THE DANGEROUS AURA OF TULIP

WILLOW'S POV 

Even as the lesson was going on, I couldn't stop thinking about that guy. Honestly, I've never felt this way before. His scent still lingers in my presence. That sweet scent of a tulip. 

Talk less about what happened before the assembly was over. The proximity was so alluring. No guy has ever been that close to me in my entire life. 

I sighed. I should probably keep Kimberly's words in my head. She said he's dangerous. I didn't want to agree with that, but she probably knows him more than anyone.

I shook the thought out of my head. The English teacher was already asking questions concerning idioms. 

"Let's start with idiomatic expressions today," he said. Everyone pulled out their tablet. I did the same. 

"Just type idiomatic expressions in the search. His note will come up on the screen," Jenny instructed. Amazing. 

So far, so good, I'm enjoying the class till he asked. "What's the idiom for working late into the night?" He asked. 

A guy from the corner raised his hand. "Midnight oil?" He said. 

"Correct!" The teacher replied. I raised my hand.

"Sir.....I think he meant 'Burn the midnight oil.' In full,' I corrected. Mr Hudson stared at me like I had just insulted him. 

The whole class stared at the guy who answered the question. "Tell that to Wayne, not me," he said. I looked at the teacher in confusion. 

"But you said it's correct," I replied. Everyone was looking at me now. What's wrong with you, Willow? What did we say about not drawing attention?

I looked at my tablet to avoid any stares. "Damn, girl," Jenny mumbled. The bell rang. I sighed. The teacher picked up his things and exited in shame, I guess?

It was finally time for a break. Jenny stood next to me. "Are you coming?" She asked. I looked up at her.

We walked out of the classroom together as they talked about a teacher who got arrested after getting caught sleeping with a student. People do that? That's so cringe. 

I can't believe we have to walk all the way up the stairs just to go to the cafeteria. I mean, we'll probably lose so many pounds before eating again. 

We finally got up. The sound of chattering and chatting was close by. We finally reached the open door. The funny thing about this is that......we couldn't see any students here. It was just the chef and the servants. Funny. I saw this earlier when Raven was showing me around. I wanted to ask him, but I felt it was too early.

I noticed another double door. Suddenly, I realised that was where the voices were coming from. I was giving a tray filled with fries, chicken nuggets, a chicken burger, ketchup, a bottle of water, and Coke.

I looked down at it. I only get dishes like this once in two weeks. I'm not used to this lifestyle. "What's wrong?" I looked up as soon as Ina asked. I smiled at both of them, who were already holding their trays. 

"It's nothing. Let's go," I said. We all walked towards the door. To my surprise, a guardian was standing by the door. He smiled at us and opened the door. 

Goodness lord.....this place is huge! My eyes widened. Round tables are covered with dark blue tablecloths on every single table. I followed Kim. 

I looked up at where we were going. As soon as I saw Kim's brother, I looked away. It's not that he was looking at me or anything. He just kept glaring at his sister. 

She stuck out her tongue at him. He looked back at his friends. We sat at the table next to them. We all started eating. I took a bite from my burger. It tastes so good. 

"So... since you got a scholarship to Ridgeway Academy, it must mean you're very smart," Jenny said. 

I nodded with a smile as I munch on my food. "I was the highest in the school for five years," I told them. Jenny gasped in shock. 

"You remind me of Wayne. He's the best in our class. The Asian boy earlier in class," Jenny said. She must be talking about the guy who got the question wrong. 

"He's kinda cute, though. Too bad he's gay," Kim said. We heard footsteps. Our attention moved towards our right. 

"Hey! Nerdy Twink is here!" Someone yelled, causing everyone to burst into laughter. He stared at everyone and raised a middle finger. 

"They like calling him that because he's attractive," Kim said. "I think he's really cool." She smiled. 

"Hey, Wayne," Jenny called. He looked at us with his tray in his hand. Jenny smiled at him. "Sit with us, please," she said. 

He looked at me for some seconds. He doesn't seem to like me. "Maybe some other time," he said before walking closer to the table next to us. He sat there. 

"Does he hate me?" I asked them. Kim shrugged. 

"I think he got offended when you corrected him in class today. He has never once answered a question wrong before." She explained. I sighed. 

"I was just correcting, though. Everyone makes mistakes. I'm not perfect either. I didn’t do a bad thing," I shrugged. We ate out food while talking about what we like. 

"Willow," I turned around towards Kim's brother's table. I looked at the person who called my name. He's a cute guy with blue eyes. "Hi," he smiled. I looked at him blankly before turning away. 

"She doesn't want to talk to you, idiot," Kim said to him. I turned to glance at him, but my eyes accidentally landed on her brother's eyes, which were looking right at me. 

I looked away instantly, of course. 

"Ian, shut your sister up!" That dude snapped angrily. His name is Ian? Cool. Ian didn't say anything. Jenny giggled. 

"That's Daniel....he's Kim's crush..." Jenny whispered. Kim bumped her shoulder playfully, warning not to say that out. 

"No, I'm not!" She whispered back. 

"She's just afraid of what her brother would think of her liking someone who could just fuck her and ditch," she giggled. 

I blocked my ears with my hands. Why did that give me goosebumps? They both stared at me like I had just done the most childish thing I could do. 

"Don't tell me you're those innocent angels that doesn't know what goes on around them. If you are, then Ridgeway isn't the place for you, girl," Jenny shook her head at me. I put my hands down and sighed. 

"Leave her alone," Kim pouted at her. 

My Dad always told me that I needed to be reserved from the kind of lifestyle others lived in. I'm very innocent, and I get really worried when I hear nasty thoughts from people. That's the way I can help myself. Sometimes, I wouldn't even understand what people were saying. 

"I'm just joking," she replied. I smiled. 

We had free time after the break. We all sat in the garden as we gazed at the beautiful tulip flowers.  

Honestly, if someone told me that I'd have friends on my first day of school, I'd probably say it's a lie. I don't even know them that much, but I already like them. 

Every other person in the school literally hates me because I'm not rich. But one thing I know is that I'm smarter than they are. 

"My brother owns this garden," Kim said. I looked at her, but she was staring right at the flowers. She smiled. "Up till now, I have no idea why he did all these," she added. 

I looked at the flowers. "That's the only good thing about him," Jenny said. I don't know why, but I instantly looked at her. She narrowed her eyes at me. "What? Do you like him?" She asked.

I looked away instantly. "I'll never advise my worst enemy to like a guy like my brother." Kim replied. "He's a no-go," she said like it was a normal thing.

It actually made me scared that I wished I never  "Wh-why?" I blurted. 

They both looked at each other for a second. They looked back at me. "Girl, that guy is a snake under green grass.....I'll bite you, ruin you, and run away," Jenny explained.  

But he looked so innocent when I saw him earlier. Is it the glasses? I shook the thought out of my head. Even if I don't understand what they meant by anything they just said. I think it's better to just wash and return his shirt back to him. After thar, there's nothing that gonna bring him and I together again.

As soon as school was over, I practically ran back home. I want to get this done. I don't really want to get into trouble. As soon I got home, I freshen up and got to washing.  

I did promise him I'd wash it. After minutes of washing, I was finally done. Mom was going to bring a washing machine next week. I'll really help a lot in this place. 

I dried the shirt with the dryer. Maybe I should iron it. It looked rough and squeezed. I processed in getting it done. 

By the time I was over, I looked at the time.  I gasped as soon as I noticed it was past seven. Goodness. I rushed out of the house. I looked down on the money in my hand. Mom gave me this earlier, and now, I'm about to use it for a guy. 

I got into a night bus. The driver took me to the school. It feels weird coming to school at night. I got out of the bus. The silent night only disturbs me further. I looked around, but I couldn't see anything. 

I noticed a blue Ferrari moving close. I stepped back a little. I looked closely. The inner car light reflecting on the drivers face. Ian.