V.

Aidan.

"Stay away from her, Genesis." Johan said in a sing-song voice.

"How can I?" Genesis trailed off, sighing deeply. "She smelled so sweet... like flowers. Just like how I want my girls."

"Creep." Johan smirked. Though he was smiling, I know that he really meant it.

My brush stopped midway at the comment, remembering Clarisette's scent. Before I could entertain the thought a bit further, I continued painting again.

Genesis has a reputation of being a gentleman. A man who is really so good with words that he can easily sweep anyone off their feet, be it boys and girls. But it was all a façade. Underneath that mask, the true Genesis is really... unorthodox.

"She's Annika's friend. Which also means she's friends with the Guardian President. Kilala mo naman ang magpinsan na 'yon, likas na ang highblood sa 'tin." Added Johan.

"I know." Said Genesis. "I asked the male what he thought of vampires then he said that they're monsters... right in front of the whole class."

Johan laughed. "The nerve. That guy has some serious anger issues."

“Then Clarisette... oh, sweet Clarisette thought otherwise.”

My brush stopped again.

“What exactly did she say?” Johan cocked a curious brow.

“That there are some humans who are worse...” Genesis trailed off, as if remembering a distant memory. “That whatever horrible things weʼve done, we did it... in order to survive.”

“Thatʼs...” Johan trailed off, rather confused. “new.”

“Indeed.” I nodded in agreement.

“Thatʼs why sheʼs so refreshing, right?” Genesis chuckled. “Ever since then, I always wonder how sheʼd--”

“Oh, Genesis, donʼt even go there.” I smiled at him. He smirked then looked away, then I proceeded back to painting again.

Louis Valderrama, the President of the Guardians. Excels both in academics, extracurriculars and combat, especially with daggers. Quiet, smart and deadly. Very lethal. Annika Valderrama, the cousin of the President, which also means their skills are on par with each other. Unlike her cousin who is skilled in close encounters, she excels in long range battles. Her weapon of choice is a crossbow. Also very lethal.

Genesis grasped my attention when he took one of my brushes and twirled it between his nimble fingers. "What are you painting this time, Aidan?"

"Hmm... I don't know yet. Kinda making this up as I go." I smiled. Napabaling ang atensyon ni Genesis kay Johan nang nagsalita siya.

"I heard rumors that the President and Clarisette used to date.” Johan informed.

“Which means?”

“Which means sheʼs definitely off-limits.” Johan rolled his eyes. “Don't push his buttons too much, Gen. Baka mabalitaan ko na lang bigla na nasaksak ka na no'n."

Genesis rolled his eyes in response. "Yeah, right. Like that will stop me. He's still a mere human."

"A mere human who came from an elite family of hunters." Johan reminded. "Do not underestimate them."

"Still a human." He pressed. Johan sighed.

I zoned out of their conversation because their topic didn't really pique my interest. Genesis left shortly after that because he still has class. Johan went back to practicing Tchaikovsky. I went to the balcony with my sketchpad. Sketching different kinds of scenery I see each day at the courtyard has become my form of therapy whenever I have free time.

Then in the crowd, I saw Clarisette sitting alone at one of the benches, reading her handouts.

I examined her, then found myself sketching her delicate features. This is one of the most beautiful moments of humans. It is when they look so beautiful yet so oblivious to it.

"Such a sad face." I whispered.

"Bro'er," Johan called. "I gotta--oh..." He saw what I was sketching. "Clari's your model now?"

"Yes." I smiled.

"She looks so depressed there." Johan snickered.

"Maybe she's still having a hard time adjusting here."

"Uh-huh. Then maybe you can help her." I gave him a flat look. But he only chuckled. "I guess it's okay when you're only using her for your sketch. But what I said to Genesis also applies to you."

"Hindi rin ba nag-aapply ang rule na 'yon sa 'yo?" I raised an eyebrow. "You like Annika, yes?"

"Yeah. But I'm an exemption to that rule. Si Annika na mismo ang lumalayo sa'kin." Then he looked over at Clarisette who's still focused on reading her handouts, too preoccupied to even notice us staring at her. "But Clari's the naïve type. I feel like she will warm up to you if you're nice to her. Especially with that kind of scent, it will only be a matter of time before--"

"That's not going to happen." I said firmly.

"Why, of course the great President won't let anything happen to his precious... friend." He chuckled. I furrowed my eyebrows. "But... I hope she wouldn't sneak out of the safe zone again next time, Kuya." I sighed in response. "I know it was her the other night. She made them quite... restless."

Kung hindi lang ako ang unang nakahanap kay Clarisette no'ng nakaraang gabi, baka kung ano na ang nangyari sa kanya. She doesn't know how much uneasiness she caused the hunters.

"Well then, maiwan na kita r'yan kasama si Clari at may klase pa ako."

I smiled at my brother as he left the room. Then my eyes went back to Clarisette when I heard her talk.

"No. Don't disturb me. I'm studying. Go away."

"That's not a request, Mariya Clarisette. May kasalanan kang ginawa."

Clarisette raised her eyebrow, challenging him. No one gave way. Their eyes were like daggers at each other and I can even feel the hostility from up here. I'm getting the impression that they are not friends. Or that they used to be. Louis gathered her belongings and walked away. Clarisette's lips parted in disbelief before angrily standing up and followed him right after.

I closed my sketchpad and stood up.

Clarisette.

Pinilit ko ang sariling kumalma pero lalo lang ako nainis dahil ayaw niya ibalik ang gamit ko. I thought for a second that we entered the Discipline's Office when I saw Leon and another girl sitting on the couch. Annika was on the swivel chair in front of the table... belonging to the Guardian President. Nanlaki ang mata ko nang makita ang plate sa lamesa: Louis Antonello M. Valderrama.

Napapitlag ako nang padarag na binaba ni Louis ang mga libro ko sa lamesa niya. I heard Leon sigh as if he's tired. Louis turned to me then crossed his arms, his signature move whenever he's serious or pissed... or both.

"So, before we start... do you have any idea what you've done to be summoned here?" Panimula niya.

Kumunot ang noo ko. Seryoso ang titig nilang lahat na lalong nagpalito sa akin. "I don't know? You tell me."

"Ikaw na nga ang may malaking violation, ikaw pa talaga ang matapang ngayon?" The girl spat and looked at me as if she's so disgusted with me.

"Bakit? Ano ba--"

"Mariya Clarisette Divinagracia." Bagot na putol ni Leon. "Kaya pa namin palampasin 'yong pakikipag-away sa mga kapwa estudyante at pagdaya sa mga quizzes pero ang hinding hindi talaga namin mapapalampas ay 'yong paglabag mo sa curfew... You've only been here a month... nakadalawa ka na kaagad."

Natahimik ako. Well, that was fast. And easy. Pero paano nila nalaman?

Nanlaki ang mata ko. Aidan, that snitch! Dapat diniretso mo na lang sa Dean's Office!

"Usually, sa first offense pa lang ay talsik ka na kaagad dito but since you're friends with the President and Annika, pinalampas namin iyon. But now..." Umiling siya.

"Wait, what?" 'Yong minor issue pa talaga ang hindi nila kayang palampasin? "So sinasadya niyo talagang hindi ako pansinin sa mga pagbubulakbol ko rito? Iyan lang ang issue niyo?"

"That's not any minor issue, Ms. Divinagracia." The girl said curtly. "Do you have any idea how we Guardians work hard every damn night to keep this damn place safe? Tapos ikaw, you purposely put yourself in danger para lang ano? Nagpapapansin ka ba sa President?" Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay.

What did she just say?

"Ruby," Awat ni Annika. "That's not the issue here."

"Well, congrats! Kita mo? You have his attention now."

"Ruby," Mahina ngunit may diin na sabi ni Louis. "Shut the fuck up."

Nagulat siya. Bumuka ang kanyang bibig ngunit sumara agad. Kalaunan ay tumahimik siya at yumuko na lang.

"Deserve," Ngisi ni Annika.

"Mari," Louis' calm tone confused me. "What is it that you want?"

Napakurap ako dahil hindi ito 'yong karaniwan na tono na ginagamit niya sa akin. The demanding tone. He genuinely asked me what I want.

"I want... to go home."

"I know." He sat on his table then sighed. "But I'm sorry, I can't let you go home. Bilin 'yon ng parents mo."

"Bakit? May problema ba sa bahay?"

"Yeah, something like that."

"That's the more reason I should go home!" I exclaimed.

"No. That's the more reason you should stay away." Mariin niyang sabi. "I won't let you violate the curfew again. You will go to your classes then go back straight to your dorm, just like any other rule abiding student in here. You are not allowed to go out during curfew. Do you understand?"

I didn't answer. I just glared at him. Oh... I hate him so much.

"I can even order the Guardians to keep an eye on you to make sure you don't do anything stupid. Gusto mo bang umabot pa tayo sa gano'n, Mariya Clarisette?" He narrowed his eyes at me.

Leon tilted his head as if confused by the new set of rules, but didn't dare question it.

"Huh?!" Reaksyon ni Ruby. Napatayo siya at umangat nang bahagya ang kanyang palda, dahilan kung bakit may natanaw akong patalim na nakasukbit sa kanyang hita. Hindi na niya napigilang magprotesta.

"Now that's going overboard, Lou!" Annika frowned in dismay.

"Yeah, Prez! I understand that she's your friend! But that doesn't mean that we can give her any special treatment! And..." Pinasadahan niya ako ng spiteful na tingin. Ano'ng problema nito sa'kin? "Babysitting a brat isn't part of our job description!"

"Ruby, didn't I tell you to shut the fuck up?"

Ruby gritted her teeth and glared at me. Without a word, she stormed out of the room and slammed the door shut. Leon and Annika also stood up from their seats as if on cue, then quietly marched straight out of the door, leaving the two of us alone.

"Can I also leave?" I deadpanned.

"No." Was his simple reply.

"Louis, bakit ba ang big deal nito para sa inyo?"

"It's for your safety."

"'Yan ka na naman sa mga linyahan mo," I shook my head. "Louis, alam ko naman na wala akong binatbat sa inyo ni Annika. But don't you think this is all too much? Nakalimutan mo na yatang lumaki rin ako sa gubat. All of that training has made you so paranoid."

"I'm not being paranoid."

"Yes, you are."

"No." He said firmly. "This is not whether you also grew up in the forest. Ibahin mo 'to."

"Well... what's different?"

Hindi siya sumagot. I sighed.

"Louis, did you know that people are more inclined to follow the rules if you tell them the reason why they should follow them?"

"Rie... can't you just trust me?"

"Trust..." I laughed at the word. "Yeah, Louis. Like you trusted me at all." I muttered bitterly with a shake of my head, then went to take my belongings on his table. He just watched me.

"I'm not letting you leave until--"

"Alright." Putol ko sa kanya. "I will follow whatever fucking rule this school has even if it doesn't make any fucking sense. At share ko lang, ah? I read the student handbook and at page four, paragraph six, it says that, 'Every student is not allowed outside of curfew hours' pero may mga student pa rin sa labas? Aidan even said--"

"Aidan?" Parang biglang nagpanting ang tainga niya. "You encountered Aidan den Adel outside? You went outside of the safe zone?!" Halos pasigaw na niyang sabi sa'kin. "What did he do to you?" Hinawakan niya ako sa magkabilang braso at pinasadahan ng mariin na titig ang kabuuan na para bang may hinahanap siya. He pulled up the sleeves of my uniform, and even pulled my hair back from my shoulders and glared at my neck? Ang bilis ng tibok ng puso ko kaya mas minabuti ko nang bawiin ang sarili mula sa hawak niya.

"What the hell, Valderrama? You really think I'm that kind of person?! What are you looking for? A hickey?!"

"No, something worse. There's a band-aid on your thigh. Did you draw blood when you were outside the safe zone?" He saw that through my skin-toned stockings?

"What?"

"Nagdugo ka ba sa labas?!" His patience snapped.

"Oo..."

He straightened his posture, closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He turned around and gave us some distance. At sa mahina at kalmadong boses: "Don't associate yourself with him... or anyone related to him. In fact, I don't want you talking to anyone else without my approval."

"Huh?" Sa sobrang gulat ko ay iyon na lang ang nasabi ko.

Now this has just become even more interesting!

"Baliw!" Agap ko. "Bakit? Boyfriend ba kita?"

"This has got nothing to do with us."

"Of course it is! Para ka kung sinong boyfriend kung makabawal sa'kin! Bawal lumabas! Bawal kausapin ang kung sino! Bawal kong maramdaman lahat! To hell with all of you!"

Mabilis akong naglakad palabas ng kwarto at nadatnan si Leon at Annika. Agad niya akong sinalubong. Pero nilagpasan ko lang siya at hindi pinansin ang iilang tawag niya sa pangalan ko.

I don't think I can ever get expelled, even if I violate the rules every day. Louis is still a mystery to me... kahit pa na naging kami ng mahigit isang taon. Hindi naman siya ganito dati. Ngayon ko lang siya nakitang magalit nang ganito. Even if I always pushed his buttons before, his patience never snapped. Sure, he is snob and unfriendly, and sometimes he can even be harsh but at least he had morals. He was my protector when we were younger... Did his duties take a huge toll on him? But then again, he's Louis Valderrama. No matter the pressure, he can always pull it off without a hitch...

It is also a mystery to me how it seemed that he is willing to violate their rules as well if it means I'd get to stay here no matter the cost. Tsaka... bilin 'to ng parents ko? What?

Hindi na ako nag-abala pa ulit na lumabag. Baka kasi totohanin talaga ni Louis ang mga banta niya na babantayan nila ang lahat ng mga kilos ko, kung hindi pa nila iyon ginagawa sa ngayon. But damn it. Now every damn Guardian knows who I am!