! Early in the morning, my mood is cranked up seeing your face. Huh!" the bratty girl then marched to her seat and sat angrily.

The people who were talking with Sishy awhile ago just shook their heads as if they were already used to the early fights of the two.

I looked at Sishy when she poked my arm and raised and eyebrow. "Yeah?"

"That 'feeling' girl is Shanaya Llumi, I just hope you don't get into her nerves." she chuckled upon saying that to me but suddenly was interrupted when a girl in her mid-30s went in the room. 

Everybody stood up and greeted the teacher so I did the same, she then gestured for us to sit so we did as told. I intently looked at her and then looked away when she noticed me staring at her. She just kinda looked like someone I know but I just can't pinpoint who it was. She is familiar in some aspect, looks like--

"So we have a transferee. Am I right?" everyone nodded to our teacher's question and then some of them looked at my direction. "Oh I forgot! We have another transferee but he will not be coming to school this week for some reasons. So, can we have our transferee to introduce herself?"

She smiled at me and so I awkwardly smiled back. The f? For real? Madison Zedler, a heiress, feeling ashamed? Of what? 

Sishy poked and mouthed me to stand up and do what the teacher told me and so, nonchalantly I also just did what was told. I sighed before starting, "Good morning everyone and to you Miss, I am Madison Z-- Forne and I am 18 years of age. I like reading books and watching dramas."

I instantly looked away and let out a loud sigh. That was close! I was going to say my real surname and-- oh my! Thank God it didn't really slipped out of my mouth or else I will be doomed as hell!

The teacher suddenly chuckled after what I did and follows our classmates laugh. "It's not really obvious that you are not nervous. Haha!" the teacher laughed and then coughed to stop herself from laughing too hard. 

I turned to Sishy who has a big smile plastered on her face and asked, "Am I really that funny?" 

She chuckled before answering me. "What'd you think?" 

I rolled my eyes to her answer. Did just my question got answered by another question? Wow! My attention got back to our teacher in front when she started talking and introducing. So her name was Kimberly Rodriquez and we can just call her as Miss Kim since she doesn't wanna be called as Ma'am or Madame because her age and appearance isn't fitted for it. 

So we just agreed to her. After her introduction, there was also an introduction for everyone since our adviser isn't so familiar with other students in our section. Just familiar faces, she said. An hour has passed and so the bell already rang. 

The teacher said that we will be starting the discussion for her subject on the next meeting and so many of my classmates stood up to go to the cafeteria. To buy snacks, I guess. Sishy clung to me again and so I just don't mind her 'cause maybe I will get use to this set up.

"Oh yeah, you are the lucky student to have the cafeteria's black card, right?" a classmate suddenly asked me while we are heading out and so I stared at her for seconds before nodding. Other classmates who heard the question and saw me nodding were all saying how lucky I am but well, it's not really a big deal for me though. 

It's just a black discount card, what I would be amazed would be if it will let me buy every food in the cafeteria for free but it isn't and it can't. 

"I'm sorry you guys, I will be the only person that Maddy will treat today." Sishy proudly said and laughed seeing our classmates reaction. Oh yeah, I just agreed to her awhile ago about her request. 

When we arrived at the cafeteria, there were already alot of people buying in each stall. I roamed my eyes and stopped at a group sitting and eating at a circular table in the center. I saw in my peripheral vision that Sishy looked at me confusingly and followed my gaze. 

"Do you like the SSG President?" she asked in a whispered tone, I let go of her grasp and was taken aback to what she asked. "What? Are you nuts? Why would I?" 

She laughed hysterically and so other students looked at our direction, "Shh, stop laughing. People are looking at our direction." 

"It's okay, I am a proud attention seeker. By the way, stop being denial. Almost all girls in our university likes Otis. It wouldn't be a shock if you'd like him too," she playfully smiled upon saying those things. I rolled my eyes at her and started walking without looking back to where she was. 

She's so annoying! Literally! 

It was because the annoyance that I forgot there are still people on my way, others looked at me angrily when I bumped into them. I just whispered my apologies as if they'd hear it. 

"Madison Forne, right?" I looked at the person who called my name and damn! What on earth is he doing in front of me? 

I held my hands tightly because a sudden weird and cold feeling lingered again in my skin. Just because of looking and interacting with this boy? I am even more annoyed to this happening again and so I fiercely looked at him and raised a brow, "Yeah, why?"

He smirked to how I respond to him and so I sneered at what he did. Weirdo! 

"Nothing, I just remembered you from the ceremony not long ago." he explained and so I nodded. I looked at him once more before saying, "Excuse me." 

I passed by him and went to look for a stall that has a snack that I wanted to eat. I looked at the table that was laughing and cheering for a second and then did my business right away. It was from that Otis' table and they were even looking at the direction we're at while talking awhile ago. 

Bunch of weirdos. 

I almost screamed out of my lungs because of how startled I was when Sishy popped in front of me like a lizard! I placed my hand in my chest because of what she did and questioned her, "Where'd you come from?" 

"Just somewhere." I sighed upon hearing her answer. 

What a weird encounter.