Chapter 6

Vianne's POV

I hated the fact that my mental sense could be so raw and real, because why the hell do I feel a mix of self-criticism and guilt over the way I spoke to Levi just now?

What if he stays away just as he mentioned now? I mean what if he permanently stays away, hates me and would never talk to me?

I tried to distract my brain from thinking too much about it, but the more I tried to stop, the more ‘what ifs’ popped into my head.

He looked hurt when he walked away and I couldn't stop my heart from pounding.

I finally snapped out of the whole crazy thoughts, then I recalled the principal who asked to see me in his office. He wants to give me the school's reading materials since I was a new student in my final year. Our reading materials are usually handpicked and maybe different in a difficult way. Yeah, talking about ‘final year shit and stuffs'

I shook my head and took a deep breath then walked out of the room, chest rising and falling as I made my way to the principal's office.

I got to the principal's office and placed two gentle yet urgent knocks on the door, but I didn't get a response immediately, instead, I overheard an ongoing argument between the principal and someone, probably a student.

Good God, I hate to eavesdrop, but I'm doing it now.

I leaned into the door and placed my ear lightly against the door frame only to hear the principal's voice, stern and frustrated, cutting a strict warning to a student.

At first, I became terrified. Was the principal this harsh?

“You're ruining my life! You always take their side.” The female student screamed from inside the office.

“Watch your words, Candice! You're lucky the school hasn't already expelled you for half the things you've done!” The principal snapped back, slamming his fist hard against his desk.

Did I just hear the principal mention Candice? I'm not surprised that Candice's case has gotten to the principal's table and it's not also surprising that she could speak so loudly at the principal as if she was addressing her ten years old child.

I knocked the door again, but no response still, so I pushed the door slowly and it creaked open, revealing Candice mid-argument with the principal.

Candice turned and hissed the moment she saw me, she stood up from her seat and yanked her back bag from the handle of the chair, her expression rigid, “Mummy didn't teach you how to knock, bitch?” She growled, glaring at me like a snake spotting its prey.

My eyes narrowed in surprise. As long as I can remember, this is the first time Candice will speak to me, so why does it have to be this heated? Did I owe her something or was it the argument she was having with the principal that made her this aggressive?

I ignored her and looked towards the principal, “I'm sorry to interrupt Sir, I just wanted to come pick my reading materials.” I mumbled softly, a faint smile tugging at the corner of my lips.

“Of course, bullshit.” Candice growled again, now hissing her way towards the door.

“Candice!” The principal yelled, he seemed pissed off by her rudeness.

Candice froze, her hand already around the doorknob. She turned and looked at the principal, “I hate you, Dad.” She huffed, turned and stormed out of the office.

The principal sighed, “I'm sorry you walked in on that. Teenage girls and their troubles.” He scoffed, allowing a faint chuckle tug at the corner of his lips. He looked tired and pale, but he managed to brace his emotions.

“No, it's fine…I'm sorry.” I apologized, slowly slipping into the chair Candice sprang up from.

As much as I want to distract myself from Candice's last words, I still find myself thinking and reminiscing about it.

Did she just say…Dad?

What the hell? I can't believe this.

Candice is the principal's daughter? No wonder she's such a spoiled brat, but I wouldn't blame the poor man, because he seemed to be trying his best.

I bet that's why she's such a senior bitch and nobody dares fuck with her, except you're using your dick.

The principal explained a few things to me about the final year academy curriculum and how important it was for me to focus on my studies so I can pass the exams and get into college.

I nodded my head continuously as if I was listening, but deep down I was still trying to see the resemblance between the principal and Candice. How could such a sweet man be a father to such a naughty brat?

Somehow, I hated Candice the very moment I caught Levi's dick inside her dripping entrance. Anytime I see her, I see his dick in her mouth and it makes my skin crawl.

“Thank you.” I mumbled softly after the principal was done. I stood up and walked to the door, but I paused the moment he called my name, “Vianne?” He whispered.

I slowly turned around with a gentle smile on my face, “Yes.”

“I'm sorry about my daughter. She's a good girl, I think it's her cramps…she's always like that during her period, I guess you understand.” He mumbled softly, “I guess you both will get along.” He added, but there was a sense of doubt in his words, it looks as if he wasn't even sure about that last part.

I giggled, “No, it's fine…I understand.” I pretended, even if I knew I just got signed up in a deadly fan game.

I nodded slightly and walked out of the office, pulling and stroking the handles of my back pack, nervous and distracted by the incident with Candice back in the principal's office. Why was she mad at me for no reason?

I burst into the hallway and strolled through the empty classes, leaning almost closely against the wall as I walked. Everybody has gone home and I loved how peaceful the school has become. I wish the school will just remain like this, no students, no Candice, no Levi, just me.

The moment I exited the school, Candice and two girls suddenly stepped out from behind a wall, blocking my path as I tried to step away.

“Levi's stepsister, huh?” Candice hissed, mockingly playing with the colorful lollipop in her mouth.

I narrowed my eyes and dropped my hands from my bag's handle, “What do you want?” I mumbled almost too softly compared to how heated the three girls were looking.

“Thought I'd let you off easy just because you're new?” She sneered, slowly moving round me like a lion trapping its prey.

I shook my head and shoved the two girls aside as I tried to walk away, but Candice grabbed my arm and turned me around to face her, “Stay the fuck away from him. Or next time, it won't be just words.” She growled, frustration sipping into her tone.

I scoffed, “Who exactly should I stay away from?” I giggled dramatically, “Your Dad or Levi?” I slurred almost too seductively to piss her off.

“Dad?” One of the girls asked, surprised.

“What is she talking about, Candice?” The other girl bawled,

Candice froze and immediately became uncomfortable, “Umm nothing…it's nothing.” She stammered, uneasiness etched on her face.

If I'm to put the puzzles together, it seems like the girls didn't know that the principal is Candice's father. I guess she must have said ‘I hate you, dad.' out of mistake and anger, I bet she regretted it immediately.

So why could she be hiding the truth about the principal being her father?

If her friends don't know that the principal is her father, that could only mean nobody else in the school knows.

Candice became restless, she started to scratch her scalp as if there were maggots hiding underneath it.

“If you would excuse me.” I hissed and shoved the three blood-thirsty girls aside, making my way towards the bus station to take the bus home.

I got home a little bit late because I slept off in the bus and it took me past my dropping station, so I'd to board another bus back home from where the first bus took me to. I almost got lost, if not for the help of the nice driver, the old man helped me find my way.

Mom wasn't around, but I suppose dad was in his room. I really won't call him Dad, not to his face, but somehow, he's now.

I slumped into the chair in the dining room and I noticed the letter that's hanging between the tall flasks and the tin of milk on the table.

I pulled the note out and it read; ‘Out with your Mom late. Help yourself to dinner—Theo.’

I scoffed and flung the note back to the table, then buried my face into my palm for a second before I started to serve my food.

If mom and Theo are not around, does that mean I'm gonna sleep alone in the house with that black sheep, Levi?

Anyway, I preferred it this way. I can't stand those two either, especially my Mom.

After dinner, I went to my room and took a quick shower, scrolled through my message until I drifted off. But around midnight, a sudden strange noise jolted me awake.

At first, I thought it was a dream, the distant clatter of something metallic hitting the floor. I deceived my ears to pretend it was nothing, but then came the creak... slow, deliberate... like someone stepping on the hallway tiles.

I froze.

Another sound followed, this time closer.

It sounded like footsteps.

Heavy, cautious footsteps.

Someone was inside the house. Not moving like they lived here, but like they were searching for something or someone.

My breath caught in my throat, and for the first time, running to Levi's room didn’t seem like such a bad idea.

Because whatever, or whoever was out there wasn’t supposed to be.

Hell no, what if the house is being raided?