CHAPTER 7: Silhouette

"Hey, Hira! Why are you ignoring me? I'll sulk if you continue acting like that." The walking smiley face said repeatedly as we walk along the hallway. And, honestly, I'm irritated for he had been following me since this early morning! And he really did not leave my side.

Argh! Why doesn't he just glue himself at my back?

I — I mean we — are now heading to the cafeteria since it's already lunchtime. I am with the gang right now. Matt, Emma, ​​Lace, Gertrude, and the walking smiley face, Shiloh.

But it was then I notice that we were queuing by pairs since Shiloh and I was at the front, followed by Lace and Gertrude who had been blabbering on nonsense, and the twins at the very end. They're too silent that I could be mistaken for the wind.

"Adhira Solveig!" Shiloh said while pouting and that also snapped me back to reality. I just glare at him and sigh before I speak. "Why are we queuing like this?" I ask as faced them, making them abruptly stop from walking.

"My dear Adhira, it's because we are really meant to be." He said as he wraps his arm around my shoulder. I heard the girls snicker, as Matt looks at me jadedly. "See?" He added as he drags me back to my track.

But he suddenly stops walking as he leans toward me and whispered, "Attention on me, please? Only me," He said with a wink, and I think my face turns into a shade of pink.

I was about to retort when suddenly Emma intervened between the two of us. "Nah. Possessive yet unofficial relationship. Blah." She said and walked along with Matt. I heard their weak laughter that I just chose to ignore.

I was about to follow the twins who had walked meters away from us when I felt a presence from afar. But when I looked, I did not see anything strange. I just shrug it off and continue walking.

Maybe I'm just being paranoid.

~

"I don't have another crush! Alaric is my crush, nothing more nothing less!" Lace said as she blushed. But I notice that Emma is now surrounded by a dark aura, though she's still smiling. We've been teasing Lace since then as we sat at our table while eating here at the cafeteria at the same time.

They— I mean 'we' — are shipping Lace and Matt since then. For a few days, I have noticed how often he glances at Lace. And now he is blushing. I just can't say if he is thrilled or infuriated. He just always turns his gaze in another direction and says that he likes someone else.

I just laughed because of our scene here. Jokes and laughter filled our table while eating our lunch. It doesn't even matter if we have everyone's attention now because of our noise. And with that, a sad smile was formed on my lips.

I hope it's always like this. No magic. No enemy. No risk. No one will get hurt.

But suddenly they were stunned as they looked at m,e as if a miracle had happened. "Are you laughing for real?" Shiloh said. He is the one sitting next to me. "You just laugh when you saw me dance." He added.

I just stared at him jadedly before I speak. "Why am I not allowed to laugh?" I retort but he just chuckles.

"Not really. But, it's the first time we heard you laugh. You just always smile." Emma said using her usual tone."Nah. Don't ruin the moment. Just ignore me laughing." I just said as I looked in the other direction.

But a strange figure from a corner of the cafeteria caught my sight. His pair of jet black eyes stared straight into my eyes. And even though my seat is quite far from where he is, I can see his sinister smile. I was about to march towards him when I heard Shiloh speak.

"Hey! Are you really sane? You used to laugh, now you look paranoid. What wrong, Hira?" He asks with his eyes full of concern. But then, I just looked at him for a moment and turn my gaze back in the direction where I had seen the figure a while ago. But he was gone.

And instead of a man, I saw a familiar woman come from that corner who was now approaching us while smiling sweetly. "Hi, guys! Can I share a table?" She said as she gets close to us. My companions immediately nodded so she immediately sat down next to me, which was the only vacancy.

"Are you okay, Adhira?" She asked me when she noticed my stare. I just answered it with a smile to hide my doubt and questions in my mind at this time.

The day she showed up, I saw someone lurking around and I'm clueless about what their true intention is. Secondly, I have not introduced myself to her, yet she already knows my name. And finally, what is she doing in the place where I saw the strange figure earlier? Was that only a coincidence?

Kendra Brites, you're still a mystery. But whatever you are, I can only be sure of one thing,

You are no ordinary.

THIRD PERSON'S POINT OF VIEW

From the dark castle where ominous creatures dwell, a man with a black crown was sitting on his throne in the middle of the hall. Out of his power, he made a dark energy ball connected to one of his pawns. It is where he could watch the group of people eating together at one table.

He eyed intently onto one of the esteemed Igetes of Mageia. She was the last born Igetes. The most powerful monster, yet believed to be a fragile angel. She's now with her newfound friends eating at the same table. Full of laughter. She seems to be having fun.

"Looks like their princess is having so much fun." He said while grinning from ear to ear. But his grin turns into a sinister smile before he speaks once again. "But not for long. Soon, dear Igetes." He said as he took a sip from his precious wine.

But his smile fades as his connection to his pawn was immediately cut. 'Someone is sticking her nose on other's business, eh?' He said in his thoughts while staring at his dull energy ball.

Yet, she will never be a hindrance to his plans, for no one could ever stop him. No one can ever change his mind from seeking vengeance. And now, one thing is for the guarantee,

Soon, all their happiness will end.