07: Swallow

Naiah's POV

"It's hot," L said while I surveyed the place. It was crowded to think it is a shooting range. I also observed others, some are still a rookie, a beginner to be exact. Some seemed used and a pro at handling a gun. 

"Let's go inside, I don't wanna be a roasted chicken here," I said and L just nodded. We headed straight to a room, a VIP room. 

"Well, look who's here..." we stopped midways when four girls blocked the way up to the VIP room. From the looks of it, she's a bitch. The one in the middle looked at our heads down to our toes. I raised a brow at that. 

I glanced at L, but I shooked my head as I saw her expression didn't even change. It's still void of emotion and still cold as snow. I crossed my arms at my chest. I also glanced at the three girls at her back. Huh, she's really showing that she's a loser. 

"The oh so-called heartless-bitch of the town. Tsk, so cheap" I rolled my eyes but silently stared at her. 

"And who is this bitch?" she asked L, tsk. So disrespectful, doesn't have any manners, or did she forget that she's about me? But I remain silent. 

"She looks so cheap" the girl at her left commented. My eyebrows are still arched. 

"Yeah, she looks new here. She doesn't know what she's been in to" the same girl uttered and shooked her head. I tilted my head. Newbie? I agree with that, but my experiences are not. 

"Hey new girl" I looked at the girl, she was the same girl who asked L who I am. I furrowed my brows when she handed me an envelope. The color is black and golden words are curved in front of it. 

"Good luck! Let's go girls" she said as she handed me one. I stared at it first before locking my gaze to L. 

"Prepare yourself," she said. Still confused as hell, I followed her upstairs.  

"What about this?" I asked her. 

"A challenge" challenge? I shrugged my shoulders and nevermind the curiosity that was slowly creeping on my skin. 

"This is to certify...tsk, is she kidding me?!" I murmured as I read what was inside the black envelope. It says that I need to accept the challenge no matter what. It was also said that I have no choice even if I want to turn it down. Backing down means facing the consequences. 

"What is this for?" I asked L who was sitting on one of the couches.

"One of the requirements"

"Eh, what is that? Can't it be done after registration? Is it really necessary?" I asked her. Instead of relaxing here, I think my stress will turn to mild stress, tsk.

"D'you want to face the consequences?" I quickly shooked my head even though she could not see me doing it. 

"Of course not, I'm tired. I don't want to entertain another stressful thing" I said. I jumped to sit next to her.

"When will the challenge be held?"

"Right now"

"What?!" I was about to say something when someone knocks on the door. Uh, she's really not kidding me. Can I just rest for a bit? 

"Please, proceed to the field," said the guy once I opened the door. I smiled and nod my head. 

"Let's go" I tugged L as I let my feet do their job. 

"Oh, I thought you were a scaredy-cat and make your way out, but I will give you a chance to back down" the first thing my opponent said once she saw me walking my way at the field where she was. 

I tilted my head as I crossed my arms and raised a brow. "Really?" I didn't expect her to be this, awfully showcasing how she thinks low of her opponent. She's thinking highly of herself. 

"Yes, really" 

"Did I ask?" I asked raising my brow. I just reacted not to ask, is she deaf? 

"Shut up" I smiled innocently, what a short-tempered girl. 

"Then it's decided. Prepare for your failure" I just smiled at her.  

"You might swallow your own words, careful, math friend" I mockingly smiled at her. I rolled my eyes at her before approaching L on the side. I no longer mind the crowd surrounding the entire field. They seemed to think that it was really an important event that would take place here.  

I looked at a table where different parts of a gun were placed on top of it. The same with my opponent. It seems like it was a challenge in terms of speed and accuracy. Assemble the gun first before aiming at the target board in front of the two of us, a few meters away. There were 3 tables. One in front of me, one on my left, and one on my right.

"Okay, now listen, shooters. There are three tables that you must finish in a period. The time limit will only be five minutes. Each of you must finish the challenge in less than that. And of course, scores will be deducted if your shot is missed or if it is not at the center. This means, even though you can finish the challenge less than the time limit, but your shot is not accurate, a deduction will take its toll" I nodded as I understand the rules and instructions. Fair enough. 

"Hey, sorry not sorry, but you'll be the loser today" I looked at my opponent, she was smirking at me. Tsk, she's so full of herself...

"As I said, be careful, you might swallow all your words. Don't say that I didn't warn you. Good luck" I smiled and stood straight. 

"Start!" I stared at the different parts of the gun at the table. I even heard the crowds complain as to why I am still not making any move. I tilted my head as I smirked. Let's count then... 

3.. I feel the gust of wind. The wind is blowing from east to west.

2 .. I opened my eyes still feeling the wind. It changes, from east-to-west to south to north. I smiled, perfect!

1 ... my hand began to move to adjust the arrangement of the different parts of the gun. It took me five seconds to assemble it. It is still slow for a pro in gun shooting. I aimed my gun and wait for two seconds and bang! I smiled, bull's eye! 

I didn't waste any seconds and went to table 2, on my right side. I did the same, I assembled it in five seconds. 500 meters was the distance earlier, and now it was an 800 meters distance. I aimed and shoot! Another bull's eye! 

"I minute!" I tilted my head, tsk, a minute? I smirked, slowly, I walked to the last table. 1000 meters, if it was the other me, who don't have any knowledge about shooting, 1000 meters are far enough for me to shoot. But then, I'm lucky that I am not.

"30 seconds!" that fast?! I wanna laugh right now but seems like the crowds were eager to throw me out of here once I do that. 

"What the hell is she doing?" 

"I guess she couldn't see the target, so slow!"

"What is that, can't believe I just waste my money for her!"

"The hell with this girl ?!"

"Shocks! I don't have any more money!"

"This girl, really?"

"Is she kidding us?"

"20 seconds!" I smiled, I turned my attention to my female opponent, she was leaning on the table. Guess, she's done? Hmm, let's see.

"15" I wasted no time in assembling the gun. As usual, I did it in five seconds.

"10!" I raised my arm and level it on my shoulder. 

"9!" I squinted my eyes as I looked at the target, 

"8!" I glanced at my opponent, she was smirking. Tsk, tsk. 

"7!".... "Hey, I warned you, remember?" I asked her. She smirked at me. "Yes, but to no avail, you'll lose" I smirked back, 

"5"... "I see" I nodded as if I agreed to what she said. My left hand is still raised where I am holding the gun. My right hand was on my waist. I am holding my gun with just my left hand.

"3!" I shrugged at her. Does she really think she can win this? Nah, with the weather today, I presumed, her shots were either missed or not accurate. 

"2!" I wink at her and in just a blink of an eye, I pulled the trigger without looking at the target.

"1! Times up!" she looks shocked, but held herself and smirked at me.  

"I'm impressed but not that much, who knows, your shot was not that accurate," she said. I smiled as I placed the gun on the table without taking my eyes off of her. 

"Who knows, you might be the loser, remember what I said?...

Swallow your own words, bitch!"