24

~Anika~

The class started and ended an hour later thankfully. Like the usual boring routine, I was headed for the dorm when I heard some whistle behind him. Coming from…?

"What do you want from me again?" I didn't stop walking as I half yelled. I guess if she knew how enraged I have been she wouldn't have approached me.

"I want to speak with you." When I turned around I can seel her friends snarling at me at where they stood waiting for her.

I looked at her, "I don't want to speak you. Settled? Now let me be." I said and I could have left but she held me back.

"I don't know if you can remember what we have between us. If ever want to ask for the thing we spoke about you shouldn't hesitate. That aside, I and my friends are having an exclusive meal at the Academy's kitchen, that's if you want to join us."

No fucking way. My eyes dilated. Who would refuse a good food?

I was eated at the same table with them in no time. A loud crunch snapped me out of the grande I was getting lost in. I whipped my senses back open to see Cassandra shoving a handful of popcorn in her mouth, glaring so obviously at me.

I took my gaze and placed it on my plate of food, I shoveled the food into my mouth, ignoring the whispers and snickers of Erica's friends. They should find someone good to do.

As I finished the last bite, it was one named Erica who said this time.

"That was quite the display of gluttony but don't worry, I won't hold it against you."

Her friends snickered shooting me looks.

"What do you want?" I asked, my voice becoming irritated as I asked their boss, Erica.

"Oh, she just wanted to make sure you were properly fed. After all, a well-fed student is a happy student, isn't that right?" The Cassandra girl replied on her behalf and my face hardened like some Steele.

"What's this all about, Erica? Why are you suddenly being so 'generous'?" I taunted, poking her.

"Oh, I'm just trying to be a good classmate. After all, we're stuck here together, and I wouldn't want you to starve."

"Right. And I'm sure you have no ulterior motives whatsoever." I said sarcastically not buying her act for a second. If her friends are just going to continue acting like psychopaths she better warn them off before I lose it.

When I finished the food I am in their midst for I left turning a blind eye to way Erica kept calling me to come back.

I don't have any of their time. Is this was my reign back at my home and they try spitting shits to my face, they would have been on the floor by now.

When I reached my door, I met Master Xander waiting there for me, or was I supposedly seeing thing.

"I don't expect to meet you here." I said as I got closer, dazed.

His face... Erica is not wrong. I'm swooning.

His deep voice, "Since your parents refused to listen to her I am here to tell you you'll only be here for a year according to the signed contract. So you shouldn't risk your life trying to run away."

I rolled my eyes, ambushed by him. Does he have the ability of reading the mind? He seem to know a lot, Anika.

I never spoke anything about running away to him but here is him warning me not to risk my life.

A year? What would I be doing here for that long? What sort of crappy joke is this cause I don't fancy it.

It's like been corned. One long years and I can't escape either.

"And what if I did?" I cut in sternly facing straight ahead.

His eyes flited towards me before returning ahead also.

"You could end up hurting yourself." He supplied.

Speechless, so now he's concerned?

All of a sudden I laughed. I didn't laugh because of what he said how how he came down from his office to warn me, I'm laughing because of how sour my life has suddenly become in a matter of time.

"Then you don't have to worry, I might and might not run away." I chuckled humorlessly.

I collapsed onto my bed, too tired to even change out of my clothes, the next thing I knew, it was morning. I groaned, my eyes sticky and my head throbbing. I had slept through the entire day, missing classes and meals.

I stumbled to the bathroom, splashing cold water on my face in an attempt to shake off the lingering effects of sleep and my reflection stared back at me, my hair a tangled mess and my eyes showing dark circles.

I sighed, resigned to the fact that I couldn't sleep throughout the day. I dragged myself back to my room, pulling on a pair of sweats and a hoodie, caring less about today's class.

When I was done I grabbed a plate of thr cold, unappetizing eggs and toast, sitting down at my bed, I picked at the food.

I can never be fed this crap in my own home but what can I do.

I was walking to class the next day hand slipped around my neck locking me.

"Hey, girl." I rolled my eyes and shrugged her hand off my shoulder.

She's acting this way so suddenly and giving me no choice than to think she's up to something. All because of what I witnessed... I'm not even in the mood.

"Will you quit the presence and let me be since you didn't understand this is the stage we give each other space. This is about what I witnessed, I know, but I am not even ready ready for that so if you would please let me breathe."

A language she doesn't understand.

"We attend the same classes, you want me to see you and like I did? That's not what I'd do. Admitted this is partially because of what you had seen that day but what has got you so aggressive?"

I didn't mind her and kept working understanding giving her my attention will only make things difficult.

It wasn't over when I reached inside the classroom. She was the reason I sat at the back roll yet Erica the cheerleader was beside me before I could blink.

I chosed not to speak because when her friends showed up they tried getting her to leave my side but she didn't budge.

She has a perfect life and nothing to think, her father owns this place and staying here for ten years wouldn't bother her but I feel suffocated and not alive.

I'm not continuing like this.

Master Xander must have warned me about escaping but should I listen to him and be in this mess for a year?

A 'No.'

I don't mind risking my life. This won't be the first time I've been escaping; from my room, from my parents, from college back then after causing trouble.

It no more a big affair to me.

I was going to leave soon, and nothing will stop me.