Isabelle

A wave of guilt hit me when Julius tapped me from behind repeatedly. We still haven't talked about me and what really is going on in my life for a couple of months, and honestly I'm all guilty for my next course of action.

I just shrugged and ignored her during the class. And just when I thought she was done, my phone buzzed. At first I thought it was notifications from a website or something- but it just kept buzzing nonstop.

Looking at the screen, Julius had sent me three messages from emails and some other messages through my other social medias.

"Just one minute Isabelle, please...".
12:13am.

"Why are you avoiding me? I did something wrong, didn't I?".
12:14am.

"We need to talk Isabelle, I can't take this treatment for another whole damn month anymore. You and me- we meet before school ends.".
12:14am.

A pang hit my chest as I silently read the emails with a sad look on my face. I could see Minuet glancing at my direction from the other side of the room but I blocked off my thoughts from him. I didn't want to talk to anyone now. Sometimes, I just need a break from people- including that of supernaturals.

With a deep breath, I used my index finger to click block on the message's sender- which is Julius.

I can't risk our friendship like how I risked my love life already.

I may have lost the one person I loved- but I can't lose my best friend all because of some magic.

"They've been chosen!". Mrs Selena announced, making me to snap out of my thoughts at once. "And now the prefects are to come forward!".

With a sigh, I and the other prefects stood up and made our way to the front of the class. Yes, I got the darn prefect rank- that of the juniors. I've been assigned to be a representative of the juniors- thanks to my sweet villian.

I tried protesting and giving some meaningful excuses but my opinions weren't just strong enough to stand against theirs. Even though I win- the seniors would look down on me and may even stalk me. At least, I get to stalk one of them back.

And to make one thing clear here- our school's system of education is very different from a lot of schools out there.

When I'm talking about juniors- I'm not talking about the 6th grade or 7th grade, or even the 8th grade. That's so not the standard here. This is a high school as a matter of fact- just with different layouts.

In this school, there are three layouts of educational gradings- Seniors here are the ones clearly with the more advanced educational, physical and social background. They are the leading class from every other classes. Unlike the seniors, juniors are one or two classes away from the seniors'- just like Grade 10 from Grade 12. They're like the average normal not- so- filthy rich students. And there's the last rank, which is as well the lowest rank, the junior-grade. That's where the grade of 6th, 7th and all that now falls in.

It's all funny how the standard turned out. I know it looks like I'm sort of an elementary student, I'm not- but in a normal school- I'm actually a senior. Ugh, if only this school would stop comparing the others with their background.

The sounds of cheers and laughs from around me caused me to jerk back to reality.

My eyes scanned the large classroom nervously, before landing on Julius. She gave me a strange look, more like a glare, but still ended up clapping for me.

I just wish we could sort out our differences.

I held my breath as my co-partner, Sebastian, shows up besides me. He's like my personal assistant and partner. I'm glad to at least have someone this nice as my partner- no offense to Minuet.

But no matter how I tried to avoid standing next to Xander, it didn't just work out- because I and Xander were at the front of the other prefects- since we're the two main perfects of our ranks.

I was nervous, really nervous, as I noticed it was just the two of us standing ahead of the other prefects. I wasn't nervous because of the crush I had for him, well maybe a little- but no, I was scared because I was besides a killer, my hunter!

Soon, the hall was filled with the school's camera men and that of the press photographers. I hate that this school's getting more famous day by day.

Take a deep breath...

This is school now...

Your about to be given a rank..

"With the principal's consent and authorization, Hunters and Ms.Wintman have now been marked the two coordinators of this school". Mrs Selena declared, walking to our direction with two batches in her hands. "Looking into the highest academic reports, there was a tie between Amy Hunters and Isabelle Wintman, but recent monitoring showed that Wintman's attendance has never been skipped- unlike Amy. So because of this, she's just one step in entering the senior rank automatically".

Wait what?

I object completely!

I'm trying to get away from him and they're fixing us together in the leading prefectship!?

Who knows what happens next...next thing I know we're the king and queen in prom.

Never.

"Nooooo!". I blurted out and stomped my feet at this madness that was set before me. "I mean, I'm good as the junior representative, really".

Gasps and murmurs were now ongoing around all of us and worse, the press kept pushing me for my reasons. Well, getting too much attention is one of the reasons- I'm not a big fan of fame like Xander!

I opened my mouth to say something but before I could answer, another mic was brought to my face, then another, and another. The students now chose to worsen it all by joining us in the front for photos. I shifted my eyes to Xander and gave him the not okay look, and he pretty much got the message, or did he?

"Don't you think that that's a bit too fast, Ms. Selena? She doesn't know anything about the coordination procedures yet". He explained with his usual sweet smile smoothly- like he had already planned what to say. "We could just tutor her on the whole thing before planning to get to that section- the prom could be used for that".

Ouch, I know something, okay?

I don't still get it! Why does he still defend me after everything he said!?

I felt a hand on mine from behind me and tensed up immediately. But before I could turn, the mysterious person rested his or her chin against my shoulders and whispered something in my ears.

"So, how's it going with your post celebration?". The mockery behind the voice made me instantly recognize who the voice belonged to.

"I'm still mad at you and you're adding more fire to it! Now, get off me before they all start saying nonsense!".

The truth is that I'm happy he's here- at least I feel safe now, but I don't want him around me for too long. Again, I hate unnecessary attention.

He pulled me even closer to his body as I protested and didn't let go. I guess he's just trying to ensure Xander wasn't near me. From the look he gave Xander, that was pretty much it.

"Tutor? Young man, we don't have time for anymore delays". Ms Selena said and glared at Xander for some seconds, before giving him a hearty chuckle. "Very well".

"Isabelle gets to be tutored for her posts". She corrected herself and handed me my batch of prefectship. Now everyone- except the prefects, had gone back to their seats- including him. "Also, there's a prom night coming up tomorrow in this school. You must have a partner! Drugs and alcohols would also not be tolerated because the girls always falls victim for this".

"Oh c'mon! You can't be serious!". said someone.

"No alcohols?". snorted another. "At least there's no rule against cigarettes".

Someone remind me never to use sarcasm in my thoughts again.

Who knew that prom was actually going to happen.

What's worse than having a prom night with a hunter nearby?

This is just too much.

"What do you have to say, Isabelle?". asked Ms. Selena.

All eyes settled on me as the mic was given to me. I just want the ground to open up and swallow me this very instant.

"Well, umm...I'd want to say...thank you for trusting me with this position. I'd not let you down and promise to set a good example for the rest of the students.". I paused and laughed nervously, before handing it microphone back to the press. "Well, I can't say much now, but I'd definitely say so much during the prom".

Some people started laughing at my shyness before eventually clapping once again, making me smile sheepishly- but not until I noticed the look on my teacher's face, aka the supervisor.

"Ms Selena?". I called out in a whisper when I noticed that she wasn't looking away from the camera- almost like she was in some kind of daze?

She just smiled at me and went on to do the clipping of the batch on my shirt.

Not only is this creepy, but it's also suspicious.

Did Alexander Hunters cast a spell on her!?

Lifting my eyes up and searching around the classroom from where I stood, I found Minuet also staring at us suspiciously- like he noticed it too, and when our eyes met, he nodded twice, and I knew what that nod meant.

It meant that Xander was up to something not good. His sudden change of mind to bring up a prom? His defense!? There's something more to these actions!

I forced a smile when the class erupted into cheers and laughter as I was being made one of them- that is as a prefect.

"Xander...we need to talk...". I surprised myself by dragging him to one corner of the class as the attention of the class were now focused on Minuet- thanks to him. I guess I was pretty frustrated enough to realize my brave act.

"Talk? That's pretty much unlike you, but I'm in for it". He said with his eyebrows raised in surprise. "What's wrong?".

A faint blush creeped all the way to my cheeks as I remembered my hands were still holding his. Immediately, I let go of it with a nervous laugh and took a deep breath.

"Why are you doing this?". I asked with both hands on my hips, trying my best to keep a stern look.

"Doing what?". He asked, glancing across the hall before focusing back on me.

Oh, you know, trying to stalk me!

"Look, I don't want to sound rude or anything but I noticed that you've always been trying to...I don't know...what's the word?".

"Support you?". He smiled. "Yes".

Hmm, he knows what he's doing.

He let out a small laugh. "Don't tell me you're worrying about that now".

"Why? First, you said we can't know each other. Second, you try to avoid me and now-". I felt like strangling him right here and at the same time, run my hands through his messy curls. Why are rivals always the ones to be the hottest ones?

"You're still on that day?". He placed his hands in his pockets with a sigh. "Let me rephrase that now- I told you, we can get to know each other but not be around each other all the time".

Still the same thing as not being friends!

With a shrug, I blurted out. "Fine fine. I just don't know why you want me to be like you guys. I've already told you that-".

"That you're not a nerd". He butted in. "You'd really make a combo for everyone, and take that from me". He patted my back with a smile and stood by my side, our hands and body almost touching.

If humans were given the ability to hear each other's heart beats, mine would've been the loudest. He's being so friendly and almost flirty with me all of a sudden- it's as if he knows how to kill me directly.

"Oh, I must have umm...be confused...don't mind me...I was pretty nervous back there". I forced a stutter to cover up my intentions immediately and he seemed to believe it luckily for me.

But deep within me, I was darn nervous! He could have something on him that could expose me or I don't know, gah!

"It's okay, I understand. See you tomorrow at the prom then". He cut off my thoughts and held my wrist high up in the air before bringing it to his lips and pressing it against his lips.

He must have noticed the deep red color on my cheeks because he seemed startled before chuckling and walking away from the class, with my colleagues.

Okay, Minuet wasn't going to let him go away with what he just did- judging from the dark look Minuet gave him. I'm just so confused- just a little kiss on the hand makes me so helpless, I'm I that vulnerable!?

Once again you've won pretty boy, but it's not yet over.