4

"I'm calling your mom."

"No, don't do that."

"Then go correct your actions." Romilly pointed out the open door.

"Fine!" Xenia grunted before wearing her bag properly.

"Can I kiss your cheek?"

"Xixi, go rectify your actions. Then we can talk about kisses." Romilly rose and started arranging her books.

"Okay. See you later." Xenia ran out of the class and found Weston standing in front of her locker.

"Hey,"

"Xenia, why?"

"Why what?"

"You're still unrepentant. Just you wait!"

"Now you have some back bone? Don't bother threatening me with your family background. If their son is this timid with a little backbone appearing occasionally, the family is doomed to crash."

"You..." he was rendered speechless."Weston, I'm sorry."

He got stunned by these unexpected words.

"Why are you apologizing?"

"Isn't that what you want? I'm sorry. Next time, don't belittle my abilities."

"You.." he could only sigh in frustration. "What's your username?"

"Dreadful Lily," she replied as she pushed him with one hand away from her locker.

"You are dreadful Lily?" he started to recall what happened.

He had rained insult on her because she chided him for making a mistake.

Both were in the same team in that match.

She promised to deal with him but he did not take it seriously. They never met in a battle again. He thought at most if they met as enemies in a match, she'd probably seek to slay his hero. Who knew his punishment would be real life? This was really unexpected and it cost him his reputation and position in Mr Asher's heart.

"You hold grudges..." he muttered.

"Not always. Let's say that you're just unlucky. So are we good now? Or you wish to continue this zipping and padlock game?"

"No, no! We're good." he hastily said.

"Good then. By the way, welcome to Psycho squad. If you work hard enough, you can be our main jungler someday and no, unless we don't want you anymore. You aren't allowed to leave."

He nodded and she patted his shoulder.

"I'll talk to my friends. You'll get to play with us tomorrow in MCL. One of them will go solo."

"Okay." he nodded.

"Will you please have some spine? You don't know how to complain? You are a fox shifter. Have some spine. Even Elena, a rabbit shifter, has so much spine in arguments. Why are you so timid?"

"That's what I am."

"That's exactly why I could bully you successfully. You are now my lackey. You must learn how to speak up for yourself. Do you hear me?"

"Now that you said so, I'm busy." he adjusted his glasses.

"The math teacher punished you, didn't he?" she asked.

He didn't reply.

"Give this note to him. He'll let you off at once." she handed him a piece of folded paper.

"How can I trust you won't get me into more trouble?"

"Don't worry. You'll be fine. At most, you might just have to clean the toilets for some days."

"What? And you call that letting me off?"

"That and the punishment he gave you. Which do you want?"

He began to think. He would be the one to stand throughout math class for the next 3 weeks. How terrible it was. If he really washed the toilets for a few days... it was a matter of holding his breath, which he was great at and then doing the dirty work.

"Okay. I'll trust you this time."

"And I swear that I'm sincere. We'll be meeting tonight."

"Tonight? You mean online?"

"Yeah. Where else?"

"Ok. Um, does Romilly also..."

"She doesn't game." Xenia replied before taking some stuff from her locker and closing it.

Both of them then discussed a few more things before he finally left for Mr Asher's office.

Xenia sighed as she walked to the dining hall. She found Romilly seated at their usual table.

She hadn't started eating yet. There were two trays of food on the table. She sat opposite her bestie and flashed a smile.

"It's been completely resolved."

"Dear, keep a rein on your temperament. I don't want you to become a terrifying entity before you shift." Romilly sighed as she picked up the spoon.

"I'll be more careful." Xenia nodded before commencing eating.

******

4 hours later.

School was finally over and the students exited their classrooms.

Romilly and Xenia were stopped by Mr Asher, who happened to encounter them.

He gave her a note before leaving.

She glanced through the first half of the contents and smiled. She got punished to clean the toilet too, just like Weston but unlike Weston whose term was 3 days, hers was for 2 weeks. If she wanted it shortened, she was to solve this strong math question before tomorrow and then send the answer over by video call. She, who wasn't that fond of math, had to explain it in a very detailed manner. And the time he set was exactly the time she was to go for the MCL competition. Her smile faltered. Doesn't that mean she'll miss the competition? What nonsense was this?

"You got punished, uh?" Romie could barely hold her laugh. Xenia's face remained serious.

"Romie, I'll be back. You go ahead, I'll catch up soon. I need to get something clear with him first."

"Alright. Recall to keep a leash on your temperament." her bestie reminded.

"Okay, bestie," Xenia hollered as she ran forward in the direction Mr Asher went.

Some minutes later, she was able to catch up to him.

"Mr Asher, Mr Asher, please wait!" she called out while holding her knees and breathing hard. Damn, this guy's so fast. Mr Asher was close to a water body already.

He's a merman. If she allowed him to get into the water, then she was toast.

Although some high-ranking teachers stayed in the school, they still needed to go out. Since school was done, Mr Asher was probably planning to swim. She had to set matters straight before he does so.

"What is it Xenia?" he folded his arms and sighed.

"Um... Mr Asher... I," she stammered.

"You are only more mischievous each day. I'll put you in your place. And nope, the time to give me the answer cannot be changed. Now turn around."

"But teacher..."

"Don't protest. Turn around,"

"Mr Asher,"  she tried to use puppy eyes and pouted but this guy was a block of ice.

"Turn around."

"Why don't you want to hear me out?"

"I know since you're close to shifting, you'll make some stupid decisions. But let this be a lesson to you so you can teach it to your pups when they grow up."

"You..."

"Don't point at me. Turn around. I'm not saying this again."

"Why? Teacher, I can't deliver the answers at that time. I have something very important to do."

"Gaming, right?"

"You... how?" Xenia could not believe it. How did he know?

"Your mom told me. And she's suddenly on vacation with your dad so you have your brothers to babysit you." as he said this, he took off his shirt.

Now she needed no more orders. She immediately turned around.

"Mr Asher..."

"Xenia, I know you are a good seedling. But you're not a baby no more. Soon you'll become an adult. Threatening others with your background is not good."

"I didn't threaten..."

"Off you go!" as he said this, he suddenly jumped into the water. She turned around and saw he had resurfaced. He had some red markings on his bare chest and a tattoo on his right arm.

"See you tomorrow evening, Xixi." he then went back in the water. She saw his glittering red tail.

She always knew he was a merman but had never seen his true form. She had to admit he indeed looked charming in this form. But that's not the main thing. All the hard work she did last night was for nought. It seems none of her friends will go solo. Weston will play with them and not just that. She won't even have the chance to go solo. Mr Asher is so hateful!

She stomped her right foot on the ground before walking away.

Not long after she left, the math teacher resurfaced and smiled.

This girl needs serious training. By the time he's done with her, she'll be hard to recognize.

He went back in, causing a tremendous splash in the water.