18

~Anika~

Master Xander stood up from his chair, his demeanor shifting from disinterest to some kind of benefit of doubt thing. It's as if he has a way of peeking into me from the cover.

"You have ten seconds to explain why you're wasting my time, Ms. Lorenzo. After that, you're going to leave my office, and I won't be pleased."

"Fine, I'll explain. There's someone at the academy who's been harassing me, and I want you to do something about it. Or you won't either?"

Master Xander's gaze narrowed at me and I nod, trying to feign being at the verge of breaking down.

"Harassment, you say? I see." he said, stepping out from behind his desk, calling out urgently. "Come then. Failure to show me who's been bothering you, you'll have it big from me."

I had succeeded in luring him out of the office, but I didn't have a plan for keeping him distracted.

"This way." I said, leading Master Xander towards the dorms as we walked, I racked my brain, trying to think of a way to stall him.

"Where is this supposed harasser?" he growled, his page fast looking around as we walked.

"I, I think they were in the courtyard earlier. Maybe we can find them...maybe..." I trailed off, trying to buy myself some time. I'm so fucking going to kill Erica when I finally nab my hands on her, and I'm not joking.

"Don't waste my time, Ms Lorenzo. If this is a trick, you'll regret it." He barked.

I should have put more thought into this thing. Just as I was about to panic, I spotted Erica striding towards us from the other end of us and whilst relief flooded through me and I shot her a look that said "You better have a plan, or you're dead."

Master Xander's eyes followed mine, and he noticed Erica approaching and I quickly seized the moment, pivoting on my heel and sprinting away from the pair. Behind me,

I heard Master Xander shout, "Ms Lorenzo!"

I should make sure I don't cross his path for the whole of this month.

As I left I heard Erica begin to speak. "Master Xander! I'm glad I found you. There's something urgent I need to discuss with you."

I didn't dare look back, but I could imagine the confused look on Master Xander's face as he turned to Erica wondering what I just did to him.

I sprinted into the building, glancing behind me to make sure I wasn't being followed.
Erica had better be thankful for this, I thought as I rounded a corner, I won't even be able to go into my room for the meantime unless they are done.

She and I better don't meet again, I've done the deal I have with her and shall only have. I wonder what she has those much friends for it isn't for a dirty job. Wait Anika, did she use you because you're so worthless she can prey on you?

~

The next week came so pretty first that before I can bat an eye it's already Wednesday— Master Xander's class. I'm not sure whether or not to slip his class which will be the best solution for what I had done last week.

Or I could go to class, try hide under the table till his class is over? Oh shit up Anika, like you won't be found even just a second in to it.

Moreso I don't even know what Erica had spoken with him and whether or not he'll still have me in mind and punish me? Oh, no. The genesis of this rubbish is Mrs. Colter giving me the lap run, if she hadn't, I won't have this much to think.

I clicked the lock in the door, and paced here and there my small my room. The guard will be here soon to call me to class and I don't know how I'll go about it. Was I ready to cause a commotion?

It's you Anika, you can do this. Just a slight pretense you're sick and you'd be out of this although I wonder if the same trick will work the next week.

First was a knock on my door, then bangs.

I knew I had to act fast. Immediately I opened the door I dashed towards my bed, diving underneath the covers and curling up into a fetal position.

"I-I'm sick. I can't go anywhere right now." I let him know making my teeth clatter.

"Anika, Master Xander will not be pleased if you don't present yourself. You need to come with me now."

"I'm telling you, I'm sick. I'll throw up all over you if you try to make me get up." Although his persistence was getting on my nerves, I worked on the act and shivered falsely.

He stood still for some time contemplating before he turned around deciding to leave me the hell alone. It was only until I had crept to the door and locked it with its key did I sigh out loud.

This is something worth celebrating over, I won't have to see him.

I was on my way to sit on my bed when I read the rattling of the doorknob, I turned around and was thinking if the guard had discovered I was lying and was here to bounce me out when I heard…

"Anika? I know you're in there, I want to speak with you."

It was a voice I've never heard before which surprised me. How could the person be sent as their spy? Feeling I am thinking too much and reading meanings into a mere knock, I unlocked the door so carefully and looked to see it was…

Somebody unknown.

"Who are you?" I peeked my head out and pressed the door against my self, at the same time grunting I wasn't going to let her in, she's someone I barely know.

"Your classmate. One of your classmate, I rephrase. My name is…"