Chapter 2: Girl in Trouble

“Does she have a death wish?”

“She doesn’t look familiar to me. Baka naman transfer student siya at hindi niya pa alam ang hierarchy dito sa CU?”

“As if naman may pakialam ang Royals kung transfer student siya or not. For them, everyone is inferior and no one should defy them.”

Nanaig ang bulungan sa loob ng classroom ngunit nanahimik din naman sila nang tumayo si Bryce na siyang unang nakapansin sa babaeng malakas ang loob na umupo sa pwesto nila.

“Hey.” Bryce plastered a dangerous smile on his face when the girl looked up to face him. “There are two reasons why you decided to seat in this row. First, you are too ignorant not to understand the system that runs in this university or second, you are brave enough to go against the norms.” Sabi niya habang ginagamit ang kanyang mga daliri sa pagbibilang.

“Pardon?” The girl’s expression showed that she had no idea about what Bryce is saying. Her innocent look made the other students feel bad for her but they couldn’t help her since it would be going against the royals.

“My dear Bryce, you are scaring her.” Natatawang lumapit si Meth sa kanila at hinawakan ang sandalan ng upuan ng babae. Despite the smile on her face, everyone around them can feel the danger from Meth. “What’s your name, lassie?” She asked while patting the girl’s head.

With an annoyed face, the girl answered, “Aisha. Aisha Mori.” Inilahad ni Aisha ang kanyang kamay nang harapin niya si Meth ngunit tinitigan lamang ito ng huli. How could she act as they are standing on equal grounds? Meth wanted to show her her place by showing off her superiority.

Aisha smiled, embarrassed of the treatment that she received from Meth, “I guess you’re not that friendly?”

“Good afternoon, class.” Everyone faced the front where the professor is standing.

With a smirk, Professor Lair said, “The Royals are in my class.”

“It’s not so nice to see you, Professor Lair,” Meth said before rolling her eyes.

“The feeling is mutual, Ms. Swarovski. Please take your seats.” Everyone was amused to see someone who can handle the Royals well. Not every teacher can talk back to the royals the way the professor did. If the royals could treat anyone however they want, Mr. Lair was also someone who could treat any student the way he wants. He had the power and influence to be able to do so.

The Professor scanned the room and his face lightened when he found what he was looking for, “Miss Mori, is this your first class to attend?”

Aisha nodded shyly as an answer. Tinawag ito ni Mr. Lair sa harap upang magpakilala at agad naman itong sumunod.

“Aisha Mori, please take care of me.” Magiliw na wika ni Aisha at bumalik na ulit sa napiling upuan sa back row. Hindi nakatakas sa mata ng propesor ang pasimpleng pag-irap ni Scar at pag-iling ni Bryce.

Halos hindi mapakali ang lahat habang nagkaklase si Professor Lair dahil alam nila na wala sa mood ang mga Royals. Laking pasasalamat na lang nila dahil natapos ang klase ng maayos at agad na rin silang umalis dahil sa takot na madamay sa inis ng mga ito.

“I’m glad that you decided to come back, Ash.” Nakangiting lumapit si Aisha sa propesor at tinulungan itong dalhin ang mga answer sheet na ginamit nila sa pre-test nito kanina lang.

“He told me to come back, Uncle.” She answered with a smile. “I just need to adjust to the new environment I’m in.” She looked towards the direction where the Royals were talking and she smiled sadly.

“You’re all grown up now. Why don’t you say hi to them before leaving?” Professor lair suggested as he looked towards the direction where Aisha is looking.

“They already greeted me a while ago. Although, I don’t really feel that I’m still welcome here.” Biro niya bago siya sumunod sa tiyuhin papunta sa Faculty Office.

“Is she another Princess from the sophomores?” Tanong ng isang Professor nang makapasok na si Aisha at Professor Lair sa Office. Prince at Princess ang tawag ng mga guro sa mga royals. Just like how students brand their teachers with nicknames, the instructors also brand their students with nicknames based on two categories: standing out in a positive or negative way.

“Maybe yes, maybe no,” pabirong wika ni professor Lair bago iginiya si Aisha na magpakilala sa mga kasamahan nito sa opisina.

“Another heir to a conglomerate family?” Miss Castro said with a smirk. “Sana naman di mo kaugali yung mga Royals. Five is already hard to handle, wag ka na sanang dumagdag pa,” biro nito sa nakangiting estudyante.

“Don’t worry, Miss Castro. My niece isn’t as bad as you think,” natatawang pagtatanggol sa kanya ni Professor Lair.

“Medyo lang, gano’n?” even the other teachers laughed at Ms. Castro’s remark.

“No. Our Aisha is a really kind girl so rest assured.” Mr. Lair defended her.

Nagbigay pa ng advice ang ibang mga instructors sa loob ng office at puro tango at pagsang-ayon na lamang ang nagawa ni Aisha bago siya tuluyang makalabas ng office. Hindi niya inaasahan na mas malala pa ang mga estudyante dito sa Pilipinas kaysa sa International School na pinanggalingan niya sa US. Hindi talaga mawawalan ng mga conceited rich kids kahit saan mang sulok siya ng mundo magpunta.

 “Nagugutom na `ko, saan na ba kasi yung cafeteria dito?” Inis na napahawak sa kanyang batok si Aisha. Sinisisi niya ang sarili dahil hindi pa siya nagtanong sa kanyang Tiyuhin kung nasaan ang cafeteria gayong vacant niya na rin naman.

“Looking for something, new kid?” Nagulat siya ng makita si Bryce na nasa tabi niya na.

“I’m looking for the cafeteria,” maiksing sagot niya.

“Would you like to eat with me?” Tumango na lamang si Aisha at nagpatianod sa nakangising si Bryce.

Napansin agad ni Aisha ang tinginan ng mga estudyante nang paupuin siya ni Bryce sa tapat nito. Kahit na narinig niya na sa mga professor ang masamang reputasyon ng royals ay hindi pa rin talaga siya makapaniwala na ganito nga ang ugali ng mga ito. She never thought that the playful Bryce Ward would use his playfulness to bully others.

“You should learn the system that flows in this University, Mori,” Bryce whispered when he leaned towards her.

“Don’t worry, I’ll make sure that you’ll learn a lot from me.” Aisha smiled sweetly as an answer to what Bryce told her. Despite knowing that she is sitting in the seat where Bryce’s target usually sits, she still acts like she’s cool with it.

“You should eat first. Madami pa akong ituturo sa’yo.” Iniabot ni Bryce sa kanya ang sachet ng crackers. Alam ng lahat ang kahulugan ng crackers na `yon. Once they received it from Bryce, even the cafeteria crew won’t be able to give them any food for that day because they were afraid of Bryce.

“How thoughtful of you, Bryce. From now on, I’ll eat with you because you are thoughtful enough to take care of my diet.” Nakangiting kinuha ni Aisha ang sachet ng crackers at nagsimula ng kainin ito.

Halata sa mukha ni Bryce na hindi ito natuwa sa naging reaksyon ni Aisha. He was expecting her to be troubled but he got the opposite reaction instead.

Padabog na hinampas ni Bryce ang lamesa bago tumayo. “Since you’re done eating, you should come with me.”

Nakangiting tumayo si Aisha at natatawang sinundan si Bryce. She doesn’t know what is going on in Bryce’s mind. She needs to be cautious dahil mukhang kanina pa nagtitimpi si Bryce sa pang-iinis niya. Sa tingin niya ay dadalhin siya ni Bryce sa isang hide out para ibully at hindi nga siya nagkamali. Pinigilan niya ang sarili na matawa nang huminto sila sa loob ng isang studio. Namangha si Aisha dahil hindi niya inaasahang papayagan ng administration na magkaroon ng personal space ang isang estudyante sa loob ng school. These Royals really have the administration in the palm of their hands if they could even request something like that.

“Pasok.” Malamig ang tinging ipinukol sa kanya ni Bryce. This time, Bryce seems to be really pissed off because his playfulness is already gone.

“Am I your new target, Calix?” Bryce gritted his teeth when he heard his second name from Aisha. Only those who are very close to him can call him that way and Aisha called him in a careless manner.

“You’re quick, Mori. Please refrain from using my second name. We’re not close.” Mahigpit nitong hinawakan ang braso ni Aisha at padarag na hinila papasok. The other royals smirked when they saw the unlucky person being dragged by Bryce towards his playroom.

“Seems like Bryce already found a playmate,” maarteng wika ni Scar.

“I think I’d like to play with her pag tapos na si Bryce sa kanya,” mayabang na sabi naman ni Meth bago uminom ng wine na nasa baso niya.

“Poor girl, she shouldn’t have messed with you guys.” Stephen’s remark made the girls roll their eyes.

“I’ll let you do your own business as long as you won’t cross the line.” Stanley’s cold remark was ignored when a loud noise came from Bryce’s playroom.

The girls wanted to take a peek but they know Bryce better than anyone. He doesn’t want anyone interfering with his business, especially when he is playing with his target. Inabangan nilang matapos ang mga pagkalabog at maya-maya pa ay nakangiting lumabas si Aisha sa playroom.

“I’m sorry for barging in.” Agad itong lumabas ng studio at naiwan silang nagtataka kung ano ang nangyari sa loob.