Hell University-Chapter 38 - 37: Order

Zein’s Point of View

I woke up smiling. I went to my next classes smiling. I didn’t know why, but I felt so light, so free. I really couldn’t understand myself. Maybe Supremo was right, I might be bipolar.

"Look who’s here?" I stopped in my tracks on my way to the SSG Office as Roxane, flanked by her two aides, blocked my path again.

"What do you want, Queen Roxane?"

The lips that had been curled into a smirk earlier were replaced by a smile the moment she heard the word "queen." After all, she truly was a queen, to them, and I chose to simply go along with it. I did not want to be dragged into any kind of trouble. I no longer wanted to make another wrong move that could cause harm, not only to myself but to others as well.

"Since you already mentioned ’Queen,’ go get me some juice from the cafeteria."

"I’ll have a sandwich," said the girl on her left.

"I want a slice of pizza," added the one on her right.

I would not have minded if that were all they wanted, anything to avoid conflict, but the problem was that the cafeteria was far from where we were. On top of that, the sun was blazing overhead. I might just end up fainting on the way.

"Sorry..." I was about to walk past them when I felt two hands gripping both of my arms.

I squeezed my eyes shut before forcefully shaking their hands away. "Fine!" I could hear their laughter even when I was already some distance from them.

You should be thankful, I am still in control of myself, you bitches.

I nearly ran toward the cafeteria just to get there faster, the sun scorching my skin since there was no overhead cover while I was crossing the quadrangle.

"Ugh!" I frowned for the nth time.

If only I were not thinking about what would happen should I go against you, you would already be sprawled on the ground by now. Smirk.

I came to a stop and placed my hands on my knees, exhausted from both the distance and the scorching heat, which only doubled my fatigue. I sensed a shadow behind me, and I quickly turned around.

He held an umbrella over me, causing me to frown. "It’s hot, walking under the sun," he said.

"And so what, Liam?"

He grinned before shaking his head. "Where are you going in such a hurry?" he asked.

I grabbed his umbrella and walked away. I had already met enough people at HU, and I didn’t want any more encounters.

"Wait!"

I felt him squeezing himself under the umbrella. I didn’t complain, since it was his umbrella we were using anyway.

When we arrived at the cafeteria, I let go of the umbrella and went to the counter to take out the orders I had been asked to get. Huh.

"That’s a lot. Are you going to eat all that?"

I didn’t glance at Liam and simply waited for my order.

"You’re so grumpy."

"You know what?" I closed my eyes in front of him. It was so annoying, and he just added to it. "If you don’t want me to be grumpy, let me be."

I grabbed my order, took his umbrella again, and hurriedly left the cafeteria.

Luckily, he didn’t follow me, but the umbrella, well, I’d just return it to him later. I didn’t want to feel indebted to him because of this umbrella.

"Here!"

They practically scrambled for the orders I had gotten for them, like starving people, and I couldn’t help but smirk. "You’ve been hungry and thirsty for a while, yet you endured it because you were too lazy to walk to the cafeteria under the blazing sun. Right?"

I was a bit annoyed at their laziness, especially since they were using their so-called power just to get what they wanted without breaking a sweat.

"Go away. You’re disgusting."

"Huh! You said so." I pretended to walk away but still glanced back at them. I raised my middle finger. "Fuck you," I murmured.

The SSG Office, which was supposed to be nearby, now felt incredibly far. I had been walking for so long, and I was already thirsty. I should have taken a sip of juice earlier. Geez.

When I finally arrived at the SSG Office, Supremo immediately stood up and helped me sit down.

"Hey! Are you okay?" he asked, concerned.

He cranked up the air conditioning and closed the door before approaching me again.

"W‑Water," I said weakly, parched with thirst.

Supremo picked up a bottle of mineral water resting on his desk and handed it to me.

"Is that less now?"

"Of course! Do you think you’re the only one allowed to get thirsty? Drink before you die."

Annoyed, I drank the mineral water, and when I was finally satisfied, I spat the excess right at his face.

"Ms. Shion!" He wiped the water off his face in irritation and shot me a sharp look.

He grabbed the now-empty mineral water bottle and lightly knocked it against my head. I rubbed my head in pain, even though it didn’t hurt that much.

"What were you even doing outside at this hour?! It’s scorching hot! Do you want your skin to burn?! Fine! Keep standing under the sun so you’ll get burnt and ugly-"

"And nobody would like me except you?" I teased, and, as usual, he blushed again.

I had been teasing him for several days now about his feelings for me, and I wasn’t disappointed. If I guessed correctly, I might even be his first girlfriend, whereas he had probably been my 24th, if ever. I couldn’t even remember all the boyfriends I had had.

What am I even saying?! 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"Behave yourself!" he snapped at me and returned to his table.

It was only then that I noticed Vice Ty and Teacher Kath watching us, eyebrows raised. Uh oh. I hadn’t noticed them before.

"President Ac-"

"Crap it. I don’t want to hear what you’re going to say," Supremo cut off Teacher Kath.

"I am still above the three of you. Just reminding you that I always make sure none of you can get close to Secretar-"

"I know..." He glanced at Teacher Kath. "And I don’t care," he added before approaching me and taking my hand.

I didn’t speak and simply let him pull me along. I couldn’t help but smile bitterly. What am I supposed to do, Supremo? I don’t even know how to get out of this.

He led me to what I would call our secret place, since it wasn’t a spot frequently visited by other students. Did Supremo already know about this place? Well, he had been here for a long time, and he probably wanted some peace and quiet too. It was amusing that we both liked this same spot.

He helped me sit at the base of the giant tree. He sat down beside me. I didn’t know what to say. How could I start to say what I wanted to, when I didn’t even understand it myself?

"I want to cover your ears every time they say those things..." Supremo whispered softly. "I don’t want you to follow what they want..." His sorrowful tone tore at my heart as I listened. "I don’t want you to drift away from me," he added.

My chest tightened, so tight it felt as though I might scream. Why is it that whenever there is happiness, sadness must follow? Can’t it be that you are happy, and then happy again later, and then... then... endlessly happy?

I am losing my mind.

I felt his hand resting on mine, and I couldn’t help but look at him. He was smiling, but behind it, I knew there was a hidden sadness.

"What should I do, Ace? What am I supposed to do? Command me, and I’ll obey. Please, give me an order, Supremo," I spoke into the air.

I felt his grip on my hand tighten, and the warmth radiating from it thawed the chill in my heart.

Damn!

"I don’t know what I should do either. All I know is that being with you is all I want. I am so drawn to something that only you can give. I am so incredibly crazy, call it insanity if you want, but yes, damn it, I am madly in love with you."

"Why me?" I asked absentmindedly.

I wondered as well, why me, out of so many women? He could have had anyone he wanted.

He laughed at my question, yet he still did not let go of my hand. "That’s exactly what I keep asking myself. I didn’t like you, I really didn’t like you from the very beginning. Maybe you bewitched me and turned me into this. The kind of woman I like is simple, angelic, even if I myself am a demon," he said.

"Angel?"

"Angelica? Yes, I was attracted to her. But whenever you come close, I immediately lose my hold, and I end up drawn back to you. It’s like I’m the north pole of a magnet and you’re the south pole. The funny thing is, your pull is incredibly strong. I am so attracted to you. You are so damn attractive."

"You liked Angel too?" I asked coldly.

He laughed once again. "Of course. Who wouldn’t be? She is simple, yet attractive," he replied with a smile.

"Then if that’s the case, why are you here?! Go to Angel, the attractive one!" I pulled my hand away from his and crossed my arms.

So Angel was attractive to him as well, then he should just go to her! I don’t know why, but I want it to be only me. I don’t want to share. I’m selfish. I admit it.

He took my hand again and enclosed it within his large hands.

"Because I chose you over her. Isn’t it obvious?"

I still refused to look at him, which only made him laugh. Damn it. What’s so funny? Is he laughing because I’m irritated? Well, I’m beyond irritated now. So irritated that I might just end up kissing you.

Err.

"I don’t want to see you frowning, but if it’s because you’re jealous, then I kind of want you to frown."

Betrayal! He made me smile! This is what I dislike about Supremo, he doesn’t realize that his simple words affect me so deeply, reaching even into the core of my being.

"You’re smiling."

"Heh!"

He suddenly became serious, and I swallowed hard. Did he get mad at my ’heh’? Sorry! Ugh! So annoying! Why is he being so serious?! I think he’s the more bipolar one between the two of us.

"I-I’m sorry..." I murmured almost under my breath, but his face remained serious as he looked at me.

I didn’t know whether he was angry or what he was feeling.

Suddenly, he stood up and started walking away, and I quickly followed. I tugged at his shirt, causing him to stop, but he still kept his back turned to me.

"Supremo..." I said, exasperated.

I was startled as my eyes widened, he turned around in an instant. For a moment, everything seemed to stop, and I realized that with just one wrong move, I could end up kissing him.

His lips curved into a grin before he moved his face away from mine. "That’s why. I’m just holding back. If I didn’t, I might claim your lips," he said, still smiling.

I kept my mouth shut, still unable to get over what he had done. I could almost feel his lips, yet they hadn’t truly touched mine, and I felt guilty. I should have moved.

He cupped my cheeks with both hands, bringing his face slightly closer to mine.

"Do you want an order? Fine." A smile flickered across his lips again, a smile that melted me. "You must not obey an order from anyone; obey only me. And... this is an order from the highest Supreme Student Government..."

I closed my eyes as I felt his cool, soft lips press against my forehead.

"And you can’t do anything about it."