•••••Raven's POV•••••

"Are you that girl we met outside the headmaster's office?" I emotionlessly asked the girl in front of me right now.

"Uh-huh. You should not forget people so easily, you know?" Nakahawak pa rin ang kamay niya sa kanyang pulso, pagkatapos ay tiningnan niya ako at ngumisi. "Especially those who wants to kill you."

Her aura has changed. Instead of picking up a fight, I just took deep breath. I don't want to be stressed up today because today is supposed to be a special day for me to be free.

"What do you want?" I calmly asked.

She shrugged. "Nothing in particular. Nakita lang kita dito na mag-isang nakaupo sa bench. Who are you with?" Napatingin siya dun sa mga taong pumipila sa ice cream stall. "Are you with that hottie?" I followed where she was looking at and she was referring to Miyahara.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Hottie? Miyahara's not a hottie. I looked at Sagurano again when I heard her laughing.

"He's my type, darling. He's just like my darling Sniper," Eww! I can't understand this girl at all. She even flipped her hair as if she's a model. "Mag-boyfriend ba kayo ni Blade?" tanong niya.

I rolled my eyes. "Of course not." bored kong sagot.

She's still wearing a smirk on her face. "I hate it when you're with hot guys," Biglang nawala ang smirk sa kanyang mukha at lumapit sa akin. "I hate your flawless face, bitch."

"Nicka." Lumayo siya kaagad sa akin at tiningnan ang taong tumawag sa kanya.

"It's you again." I said when I saw the ASC President in front of us. He's with a very familiar guy. I think I've seen him somewhere before.

"What did you say to her, Nicka?" he asked this girl beside me now seriously.

To be honest, I want to talk back to this Sagurano bitch. But I hate to destroy my own freedom. I wanted this day to be perfect and worth it. I didn't want anyone else to ruin it. Yet I guess now it's ruined.

"Wala naman, darling," She smiled at him and trust me, it's so disgusting everytime she says darling. Napaka-oa pakinggan. Feeling niya naman jowa niya si Sniper. Assumera. "Kinukumusta ko lang itong friend ko na si Raven. Isn't that right, friend?"

Sniper turned to face me, eyes still emotionless. "Is that true?"

Bigla kong naramdaman ang mga titig ni Sagurano sa akin, and those stares say bitch.

"Of course."

Ngumiti naman si Sagurano dahil sa sinabi ko and obviously, it's fake.

"See? Sabi ko naman sa—"

"Kinukumusta niya ako by calling me a bitch," Nilingon ko siya and I tilted my head a little para asarin siya. It was obvious that she did not expect that coming. "Is that how you call your friend now, friend?"

Napangisi ako nang makita ko ang panginginig at pagkuyom ng kamao niya. Her faced turned slight red because of anger and disappointment. Well, I can't blame her. I never wanted to pick up a fight but she started it. It's not my problem anymore if she's pissed.

"Nicka, we need to ta—"

"Wait, I'm not done yet. She said one more thing to me. What was that again?" I cut off Sniper and I acted na parang nag-iisip para mas lalo pa siyang mainis. I even snapped my finger to let them know that I remembered something. "'I hate your flawless face, bitch,' that's what she said. Didn't I say it correctly, Sagurano?"

Napangisi ulit ako nang makita ko na mas lalong pumula ang mukha niya. We even caught some of the people's attention here. They're looking at Sagurano, by the way, because her face is as red as a tomato now.

"You bitch!" Walang pasabing bigla siyang sumugod papalapit sa akin.

"Nicka!"

"Stop it, Ms."

Someone quickly hid me behind his back—it was Miyahara. Sniper stopped Sagurano's hand from hurting me while the other guy with him is holding the bitch.

"S-Sniper, John, bitawan niyo ako! Sumusobra na ang babaeng 'yan!" Nagwawala na si Sagurano habang hinawakan pa rin siya nung lalake.

John? If I remember correctly from our encounter outside the headmaster's office, I think the guy's name is John Padilla.

"Stop it, Nicka! Tinitingnan na tayo ng mga tao!" sabi ni John habang nagpupumiglas pa rin si Sagurano. "Ikaw ang sumusobra dito!"

"Ah, so kinakampihan mo rin ba si Raven ngayon?!"

"Raven," John was busy calming Sagurano down and Miyahara looked at me by the shoulder. "Are you okay? Did she hurt you while I was gone?"

I shook my head. He nodded and turned to face me. "Here's your order, milady." Dammit, so close! Binigay niya sa akin ang nirequest kong ice cream na nakalagay sa isang cute na cup.

"T-Thanks."

"Nicka!" Nabaling ulit ang atensyon namin kay Padilla na hinahawakan pa rin ang nagpupumiglas na si Sagurano.

"Bakit niyo ba ako pinipigilan na saktan ang babaeng 'yan?! Sniper, we can do whatever we want, at ang gusto ko ay saktan ang babaeng 'yan!" Tinuro-turo pa niya ako. Baliw talaga. "Just why the hell are you protecting that girl, Sniper?!"

Tsk. Baliw na talaga ang babaeng ito. Confirmed.

"Raven," I was surprised when Sniper pulled me so close to him. Sa gulat ko, buti na lang at hindi ko nabitawan ang ice cream na dala ko. "Indeed, I am protecting you. Gagawin ko ang lahat para lang maprotektahan ka."

"Hang on there, Sniper," This time, si Miyahara naman ang humila sa akin palapit sa kanya. Guys, may dala akong ice cream! "Get your hands off her. Plus, bakit mo naman siya poprotektahan, ha?"

The ASC President formed a smile on his lips. "It is my duty as the ASC President to protect those gifted students like Raven." he said.

Looking at both Miyahara and Sniper is just like looking at two hearthrobs having a cold war. Kinakain ko na ang ice cream ko habang pinapanood silang mag-usap hanggang sa bigla na namang umepal yung baliw na babae.

"Gifted student?" She laughed like a crazy witch. "Don't make me laugh, Sniper. Tinagurian rin akong gifted student ng Blandon High but not even once ay pinoprotektahan mo ako gaya nang pagpoprotekta mo sa kanya! That bitch is nothing compared to m—"

"Shut it, crazy old witch," I heard everyone looking at us gasped as my hand landed on Sagurano's bitchy face. Hawak-hawak ko pa rin ang ice cream na binili sa akin ni Miyahara. I just can't let go of it because it's too delicious. "Can't you give your friend some peace to eat her ice cream?" My tone is full of sarcasm.

Kumain ako nang ice cream. Gulat na gulat pa rin ang mukha ni Sagurano dahil sa biglaang pagsampal ko sa kanya. The other side of her face is red, but not because of her make up.

"Y-You bitch..."

"Oh, correction, I think it's the other way around," Kumain muna ako nang ice cream bago magsalita. "You are nothing compared to me. I don't consider myself as a gift but if that's what others believe, then I won't stop them from believing." I said and turned my back on her.

Hindi na siya nagpumiglas pa sa hawak ni Padilla. I started walking towards the two man who are still not in good terms. I still have to deal with the both of them.

"Just what are you doing with your team in here, Sniper?" I heard Blade asked.

"This is a mall, Blade. Malamang para mag-enjoy." I heard the president answered.

"Seriously? The Black Diamonds having fun? Nice joke."

"That is clearly out of your concern. May I remind you that your petty team is under my team," Napahinto ako nang makita ulit yung smirk niya. Takte, bagay nga sa kanya ang naka-smirk. Though I find it kinda annoying. "We, The Black Diamonds, is the strongest team in Blandon High. And this year, victory will still be ours."

Before they could make this trouble bigger, I decided to meddle for them to stop.

"'Kay, that's enough, both of you," Pumagitna ako sa kanilang dalawa. All I wanted was for this day to be perfect. If only that bitchy team mate of theirs never showed up, this day would have been flawless. But thanks to them, now it's completely ruined. "Sniper, go home with your team. You guys have ruined my day already, don't make it worst if you don't want me to be mad."

He laughed sarcastically. "Are you blackmailing The Black Diamonds?" Sniper walked towards me kaya hinila ako nang mahina ni Miyahara palayo sa kanya.

"I don't give a damn about your team. You and you're team aren't worth my time, so," Tiningnan ko ang kanyang mga mata ng seryoso. "Don't you ever dare to try me, ASC President Sniper."

He smiled. Tiningnan niya ako ng ilang minuto pagkatapos ay lumakad siya palapit sa kanyang mga kasamahan.

"John, let's go. Take Nicka, she has done enough damage." he ordered.

"Yes, pres."

"Damage? What are you talking about? I ha—"

"Just shut the fuck up, Nickalaine." I smiled. His tone is calm, but hell it so damn serious.

Nagulat si Sagurano kaya hindi siya nakapagsalita. I saw how Padilla took her out of our sight and the crowd. The people gathered around us started to whisper and hearing them makes me sick.

"By the way, Raven, before I leave," Sniper looked at me by his shoulders. I could sense the happiness in his voice of the next thing he said. "Hearing you call my name is one of the most beautiful things I've ever heard."

-----

"I'm sorry, Raven," I looked at Miyahara who is driving the car while eating the new ice cream he bought for me. Binilhan niya kasi ako ng bago for some unknown reason. Trip lang siguro niya. "Today was supposed to be perfect."

"It's not your fault, exactly," I turned back my attention on the road. "You did your best. There are still a lot of free days, Miyahara. We can do this again some other time."

However, to be honest ay may hindi pa rin talaga ako naiintindihan kay Sniper. Hearing me call his name is one of the most beautiful things he have ever heard? Ridiculous. What's that supposed to mean? Aren't cries and screams of the people he killed a lovely sound for him?

"Talaga?" Huminto siya dahil naging color red yung traffic light. Then he looked at me. "Is this you I'm hearing now, Raven?"

Tiningnan ko siya at tinaasan ng kilay. "Who else would I be?" I sarcastically asked.

Umiling siya. "Hindi ka kasi naging cold sa'kin ngayon, eh. I'm just... surprised." he said.

"I'm just happy, Miyahara, because this time I'm finally able to get out of the house. For once, I felt what it was like to be free even if it's just in a short amount of time." I said, then I diverted my attention back on the road. I can still feel Miyahara's gaze on me.

"Can I ask you a favor, Raven?"

"Of course not. You're my slave, and slaves can't ask favor to their masters." I still didn't look at him.

I heard him sigh and leaned against his chair. Malapit nang mag-color green ang traffic light.

"I figured you might say that. Still I'm gonna say it though," Humanda na siya dahil seconds na lang at magiging kulay green na ang traffic light. "Can you please call me by my first name? Tayo nina Maura at Hades, pwede bang mag-first name basis na tayo?"

Pinatakbo niya ulit ang sasakyan once the traffic light turned green. Nakatingin lang ako sa labas ng bintana while still thinking about what he said. I really hate first name basis. But there are really times when I just feel like calling someone by their first name. The only person that I call by their first name is Ethan.

I guess, nothing bad will happen if I start calling them by their first names.

"Okay then," Tumingin ako sa lalaking kasama ko ngayon. "Blade."

Bigla na lang bumilis ang tibok ng puso ko nang makita ko ang ngiti sa kanyang mukha.

-----

Me and Blade arrived at my house at exactly 8:00 p.m. I invited Blade inside, as a token of gratitude for granting my wish. I even checked the surroudings, baka sakaling nakabalik ng maaga si Ethan. Luckily, wala.

"Wanna have dinner here tonight?" Leche, 'di ako sanay na may bisita sa bahay.

"Nah, I'm good. Busog na busog ako." sabi niya at umupo sa sofa.

Seriously, feel na feel talaga niya that he owns this house.

"Ann, bigyan mo nga siya ng tubig." utos ko kay Ann na tahimik lang na naghihintay sa utos ko.

"Y-Yes, ma'am." Dali-dali siyang pumunta sa kusina.

I sighed and also sat on the sofa. There's a huge space between me and Blade.

"Why are you not in good terms with Sniper?" I asked him. I'm just curious about the way they act at each other. They talk like they have know each other for so long, and yet, they argue like they have been enemies since before I was born.

Clearly he didn't expect my answer coming because there was a short silence. Just then, biglang dumating si Ann na may dalang tubig at binigay ito kay Blade. Ngumiti naman ito at pinasalamatan siya.

"It's because he's my cousin." he calmly answered after drinking the water.

I sighed. "Is that really the reason?" I asked. It would not be a surprise if they are blood-related. I have already had my suspicions before. "Before Ethan's parents adopted me, we were cousins. Hindi ko man siya nirerespeto, pero hindi rin kami nag-aaway like the way you and Sniper argue."

He took a deep breath and sighed.

"May rason lang talaga kung bakit ako nagalit sa kanya," he said. He looks so tired. "Do you still remember our friend Rin?"

I nodded. How could I forget? Palagi nila akong naaalala sa taong iyon.

"To be honest, may isa pa kaming kaibigan besides Rin," I saw how Blade plastered a genuine smile on his face. "And she's the one who brought us together. Siya yung glue para sa aming lahat na magkakaibigan."

"You have a lot of friends during your childhood."

"Yeah, ba't 'di rin naman nagtagal 'yon. Is it okay if I won't tell her name to you? It's not like I doubt you, masyado pa kasing masakit sa akin ang nangyari noon," I nodded to what he said. Hindi naman talaga ako namimilit ng isang tao kapag ayaw talaga nilang sabihin ang isang bagay sa akin. I ain't good with people, but I still respect their privacy. "Suddenly, nung namatay yung dalawa naming kaibigan including Rin, Sniper has changed entirely. Naging brutal na siya at naging cold..." He paused for a minute before continuing. "Nagulat na lang kami kung bakit naging ASC President na siya ng Blandon High. When he became president, he started treating me, Maura, and Hades as strangers. Parang wala na kaming pinagsamahan noon, especially ako dahil parang hindi na pinsan ang turing niya sa'kin."

Sadness flashed in his eyes. Even if he is a hot-headed jerk, he still cares for his friends. I do not know what exactly happened to them before, but I am sure that up until now, it is still killing them slowly. I released a heavy sigh when I thought of something.

I hope I'm doing the right choice.

"I'll help you," Kunot-noo akong tiningnan ni Blade.

"What do you mean?"

"I'll help you give the justice you seek, if you also help me." Agad siyang tumayo nang marinig ang offer ko.

"Of course! How can I turn down such a wonderful offer?" He extended his arm fornme to shake it. So, I stood up and shook his warm hand.

"It's a deal." I said and he smiled.

"Is it me? Or it feels like you've changed?"

"People do change, Blade," I let go of his hand first at tumikhim ako. "You need to go home now. Gabi na."

Tumango siya.

"Thank you, Raisin. I promise na hindi ko na uulitin yung ginawa ko sa'yo and we will surely help you." He smiled as we are heading to the door.

"Do not tell me," Ako na ang nagbukas nang pinto para sa kanya. Takte! Parang ako pa yung lalake sa aming dalawa. "Show me."

"I will, don't worry." He said and smiled again.

Lumabas na siya nang bahay at tumungo sa sasakyan niya. Pero bago pa man siya makapasok ay may pahabol muna siyang sinabi sa akin.

"Il prossimo sarà perfetto, milady."

*~*~*~*~*~*

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 🎉🎉🎇🎇 Here's my gift for you, UniqueKorns. Blandon High: The Devil's Heir is officially back on track. 😍😍 I'm afraid that I can't dedicate this chappy to you individually. Because I want to dedicate this to ALL of you. Daisuki! Be red, stay unique this 2020! 😘😘

Ps. If you are still with me or are done reading this chappy, comment "PLUS ULTRA!" inline ----->
(This is an attendance. A MUST.)