Chapter Two

Eros

I saw Landon waiting for me inside, when he saw me he patted my desk and looked at his phone again. He really has a bad addiction with his phone. I sat down and forced him to talk to me for a while until our room got full and our teacher showed up.

Everyone sat straight and became attentive. Our teacher greeted us and we greeted back in unison, ending our greeting with the school motto "Ad velle et potentiam, ad pulchritudinem et cerebrum." To Will and Power, To Beauty and Brain.

"My name is Patricia Piper. You may call me Miss Piper. I am your advisor and your Science Teacher." She introduced herself.

I scoffed when I heard her name, realizing it's what I called that girl today.

"I will check your attendance for today, if I call your name please stand up for me and your classmates to be able to recognize you. Afterwards, you may do as you please. As for the seating arrangement, you may sit wherever you want. We have no lessons or any reminders for today as this is our first day. Understood?"

"Understood." We all said.

Miss Piper started calling people alphabetically and soon after, she called Landon.

"Alvanche, Landon Ace?" She called and looked at the standing Landon. She lowered her head and Landon sat down. She called 3 other names and then me.

"Carpio, Eros?" I stood up and went back to sit after. I started to get bored during the attendance since I basically knew all of them, I think. So, I grabbed a book in my bag and started reading. It was getting interesting until I heard a name get called.

"Lastly, Romanov, Bella Psyche?"  It sounded familiar so I looked for the one who got called. The person who got called is at the back side of the room beside the window. I looked shocked to see her. We're classmates? She looked back at me and then sat back down. She wore her glasses and read a book. The book is the same as mine. 

Miss Piper said a few words after, then sat on her chair and began typing on her Laptop. My classmates began talking loudly and laughing. Landon and I decided to hang out in the canteen. We had 2 hours to spare anyway. Miss Piper's schedule with us is consecutive, an hour for Homeroom and an hour and 30 minutes for Science.

After binge eating and staring at our phones in the cafeteria we decided to go back. On our way back we saw Miss Piper at the Teacher’s lounge. We passed through the classroom of Hamish, Ashton, Phantom and Caden holding our middle finger up for them. They raised theirs too. As we reached the door of our room, Psyche passed in between us hands on her face and had eggs on her head. She covered her face and went somewhere outside our room. I went inside to inspect what happened to the poor girl. Then, I saw a group of girls, giggling. So I went to ask them what happened. 

I approached the group of girls that seemed like the suspect of this mishap. I may be a player but I am not a bully, I think, I do not tolerate these acts. I did say she was weird and ugly but at least I did not say it behind her back nor directly tell her that.  Anyway, as I got near the girls, the blonde one said, “We got rid of that fugly leech for you”.

“What?” I replied in confusion. They did that to get rid of her? What the hell? And it was for me? Never did I say that I want to do that to her.

“I mean, you're in a relationship with Victoria, right? And then, we saw her flirting at you in front of her broken car. Then, she bumped you, I bet she did that on purpose, and during attendance she looked at you. That’s not right! She’s a freaking ugly sl*t who deserves to be humiliated.” The brunette replied to me.

“First off, I am not in a relationship with anyone, so stop that delusion. Second, she was not flirting with me and if she is, you do not have the right to inflict any harm on her. She is not a sl*t unlike you! And for f*ck’s sake, I do not tolerate any form of bullying you idiots!” I yell at them. Since I am the reason for these acts, I felt responsible for her.

I stormed off there and went to the teacher’s lounge. I informed Miss Piper about the situation and she told me to tell the girls to go to the Principal’s office. We both went outside the lounge and went our separate ways. She will go find Psyche and I was gonna go back to our classroom to get those bullies. 

When I entered the room, I saw some of them crying. A girl even said that they were just trying to protect me from leeches. Aren’t they leeches? I informed them about what Miss Piper told me and they burst out crying. They screamed at me and told me I was a f*cking jerk. Well, I get that a LOT. It doesn’t really affect me.

They went to the Principal’s office with me, since I am included in this mess. Landon did not want to come because he said he did not want to. When we entered the office, they were quiet but I do hear someone sob from time to time. They behave and act as if they were the victims. I just rolled my eyes. These girls are gonna make me nuts. 

When Psyche entered the room, she was wearing her school gym clothes. I also noticed her eyes were swollen and it looked like she wetted her face. Miss Piper looked so disappointed. Well, it was the first day of school and this already happened. I would also be disappointed if I was her. She must be thinking, “What a great way to start the school year.”

The Principal, Miss Sanford, began asking questions but since no one answered, she looked at me with questioning eyes. I think, no, I know she knows that I am the reason behind this mayhem. She’s not wrong but I mean, I did not tell these girls to do such a thing, right?

“Mister Carpio, can you please tell us what happened? Why did Miss Romanov end up like this and why did these girls do that to her?” She asked.

I took a deep breath before replying, “I swear to God, to my family and to Miss Piper, I will tell the truth and the truth only.” I began, trying to lighten up the mood. “It started earlier this morning. I was on the way to school when I saw Psyche at the side of the street with her car. The car broke down. I stopped to ask her if she needed a ride because we were getting late and then she refused as her driver was already nearby. So I left and went to school.”

“What is the relevance of that story to this situation?” Miss Sanford asked.

I sighed. “Please let me continue.”

Her response only was “Alright.” 

I continued. “They saw what happened and thought that she was flirting with me, which she isn’t. Then, after the assembly on my way to the classroom, with my friends, I accidentally bumped Psyche and her things fell, so I helped her and apologized. They apparently thought that she did that on purpose. Lastly, they saw Psyche and I look at each other during the attendance. I looked at her fist because I thought her name was familiar, I was just confirming my thought. I went to the cafeteria with my friend and when I came back, I saw Psyche bathing in eggs and them laughing. I asked them what happened and they told me that it was because they thought she was flirting, bumping me on purpose and just because she looked at me. Also, they thought I was in a relationship with a delusional girl.”

Miss Sanford’s face grimaced. “Is this true?” She asked the Girls.

No one replied. “Is what Mister Carpio told me just now, true? If you do not answer, my punishment will be much worse.” She asked again.

Someone finally confirmed my story and they began crying. AGAIN. If they did not want this to happen, why did they do it? Girls are so complicated.

“You will be suspended for a week. Girls, you really set a new record in our honorable school. Being suspended on the first day of school. Wow. Also, write an apology letter dedicated to Miss Romanov. Make sure to reflect on your actions. I am truly disappointed in you.”  Miss Sanford said and paused to drink her beverage. “You may leave and come back next week. See me immediately then and bring your parents.” She dismissed the girls.

The girls went outside. One of them even bumped Psyche on the shoulder. Jeez, these girls are unapologetic. They might even wait for her at the school gate today and do much worse than what they did. They might even plot a crazy revenge plan against Psyche. My thoughts disappeared when Miss Sanford spoke again.

“Miss Romanov, you may take the day off. Miss Piper, accompany her to her car please.” She instructed.

“Noted, Miss.” Miss Piper replied.

When they got out. Miss Sanford looked at me. “Have you finally realized the effect of your endless collection of girls?” She asked.

“Miss, I do inform them in advance that I cannot be tamed. I told that girl who they were following, I guess, that it was only a one time thing and not to expect more.” I answered.

She looked furious with my answer. “Can you stop doing whatever you are doing? I cannot believe so meone from a decent family with a bright educational background could do such and immature and stupid thing of breaking women's heart as if it's nothing and thinking of it as a hobby. Almost all the bullying and backstabbing that has happened between girls were caused by you and your foolish acts. They are losing their minds because of a guy like you."

I guess she does not know every person with a decent family. If she did, she would know that there are far worse people than me. 

"But miss---" she cut me off.

"No buts, Mister Carpio. You may leave. I will speak to your parents today and make sure that you will be educated on how to treat a girl. A human being. It's pretty ironic how a Humanities and Social Sciences student does not even know how to act like a decent human being." She scoffed.

I left there and went to the classroom. Our next teacher did not show up so my classmates just wandered and were loud. I'm sure a teacher from another classroom will show up here and ask us to shut the f*ck up. Can't blame anyone though.

I looked around and did not see Landon so I just grabbed my bag and went to the rooftop. Once I reached my destination, I opened my bag, grabbed a blanket and laid it on the floor. I used my bag as a pillow. I thought about everything that happened today. It was not great. Everything that just happened sucked. It was the most annoying first day of school ever. I didn't even get to check out the transferees. Damn. 

I got bored after I decided to continue reading my book and soon after I dozed off. I was woken up by the sound of my  ringtone. Someone is calling me. I looked to see who the sleep ruiner was and saw that it was Phantom. I declined the call and went back to sleep.