Hell University-Chapter 14 - 13: King and Queen

Vanessa’s Point of View

I let Zein go ahead because I knew I’d take a while. It’s really hard to pretend you know things, especially when you’re just being forced to. Like what I’m doing right now, acting like a bookworm just to get into the Highest 10. Sigh.

"Here..."

I heard a voice in front of me and someone laid a book on the table. I raised my eyes and was greeted by a guy, smiling. He’s kind of chinito and just a few inches taller than me.

[Chinito is a Filipino slang term used to describe someone who has slanted or narrow eyes, usually resembling East Asian features (often associated with Chinese looks)]

"We’ve already finished that assignment and I got my answers from that book." He pointed to the book he put on the table.

I glanced at the book and read the title. It matched the context assignment so I took it.

"May I hear the magic word?" He asked who’s now sitting where Zein sat earlier.

"T-Thank you."

"There! I thought you didn’t know how to speak, I was about to teach you." He joked in which I chuckled at.

I figured that he really has a playful personality. It’s a little bit corny but at least he’s still jolly.

"Liam."

I watched him as he offered his hands in front of me and waited for me to accept it.

"Vanessa."

I answered shortly and didn’t accept his hand who’s still waiting for mine. I returned my attention to the book.

I heard his low laugh. I’m not really a friendly person, I am already content with the friends I have right now. I usually ignore people when they come near me.

"Page 256." I heard him say.

I turned the exact page he muttered and read the content. I smiled when I saw the answers to my questions. I reached for my notebook and started writing down my answer.

"Vanessa. Such a beautiful name." I heard him say.

I slightly stopped but I didn’t let him notice it. I continued writing.

A few minutes passed and I’m finally done with my assignment, but Liam was still sitting in front of me. I didn’t spare him any glance the whole time so I don’t know if he has ever fallen asleep, reading, or just watching me.

"Are you done?" He asked.

I just realized now that maybe he’s waiting for the book that he lent me, so I gave it back to him shyly.

"Thank you." I gathered the courage to look at him. I moved the book closer to him. I was right, he was just staring at me while smiling.

What’s wrong with this guy? He must be crazy.

"Nah. You can borrow it since we’re already done with that book," then he pushed it towards me.

I wanted to argue that I didn’t need his book anymore, but I just took it so our conversation wouldn’t drag on. I fixed my things and stood up.

My brows knitted when he stood up too, still in his usual smile. What’s funny? Is he teasing me?

I tried to keep my mouth shut and walk towards the door. I paused for a moment when he got to the door ahead of me and opened it for me. I raised an eyebrow at him before walking past.

I don’t need a guard. I don’t need an assistant. I don’t want him around and I don’t know why.

"You still have class?" He asked.

"Later." I replied.

I was really holding myself back from saying something hurtful to him because he lent me the book, but honestly, he was acting way too close when we didn’t even know each other.

I only know his name, but not his surname or his entire self. In short, we are totally strangers.

"Oh, why are you in a rush? Do you want to eat? My treat."

"Okay." I replied shortly.

I was shocked when he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the cafeteria. I could only grimace at what he did.

Son of your father and born of your mother! What’s his problem?! Doesn’t he know how to be gentle? I thought he was a gentleman, but the way he pulled me, he treated me like a damn horse.

"You should learn how to take things slower." I muttered irritably before sitting.

"I’m easy to get bored especially in taking things slower. I want everything to be faster." He replied that I honestly don’t understand.

This chinito guy is so hard to read.

"Good afternoon ma’am/sir. May I know your order?" The waiter asked us.

"The most expensive meal, most expensive drink, and most expensive dessert, along with the most expensive plate and glass." I said in an irritated tone.

I almost smacked the laughing Chinito with the books I was holding. What I ordered was expensive, and he was just laughing at it?! Maybe he was laughing because he didn’t have any money left? Duh!

"Sir?" The waiter asked Liam.

"Just like what she ordered. Then, can you also please tell the girl beside me that everything here is FREE and has no fee?" he chuckled.

My jaw dropped on what he said. I didn’t even know that everything was free. We ate here and I thought Matt or Dave were just treating us. But it turns out it’s all free! Gosh! I’m wasting my saliva saying ’THE MOST EXPENSIVE’ because it’s all pointless. My ignorance strikes again. Grr.

"Why are you angry at me? I didn’t do anything bad, in fact, I even helped you." He was still smiling.

Isn’t he tired of smiling all the time?

"You are too annoying, and I hate how you dragged me here!" I said irritably. "And I just want to say that I am fully paid with your help. I already said THANK YOU." I added.

I was running out of breath just by walking here, while he seemed to be completely unfazed, and he’s still smiling even. This smiling Chinito. Geez.

"You hate everything about me?" he asked.

I don’t know why I stopped. Did I exceed the limit? Am I exaggerating again? Should I apologize?

"No. It’s not like that." It’s the only thing that came out of my mouth.

"I just want to be your friend." He said.

I frowned once again. Should I just accept him?

"Okay. Fine." I answered in which he immediately chuckled at. It probably wouldn’t hurt to be friends with others. I wouldn’t lose anything anyway. This is just for my conscience, since I snapped at him. I mean, come on!

"Thanks." He said.

The food was served so we finally got quiet until we finished eating our food. No one dared to speak up.

Okay, this is awkward.

"Am I late?"

I almost threw the glass I was about to drink on when Jerome suddenly arrived, wearing his smiley face. Just like how Liam kept smiling since earlier.

"What late are you saying?" I asked.

He slowly laughed and winked at me. He glanced at Liam and smiled. Eh?

"You are?" Jerome asked.

"Liam." Liam shortly answered.

"Yow! I’m Jerome." They exchanged hands and smiled with each other.

"Hey! Hey! You’re not inviting us over?!"

I could only keep a poker face as my crazy friends started showing up. Mia glared at me while Liam was teasingly talking to Dave.

"What are you pouting at?" I asked.

"Eh! Isn’t that Liam? That handsome guy who every girl keeps staring at."

My brows are knitted. I don’t care if he’s popular here. We’re in hell!

"Your type?" Zein teased me and pinched my hips. "Yiiee!"

I slapped her hands away and glared at her. The two witches only laughed at me.

"Hahaha!" We glanced at the boys who were all laughing with each other. They really got along pretty easily. They only knew Liam for about five minutes yet they’re laughing like they’ve known each other for a year now.

I can’t help but to smile. The once quiet cafeteria was suddenly filled with laughter. Because of us, the whole place once again became noisy. I don’t know if this should make me happy or I should be embarrassed by how my friends are acting.

"What? Were you mean to him?" Zein insisted.

Since they’re aware that I’m always like that to other people. I couldn’t say I’m anti-social, ah, whatever! I’m already content with having them with me.

We all stopped when we heard a shattering glass. We immediately turned our heads to the corner where a girl in high heels is standing. This is my first time seeing her.

"Gosh! It’s so noisy, that’s why the glass broke."

We didn’t say anything and remained quiet. If you look at her, she’s just an ordinary girl, the bratty mean girl type.

"Roxane?"

Liam stood and so he can assist Roxane from the shards of glass. I was rolling my eyes at her attitude. What’s she so proud of? Her boobs? Duh! She could get hurt with those 6-inch heels on! Another "duh!" moment.

I was surprised at how people acted here. Some of the staff immediately removed the broken glass, while others were checking if Roxane got cut.

Seriously? They’re overreacting. What is she? A queen? Tsk.

"Who is she?" Mia asked.

"OMG! My legs are bruised!" She almost fainted when she saw the tiny bruise on her leg. It was barely even a dot!

The staff gathered around her. Some of them were almost panicking. Okay... is there something we don’t know here? Why are they reacting like that? Who is this Roxane?

"You!" She pointed at us. "It was all your fault! You’re going to regret this." Before she was brought to the clinic.

That made me laugh. What did we do to deserve what happened to her? If anyone should be blamed here, it’s her stupidity. NOT US!

"Sorry about that," Liam said when he returned.

"Who is she?" Zein asked. That’s what’s bothering me too.

"Roxane Allister. Raze Silvenia’s girlfriend."

My jaw dropped after hearing it. That overly dramatic witch? She’s the girlfriend of the Number 1 in the Highest 10 and the leader of the Devil God Warrior, Raze Silvenia?

"Raze is the current King of Hell University and definitely, that girl, Roxane Allister, is the Queen."

Okay. It never crossed my mind that something like that existed in HU. Apparently, they even have a Queen and a King.

But the question now is, who is Raze Silvenia? I haven’t seen him except on the day of an acquaintance party where he was wearing a mask.

"Ahhhhh!!!"

We all stood up when we heard a scream outside. Anxiety immediately creeped into my whole system. What’s going to happen again this time?