The Dark Inheritance

Chapter 6

Serah felt awkward as she introduced herself to her new class. The other students seemed to be deliberately avoiding all eye-contact with her and this left her puzzled. Could the word about what happened with Natalia this morning have already spread? Still, there was no other explanation to the current situation. She maintained her confident act as she headed to her seat. But then she stopped short when she took in the threatening words scribbled across her desk and chair. The worse was that some disgusting gooey substance has been rubbed all over both.

“Excuse me, Mrs Hilda?” She called out just before the vice-principal left the room.

“Yes.” The woman asked.

“I believe it was mentioned in the school regulations that no damage should be done to the school property otherwise we’ll need to compensate for it.” 

“Indeed.” The woman curtly replied.

She pointed at the table in front of her. “Well, with the way this table has been scribbled on, I don't think it's possible to ever erase the words. I hope I won’t be held responsible for this damage.”

Mrs. Hilda frowned and walked over to Serah’s side. Her eyes narrowed when she took in the desk and chair. “Who did this?” She demanded, addressing the whole class.

As expected, everyone kept their gazes turned away. But then, a female voice rang out. “It’s Kate and Jessie.” 

Serah’s gaze dragged towards the owner of the voice, her eyes connecting with wise but gentle-looking olive ones. The girl looked strikingly beautiful and cute at the same time with her light-brown hair which hung in curvy rivulets to her shoulders. The braids she wore on either side of her head seemed to further sharpen her cute features. She gave Serah a cunning smile as she held her hand firmly pointed at the two girls in front of her. They were both currently scowling at the girl, but she remained carefree.

“Is this true?” Mrs. Hilda sternly demanded Kate and Jessie. 

“No, it’s not!” One of them, the dark-haired one immediately replied. 

“We never touched that desk.” Her blond-haired friend added.

“Then Angelina was lying?” Mrs. Hilda said, dragging her eyes back to the cute brown-haired girl who still sported a relaxed smile.

“It’s true.” Another guy gruffly spoke up. “I saw them as well.”

Serah turned to regard the handsome guy with messy dirty-blonde hair who said the words. His eyes were a captivating golden color but they currently appeared bored as he leisurely lay back in his chair.

“Anyone else who witnessed the scene?” Mrs. Hilda once again demanded the whole class.

“I did as well.” A timid voice spoke up from right beside Serah. She turned to stare at the petite, bewildered-looking girl who sat right in front of the ruined desk. 

“Are you sure, Lisa?” Mrs. Hilda asked.

The girl quickly nodded her head, her huge mass of wavy red hair which hung down her back, bouncing in the process. Her sparkling amber eyes lifted to Serah’s and a soft smile graced her cute face. Serah smiled back, wordlessly communicating her gratitude.

"Well then…" Mrs. Hilda declared, turning her strict gaze back to Kate and Jessie. "All these people have witnessed you. Still have something to say?"

The girls pouted, sending murderous glares to Angelina and Serah. 

"Sorry about this miss Serah." Mrs. Hilda said. "We'll arrange for a new desk for you. In the meantime, you can just borrow one of these girls' seats." She then turned to Kate and Jessie. "Both of you follow me."

They were still shooting daggers at Serah as they filed out of the room after Mrs Hilda.

Once they were gone, Serah nonchalantly headed towards the girls' seats. On approaching, her eyes once again connected with Angelina's and she smiled softly.

"Thank you for just now." She murmured once she was seated.

Angelina winked. "Don't mention it. You did great just now… putting those girls in their place like this. I bet they won't dare target you again."

She sighed. "I hope so."

"By the way, let me formally introduce myself. I'm Angelina Finley. You can call me Angie."

"Nice to meet you, Angie." Serah smiled. "Let's get along."

"I'm sure we will!" Angie grinned.

Just then the teacher announced that the class was about to start and Serah had to turn back in front. Even if it's been a couple of months since the school started, she managed to keep up with the explanations just fine. As soon as the first break rolled around, Angie tugged on Serah's hand, proposing to guide her around school to which she was more than eager to comply.

As expected, most of the students already knew about her and their gazes were hostile, but she didn't pay them any mind.

"By the way," Angie said as they walked through the hallways. "I heard about the stunt you pulled on that Natalia and her groupies. Good job putting those obnoxious girls in their place." Her olive eyes were glowing with excitement.

"I just couldn't stand their attitude. I know this earned me a bad reputation with the other students, but I don't regret it."

"You did right. I was quite impressed when I heard what you did. But then I saw you dealing with those bullies so smartly and I liked you. Don't worry, even if those girls target you, I'll help you out."

Serah stared at her with concern. "I'm grateful for this, but I don't want you to get targeted because of me."

She waved her hand dismissively. "It's fine. I'm a non-conformist by nature, so I don't want to follow the masses."  

"But how did everyone find out about what happened this morning so quickly?" Serah asked curiously.

"Well it's all out there in the social media. Natalia was quick to post a message to all students that you're blacklisted from now on. Then other students who witnessed the scene added the spicy details." Angie then stared at her probingly. "Are you on those social media?"

Serah shook her head.

"Then I'll help you set up your profile." She said cheerfully. "That way you can keep up with what's happening in this school."

"Sure, thanks." 

As Angie was guiding her through the school grounds, Serah noticed Asher and Cara together with another dark-haired guy seated on a bench some distance away. Asher's attention turned to her right away and his eyes lingered for a few seconds before he swiftly turned his gaze back to Cara. Angie noticed her distraction and also looked towards the three. 

"That's Asher Wilde and his usual team." She remarked. "You're living together with him, aren't you?"

"Yeah…" she said simply. Her mood had suddenly dropped considerably lower. "You… know him as well?"

"Not personally." Angie leisurely replied. "But Asher's one of the most popular guys in the school."

"For real?" She asked dubiously.

"Well, yeah. I guess coz his kinda good-looking and all… and he's got some nice skills."

Serah pursed her lips as she darted a glance back to the stoic guy. He might have those few redeeming qualities, but his personality sucked.

"In fact there are three guys who stand out the most among others in this school." Angie explained. “All the girls idolize them and are always desperate for a second of their attention.”

Serah eyed her skeptically. “All the girls… including you?”

She snorted. “No way! Non-conformist, remember?”

“Right...” She drawled. “I might just join you in that.”

“You’re most welcome!” Angie grinned. “But wait until you see the other two studs. If you’re still unaffected, then you’ll officially be in the club?”

She raised an eyebrow. “There’s a club?”

“Yup! I just created it and I’m the first member.”

Serah giggled. “Sounds fun. Hope I’ll be accepted soon as well. So who’re the other two studs?”

Angie made her tone dramatic as she answered. “The famous brothers Gareth and Owen Valentine...”

“Valentine...” Serah repeated in amazement.

“Yes... The only heirs to the great Valentine family.” Angie said somberly.

While there were many high-class families, there are three most prominent ones who are so powerful that they basically controlled the whole country. The Valentine, Constantine and Armstrong family. Anyone coming from those families are basically venerated like a god. 

“The only two heirs… it’s no wonder they’re so popular.” But then that left her perplexed… how did Asher manage to earn such a high reputation here?

“Yup,” Angie mused. “but they’re totally unattainable. No girl can get close to them without courting the wrath of the whole female population. The last girl who was used then dumped by Owen ended up having to quit school within a few days.”

“That bad, huh?” Serah mumbled. “So those guys never get involved with any girls?” She mostly wanted to know about Asher, but couldn’t make it too blatant.

Angie pondered for a bit before answering. “In school, not really. I don’t know about Gareth but I Owen is quite a player and has been getting involved with several girls from outside the school.”

She felt a bit frustrated when she didn’t get the answer she sought so she tried again. “But then…” she darted her gaze to Asher. “Is Cara an exception or something?” She tried to feign nonchalance but inwardly steeled herself, even feeling slightly hopeful, as she waited for Angie’s response. But the next words she heard crushed her spirit.

“She is.” Angie nodded. “Asher and Cara were already dating when they started attending this school, so no one interfered. Besides it’s Cara Armstrong we’re talking about… the only daughter of the all-powerful Armstrong family, Who would dare go against her?”

Serah felt a pang in her heart. So Asher already had such an outstanding girlfriend. It was no wonder he never noticed other girls around him. But why was this bothering her so much?

“That said,” Angie declared dramatically. “I couldn’t care less about who’s more or less popular here. I mean, they’re the same as all of us! Why should they be given special treatment?”

“Those are my thoughts exactly.” Serah said firmly. “I just like to know the rules by which my surroundings go by. Doesn’t mean I’ll abide by them.”

Angie’s eyes sparkled in amazement. “Goodness, I like you more and more.” She grinned widely. “Come on, let’s head back to class. The bell’s about to ring.”