To Become Number One

Chapter 20

Start at Zero.

Staring at the crumpled paper in my desk with only my lamp illuminating the whole place, I sighed as I remember what happened earlier just to get this piece of paper from him.

It just wouldn't leave my mind— that maybe he's hurting too, as I completely focused my eyes on Lucian since while looking at him, I couldn't help myself but to feel bad at pity him that I didn't realize— maybe Killian's suffering too, he's just good at hiding it.

I sighed again as I picked my pen and get closer to the desk to start what I'm planning to do. Gathering myself with continuously telling myself that it'll be okay, even it was as if reading this one would be like breaking privacy with those two but I don't have any choice, right?

I want everyone to be happy.

Opening the crumbled paper with my slightly shaking hands, debating myself if I'll do this one, my ‘wanting-to-help’ self won as I successfully fully opened it. I was kind of amazed at how wonderful Lucian's handwriting is as if it was written by a girl since it could've understood clearly, I just don't know why Killian bashed it earlier.

As I wrote the first few words… my heart just wouldn't stop beating so fast.

Kill's Strengths and Weaknesses

Where strength has written with so many reasons that I just couldn't believe how the heck Lucian analyzed them, as I remember that he's been with him ever since, so of course, he will know his strengths as well as his weaknesses.

It's included that he could do everything as long as people just wouldn't come into his way, in which, in my mind, I shook that idea because people... Especially friends could make you feel strong and making you do the best that you could and it's not the otherwise.

They will be the ones to push you to do things that might surpass your limits since yeah, sometimes we are the only ones hindering ourselves from doing things that we thought we couldn't, but the truth is, we wouldn't know about it unless we try.

My eyes shifted at the second one as I chuckled when I saw the only one weakness that's written on the paper.

“Ghost,” I read as I wrote it on the paper. 

Who would still be scared of ghosts? Those are just tales to scare children and only children believe in those words on this day. And… I just couldn't imagine Killian being so scared since it was as if it's too far from his image. We've always known her as a fearless, arrogant, prideful man as he is today. Being scared of ghosts is too far from that image of him, right?

My eyes turned a little lower as I see what's written on it.

“Kill's way of fighting…” I read it after I wrote it.

My eyes traveled lower more as I started to copy the things written on it that I couldn't help but visualize them in my mind. The first step he's usually doing is attacking his enemy on a 1v1 fight is with his write arm— his dominant one, and if the enemy the successfully avoided that attack, he will use his left foot to capture the enemy and immobilize them a little, and that was when…

I hold my head with both of my hands as I shook my head. “Don't visualize, Artemis. Just write or your head will explode just like what's his ability is,” I whispered to myself as I chuckled. Right. His power is about an explosion and I think, just by visualizing his way of attacking, I couldn't help but imagine those explosions and that I could even hear them.

“Weird,” I mumbled as I continue writing the remaining pieces of information about him.

And I didn't even know that I would know him a little more just by reading what's written on it.

Especially the last one… where it was written that ‘Killian loves to be alone, and even he doesn't show his care into people, deep inside him, he's worried about them and he will do everything to protect them in his own way,’ In which, I am really amazed at how Lucian wrote it. Or maybe it's his own interpretation regarding Killian's attitude, however, writing this kind of note is just too beautiful.

As I know, deep inside Lucian, he's believing that someday, he will be appreciated.

As up to today, he's still asking for his appreciation.

I don't know what time I slept, and when the morning came. I decided to find Lucian and it wasn't that hard since I saw him with Keanu and Ashton as if they're talking about something. I was still shy if I would interfere with their meetings but then, here's Zariyah— the first one I asked to of where's Lucian, who suddenly pulled Lucian from them just to get him to me.

“You owe me one, okay?” Zari said and winked at me, before going to where Yvonne and the others are.

I just told them I need to give something to Lucian and they didn't even ask whatever it is even they're so curious about it. They really respect the word ‘privacy’ that's why I'm so thankful that I became friends with them.

I'm thankful to everyone.

“Lucian, I have something to give to you,” I said that made him look into me with a questioning gaze before I extended my hands to give back the paper that Killian tore yesterday.

He looked at me ao shocked, especially when he saw that yeah, it isn't just an ordinary paper since I've used the finest and aromatic paper I've been keeping since… have I said that doing Bullet Journal is one of my hobbies?

And Yvonne just gave me different kinds of materials that she said she wasn't using anymore, as she just tried it because she saw me doing it weeks ago and it seems so easy to do, she said, but then she gave up since she couldn't write beautifully as to how I do. All of her things were really costs too much while I couldn't afford to buy some because I don't have any money with me.

“Artemis… you…” Lucian said as he slowly gets it from my grip, still looking so shocked, just as when his attention passed through me as his expression changed a little that I quickly look back to where he's looking.

As I saw Killian together with Zion and Lux who are debating something while he looks so annoyed with those two loud men following him around, just as when his eyes met ours before his expression turned sharper before he quickly averted it and continue walking with his arms on his jacket's pocket as he looks like he's in bad mood.

“Artemis, you don't have to do something like this,” Lucian said for a while that made me transfer my attention back at him. “But thanks anyway, I'll give back to you.” He added. I shook my head as I gave him a smile.

“It's okay, no worries,” I just said as I told him that I'll be going back to where my friends are, in which he nodded before he goes back into where Ashton and Keanu is.

“So how's it going?” Is the first thing I've heard from my friends as soon as I came back to them. I gave them a little smile as an answer since it was never that big after all.

Just as when Yuki spoke, “I really thought Zari is for Lucian only, but then there's—” She couldn't finish what she's talking about when Zari completely cut what she's saying.

“Hey!” Zari said a little bit loud with her cheeks reddening. I was kind of shocked by what Yuki said but I know that's once I start talking, all of them would only see me so I decided to keep my mouth shut. Yuki laughed as she started teasing her.

“Why, jealous? Want me to ship you, and only you, to Lucian?” She grinned at Zari who gave her a counterattack.

“Lol no! Yuki! Or I'll ship you with Ashton?”

“Lmao, we both know that he's too focused on being too responsible that he wouldn't have time for crushes.” Yuki shrugged, and she's kind of right with this one though. Ashton's too focused on being our Class President and of course, reaching his dreams. Everyone has dreams after all.

“But you have a crush on him?” Zari confirmed, but Yuki just laughed as she shook her head.

“I prefer moreno guys though,” She said as she shrugged.

It was when Yvonne butt in with whatever those two were talking about.

“Well, I'll be staying at my original ship,” Yvonne looked at me and grinned. “Artemis is for Killian only,” My eyes widen. When it was almost be forgotten when she decided to open it up again. She really loves teasing me! I could confirm it the way she's grinning right now!

If only I could tease her with Dashiel… I sighed deeply.

“Nah, I'll be on Lucian and Artemis. Sorry, Zariyah,” I overheard Yuki said that I just walked ahead of them. Yvonne followed behind me, laughing her heart's out as Yuki and Zariyah decided to walk slow. Of course, our distances are not that far that's why I could still hear whatever they're saying with their normal voices.

“Huh?! What are you talking about? I'll be on the same boat with you then!”

“What can you say, Selene?”

“Lucian and Artemis for the win—”

Just as when we all heard that cold yet sharp voice from someone so familiar, the one that I've been trying to avoid— or planning to. I just don't know how to face him right now after what happened… err, yesterday.

“Move, talkative pipsqueaks. This isn't the time for nonsense talk,”

I got frozen and stopped walking because of it, as Yvonne's eyes widen when she heard those words, yet I saw her suppressing her grin before I quickly look to where they are, but only to be almost stumbled again when someone just bumped into me.

Thankfully, Yvonne got me but right now, I could see her wide grin!

“Tch, watch where you're walking,” He has guts to say it when he's the one who bumped me, just like on the first day! I mean, at the entrance exam!

I decided to let it go as I watched him walked past at us, just as when I heard Zari's whisper… no, it's her natural voice, only a little quieter than how she usually speaks at.

“Wait… did Killian heard it? As in everything?”

“Girls, we heard everything,” Zion said. My eyes widen as I bit my lower lip and closing my eyes tightly. Oh no…

I quickly opened it when I realized it. Why am I even caring if ever he knows about it?

No, I'm not agreeing at the idea of them shipping me into these innocent people okay? I keep on reminding myself that it's just okay.

I sighed heavily as I look at them. Both Zion and Lux smiled meaningfully to me and yeah, this is the reason why I don't want people to know about this one.

“Don't worry, we know when to shut our mouth,” Lux said and winked at me, just before they followed Killian who's already far since both of them stopped.

Again, I sighed as I look at them— Zariyah, Yuki, and Selene who couldn't even look at me, as my eyes narrowed. “Look what happened,”

And I'm not even blaming them. I just want them to learn their lesson and hopefully, stop teasing me with anybody since I really don't like the idea of it.

And I know they will now learn their lessons— now that anyone aside from them knows about it.

Zariyah bit her lips before she looks at me, guiltily, once they're now in front of both Yvonne and I. “We are really sorry, Artemis! I mean… I know you don't want that news spreading about…” Who would even want it, right?

“It's done already after all. Just don't repeat it.” All of them nodded their head, including Yvonne but she's still grinning.

“Yes, we won't!” They both said in unison. My eyes narrowed at them.

“Would you promise?” I raised my brow. Both Yuki and Zari nodded but Yvonne… she just bit her lip and still grinning.

Yeah, this was for her after all.

“Well?” I repeated as I look at her. Zariyah nudged her as I saw her eyes widen— as if eye threatening Yvonne who pouted in defeat, especially when Yuki and Selene did that too.

“Fine! I promise!” She said, even deep inside her, I know she wants to remain to tease me, but she doesn't have any choice.

As I sighed.

If anything happens.

I'll just let it flow.

***

The story is too fast-paced and I know you've noticed it. I just want this to end at chapter 30 or 40. Maybe depends on the mood.

Trust the author with this one, ayt? I would still write the book two of my Importunus Princeps story that's why I wanted to end it sooner. I hope everyone could understand it!