During the lessons, Keeva would occasionally glare at the still-fuming Lanira. I tried to ignore it, knowing that this was the smallest reaction I got out of Keeva. Nakoda wasn't doing any better keeping himself together, but whenever I would give him a sharp glance, that told him, No, he would sigh, pout and then stop. That happened on repeat. I am thankful they already consider me that much of a friend to defend me, but I am not used to it. I've known times where a single friendship was all I had, that friend was kilometres away. Those by my side did not care, they listened but were unable to comprehend my meanings. I often hoped, wished, prayed for someone, anyone, but prayers often go unanswered.
As time went on I found people again, but I was never the same. Not the happy, cheerful, girl who cried just a bit too easily, ridiculed for that, yet cheerful nonetheless. No, darkness had embraced me, and so had I the darkness. It showed in my choice of music, in my clothes, in my general attitude. I wasn't a meek little girl anymore, but a confident young woman who knew her worth. It is always surprising to see what some men really fear, the answer is surprisingly easy to give; strong and confident Women.
This lesson flies past me like the wind through the trees. The constant wariness, hoping Keeva and Nakoda will just leave it be, instead of doing something possibly really stupid. Turns out they focus on the lesson more than on Lanira, what a relief. Luckily for me, this lesson passes quickly. As soon as possible I escape making my way to the student council office. I need some answers, and soon.
***
To my luck, I can make it there in a few minutes. Mister White and the cute little Miss Kalea are there, the others seem to have stayed in their respective classrooms. "We have to talk, Mister White." I address him, my voice carries a hint of the irritation and annoyance I currently feel. He looks at me, amusement playing in his eyes. It was as if he thought this entire situation was hilarious. To make my seriousness clear I take a few steps closer and add "That wasn't a joke nor is this funny. We have to talk, Mister Conrad Emerald White."
Again he seems to suppress his grin. "Oh come on Miss Black you must admit, it kind of is." His voice is light carrying a hint of light-hearted amusement. After a few chuckles he stops and finally takes me a bit more seriously. "What is it that you wish to talk about Miss President?" Even though he acted more serious just now the question in itself sounds like a playful mockery to my ears. Not with the intent to be hurtful, no rather in a teasing, playful manner, maybe even meant to provoke me and rile me up.
I sigh. "That is exactly what I wanted to talk about. Today is my second day at this school, so why, by the Queen's crown, was I made the President of this council?" I know my face must have this kind of mean look, which is just my annoyed face.
I am a bit startled when he just laughs at that question. "Oh, you are cute when you are annoyed, Miss President." He chuckles a bit more Kalea just watches the entire back and forth nervously.
"I am not cute and I still would like an answer to my question" I retort to that, outraged to be called cute. Kalea is cute, I am not. How dare he? If that was intended to provoke me it works. Again my reactions just seem to amuse him. Wonderful that idiot draws amusement from my frustrations.
"Maybe I gave you that position to watch exactly that." He claims with a grin, but then he decides that he has tested my patience enough. Maybe it is not just because of that, but because of my aunt's gaze slowly hardening. All in all, I am just glad he finally decided to answer my initial question. "No, not because of that, but rather because I thought it might be helpful to your mission here as Lady Black. I don't think you are just here to play schoolgirl, especially when there is a murder running around here." His explanation makes sense. Of course, he would do something like that based on what I know of him, his family and his position. A sigh almost escapes my lips.
He is right about it being able to aid my mission here, yet it also brought me unnecessary attention since he had to do it on my first day here. "I am not happy about how you did it, but I won't lie and claim that it might not be helpful down the line," I sigh resigned.
He grins as if he had known this entire scenario would play out like that, that's the annoying thing about the calculations of the Whites. "Ey shut it," I snapped at him.
That is when I heard the most adorable laugh I have ever heard, Kalea couldn't hold back any longer. "You sound like a married couple with all your banter." Giggles shake her small form. "Oh gosh, I didn't know Conrad could be that mischievous."
A small smile forms on my lips as I relax the tension that has formed inside of me during the morning. "Is that so Miss Kalea?" I then turn to ask her a hint of teasing lays in my voice. It has been a long while since I was able to just have some playful banter with people, who later might become my friends. My gaze falls onto the clock sitting over the door.
"As nice as it was to talk with you, it seems my next lesson is about to start. I do not wish to be late. We will talk later about it in more detail." I say before I see myself out.
***
When I want to step back into my classroom I hear a commotion. I sigh and pray that it's not what I think it is. Unfortunately for me, my prayers rarely prove effective.
My gaze is drawn to Nakoda who is about to slap Lanira and a fuming Keeva, who seems to be encouraging him. Whatever had happened in my absence, not that I couldn't deduct that, must have provoked them both.
"Nakoda, Keeva what is going on?" I ask them as I make haste to get to them. I take hold of Nakodas arm to keep him from slapping or punching Lanira in the face. He tries to get out of my grip but I am stronger than him, which surprises me but I have no time to think further about that.
"Why don't you ask Lanira, Lukida?!" He spits trying to break free. I sigh, holding his arm securely keeping him from leaping at her.
"I want to hear from you and Keeva what happened" I state forcing myself to stay calm and keep my voice the same. A deep breath sucking air in through my mouth, letting it out through my nose helped calm that puckering vein at my forehead. Then my attention turns to Lanira, who wears a smug grin on her face. "Miss Sun, would you be so kind as to explain what has been going on to make my friend wish to grant your face an emergency meeting with his hand?"
She doesn't seem faced by my question it is more the opposite, as her smug grin widens her chopper hair is thrown over her shoulder, and she shrugs like a bird would ruffle their feathers before starting a fight. "Hmpf- Where you visiting your lovers during the break?" She asks tauntingly. I don't need to ask more to understand what has been going on during my absence.
I don't get it. What have I ever done to her, that she is that fixated on me? I met that girl yesterday for the first time. I know I did or the World Knowledge would have given me some input. By the Darkness it may have even set me on autopilot again.
I know that bullies almost never have a reason that makes sense to me, yet this is more than excessive and over the top. The worst my bullies ever did was to push tables in my back, presumably to gain my attention. I want to yell, scream and shake my head in disbelief and annoyance. Why is it like middle school all over again?
Again more out of habit than actually wishing to calm down, I calm myself, and bury the frustrations for now. With a sigh, I look at that girl probably wearing an annoyed face. In my old world and presumably here as well, whenever I wore that type of face it equaled to a death glare of others. Quite effective but I know not many would read me as just annoyed instead of angry. I was lucky some people in my life were willing to look past some of those faults, tell me when I was too loud and, overbearing or be patient with me when the social cues once again went right over my head.
They were those little blessings I needed to learn. My imperfections were what made me into the person I am. If that meant that I tended to sound snappy because my ears couldn't differentiate between the different tones of my voice or the volume, then that meant it was that way. It was the attitude I had about working with those flaws I had. Even if that meant asking, explaining, and sometimes overexplaining. Sometimes it also meant to see friendships shatter over a simple misunderstanding.
After having calmed down a bit I draw back from my thoughts, still deeply annoyed at the entire situation. Conrad will get an earful later at the council meeting.
"Again Miss Sun, I am neither romantically nor sexually involved with any members of the students council. Heir White or Vice President White gave up his position as Student Council President on his own accord and appointed me as a member and next President as his last act. I had neither knowledge nor involvement in all of that. I inquire again; Why are you claiming such things when you have neither cause nor reason to hate me?" I try for the last time to do it diplomatically.
I don't wish to ruin that girl's future entirely knowing how easily any action of mine could spark a wider reaction given the position I currently hold. I would assume so at least based on how such situations would end in tales of my former world.