W-what?!

A membership list?!

"Welcome to the club, Isabelle." Amy announced.

Mr Dylan nodded and used the chance to take an excuse of having a discussion with the principal, leaving us all alone in the class to decide for ourselves what eventually happens next.

"I-I'm so sorry to burst your bubbles...but I-I can't...do this. I mean...I'm not perfect like how you guys are. Maybe consider someone smarter and more...you know, not a nerd?" I tried to sound firm in my speech and more reasonable with my point too, but it sounded more like a desperate plea at the end.

It was like an honour to be part of the team. No more being bullied...no more nasty looks and all that, but more of honour, dignity, leadership and respect. The best part was that I get to see Xander everyday! But it's just too much - it's so much RESPONSIBILITY.

"We don't just pick people from the ground, we monitor and test students Isabelle. We've been monitoring you for quite a long time now..." Amy confessed with a click of her tongue, looking over to Xander's side with THAT look.

Well, the last ten words came like a bomb to me; 'We've been monitoring you for quite a long time now'.

"W-what?" I said in total disbelief. I didn't expect to hear these from the prefects themselves. Have they been stalking students just to know their degree of responsibility?

"Isabelle..." Xander began, "you're actually braver than you believe, smarter than you think and stronger than you seem. I don't believe a 'nerd' would get this high...besides, you aced all eight science subjects. That should be enough to convince you, don't you think?" Xander finally averted his attention to me that moment - meaning that he had been listening to our conversation the entire time. I don't know whether it's me, but his words made me feel more flustered and relaxed than ever. I mean, who wouldn't? The Hottest Captain of the Prefects just noticed me!

My mind was no longer focused on backing off now, not after hearing what Xander has just said to me. Xander wasn't actually that kind of guy that says things like these to students—not even to his colleague.

He wasn't interested in girls as far as could tell, despite their rich and influential background.

He thinks I'm brave, smart and strong?

Isn't that too much for a weakling like me?

Even without turning around, I could feel their heated stares piercing through my skin. This was a matter of win or lose. Even as that, I don't know why, but I could feel myself thinking twice about this. Unlike other obsessed admirers who would compel these coordinators to make them freshmen, I'd prefer to stoop low. I do want duties though, but not FAME.

Hell no!

That's so not my type.

I wanted to say something. Anything! But nothing came out of my mouth, which ended up making this decision more complex for me. I was also running out of alternatives when I noticed that their eyes had never left mine the entire time I wore a thinking cap. Their eyes were filled with nothing but hope, which earned a sigh from me.

"We'll give you some time to think about it." Amy rolled her eyes, placing the sketchbook right in my hands with a soft grumble.

"See you at six, Alex." She said with a smile, flipping her red silky hair before walking away majestically like the queen she is.

Is it me, or that Amy said that to my face?

Whatever, she's gone now...

Maybe I could just talk to him now, after all he's alone now.

Just as I wanted to say something to him, he stood up from the bench and walked out of the class, clutching some books tightly in his arms. Okay...maybe I was wrong about the noticing part earlier, I guess my boredom's the one thing blocking off his aura huh.

I let out a defeated sigh and went back to my assigned seat, searching through my bag again to get few stuffs for my lunch break. I felt a pang in my chest when I noticed the side purse of my bag void and empty.

Strange.

I could've sworn there were things here before I left. In frustration, I dug into my bag further and this time, bringing out almost every content in it. It was when I took hold of my science textbook I finally realized what went missing.

The box was gone.

The musical box was gone!

How was that possible?

"Oh hey look everyone...our little nerdy chicken's getting a post. I wonder what she's gonna do with us, play us some baby rhymes and make us all bored as usual." A deep voice radiated from outside of the class room's door. That voice without doubt belonged to the one person who have never let me live a normal peaceful student life. And worse, he's kept taunting me with my weaknesses all around.

He's definitely not getting away this time.

"No wonder the brat was in the class the whole time, he just never gives up!" I slammed my fist on my desk angrily at how he was so good at destroying me and getting away with it at the end. I've always wondered, just why me of all people? But the one answer that gets into my head only makes me disgusted and irritated.

Was I ready to face the school because of a mere humiliating musical box?

Why yes!

It's my only link to the old memories I've had with my grandma. I know it may sound weird or not right, but that box seemed to be more enticing than usual. Even worse, I couldn't still get my mind off the scary tricks that happened to me in class earlier. It was like this box was playing with my mind! Could grandma be playing tricks on me through this box? N-no, that's highly impossible and absurd.

What would I tell her if she gets to know about the missing box? She'd never entrust me with her stuffs anymore if she gets to know about this. I've had this box for a long time for it to suddenly slip away from my grasp that easily. I'll have to take it by any means at all, even if it means getting humiliated! That moron would definitely see the real me in action today!

The hall burst into laughter as I gave Ruby a perfect timing for his mocking and hurtful words. Normally that hurts a lot, trust me, but I'm already used to the fatuous and feeble minded comments.

"Oh hey baby, looking for this?" He sneered at my efforts to grab the box from his tightened fists.

"Give that back!" I retorted in a desperate tone.

"Or what? You'll sing me a lullaby?" Ruby smiled contemptuously and gave me a nasty grin as his peers marched to our direction.

This time, it's the girls' bullies - Emily, Chloe, Rose and Sandra. The four evil sisters as they call them, that does nothing but to give troubles and fear. The good news is that, even though they're gorgeous in all curves of their body and seductive in attitude, well, they've just got no brains.

"Oh no..." The words escaped my lips when I realised the danger zone I had put myself in now. Ruby I can handle, but the leader of the girl gangs, I'd just end up being massacred.

"Oh yes..." He grinned at my trembling figure.

The leader of the group came forward looking me up and down, probably because of my height? I've no idea, but one thing I had an idea of is that I'm getting outta here injured or beaten.

"Is this wimp giving you any troubles, Ruby?" Sandra boomed, giving my shoulder a harsh tug.

"Let's just say...I'm about to finish up last time's business." He flashed me a disturbing stare and licked his lips naughtily.

I knew what he was talking about, but jeez, it wasn't my fault he got suspended and removed from his post. I never reported any of the attacks and abuses he inflicted on me, it was just karma's doing. He was caught molesting me at the teacher's ward at the very act by the counsellors and teachers.

He has no conscience at all if you ask me.

He's nothing but a disgusting player who sleeps around with any girl or thing in his path.

Sorry, but not me.

"What exactly do you want from me Ruby? Lottery? Money? Notes? Cash?! What?!" I couldn't take the trauma anymore and just wanted to pour out my pains on him, but I reminded myself to stay low.

Now, crowds were beginning to show up little by little. Reason, either one gets humiliated or stuck with an everlasting tattoo, but I didn't care this time. These two possibilities are already something I go through everyday so I wouldn't expect less of it.

"Mind who you shout at bitch!" Sandra warned, digging her long scary nails into the soft region of my cheeks. I was supposed to flinch on instinct, but surprisingly, I managed to stand my ground.

"Maybe you should mind your own damn business nosy, no one summoned you in here in the first place, not even Ruby himself."

I don't know where the courage came from, but when I realized what I said, I covered my mouth showing visible fear and regret.

I just signed my own death contract.

Gasps were heard from every corner of the hall, followed by laughter and cheers.

"Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!"

"Repeat that one more time bitch, and I swear I'll decapitate you right now." Sandra grabbed me by my collar and landed a dirty slap across my right cheek while her four minions pounced on me from behind to finish up her business. I could barely protect my face as I struggled for air.

"No one's decapitating anyone..."

Phew...perfect timing!

"Next time...you won't be so lucky." Sandra pulled a handful of my hair and walked away with her girls—but not before stepping on my toes and spitting on it. I angrily watched as they got away with it, again. As I felt everything inside of me melt into something else, I noticed something strange also happening. Ruby was staggering and swaying uncontrollably with the rest of the bullies—almost like they were under some invisible magnetic pull.

Strange.

They still deserve it.

The crowd gave way for the prefects and scattered in their different directions like nothing had ever happened.

I suddenly flinched from the throbbing pain in my feet and leaned against a locker for support, my face perfectly hidden from the approaching prefects.

"I'll go after them..." One said, and leaves.

"I'll go inform the teachers..." Another said, and leaves.

"I'll go retrieve the items..." Someone also said, and leaves.

"I'll go get some first aid assistance." Another prefect said.

I couldn't detect whose voices were those because I barely faced their direction at all. All I knew their names were; Thomas, Alexander, Luke, Josh and Marcus, the five main boy prefects and coordinators of the whole school.

"Are you...okay?" Xander asked, barely hiding the anger in his facial expression.

I didn't spare him a look as he asked that but I simply nodded. I felt ashamed because moments ago I was to be a prefect like him, but I couldn't defend myself, and my sentimental interest was just in a mere musical box. But really, I could fight the world for that box if I've to, as long as that box was safe and sound in my hands. I've never really felt that obsessive of something before, this action alone surprised me as there's no backing off now.

"I'm glad I came just in time. A student informed me...I mean us about Ruby bothering you." He sighed.

"I'm sorry...I-I couldn't...I'm not just not like you guys..." I spoke up in a small scratchy voice.

"Just because they got away doesn't mean you're weak. I'll give them what's coming to them just you wait." He placed his hand on my shoulders with a reassuring smile on his face.

I felt my cheeks flushed a little when I felt his hands on my shoulders, but I didn't still have the guts to look him in the eye.

Why?

Cause I've never did....not directly or this close.

"A-and what if it repeats itse...."

He suddenly cut me off, trailing his hands to my face like he wanted to cup my cheeks, but he didn't. He made me look into his eyes, and that look sent all sort of feelings down my spine. Seeing how attractive he looks from afar is nothing compared to seeing him in person.

"Promise me you'll always remember that you're braver than you believe, smarter than you think and stronger than you seem?" He asked with both eyebrows raised.

That statement again...

I tried not to bite my lips when I noticed how thick and beautiful his eyelashes looked, as well as how colourful his iris and pupil looked in closer view.

Why does he believe in me out of so many desperate boys and girls out there who are worshipping his feet?

"Why do you think so?" I curiously asked, fidgeting with the free fingers behind my back.

He let go of me like he could read my mind that moment and looked to the side for a while. I watched as a smile quirked up at the corner of his lips before his eyes finally met mine again.

"That...I can't answer, but I've my ulterior motives on that..." His smile turned to a smirk that instant.

Is it me or he's getting a little creepy?

Yeah, it's me.

"Why do I feel you're gonna use me as a punchball sooner or later?" I folded my arms with a confused look at how cunning he was looking all of a sudden. Few minutes ago he was looking all charming, and now... he's creeping me out.

He laughed softly at my question and rubbed the back of his neck with a flirty smirk.

I felt my cheek heat a little at the way he laughed. It sounded sweet and pleasurable to the ears and only few girls earned that from him. Guess I'm lucky, but not lucky enough to hear it everyday I guess.

"You're one of the funniest girls I've come across so far, Isabelle. Too bad we can't be real friends as you shouldn't be around someone you don't know, you know..." His giggles turned into a serious chuckle, before he averted his attention to the buzzing phone in his pocket.

Wait—

What does he mean NOT FRIENDS?

I felt that for once we were actually going to be friends. I mean, from the way we were chatting, it looked causally nice. I became indeed perplexed at how he was always indirectly shoving me off, even during sessions. Again, it's the power of my 'boredom' that irritates him I guess.

I released my grip on the locker and stood upright to give him a small glare. Looking up at him, that's when I realized how really small I looked, compared to him. Or maybe it's just my imaginations?

I watched as his eyebrows furrowed at something that popped up on the screen of his phone, but within a second, he had changed his facial expression over to his neutral looks.

How did he do that so fast?

"Of course...the gap. I...understand." I looked to the side as I mumbled in a small voice, trying to relax over the issue of my missing box, and as well hide my aching sadness. "I'm sorry I uhm...crossed the line."

"Crossed the line? Look, it got nothing to do with level or fame...why does everyone keep saying this? C'mon, normally we could be friends...you're so sweet and thoughtful but..." He elevated his eyes to mine musingly, a different look now settling in his eyes. Not cold, not sweet, not charming...I couldn't just figure it out. "...for your safety, you just can't be around me."

"Here it is!" Our heads stirred towards the direction of the voice. A dark skinned average guy was rushing to us with puffed cheeks, glancing at me with a judgemental look as he approached us with the other prefects. Yeah...that look, the look of what the hell is a junior doing with this?

I sighed and facepalmed at everything happening to me, and probably the ones that are yet to come. Everything around me always starts with a good beginning, but not ending. I'm also rewarded with nothing but headaches afterwards. What the hell is this feeling?

"Thanks for your time." I sighed and walked briskly to them, shoving the box into my loose jacket's pocket with a nervous thankful smile. I could have sworn I saw Xander either staring at me or my musical box, but I didn't let it enter my head.

"Made a decision yet?" Thomas, the one with pale skin asked, stroking his chin as he raised an eyebrow at me.

Uhh...

I blinked and looked at the prefects that had surrounded me so quick. I guess it's not bad to give it a try? Besides, I need a time off from all these bullies and troubles, and also time to team up with smarties for once, plus I'll have a shell to hide my weakness too.

"Uhh...yes, yes, I'm uhm...I'm in." I said without thinking twice and looked at Xander to see his reaction, but he wasn't looking at me. His back was turned against us as he was probably texting, or listening to music. Yet, somehow I knew he wasn't, but that sounded stupid coming from a fan of his, right? Who wouldn't think the same way about his or her crush anyways.

I didn't wait for any of them to respond to my acknowledgement and walked away briskly, immediately the bell for dismissal rang. I tried to hide my face and the urge to glance back at the seniors at the same time.

What was I thinking?

That Xander would see me 'less boring'?

Tears filled my eyes as I remembered his last statement in our conversation; "Someone you don't know."...."You can't just be around me."..."Too bad, we can't be real friends."

I rather not cross his path or I'd end up embarrassing myself again. I hope I didn't make the wrong choice or decision in being a prefect, because we'll definitely bump into each other everytime.

The only thing that made me regain my beauty smile once more, was my musical box, as I subconsciously clutched and hugged it to my chest. Alas, my only source of joy is back where it ought to be—safe within my reach and care.

"Music never lets you down like humans do." Grandma's words came freshly into my mind, making me nod in affirmation of her words. There was indeed lot of things grandma never told me about this box, but even as that, I'm already starting to get a clear picture of this strange mystery at hand.

Sooner or later, everything would be clear.