Chapter 4 Trapped

"Mom. I'm home." I called out as I entered our door. It was quiet and my voice echoed in the large living room. My nose suddenly caught a whiff of something being baked.

Mmmm....cookies.....

My stomach started to growl so I followed the scent into the kitchen. There, I saw my mom humming as she took the tray out of the oven and placed it on the counter. She was wearing a pink apron that hugged her slim body. Unlike me, my mom has brown hair, which she currently tied into a high ponytail.

I took a step forward towards the counter. The sound of me approaching made her raise her green eyes at me and smiled. "Hey, sweety. How was school?" She asked.

I sat on one of the chairs near the counter and turned to face her. "It was cool. Same old title, same treatment." I said and then shrugged.

My mom let out a sigh. "Guess we can't do anything about that."

"Mmhm." I agreed and reached out to grab a cookie. In an instant, my mom slapped my hand away which made me pull it back. "Ow! Why'd you do that for?"

"You have had too much sugar this past few weeks. I don’t want you getting diabetes." She said and gave me a disapproving look. "And you have an upcoming photoshoot! You were already fitted and the adjustments are already made."

I mentally facepalmed at my mom. "Mom? Hate to remind you but cool girls don't wear cute clothes. At least not this cool girl."

My mom pouted. "And for what reason is my purpose as a fashion designer if my daughter can't wear fashionable and cute clothing?!"

Oh yeah. I guess I forgot to tell you guys who my mom really is.

She's Lindsey Blaze Collins. A well-known fashion designer in the States. Stars, and I mean Hollywood stars always come to her to let her design their clothing. 

"Mom, it's cool-"

"Don't you dare say that word to me. I'm starting to hate that word." She cut me off. I don’t blame her. Even I was started to hate that word as well.

"Mom, it's fine. I mean, don't you make me model your designs all the time?" I pointed out.

"Yeah. You model alright, but your face is always hidden!" She glared at me.

Yeah. I'm a model, but during the photoshoots, my pictures are either me holding something in front of my face or me facing away from the camera. Either way, it's still modeling. But once upon a time, before I entered high school, I do modeling along with my face. With this, you can pretty much conclude how high school had changed me and why my mom hates my school title.

Not wanting her to go and blame my school status any longer, I decided that it was time to change the subject. "So what are the cookies for if they weren't for me?"

My mom's face suddenly brightened. "Well, since we gave the maids and the butlers a day off, I thought that it was fun to do something by myself." She grinned. 

I know what you guys are thinking. Butlers and maids? Are we rich?

The answer to that is yes. But we don't like to show it off.

I raised an eyebrow at my mom. "So you're not planning on eating them at least?"

"Oh no. I'm going to give them to my assistants at work later."

"What about dad?" I asked.

"He's not coming back 'till Saturday. He's busy handling the resto and there are a few projects that he needs to finish shooting." She said.

My dad, Gregory Sam Collins, is the owner of the Collins Resto. A five-star restaurant that has over 30 branches all around the state. But during his younger days, he was a famous actor.

That's where he met my mom. You see, my mom was his personal designer. I wouldn't go through all the details and explain how they fell in love, but just imagine it as something cliche.

Anyway, my dad is still working on some movies, but his roles aren't that big anymore.

I nodded at my mom to show her I was listening.

"By the way, Hailey. I was wondering why you are home so early. Shouldn't you be out at 4 PM?"

"Oh. I forgot. We only have half-day at school because there was an event where the Pando-" I stopped talking as soon as I remembered the events that had happened earlier. And the secrets that I had uncovered.

I gulped.

"Hailey? Honey? You alright?" My mom asked me worriedly.

I shook off my thoughts and faced my face instead. "Um....mom? I think I'm a bit tired." I yawned and stretched my arms out. "You don't mind if I go to my room now, do you?"

"No, but-"

"Thanks! See ya!" I said and hurriedly got off the seat, took my bag, and ran to the second floor and towards my room. As soon as I reached my safe haven, I quickly dropped my bag to the ground and jumped onto the queen-sized bed.

Oh gosh. I had just remembered what had happened earlier.

Just thinking about it gave me a really bad feeling. 

****

The next day, I was walking cautiously as I entered the school premises. I kept on looking around and trying to see if the student councils are there.

I don't want to bump into them. Not today, not tomorrow or ever!!!

I suddenly felt a presence beside me and grabbed my arm in a friendly way. I turned my head to see Sandy grinning as she walked beside me. "Hey. Good morning, Hailey!" She beamed. My eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets in my surprise. Seeing Sandy immediately made me thought of her other side - Sophie. I quickly freaked out and pulled my hand away from her and ran in the other direction.

I didn't look back as I quickly made my way to my locker. My hands were shaking nervously as I tried to input my code.

Geez. I was so surprised. Why the heck was she acting too friendly? I cursed under my breath as I opened my locker. In my frustration, I swung the door as hard as I could.

My locker door suddenly hit something hard that let out a very loud sound that echoed through the corridors. I had just hit someone in the face when I opened my locker. 

In my shocked state, I covered my mouth and slowly peeled my locker door away from the stranger’s face.

Not a stranger though.

The person who I had hit with my locker was no other than Sheen, a.k.a Nico.

"Oww! I was gonna surprise you by saying good morning, but I guess you beat me to it." He laughed. "Oh well, Gooooodd morning, Hailey!!"

"Mother fudging poop!!" I slammed my locker shut and ran away from Sheen.

First Sandy and now Sheen? Who's next?

I was too busy worrying about who I might see next that I didn't see where I was going until I bumped into someone. The impact made me fall to the ground, which is not really a cool thing to do.

"Oops. Sorry"

I looked up and saw Leo giving me an apologetic look. His blonde hair raining down on his eyes as he looked down on me and offered me his hand.

Wow. Handsome.

But remembering that he's Kevin from The Pandergriff made me wake up from my daydream. Without accepting his help, I got up and turned around only to face another member of their group.

What the? Are they cornering me?

Xander, a.k.a Gabrielle, stood in front of me. Since he was taller than me, he had to look down to see me. As soon as our eyes met, he raised an eyebrow at me. I fought the urge to flinch at his stare because that would be so uncool. Instead, I pretended not to see him as I went past him.

"Wait!" Xander called out while Leo called me by my name.

I, on the other hand, pretended that I didn't hear them as I took my earphones and played random music on my phone.

Despite having my earphones, I could still hear the shuffling of feet just behind me. Without turning back, I have a feeling - or a hunch - that it's Leo and Xander. 

I always dreamed that Leo would chase me, but not like this!

As I continued to walk, I notice some faint movement to my left. I turn my eyes to the right to see that it was Sheen who was currently coming this way.

Sheen's eyes suddenly found me. He paused before he grinned and waved at me as if we were best friends. "Hey!" He beamed and started to head in my direction.

Oh, fudge.

I was running on adrenaline. Sheen was at my left and Leo and Xander were behind me. It's as if they were chasing me or something. I then turned to my right in hopes of losing them, but let's just say that luck isn't siding with me today.

Just when I was about to take the only route that was student council free, it was suddenly blocked by the students who were mingling around. Gargh!!!

Then I felt helpless at being cornered by them. Oh, screw the rules and my coolness!! I'm taking a run!

Having a tight grip on my bag, I took off at a run. My hair, which is in a high ponytail, swayed in my every step. I didn't even have to push people out of the way because a few of the students watched me in awe as I run while the student councils were chasing me. Since running in the school was against the rules, the student councils have to make some sort of excuses to them.

"Don't worry, students. This is just some sort of play of what will happen when someone breaks the rule. Ms. Hailey is helping us. All is well!" Explained Leo.

"Yeah. But we prefer to think of this drill as playing tag." Sheen joked. I then heard him gasped for breath so I imagine that one of the student council members had hit him.

I'm starting to run out of breath. Maybe mom was right, eating too much sweet isn't good for you. But despite my exhaustion, I still managed to have a calm face as I ran. 

My eyes caught sight of the girl’s comfort room and an idea formed in my mind. 

I quickly made my way to the girl’s comfort room and locked myself in one of the cubicles. Ha! Come and get me now, chunks! Let's see if you have the guts to go in here without being called perverts.

"What now??" I heard Sheen ask. 

"Miss Collins. Come out." Called out Xander.

There is no way you can come in here without-

"Oh hey, guys. What are you doing in front of the girl’s comfort room?"

Wait...is that Sandy's voice??

Ohno.

"We were following Collins and ended up here." said Leo.

"And now we're stuck since this room is clearly out of our boundary." Added Xander.

There was a moment of silence before Sandy let out a small chuckle. "You guys are such losers." I heard her say. "You're so lucky to have me here. I'll take care of things from here. Okay?"

No, Sandy!! Shoo! Stay away!! Mind your own fudging business!!

I bit my fingers nervously as I heard her footsteps approaching the door.

What fudge am I gonna do?!?!?!

I scanned my surroundings and saw a small window just above me. Without further adieu, I swung my bag behind me as I started to climb the toilet seat.

I just hope that I won't fall in the toilet while I climb.

Once I heard the door slightly creaking open, I hastily pushed the window open and, using my arms, jump all the way out of the window in a single leap. I landed on a grassy patch and thanked my lucky stars that I wasn't on the second floor when I jumped.

Behind me, in the comfort room, I could hear Sandy kicking each cubicle one by one. She's probably looking for me.

"What the??" she wondered out loud. "Guys! Are you sure that she went in here?" She called out.

"Yes. We're positive." Sheen answered.

I quickly made my way to the nearest bush and hid there when I heard Sandy climbing up the toilet seat, which I assume that she must have figured out where I went.

"Well, it's either you guys need some glasses or she must have gone out of the window." She called out.

I dared to peak from the bushes and sure enough, I saw Sandy's head from the comfort room’s bathroom as she scanned her surroundings. I slowly ducked my head so she won't see me.

After a few seconds, she just shrugged and disappeared. I guess she must have given up.

"Keep your eyes open. She must have gone back to the campus."

Or not.

♥ ♥ ♥

Minutes went by and I still stayed in the bushes and played some games on my phone. It's not like I don't want it to go to school or anything, it's just that I am taking precautions.

The school bell rang, signaling that it is time for the first period. I put my phone back in my skirt pocket.

Well, I guess it's time for me to go. I just hope that the student councils had gone to their respective classes by now. They are the school's role models after all so tardiness isn't allowed in their position.

I got up and dusted the back of my skirt as I headed for the school's back door entrance. And just as I thought, there aren't that many students in the hallway as of now.

I hid a smile as I went to the fourth floor for my class.

In this academy, each year level has its own respective classroom. Sort of like in Asian movies where each class is separated by their grade and year level. And each level is divided into 3 sections: A, B, and C.

Section A is where most of the smart kids are. The room basically consists of nerds. But there are also kids who aren't that smart but are responsible enough to get a good grade.

Section B is where the average students are. There are also smarts kids in this section but not that many. They are basically the group of students who can relax and have good grades at the same time.

Section C is....well, they mostly consist of slackers who have an almost decent grade. Smart kids are rarely seen in this section.

Each year level is also represented by a specific letter. F for the freshman, S for the sophomores, J for the juniors, and S for the seniors.

You guys may be wondering by now which section I am in.

I'm in class S-B, a.k.a Senior Class B.

Not that smart, but smart at the same time I guess.

I came to stop at our classroom door. It was close. Well, I'm not surprised. I'm 5 minutes late after all. But hey, it doesn't matter.

Just think of the faces of my classmates once I barge in the room. They'll be shocked and at the same time awestruck.

Keeping my smile hidden and plastering my signature hard look, I opened the door as I went in.

"So there will be-" Our professor was cut off as soon as I entered the room.

Of course, as the cool kid, I should act as if I had no care in the world. And that's exactly what I did when I just went past him as I made my way to my seat. I could feel the adorning stares that my classmates gave me.

"As expected of Hailey. Only she can pull that off without being scolded by the professor!" I heard someone whisper to someone beside him.

I spotted my seat and settled my things before I sat down and looked at the window. Our school has a beautiful garden and a large green space that students would often stay there and have a picnic with their friends. 

Sometimes, I even get envious of them having their picnic.

But, I do have a good spot in the garden where I usually sit under a large apple tree and eat my snack and read a book. It's the perfect spot for me to relax and to just observe my surroundings.

"As I was saying," The professor started to continue once he saw that I was properly settled in my seat. "These guys are your new classmates from now on."

New classmates? Hmm....that's pretty interesting.

"Well then. Why don't you guys introduce yourselves to your new classmates?" added the professor.

From my peripheral view, I could just make out 4 figures standing at the front. I suppose those are the new students??

One of them chuckled. "But sir, I don't think we have to introduce ourselves to them since they clearly know us. We simply switched sections." One of them spoke. My ear suddenly twitches at the voice. It has this familiarity that I couldn't seem to point out.

"But wouldn't it be better to introduce yourselves properly to make an impression to your new classmates." Suggested our professor.

"I think that our leader should go first."

I heard someone chuckle. "If that's the case then I shall start." The person then cleared his throat. "Good Morning everyone. My name is Leo Victor Waynard. If you don't know yet, I'm the president of the student council in this school."

"My name is Sandy Elizabeth McLean. The secretary."

"The name is Sheen Carter Thomas. I'm the well-known treasurer and the good-looking one."

"And my name is Xander Andrew Lewis. The vice president. It's a pleasure to meet you all."

My head slowly turned towards the people at the front. Once I did, it took all my willpower so I wouldn't drop my jaw. 

Gosh, that would be so uncool.

Once they noticed my gaze, they turned their attention back at me as I held their gazes back with confidence. I don’t want them to think that I'm intimidated by them.

After the introduction, a bunch of whispers erupted in the room.

"The student councils? Why are they here? Shouldn't they be in class S-A where the smarter kids are?"

"They must have gone bored because of the serious atmosphere in that room."

"Oh boy. First, we have Hailey and now we have the students councils?! this is so awesome!!"

Awesome? Maybe for ignorant people like you! I wanted to scream those words out to whoever made that remark.

Our professor raised his palm to silence us. "Alright, everyone. I know you’re all excited about this but please." He said before turning back to the SC members. "Please do take your seats. I am to start the class right now." he smiled at them.

"Thank you, sir." said Leo.

"I don't know for what reason you guys transferred here but I have a feeling that this will become one lively school year for this class."

There is a smile on Leo's lips as he nodded at our professor. "I think so too, sir." Then all their eyes settled on me. "I think so too."

His words hold a promise that sent shivered down my spine.

Not being able to help it. I muttered, in a very VERY low voice, "Oh damn it all."