Chapter 17: A Place Full of Jerks
"No one can bully or hurt Sapphire Jade Miller in this building, in this department... and especially in this block."
The whole room fell silent as everyone stared at me. It was uncomfortable since I wasn't fond of being the center of attention. I looked at Evangeline, questioning her with my eyes about what she was doing, but she ignored me. "Did you think the student council wouldn't find out about your subtle bullying, huh?" she asked as she stared at her nails.
A hint of boredom was evident in her eyes, but her smirk threatened someone in the room, leaving a powerful impression.
No wonder she was selected as the leader. She knows how to make people bow to her.
"She's already under my jurisdiction. Spread the news, and don't you dare disobey me. You all know what will happen," was Evangeline's last words before leaving the room.
I was confused as to why she was helping me, so I chased her to the court, where they will practice for the volleyball tournament.
"Don't be so thankful, Sapphire Jade. It only lasts for a week. I'll remove my protection over you after that."
"What?" I asked, confused.
"You're not deaf, right? I hate repeating myself." She glared at me before continuing her makeup.
Evangeline was wearing her sports uniform-a violet top and shorts, with white sneakers. Because of her outfit, I noticed her body's build for the first time. She was slim and tall, even taller than me.
This wasn't emphasized when she wore our school uniform, but in her sports outfit, I could appreciate her body build more deeply.
"Why would you act like you wanted to help me if you're only going to do it for a week?"
Her actions and words are really confusing. I almost prefer the Evangeline who used to do nothing but mock me and remind me I'm just an outsider in this school. Her act of kindness makes me think she has other intentions. I have a hard time trusting her.
No. Everyone.
"Do you think I did that to help you? No." She rolled her eyes and chuckled slightly before putting her makeup kit back in her bag. "It was a favor for someone, and don't even dare ask me who that person is. You won't get any answer from me." "Thank you for the... information."
I wasn't even sure why I was thanking her. She didn't give me an answer; she just added more questions to my mind.
I was still sitting on the floor with my legs crossed when Evangeline stood up. "You shouldn't thank me for the information I gave you. Rather, you should thank me for the temporary power I lent you, and for saving you."
"Why would I thank you for something I don't even want?" I asked, confused, before standing up and dusting off my pants. "It will last for only a week, and everything will return to normal. It could be way worse because of what you did. It's not an act of saving. It's more like preparing me for danger."
I didn't know where I got the courage to argue with them these past few days. Maybe because I've had enough of what's happening now. I protected my peaceful life for years, but it was ruined before I even knew it.
"Exactly, Sapphire. Exactly," she said, smiling, as if she was pleased that I finally understood what she was trying to convey.
The way she acted somehow reminded me of Ash. They moved similarly, but the only difference was that Evangeline was not the silent type. She was feisty and mean, while Ash was quiet.
Mason was also a quiet guy like him, but Ash was way more intimidating.
"Make the most of this time when no one in this department will touch you, starting next week," added Evangeline, typing something on her phone before looking back at me. "But make sure you stay in the Accountancy building. Outside this building is beyond my jurisdiction."
I grabbed my backpack from the floor and slung it over my shoulder, preparing to leave. I felt like I was just wasting my time here. Rich people don't care about their time, but I do.
I looked Evangeline in the eye and said, "I'm not afraid of everyone."
"I know... but they're afraid of you," Evangeline replied with a grin.
"They're not." If they were afraid of me, they wouldn't try to bully me. "But if they really are, which I highly doubt, isn't it a good thing?"
"It was, but it wasn't."
If this was the kind of answer she would give me, she might as well not have answered at all. It just made me more confused. Instead of clearing up the questions in my mind, she just contributed to it.
"Check your phone and prepare your heart for the pain," Evangeline instructed and showed me her phone. "It seems you don't like checking your social media, do you? But you should... So you will know if someone was already desperate to kill you."
Those were her last words before leaving the court. Her words scared me, so I took my phone from my pocket and opened my account... Only for my eyes to widen upon seeing a video on the university's unofficial page. "Shit," I cursed as I saw that it was when I told the guidance counselor to make Ash's suspension one month despite Ash suggesting two weeks.
[Sapphire is a bitch. She's the reason Ash was suspended, and she's also flirting with Mason!]This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.
[What? She's only an outsider in this school, and she plans to take Mason from us? And she's also ruining our Ash. Don't she dare think about seducing Haze. She won't like what happens to her!] [Why is there a social climber in our university? So disgusting.]
[She was just a scholar, right? She can't study without working. It's so disgusting knowing that she's studying here in our university. SMH!!!]
"The last one was painfully true," I muttered as I continued scrolling to read the comments. "I should not be ashamed of the fact that I work to live."
I wanted to reply, but I stopped myself and sighed. Let's not add fuel to the fire, Sapphire.
There were tons of hurtful comments, but I'm not the one approaching them. They're the ones trying to approach me. And no, it's not to flirt with me, but to annoy me to death.
Also, what makes them think I would flirt with Haze? I'd rather shove him into a wall than flirt with him. Just thinking about him makes my blood boil.
I still haven't forgotten what he did to me. He knows he was wrong, but it seems he has no intention of apologizing to me... or maybe he still thinks what he did was right. This place is full of jerks.