•••••Raven's POV•••••

I was walking silently in the corridor heading to our classroom. Nag-taxi lang ako papunta dito. What else I should do? Lecheng Ethan na iyon umalis ng maaga ng di man lang ako ginising. Absent rin yung driver namin sabi ng katulong namin na si Ann kaya no choice ako but mag-taxi.

Maybe Ethan's starting to get busy again that's why he left early. He left me a note on the fridge saying he'll be back tomorrow evening. Guess I'll be on my own. As always.

"Hoy!"

"Shit!"

Nagulat ako ng biglang may sumolpot sa unahan ko. It was too late when I realized who it was.

"Dammit Raisin! What was that for?!" Bakas sa mukha niya ang sakit habang nakahawak sa braso niya na ginamit sa pagharang ng sipa ko kanina.

Walang pasabing binatukan ko siya kaya napa-'aray' ulit siya sa sakit.

"What the hell??!! Nakakadalawa ka---"

"It's not my fault. You blocked my way so that's what you get.", I said at inunahan siyang maglakad.

Here goes with everyone again who can't keep their eyes off us. I just ignored them exactly. They are not worth my time.

"HB ka ata ngayon. I mean everyday naman pero parang mas worse ata ngayon.", said this jerk who already caught up with me. Nakahawak siya sa ulo niya ngayon, dahil siguro dun sa ginawa ko.

Kunot noo ko siyang tiningnan. " HB?" What is that? Is that another piece of his idiotic words again?

"Highblood." Tiningnan ko siya ng masama. "What? Highblood ang ibig sabi---"

"I know and it's pathetic."

"Raisin naman! Just because you won the deal doesn't mean you have to act so mean." Napatigil ako at tiningnan siya.

"Is that the reason why you surprised me?" Oh great! I nearly forgot about that deal.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Not really. Nag-cr lang ako tapos nakita kita. 'Wag kang assuming.", sabi niya. "Unfortunately, I almost got injured dahil jan sa ka brutalan mo." He pouted at me.

I rolled my eyes on him. "Relax. You didn't die anyway.", sabi ko.

Ang O.A naman nito masyado. He was able to block my first attack and he doesn't have any injury. Masyado lang talagang siyang O.A. At sabihan pa naman akong assuming?

We continued walking habang naka-pout parin siya. I rolled ny eyes again.

"Stop that."

"The what?", nagugulohan naman niyang tanong.

"The pouting. Otherwise I'll seal your mouth."

I heard him groaning. "Fine."

Napatigil kami sa paglalakad ng makita namin ang mga nagkukumpulang tao sa mismong building naming mga 1st Ranked Assassins.

"Woah. Ang bilis naman ah. Hindi pa ganito karami ang mga tao kanina." Nanlaki ang mata ni Miyahara habang nakatingin sa mga nagkukumpulang estudyante.

"Is this because of the posting of teams?", tanong ko ng maalala ko yung sinabi ni Yamato na posting of teams ngayon.

"Yeah. We should start looking for Maura and Hades para narin malaman na natin kung anong team tayo." Nagulat ako ng bigla niyang kunin sakin ang bag ko.

"What the hell?"

"Ako na magdadala." Isinakbit niya ang aking bag sa kaniyang kaliwang balikat. "Today's start of the deal diba?" Ngumisi siya sakin at inunahan akong maglakad.

I just sighed. May magagawa pa ba ako? I agreed with that deal. He'll be my slave until the school year ends. All I have to do is order him around. Less task for me.

I started walking to my classroom. Ang magiging ka-teammate namin ay classmates lang namin kaya for sure, posted na iyong names with teams namin sa labas ng classroom.

When I arrived outside our classroom, I saw my classmates' expression. Yung iba ay masaya, yung iba naman ay nagulat habang yung iba naman ay bakas sa mukha ang takot.

"Raven!" I came back to my senses when someone suddenly hugged me. "Kyahh you won't gonna believe this!"

Kumunot ang noo ko sa sinabi ni Taylor.

"You should see it for yourself Raven.", sabi naman ni Smith, still wearing his poker face. Although I can feel his excitement.

I don't know why I can understand this guy completely.

Kumalas si Taylor sa pagkayakap sakin. I walked a step closer so that I can clearly see in which team I belong. Tumabi ako kay Miyahara who was standing there frozen looking at the names. Hinanap ko kaagad ang pangalan ko. When I found it, it all made sense to me kung bakit ganun nalang ka saya si Taylor kanina at kung bakit ganun nalang yung nararamdaman kong excitement ni Smith.

•TEAM 7-A•

∆Raven Saldoviana∆
∆Blade Alastor Miyahara∆
∆Maura Hart Taylor∆
∆Hades Aeacus Smith∆

~Team Mentor: Reo Velasquez~

"We're on the same team huh?", rinig kong sabi ni Miyahara.

"Yeah. That explains Taylor's happy face.", I answered.

That's why she can't get off that smile on her face. We're on the same team. This is better. At least, hindi kami magiging kaaway sa mga missions.

The speaker caught all of our attention ng may magsalita dito.

^Dear students of Blandon High. This announcement is for the 1st Ranked Assassins only regarding their Assassination Team. After looking at your names, proceed to the school's gymnasium with your teammates immediately. Thank you!^

Me and Miyahara exchanged glances before we heard Taylor's excited scream again.

"Maura I know you're excited but calm down.", seryosong sabi sa kanya ni Smith.

But she just ignored him and still wearing her smiling face.

"We should go now.", sabi niya na tinanguan lang namin.

We should prepare ourselves for whatever is waiting for us.

-----

"Heto na po ang cheese burger at softdrink niyo madam." I grabbed the food from Miyahara's hands. "May gusto pa ba kayong bilhin ko madam?" With the sarcasm in his voice, he got even more annoying.

I rolled my eyes on him.

"Maybe later. Sit down for now.", I ordered which he also did.

Masarap naman pala sa feeling na may mauutosan ka noh? More importantly, we're here in the gymnasium. We're sitting by section with our teammates. We're sitting in front since we belong in the first section.

'Team 7-A' means Team 7 section A. Speaking of section A, I definitely do not know how that Angeleeka bitch became a mentor in the first section. She doesn't deserve the slot.

Until now ay masaya parin si Taylor kasi nabawasan raw yung kaba niya. Ang sabi pa niya, halos hindi raw siya makatulog kagabi sa kakaisip kung sino ang magiging teammate niya.

But all that nervousness disappeared when she saw her name with our names in one team.

"Hey Raisin.", Miyahara called me. "It's about to start." I looked at the stage and like he said, it was about to start.

Ngunit napakunot ang noo ko ng makita ko kung sino ang taong nasa stage.

"Bakit hindi ang president?", rinig kong nagugulohang tanong ni Taylor.

He cleared his throat first before speaking to everyone of us.

"Hello 1st Ranked Assassins! My apologies if President Sniper couldn't make it today. I know you're expecting to see him but sad to say that he has some important matters to attend to.", he explained to us. "Anyway, since I'm the vice president of ASC, I'll be the one to replace President Sniper in his absence."

Hindi ko maiwasang ikutan siya ng mga mata. Paano naman kasi? Can't he just go straight to the point? Dami pang sinasabi, hindi naman importante.

Because nasa unahan kami ay mabilis niya lang akong nakita. He stopped his gaze on me and gave me a smirk.

Tumikhim ulit siya bago magsalita. Hilig niyang tumikhim noh?

"From now on, you will always be with your team. Bago na ang mentor niyo but the thing is, you will still be on the same section but not on the same side." Many started to whisper in confusion.

I saw how that annoying vice president flashed a devilish smirk seeing his school mates getting confused. Me, Miyahara, Taylor and Smith exchanged glances. We get his point.

"Kahit pa close kayo na magkaibigan o magkaklase, kapag hindi kayo nasa iisang team ay hinding-hindi mo na dapat silang pagkatiwalaan pa." I saw how he clenched his fists. "You shouldn't trust anyone but your teammates and mentor."

The reaction of the other students became clear to me. I saw how sadness and silence immediately enveloped the gymnasium.

Napatingin ako kay Miyahara ng makita ko ang pagkuyom niya rin ng kamao. This time, ang vice president na naman ang ngumisi.

What's more, nasa akin ang mga tingin niya.

"Lovely isn't it? How a sweet, magical friendship can turn into a bitter, unsightly memory." Bigla akong napahawak sa aking ulo ng bigla itong sumakit.

Akmang tutulongan sana ako ni Miyahara ng pigilan ko siya.

"I-I'm fine."

"Pero---"

"I said I'm fine!" Binalik ko ang tingin ko sa lecheng tao na 'yon. "Damn."

Hindi parin nawawala sa kaniyang labi ang nakakairita niyang ngisi. "Although, I'm giving you all the permission to be with your friends for the last time." Everyone was shocked by his announcement.

Nakita ko ang kapatid niya na si Sunny Park na nasa gilid ng stage na nagulat rin sa kaniyang sinabi. To put it simply, everyone wasn't expecting him to say that.

"Instead of today, you'll meet your mentors on Monday. Weekends na bukas kaya mas mahaba pa ang oras na makakasama niyo ang mga kaibigan ninyo. Kung meron man." Tumawa pa siya sa stage. "Sana naintindihan niyo ang mga sinabi ko. Good Luck!" At bigla nalang siyang nawala na parang bula.

Nawala narin yung sakit sa ulo ko kaya medjo kumalma na ako.

What just happened? What did he do to me? Did he use some kind of a spell? But why and what for?

I saw how Sunny Park looked at me. But like her stupid brother, she just disappeared like a bubble.

"Raven ayos ka lang ba?" Tiningnan ko ng masama si Miyahara.

"Shut up. Wala kang pakialam." Nanlaki naman ang kaniyang mga mata. I turned my back on him and left the gym.

Bwisit ka Max Park! What did you do to me?

•••••Blade's POV•••••

"Raven ayos ka lang ba?" I couldn't help not to get worried about Raven.

I wasn't the only one na nagulat, pati narin sina Maura at Hades ay nagulat ng biglang siyang mapahawak sa ulo niya na parang nahihirapan.

Napalunok naman ako ng tiningnan niya ako ng masama. "Shut up. Wala kang pakialam." Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. She turned my back on me and left the gym.

Lahat ng mga nadaanan niyang mga estudyante ay biglang pinagpawisan. Fear was painted on their faces.

"Dammit!" Napasabunot nalang ako sa buhok ko.

"O-Okay lang kaya siya? Kung sundan kaya natin?", Maura said worriedly.

I just let out a huge sigh.

"Ako na. Stay here with Hades." Both of them nodded to me. I immediately followed Raven.

Tumakbo ako para maabutan ko siya but unfortunately, hindi ko na siya mahanap. I looked at my back when someone tapped my shoulder.

"Kuya si R-Raven ho ba yung hinahanap niyo?" I looked at her I.D sling and realized na kulay puti ito. So isa siyang recruit.

From the looks of it, takot siyang banggitin ang pangalan ni Raven.

Walang pasabing tumango ako.

"Dun ho siya pumunta.", sabi niya sabay turo sa daan na nagpakunot ng noo ko.

Even though I was confused, I still thanked her. Raven's name got famous because of her personality. Marami ang takot sa kanya. Plus that time when she fought with Elizabeth's group. Marami ang nakakaalam nun. Everyone I guess? Wala kasing bumabangga sa grupo ni Elizabeth dahil nga eskandalosa ang babaeng iyon.

I stopped running when I reached the place where Raven might be. I put my hands on my knees. Hingal na hingal ako sa kakatakbo. When I got enough air, napatingin ako sa paligid.

Why would she stay in DRJ Territory?

Sa dinamirami ng mga lugar dito sa Blandon High bakit dito pa? Napako ang tingin ko sa isang pigura sa ilalim ng isang puno dito sa DRJ Territory. I walked towards the figure at nang makalapit na ako ay tumigil na ako sa paglalakad at nagsalita.

"Need some company?" Seryoso lang akong nakatingin sa kanya na nakaupo sa damuhan sa ilalim ng puno. Halatang may malalim siyang iniisip.

"Do I look like I need one?", seryosong tanong naman niya pabalik.

Tumango ako. Napabuntong-hininga naman siya. I decide to sit beside her.

"Kaya pala napili mong mapag-isa sa lugar na 'to." Napatingin ulit ako sa paligid. "Dahil walang masyadong estudyante ang pumupunta dito kasi natatakot sila." Umihip ng malakas ang hangin.

The silence of the place is so relaxing. I don't feel anything creepy but refreshing. There are also many plants and flowers that add the refreshing aura of the place. Why didn't I realize how relaxing this place was? Who would've thought a place relaxing as the DRJ Territory has a dark story.

"This place looks so peaceful.", sabi ko. "How are you feeling?" I didn't hesitate to ask. I don't care if she'll get mad. Kaibigan niya kami at ang magkaibigan, nagtutulongan.

"Back to my usual self.", walang gana naman niyang sagot.

Napabuntong-hininga ulit ako. Kahit kailan talaga, ang cold talaga ng babaeng 'to.

"You know, you don't have to stay with me if you're tired." Bigla akong napatingin sa kanya.

"Tired?"

She nodded, still not looking at me. "Kung napipilitan ka lang samahan ako because of that deal, then 'wag nalang. I can handle myself." I gulped when she looked at me.

Until now, those cold and emotionless eyes of hers still creeps me out. Napatingin ako sa langit.

"I'm not." Tumingin ako sa kanya na walang emosyong nakatingin sa akin at ngumiti. "You're our friend Raven. My friend. And a friend, always helps each other out."

Ang kanina'y mga mata niyang walang emosyon ay bigla nalang napalitan ng kalungkutan. I can feel it. Kahit naman hindi niya sabihin ay nararamdaman ko. Even Maura and Hades noticed the sadness in her eyes.

Magsasalita pa sana siya nang bigla kaming makaramdam ng presensya. Naging alerto naman kaming dalawa ni Raven.

Someone's here.

"Let's climb on the tree.", sabi niya at sa isang iglap lang ay nasa taas na kaming dalawa.

There's no denying the fact that both of us are fast.

We're standing on a tree branch like a ninja in Naruto. May mga leaves naman kaya medjo nag-camouflage lang kami.

"Whatever happens Miyahara, don't move.", madiing sabi ni Raven sakin at seryoso ulit akong tiningnan. Kahit nagugulohan ay tumango parin ako.

I don't know why but bigla nalang gumaan ang pakiramdam ko. Like, I'm in outer space dahil sa sobrang gaan ng pakiramdam ko.

What's happening? Why do I feel like this is some kind of a magic?

I stopped what I was thinking when I saw someone stepped on the DRJ Territory na parang may hinahanap.

Walang pasabing bigla kong nabanggit ang pangalan niya.

"Max Park."

What's he doing here?

*~*~*~*~*~*

Here's another update! 😊😊 Just to inform you guys that I already started editing on Ms Word. I'll probably post the edited parts soon. Although hindi masyadong marami ang inedit ko so no need to worry. 😁😁

Happy Reading! 😘😘
Happy Holidays! 🎄🎄