Hell University-Chapter 51 - 50: Zein Shion

Zein’s Point of View

What’s wrong with me? I mean, the sun hasn’t even risen yet, but I’m already awake. I glanced at the wall clock before taking a sip of my coffee.

5:30 a.m...

"Why is time moving so slowly?" I whispered to myself before taking another sip.

"Time really does crawl, especially when you’re watching its hands move."

I almost spat out my coffee in surprise as Vanessa suddenly appeared, heading straight into the bathroom.

Why am I even keeping track of the time? Hmmm... Yeah, today he’s coming back. His one-week suspension is over.

Nothing can take away my excitement because we haven’t seen each other in a long time, and my feelings for him haven’t changed. Nothing’s changed, and nothing will change there. The longing I feel cannot be erased.

I heard the bathroom door open, but I didn’t bother to look. Instead, I just stared at the empty cup on my table.

Shit! I miss him so damn much! I can’t deny it anymore. I know everyone already knows because it’s obvious, but who cares? It’s true.

"He still loves you don’t worry."

I glanced at Vanessa, who was stirring her coffee.

"What?" she asked, annoyed.

I just pouted and set my cup in the sink before returning to my seat, where Vanessa’s eyes were still on me.

"Stop staring..."

"So this is what being in love feels like..."

"What?" Now I was the one getting irritated.

She shrugged and smiled. I raised an eyebrow and was about to speak when the door opened again.

"A miracle~" Jerome said in a chant-like tone, grinning widely as he stared at me.

I averted my eyes because of the teasing look he was giving me. I heard Vanessa’s quiet laugh.

"My Vanessa?"

I glanced at Jerome because of what he said. He was staring at Vanessa, who was smirking at him.

"Since when did I become yours?"

"Yesterday. It started when you kissed me."

My eyes widened at Jerome’s words, and in an instant, another live-action scene unfolded right in front of me.

"Stop it, you jerk! FYI! I tripped back then!" Vanessa shouted as she tugged at Jerome, who was now sprawled on the floor.

OH. MY. GOD!

"Tripped? And onto my lips? Damn- Ouch! It hurts, Vanko."

[Note: Van from Vanessa, and ’ko’ could be my or mine. So Vanko = My Vanessa or MyVan.]

I could only laugh. It was obvious that while Vanessa was beating up Jerome, he had a stupid grin on his face. Oh man! Tell me, what’s with them? It’s obvious their feelings are mutual. Ghad! This is love.

I went back to our room for a while and left the two of them still brawling. Mia was still asleep, already taking over the entire bed.

I looked at the mirror, and my eyes unintentionally dropped to my lips.

Fuck you, Raze.

UGH! I still can’t accept that he stole a kiss from me yesterday after messing up my system. I don’t even know what to do now.

Because of the things he said, I ended up doubting myself, and I don’t want this to lead to another mistake again.

"Darling... please come back."

Sorry, but I can’t. We’ve already been hurt, and I don’t want all my sacrifices to end up meaning nothing. Let’s just leave everything to fate.

There’s still a calamity coming, so it’s better if this is how we stay. I don’t want to become your weakness.

I was almost running along the road toward the SSG Office. Good thing all the students along the way moved aside when they saw me, so I didn’t bump into anyone. Shit!

Breathless, I stopped in front of the SSG Office door and fixed myself first. I let out a heavy sigh as I opened the doorknob. With every inch the space widened as I stepped inside, my heart pounded harder, like it was about to explode.

I didn’t know what to feel when Supremo wasn’t there to greet me.

Where the hell is he?

I was brought back to reality when I heard a cough behind me. Embarrassed, I let Vice Ty pass by with a grin as he entered.

I just went straight to my table, trying not to show how broken I felt. Is he not here yet? Where is he? Why is he doing this to me? Is he punishing me? He’s supposed to be Supremo.

"Isn’t Supremo here yet?" I heard Vice Ty ask.

"Obvious, isn’t it?"

I couldn’t help being annoyed, which just made him laugh. I pursed my lips and leaned back in my swivel chair.

I glanced at his empty table.

FUCK YOU TO INFINITY AND BEYOND, SUPREMO.

"Maybe he won’t come back?"

"No way!"

I stood up at what Vice Ty said, and now he was laughing out loud. I felt a bit embarrassed for overacting. Damn, Zein. You are too obvious.

I just sat back down and closed my eyes.

"I was just joking. Actually, we already met earlier."

My eyes lit up at what he said, and his grin just widened even more. OH.MY.GHAD! They already met! That only means he might be here any moment now.

I can’t wait any longer!

"I thought he was already here... Well, let’s just wait for him. Maybe he’ll come later."

For the first time, I kind of wanted to just stay here in the SSG Office and wait for his return, but unfortunately, I still had class.

"You’re not going in?" Vice Ty asked when he noticed I had no intention of going inside.

I shook my head and stayed with my eyes closed.

"You’ll be in trouble if you don’t go in."

"As if I care. I am the Queen."

"And he is the Supreme Student Government President."

"Thank you for the info," I said irritably and grabbed my bag before leaving that place.

I reluctantly went into Algebra class, where I found my friends fooling around. I ignored them and went straight to my seat between Mia and Vanessa.

"Let me guess... he’s not here, right?" Mia teased.

I didn’t bother answering because I wasn’t in the mood to argue. My day was already ruined, and I didn’t want to make it worse.

"If he doesn’t want to show up... fine! As if I even want to see him. Psh."

"Poor you... You want to see him, but have you thought about whether he even wants to see you?"

My eyebrows shot up at Vanessa’s comment. "What do you mean?" I asked boldly.

"Maybe he’s spending his time on something else... you know?"

"Like what?"

She just shrugged and looked away. I was about to speak when our teacher arrived.

I couldn’t focus on the lesson because of what Vanessa said. It kept bothering me.

Is it possible that he’s busy with something else? With what exactly? Or worse, who?

What right do I even have to get mad if he really does have someone else he’s paying attention to? Or if he’s with someone else right now? I admit that if it were true, I’d get jealous. Even if I have no right to be, I really would be jealous.

I already expected these kinds of possibilities, but I still couldn’t help being scared. I’m scared that I might no longer matter to him.

It’s messed up, but no matter what happens, I still want it to be me. I wish I’m still your Queen. I hope it’s still me.

"You’re not coming with us?" Matt asked when he noticed I was heading in a different direction.

"I’m still full."

"Are you really full, or maybe you just-"

"Bye!" I cut Mia off before walking away from them.

It’s true that I was still full, even though I hadn’t had breakfast yet. I couldn’t feel any hunger. All I wanted was to see him.

What’s wrong with seeing him anyway?

Whatever! I just want to see him. I want my own eyes to see that he’s okay. I think I’m going crazy.

When I arrived at the SSG Office, I found no one there. Supremo still wasn’t around. Vice Ty was probably at lunch.

I stared blankly into space as my mind ran through so many thoughts where he was always present. I couldn’t stop thinking, even for a second, without him crossing my mind. This is insane!

It’s only been a few days since we last saw each other, yet I’m already like this.

The door opened, and I felt a spark of hope, but, it’s not him.

"Oh, why are you here?" Teacher Kath asked. "Have you had lunch already?" she added.

I just shook my head, not having the energy to open my mouth. I was starting to get annoyed at myself because of how I was acting.

I had been waiting for hours, so I decided to go to the restroom because I needed to pee.

I found Nicky washing her hands, but I just went straight into one of the cubicles. I didn’t come out right away because I didn’t want to see Nicky for now.

I stayed there for a few minutes before deciding to leave. I was surprised to see her leaning against the door. Her gaze was so heart-melting that I decided it was better to just avoid it.

"I know what’s bothering you..."

Is this really what I was afraid of? She’s quick at reading people, so I didn’t want her to see me. Shit! I just hoped she wouldn’t speak, and I didn’t want to hear what she was going to say.

"I saw him..." I froze while washing my hands, but I still didn’t look at her. "With someone." She added, immediately grabbing my attention.

She grinned, and I could see the teasing in her expression.

"I didn’t ask." I replied, which she weakly laughed at.

"But that’s not what I see in your eyes." My gaze dropped at what she said.

Damn!

"You are so fragile... easy to break. Where is the devil?" she asked.

"Let it go, Zein. Protect yourself."

Those were the last words she left me before finally leaving me.

I was left stunned.

Devil?

When I returned to the SSG Office, he still wasn’t there. I couldn’t hide the bitterness and pain I was feeling. Damn!

Hours passed, yet Supremo still hadn’t arrived. He must be so busy with someone that he forgot his responsibilities. Really, Supremo?

A strange feeling was forming inside me. Why am I feeling this?

Supremo, don’t do this. Please.

I was growing more afraid with each passing minute that he still hadn’t come. There was something inside me that I didn’t want to feel. No. Please. I hate this feeling.

"Are you sure?" Vice Ty asked me.

I just nodded before glancing at the wall clock. It was already 6:00 pm, one hour before the bloody night. I stayed behind and took it upon myself to close the SSG Office.

How long have I been in a daze? I didn’t even attend my next class just to wait for his arrival, but still, he didn’t come. I hadn’t eaten, yet I couldn’t even feel hunger.

I bit my lip hard.

I glanced at the empty table beside me. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Where are you?

6:30 pm...

I decided to leave. I didn’t understand the strange feeling inside me. My gut told me it wasn’t good. A weird, unsettling feeling.

It felt like I didn’t matter.

It was getting dark since it was only 30 minutes before the bloody night. I froze mid-step when I noticed a shadow in the dark.

Shit!

My heart pounded wildly, and I felt frozen in place. The figure was crouched, facing away from me, as if waiting for something.

I couldn’t afford to make a mistake. That’s him. When have I ever been wrong about him? I know him so well.

I was about to run toward him when I saw the scene unfolding. My heart exploded at what I saw next.

Angel and Ace were kissing passionately.

And what was even scarier... I was smiling.

Fuck! I shouldn’t be smiling, but why the hell am I smiling like an idiot?!

This isn’t good. Swear.

Before I knew it, I just kept walking. I touched my cheek and realized it was wet. I can’t feel my body. Am I numb? I should be hurting, but I can’t even feel a trace of pain.

And yet... I am still smiling.

I am scared right now. I’m scared of myself. I’m scared for myself. It’s like I don’t even recognize who I am anymore.

There’s only one thought running through my mind at this moment... Something in me will change after tonight. I’m scared to face tomorrow.

I’ve never been this scared before... I’m scared of myself. Why?

What is happening to you, Zein Shion?