Hell University-Chapter 18 - 17: The Punishment

Zein’s Point of View

I shot Mia a sharp look when I saw her discreetly taking my ice cream. But I froze mid-bite when I noticed Fritzy swaying her hips as she walked. She came straight toward us while wearing a wide grin.

"You’re being summoned by Supremo," she said with a smile.

"Why?" I asked.

"How would I know? All I know is that he’s waiting for you at the wide space." She rolled her eyes at me, then sashayed away and joined her group of friends, who all seemed to be boys.

"Flirt," I heard Vanessa mutter.

"Uh, guys, sorry about this. I’ve been called," I said, scratching my head in embarrassment.

"What are you talking about? It’s fine! You have responsibilities in HU!" Jerome said in support.

"I’ll walk you there," Matt offered.

I simply nodded, and we walked together. The wide space of HU was quite far, since it was located near the end.

"It seems like you and Supremo are getting closer," he said.

I stopped short and couldn’t respond right away. I wanted to laugh, because I knew that Ace and I would never be close, not when he barely even had friends.

"You replaced me."

I really couldn’t hold back my laughter at how corny he was, though I had to admit it was oddly heart-fluttering. If I were the type to assume, I might have thought he was jealous, but knowing him, I knew he was only joking.

Sigh!

"All of the members in SSG are getting closer, but not him, he isolated himself. He would only talk to us if he needed something."

"Why do you look like you’re disappointed?"

I glared at him because of what he said, then he laughed. He even wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

"It’s just a joke, I already know that I’m already in your heart."

"You’re corny."

I could feel my cheeks flushing. Of all the jokes, Matt’s was the most heart-fluttering.

"Haha, what’s corny about it? I’m just telling the truth, I know that you have a crush on me!"

I stopped fully and felt the hotness in my face. He knows? Who told him? Was I too obvious? This is too embarrassing.

"Hahaha! Just kidding."

Eh? Okay, that’s good! I thought he really knew about my feelings for him. I’d be in big trouble if anyone told him! He might get shy around me, or even avoid me. My heart would break if that happened.

"Why did that asshole even call for you? And now that we finally have time, he’s going to squeeze himself in!"

I could feel the disappointment in the way he spoke and his tone. There was no humor in it.

"Why? Do you have the strength to fight him?" I joked.

"No. But if you are the reason, then I will truly find the courage."

Was he serious? Would he really stand up to Supremo for my sake? What? He was just joking, wasn’t he? Honestly, Matt, you give too much hope. I wish it were true. I truly wish it were.

"We’re here," we both stopped walking when I saw Supremo sitting on a bench on the right side corner of the wide space. "Thank you," I uttered.

Matt slowly removed his arms around my shoulders.

"That was nothing, everything for my best friend." He said that made me smile.

Bestfriend. K.

"I’ll just go ahead," I told him. I don’t know but I’ve suddenly lost my strength. Why is that? I was just so happy earlier. Am I bipolar?

"Wait!" He grabbed me so I got shoved in his chest. I glared at him but he only responded with a smile.

Shit. So handsome.

"What?" I asked.

"I have a question for you." He muttered seriously.

What is this time Matt? You’re making me hope again. Don’t you dare ask if it is okay to court me, because it’s 100% okay.

"Who’s more handsome, Supremo or me?"

My jaw dropped because of his question. I didn’t even get to answer right away because his question was too hard, harder than math.

"Eh? What kind of question is that?"

"Just answer it."

I only sighed. I know that he will never stop bothering me until I give him an answer.

"Of course it’s you, Matthew! Who else would it be?"

The smile in his lips grew wider and glanced behind me. My eyes widened when I saw Supremo with his poker face.

"I’m gonna leave now. Bye!"

He quickly left while still shouting and jumping, while I didn’t even know what to tell Supremo. Did he hear it? Obviously!

"You are 30 minutes late,"

I couldn’t say a thing. Was he monitoring the time? But then again, he needs to manage his time because of his heavy workloads. I hadn’t realized that my conversation with Matt had gone on for so long.

"And it seems like I know why. Remember our agreement Ms. Shion, once I call you. ASAP. Do you want me to forbid you from talking to them?" he threatened.

Fuck you, Supremo.

"Sorry,"

"Anyway, the reason why I called you was because I got some news," I looked at him. He was still serious. He adjusted his glasses. "I know what you did to Queen Roxane." He continued.

I almost rolled my eyes, it’s a good thing I was able to stop myself.

"Yes, I slapped her 160 degrees." I confessed.

"Roxane is the Queen of HU for pete’s sake. You don’t have the right to hurt her, you are just nothing but a powerless secretary."

"Hell yes, and I don’t fucking care!"

Fuck you 100 times Supremo!

The way you speak hurts so much. They were the ones who started it. If they didn’t insult and hurt me, then she shouldn’t have been slapped by 160 degrees. It’s no longer my fault! Stupid.

He fixed his glasses once again before speaking.

"And what did you get? Raze hurt you," he grinned at me, as if he was glad that I got hurt.

"Yes, and so what?"

I couldn’t help but to give him an attitude. This is ruining my day. He just called me so he could scold me.

"You should be punished." He muttered that it made me knit my brow.

"K."

"Your punishment is to clean the cafeteria for a week."

My jaw dropped on what he said. Of all the punishments I had thought of, it never occurred to me that cleaning would be my punishment.

"For a week? For real?"

I couldn’t do anything. Once he said it, he meant it, no more questions.

I went to the library to calm my nerves. As usual, the place was quiet and the librarian was busy reading her book.

I went to the farthest table and shoved my face in it. I’m going to clean the cafeteria every afternoon, Supremo had already ordered the staff not to clean the cafeteria because I’ll be the one to do it. Heartless.

I sensed that someone sat in front of me. I raised my gaze and Celine appeared while grinning. 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

Creepy. Shit.

"How are you, Zein? You really have a strong grip on Death."

"What do you need?"

This girl is really creepy. She knows something more.

"Nothing in particular. I simply found out something that would surely ruin your world," she said.

What did she know again and why is she saying that it’ll affect me? No, I don’t want to know what she knows. I have so much in my mind right now and I don’t want to make it worse.

"Traitor, there’s a traitor around you." She said.

I don’t know why I suddenly stood up from my chair. I don’t want to hear what she’s going to say anymore, or what she meant. She should keep it to herself. I don’t want to hear it.

"Take care, Zein, because if that person will discover the secret formula, you’ll be in danger. The catastrophe is only just beginning. Hurry, Zein, get ahead of them."

I left the library and didn’t have the chance to rest. That Celine is really hella weird. It’s like she’s out of her wit.

Who are they?

It’s already afternoon and it’s really the time that haunts me. I took the broom and rag and I was immediately greeted by the disaster in the cafeteria. I didn’t know if they had intentionally made such a mess today, things had never been this bad before, but now it looked as if a storm had swept through.

"I’m gonna watch you and monitor your performance," Supremo said to me.

Does it look like I’m planning on escaping?!

I started sweeping the marbled floor and picked up the trash, and other glass that were filled with juice.

"Faster, or you’ll be caught by the bloody night if you don’t work quicker than this," he suggested impatiently.

I didn’t bother replying. I hadn’t even started speaking to him earlier, I was still sulking. Hmp!

I grimaced when I touched the sticky coffee on the floor and, frustrated, wiped it onto my blouse.

"Clumsy," I heard him mutter.

I groaned in frustration before grabbing a rag and wiping it up. A whole week like this?! Damn it.

After cleaning the floor, I moved on to the tables. I was drenched in sweat, and that annoying Ace did nothing but make snide remarks. I felt absolutely sticky, and truthfully, I really was.

"You took 2 hours and 5 minutes. Put away the things you used," he said, exiting the cafeteria, leaving me fuming with frustration.

He left me! Damn you, Supremo.

I washed the dirty rag and hung it on the cafeteria’s kitchen before facing the mirror. The spilled coffee on my blouse had dried up and my hair had been tangled. My brows knitted and I pouted.

I look so haggard.

My eyes dropped at the wall clock. It’s already 30 minutes before the bloody night.

I rushed outside and I almost screamed out of my wits when Supremo appeared in my sight. He was waiting for me.

"You took 10 minutes again." He was shaking his head while speaking. "I’ll walk you back to your dorm," he offered.

Huh! At least he still took pity on me. I hate you, Ace! I also hate you, Roxane! You two should just be together!

"Tomorrow again, Zein," he said.

I don’t know why, but I froze. It was the first time he’d called me by my name. He always used to call me Ms. Shion.

What’s the big deal, Zein?

When I entered the dorm, it was only Dave that I found, I think the others were already sleeping.

"Oh? What’s with that look?" He asked while chuckling.

"Oh, please, Dave. Don’t tease me, I’m not in the mood!"

I marched towards the bathroom and immediately took off my blouse. Hell Day. Hell Punishment. Hell yes, I’ll have to do it for 6 more days.

I hate this! I hate you, Supremo!