Bullied by the Devil

Chapter 4

Let me take you back a day before all of this happened.

To the time I was a complete mob character that the protagonists of my life should have had no knowledge of. To the time I was an oblivious extra living my life knowing nothing special was going to happen to me unless I worked hard for it. To the time I had seen the signs of my doom but chose to ignore them.

“You’re really dedicated to your whole early-morning-screaming-at-boys thing, aren’t you, Wendy?” Joy spoke as soon as I slid into my seat behind hers.

I mumbled something about how nosey people should keep their noses to themselves as I pulled a notebook and pen out and tossed them on my desk.

“I mean Roan and Nicholas are hot but it’s not like there’s a shortage of hot guys in our school, isn’t there?”

“You know it’s not too late to mind your own business,” I growled.

Unfazed, she went on not minding her business and leaned over to tell me, “You don’t even have to join the crowd and stand under the sun. You could have just waited for them to pass the front and back doors of our classroom. Or better yet, just hang outside the staircase.”

“Oh, but we can’t do that.”

Nicholas didn’t like people hanging in the halls just to ogle at them. And we fangirls had all agreed to give them space at all times.

“What do you mean you can’t do that? Anyway, if you have time for boys, you should have time to study.”

I scowled. “What are you, my mother?”

“I saw your test scores last week and they didn’t look good.”

“As long as I don’t get failing grades, I’m safe.”

“Try saying that in front of your mother.”

Rolling my eyes to the ceiling, I sighed, “Please, Joy. Can’t you leave me alone even for just one morning?”

Joy smirked and started to braid her hair into one long loose plait. “I worry about you.”

“Worry about yourself,” I replied snootily. “Isn’t your boyfriend cheating on you?”

“You know he isn’t and if that’s your way of getting rid of me, it’s super lame. Want to have lunch with me later?”

“What? Your boyfriend is cheating on you, isn’t he?”

“No, dummy. Please? Irene's going to join us after her thing is done.”

I blew out a breath, ruffling my bangs. “Sure. Whatever.”

Giving me an okay sign, she finally minded her business and turned away, leaving me to my peace.

Only for the class president to ruin it next.

“Is she coming to lunch with us?” Angela asked Joy when she stopped by her desk.

Joy gave her a thumbs-up. “Annoyed her to agreeing.”

“Good. We can head to the library after then.”

“No,” I groaned, burying my face into my arms. “I don’t want to. Leave me alone.”

“She’s really dramatic, isn’t she?”

“You used to be that dramatic too, Joy. If your parents weren’t going to buy you a new phone if you get all A’s this semester, I doubt you’d work this hard.”

“Yeah, well. I’m just spreading the love.”

“She doesn’t even have to work hard,” I grumbled. “She’s already smart. She’s just too lazy.”

“Sucks to be you then,” Joy snickered. “We’ll drag her if we have to, Angela.”

Angela raised an eyebrow when she saw me peeking at her. “I’ll see you later, Wendy.”

I slammed my hand on my desk when she left and Joy giggled again. But she didn’t bother me anymore so I didn’t slam my hand on her face too. Pulling a manga from my bag, ignoring Angela’s frown of disapproval from her seat by the window, I hid the book between the pages of my textbook and began to read.

My mother once said I gave dumb a whole new meaning whenever she sees my grades and I was afraid she might be right. Because while everyone else was studying as if their lives depend on it, which did if they wanted to get into good universities, I was making a list of anime shows to watch. While everyone else was crammed into the library or any study spaces they could find, I was drawing fanarts and chatting with my friends online about the manga we'd read.

Which was probably why my friends have taken it upon themselves to save me from completely failing in school.

It didn’t mean I didn’t try to escape. So after we ate lunch outside on the pavilion because the weather was just perfect for it, I made a run for it indoors when Angela and Joy weren't looking.

Strangely, I started to feel the familiar sensation of being watched.

Brushing the hair out of my eyes, I turned my head to check. There were a lot of students milling in the hallway but there wasn’t anyone looking my way.

I frowned.

When did it begin?

At first, I thought I was just being hypersensitive and ignored the feeling. It didn’t feel menacing or terrifying, though it did start to bother me after awhile. And it just wasn’t possible that someone would stare at a potato like me so I chose to ignore this too.

Just my imagination, I decided, twisting my head back around and turning the corner. It was just my imagination.

Right?

Some bastard threw a banana peel on the floor.

I realized that when I stepped on it and slipped but luckily managed to stay upright.

Dumbfounded, my heart pounding like a jackhammer, I could only stare at the stupid banana peel on the floor.

“Are you alright?”

And just like that, my breath went out in a whoosh.

Oh, Lord. That beautiful voice could only belong to the one and only Roan.

I woodenly straightened and looked up.

It was indeed Roan.

“I’m…” I swallowed and tried again. “I’m fine.”

His smile was dazzling as he looked at me. Just looking at his eyes made me feel like I was about to melt.

“Be careful,” he said. “The floor seems slippery today.”

Then he was gone.

“Found her!” Arms went around my shoulders, holding me tight. “I found her, Angela!”

Then someone was pinching her cheek. “You little… You’re really that desperate not to study, aren't you?"

I looked at Angela, my lips spreading widely into a grin. Angela blinked. "What?"

“It hurts,” I whispered.

“What hurts?” Joy asked, loosening her hold around me.

“Angela's pinch hurts! It means I wasn’t dreaming,” I laughed out loud with glee. Roan really did talk to me! He was so cool, so elegant and thoughtful. This had to be the best day of my life!

Angela and Joy exchanged glances.

Then, with me still laughing like a loon, the two dragged me to the library to where Irene was already waiting patiently for us, books spread out on the table in front of her.

“You’re a traitor, Irene,” I grumbled. “Aren’t we both the low-effort-spending duo?”

She grinned. “Joy said she’d burn my headband if I didn’t come,” she quipped and I glanced at said headband on Joy’s head.

Shaking my head, I straightened my shoulders, feeling a sudden burst of inspiration. Like I could do anything and be successful today. The Roan effect, I call it.

“Well then,” Angela pushed her non-prescription glasses up her nose, “Shall we begin?”