The Dark Inheritance

Chapter 10

Serah felt confused by Asher's sudden actions. She had already made up her mind that he couldn't stand her, and she accepted that. Yet now he wanted to help her? Just what was his deal? He annoyed her so much! Especially the way he made her heart feel unsettled whenever he's around. She walked briskly down the hallways her thoughts whirling. Just as she turned a corner, she suddenly barrelled into someone.

"Wow, girl, just where did your mind escape off to?" A familiar teasing voice echoed from right next to her ear.

She pulled back, her eyes connecting with Angie's striking olive ones. She noticed Lisa also standing a few feet away. "A lot happened." Serah mumbled.

Angie chuckled. "Tell me about it. You just turned from being the hot topic to the scorching topic of conversation in the whole school. That's really something, considering it's only your first day."

Serah's shoulders sagged. "So it's already leaked this quickly."

"The three most popular guys at school were fighting over a girl. That's the kind of gossip which spreads faster than wildfire."

"They weren't fighting over me, okay?" Serah quickly refuted. "More like intent on ending me." She grumbled to herself as she remembered Owen's murderous expression while he squeezed the life out of her.

Angie sighed wearily. "Regardless of their intentions, you've just become the number one enemy of the whole school. Especially the female population."

She shrugged. "Hasn't this been the case since this morning?"

"Yes, but now everyone wants your head because you 'tried to seduce all the popular guys'." Angie quipped.

"I've heard them talking about making sure you quit school by the end of the day." Lisa added solemnly.

"Well, they can try." Serah huffed. "And I never tried to seduce anyone!"

"Of course! We believe you." Angie cooed. "But the others are quick to draw conclusions."

"And what makes it worse is that…" Lisa began saying, but then halted, glancing at Angie.

The latter gave Serah a sympathetic look. "Owen is known to be a player, so it's not too strange for him to go after a girl. But it's the first time Gareth has shown an interest in any girl."

"It's not like he's interested in me." Serah reasoned. "He only helped me out when his brother was trying to kill me."

"That's exactly the problem." Angie pressed. "Owen has always been doing whatever he wants and Gareth never once interfered. Today is a first."

"I see." Serah mumbled, though she still doubted their claim. "So Gareth being 'interested' in me is supposed to be worse news? Why?"

"Because Natalia has had a big time crush on Gareth for a long time." Angie explained. "She's been trying hard to get him to notice her, but he never once paid her any mind."

"Meaning she'll be mad as hell at me once she hears of this." Serah muttered.

"The both of you must have a cursed fate." Lisa gloomily mumbled. She reached into her pocket and handed a small sash to Serah. "This is my personal good luck charm I always carry with me. You can have it. It might help."

"Are you sure?" Serah asked cautiously. "It must be important to you…"

"Just take it, don't worry." Lisa said, smiling cutely. "It's my gift to you to celebrate our friendship."

"Thank you." She said with emotion, taking the charm and holding it against her heart. "I'll always treasure it."

Angie was grinning widely as she stared at the two girls. "You don't need to worry." She said, patting Serah on the shoulder reassuringly. "We'll help you out if someone ever tries to trouble you."

“Indeed.” Lisa eagerly agreed. “We’re friends now so we’ll always support you no matter what.”

Serah’s heart warmed with delight. “Thank you so much, guys.”

“Let’s not worry about the gloomy stuff.” Angie quipped, reaching out to grab Serah and Lisa, pulling them towards the classroom. “Rather, why don’t you tell us how you slapped Owen?” She appeared to be barely holding back her laughter as she stared at Serah expectantly.

“That’s yet another embarrassing moment.” Serah groaned.

“What’s embarrassing about that?” Angie smirked. “It was about time someone put that obnoxious guy in his place. You should be proud of yourself. Especially since I heard the slap was so loud that it resonated through the whole courtyard.” She burst out laughing at this.

Serah also couldn't hold back the snigger at her lips.

Her eyes connected to Lisa's who smiled at her reassuringly. "Owen was fully deserving of this for the way he acted. You did well."

Despite the unfortunate turn of events, Serah's mood was the brightest as she headed to her

classroom. This school was hostile to her, but thankfully she made some great friends as well. She now felt more confident to face future challenges.

Thankfully no further incidents occurred till the end of classes. Angie and Lisa headed towards the school's entrance where their driver would be waiting while Serah headed towards the school's side exit. She needed to get to the library for her part-time job soon and didn’t want to chance a meeting with Natalia. She’ll deal with the girl tomorrow but right now she doesn't have time. But as she crossed the last strip of grass to the small side gate, she came face to face with none other than Natalia and her groupies. Their expressions were dripping with menace as they stared at Serah.

Natalia stepped forward, a scornful smirk on her face. “Did you seriously think you could keep avoiding us in this place?” She said as soon as she was within a foot’s distance away.

“I wasn’t exactly avoiding you.” Serah replied levelly. Except just now, that is. But seeing as the girls seemed to have no intent of letting her walk away, she might as well seize this opportunity to settle the issue between them once and for all. Her fists tightened with determination as she stared back into their eyes which projected malicious intent.