Chapter 6 - First Day 1.0

UG Chapter 6

White ankle socks, check! Black leather loafers, check! Blue gingham uniform, check! Red backpack, complete with shoulder straps, check! And a sparkling silver headband, check!

Zea strutted confidently to school. As she glided along the school sidewalk, she could already sense all the eyes fixated on her.

"Who is she?"

"I don't know. I haven't seen her around before."

"Her skin looks so smooth and radiant! She must be from a really rich family."

She bit her lip, almost smiling at the whispers she overheard from the students. With a group of students following behind her, she walked towards the high school building.

"You new here? What grade are you in?" a young man dared to ask.

"Twelfth," she answered briefly then continued walking.

"Holy shit… Did she just talk to me?" the guy exclaimed, followed by cheers from his friends.

Just as she was about to enter the building, someone blocked her path.

"Oh, hi there!"

Zea's gaze went up, but her face twisted into a scowl when she spotted Ethan. The group of guys who had been trailing behind her instantly scattered away.

"You have a talent for killing the vibe wherever you go."

"Seems like you're enjoying the attention of those cute little boys with little..."

"You talk like yours are bigger.”

"Wanna see it?"

"Oh, hell no! Can't you leave me alone, Ethan? The College building is over there, right?"

"Well... I don't have much else going on... I just want to see you in your high school uniform." Ethan flashed his naughtiest smile and eyed Zea's chest.

"Oh, is that so? Coz, it looks like you’re more interested on what’s underneath my uniform.”

"I mean, who wouldn’t be?"

Zea pinched Ethan on his side waist. "Get lost, you jerk!"

"Alright, I'm leaving," he chuckled, then winked at her. But Zea just scowled at him and turned her back.

Ethan couldn't help but smirk as he watched her leave.

"Damn girl... just drop the act. You can have a taste of me anytime you want," he whispered. But his surprise, Zea turned around, enraged.

"I heard that, you pervert!" she screeched, pointing to her earring, their secret listening device.

Ethan chuckled and teasingly bit his lip.

****

Inside the classroom, it was hard to hear anything over the buzz of students talking. All kids sat with their own groups, chatting about anything. The door suddenly swung open, and they quickly snapped into their seats

"Good morning, everyone. We have a new student in our class. Please welcome Ms. Astrid Garcia."

Zea walked to the front of the class, flashing a smile at the entire room. Almost everyone was captivated by her presence.

"Ms. Garcia, could you share a bit about yourself?"

Zea gazed at her new classmates, then smiled again. "Hi! I'm Astrid Garcia. I'm from SVC University. I'm from France, but my parents sent me back. So, I'm staying at our old house in Dizon."

"Oh... France, really?" one of her classmates whispered.

"Is she for real?"

"I bet she can't even speak French..."

Zea let out her warmest smile.

"Bonjour! Je m'appelle Astrid Garcia. Je viens de l' Université SVC. Ma famille était originaire de France et mes parents m'ont renvoyée ici, donc je reste à la maison familiale à Dizon."

Everybody's jaw dropped upon hearing her. Zea smirked as she gazed at the stunned expressions plastered across her classmates' faces. It seemed that no matter where she went, the same breed of entitled bitches lurked in the halls of every damn high school.

Zea can't help but remember her past school life...

"That brat's got some nerve. Thinks she's the damn queen of the school."

"Always showing off with her perfect grades. They worship her like she's some kind of goddess."

"Friends? Ha! Good luck with that. All she cares about is burying her face in books and reciting like a damn robot."

"That chick? Don't waste your time. She won't let you copy a single damn thing. That bitch thinks she's better than everyone."

Each whisper felt like a tiny hammer hitting her chest.

How can they be so rude? I can't help it if I'm smart, not my fault I was born with this brain. I have no intention of lowering my grades just to please them. Dad will definitely kill me if I do that.

Damn, I never imagined school would be so tough. I have no friends at all.

She released a deep breath. It seemed like history was about to repeat itself.

"Would you just quit it?"

Everyone fell silent upon hearing a girl's voice.

"How can you be so rude? She's new here! Can't you be a little bit nicer?" the girl scolded, casting a protective gaze at Zea. "Hi! I'm Selene, the class president." Her long black hair cascaded gently on her shoulders as she extended her hand towards her.

Zea's smile brightened as she firmly shook Selene's hand. "Nice meeting you."

****

Right after the first subject, Bem-Bem dashed to the rooftop, only to find Yohan lounging on the bench with Gino. "What the fuck, guys? Why'd you skip class?"

Gino smirked, his eyes glued to his phone. "Chill, man. Nothing goes down on the first day. Why bother?"

Yohan lazily opened his eyes, scratching his head with annoyance. "Who cares if we skipped? Why you so worked up?"

"I'm pissed 'cause you didn't clue me in. I looked like a dumbass in class."

"Well, you always look like a dumbass, nothing new." Yohan teased, making Gino laugh.

"Luckily, we got a new babe in our class. She's a fucking goddess. Almost broke my neck staring at her," Bem-Bem bragged.

Yohan, uninterested, reclined on the bench, covered his face, ready to doze off.

"Really? What does she look like?" Gino asked.

"She's drop-dead gorgeous! Long black hair, hot body, caramel brown eyes, sexy lips... Man, she's such a baddie. But still looks cute though with that silver headband hers."

Yohan almost jumped up from the bench. "What? Wearing what? A silver headband? With a bow on the side with tiny crystals?"

"How the fuck did you know?"

Yohan grabbed him by his shoulder, and dragged him along. "Take me to her."

Bem-Bem tried to break free from Yohan's grip, but simply couldn't.

"Man, I know you're fucking hot. But that girl is mine," he pleaded.

Gino slapped the shit out of him. "Fucking dimwit! She's the one Yohan fought with at the Bazaar yesterday!"

****

Meanwhile, Zea made her way through the crowded school cafeteria, carrying her tray of food. She took her place in the middle of a long table and carefully laid out her food. She glanced at her fellow students, who were all smiling at her.

Well, at least this time I'm not totally hated in school. Seems like a few of them are being decent.

Just as she was about to take a bite of her sandwich, the canteen door suddenly slammed open. Her eyes narrowed at the familiar figure striding toward her—it was none other than Yohan, the guy from last night.

Yohan haughtily sat down on the edge of Zea's table, surrounded by his crew, the Blue SIBS. People quickly backed away, sensing the impending disaster.

"Aren't you lucky..." Yohan smirked. "Of all the damn schools, you had to land in my territory," he sneered.

"Ssssh!" Zea pressed her finger against his lips, silencing him, as she continued munching her sandwich, savoring the taste of mayo on her fingertips. "Stop spouting nonsense. I'm enjoying my sandwich."

His brows twitched. Not only was she uninterested, she completely disregarded the importance of his presence. This made Yohan more enraged.

He slammed his fist down on the table, instantly silencing the entire cafeteria.

""You've got some nerve. You don't even know who you're messing with."

"Do I have to?"

Yohan chuckled with irritation. "Let me introduce myself properly," he sneered, flipping the food tray into Zea's face. But Zea caught it effortlessly, sipping her apple juice undisturbed. She calmly placed the tray back on the table, her gaze locked onto Yohan.

"So? Is your name Tray?" she taunted.

Yohan's patience snapped. He grabbed her collar and tried to pin her down. But Zea quickly pulled his collar in return. Their eyes locked in a furious stare. He dragged her off the table. But as soon as Zea found her footing, she anchored herself, seized his hand, gripped his shoulder, and ruthlessly slammed him to the ground.

"Damn, that judo throw!" Bem-Bem yelled in awe.

Zea's smirk widened, leaving Yohan utterly speechless on the cold floor, his gaze fixated on her. Judo skills were the last thing he expected from her.

His crew ganged up against Zea. Outnumbered, there is no way she could take them all on. They dragged her into the restroom while Yohan was still left in a daze.

"What the hell are you doing?" Gino yelled at him. ""Go after them!"

Yohan quickly stood up. Everything happened so fast, and all he could hear were shouts from the restroom.

He only wanted to intimidate the her, but had no intention of actually harming her. Yohan rushed into the restroom, but the Blue SIBS scattered like frightened mice. He went inside, and to his surprise, eight guys lay unconscious on the floor, while one struggled for breath, trapped in Zea's lethal arm lock.

He met her cold, dark gaze, Yohan suddenly felt nervous. This girl had a completely different aura compared yesterday. That deadly glint in her eyes, like those of a ruthless assassin ready for the kill.

"Let me introduce myself first," Zea said coldly. "I'm Astrid Garcia, and no one messes with me!"