Another Normal Day

Monday morning, both Class 11-A and 11-B are already inside the culinary room for their home economics subject. It's noisy inside, talking here and there based on their circle of a friend while waiting for Mrs. Morales, their home economics teacher. As usual, they have surrounded those princesses and princes of Lunaris with another student while Kinrue's group is in the opposite direction. Camie sits next to the sink, Ashley leans her back—stands beside her while Kinrue is on the wall side sitting on the floor. They notice how she's out of energy but didn't dare to ask. Instead, watch her close.

"I wonder what's wrong with our friend, she never been out of energy this past year." Camie said, looking straight at her.

"You're right. Even if she got rejected by someone, she never act that way." Ashley added.

The two breathe out heavily. A silence remains between the three, not until a group of woman on the opposite direction gasps loud, followed by the group next to them which is their classmates too. Camie and Ashley's curiosity arises and walk towards the next group to see what they are looking at acting surprise.

"What's with the ruckus? Give it to me," Camie take the magazine to one of the woman.

"Hey, I didn't let you get it." The woman protest but she ignores it and looks at the front page.

Both eyes almost pop out in surprise. She even scratches her eyes to confirm it's not an illusion. But the thing she saw in front is real. Ashley came beside and as soon as she saw the front page, her reaction's the same. They all look at Kinrue, but it seems she's out of her senses until now. The thing they see in a front page of the magazine is a photo of Kinrue and Raven, it's look like a couple wedding attire. Since they can't still believe it, Camie scan the magazine again but all of it is a picture of them.

A loud gasp came out from the other group again. The noise arises inside the whole room.

"Wow, look at Ms. Hopeless romantic here... She seems used to this," a man commented on the other side.

"No one knows make-up can still fix you?" They laugh that made Camie frown at her brows and look at them.

"What did you say? Our little Rue is not ugly, at least not like your group." Camie's voice resounds on the room.

"Look who's talking, it's one of her apprentice."

The group of man from other section laugh again but the rest gone silent. It's only their laugh echo inside. There's a group of woman who tried to stop those men from laughing, but they flared up the situation by saying they're all ugly and flat chested. Camie, without knowing her own action, walks towards them. Her menace aura made the group near them step aside to not catch up in trouble. Most of their classmate in Class 11-B know her well, she live up on her name, 'Camie, the Mad Dog'. Out of the three, she's the one who brings trouble a lot and is physically active in fight.

"Hey man, are you making fun of my friend?"

"Yeah, it's because your group is a laughingstock of this school. I can't believe the shameless, hopeless romantic queen might try to feature in teen magazine. What a laugh," the man laugh out loud, holding his stomach, but Camie's eyes are full of rage.

Without warning, like a flash of light, she chokes the man with only one hand. She tightened the grip that made other gasps in surprise. Ashley walks towards them in a hurry but steps back as soon as Camie glare at her. No one can stop her when mad, not anyone but a single person.

The man taps her hand, a sign that he can't breathe anymore while the other couldn't move an inch in fear. He almost got lifted when someone hold Camie's wrist. She stops for a moment and looks beside.

"What are you doing? Let go of him."

"R-Rue..." Camie said in surprise, as if she just came back to her senses. She let go of the man as soon as possible and step back. "R-Rue... T-this."

"Don't worry, it's not your fault. This man is just an idiot to make you mad. Forget about it." Kinrue gives him an assurance smile before facing the man who's coughing and catches his breath at the same time. "Hey, you're still alive, right?"

"Y-you... Get away from us..." He push Kinrue out of fear, it made her step back.

"I heard all your words, loud and clear. Next time be careful," she tap the man's shoulder with a grin on her lips.

"Good morning class. What's going on out there? Is there any problem?"

They all look in front when Mrs. Morales' voice echo in the middle of awkward silence. All of them look at each other before they move to their respected places and group. The man's glare and bumps at her before he walks towards his designated place, but Kinrue ignores it and lets Camie and Ashley go ahead.

"Ms. Cienfuegos, is there any problem? Did the three of you cause any problem?"

"Ma'am, everything is fine here. We're just hanging out to get to know each other."

Mrs. Morales gives a doubt look, but she shrugs her head as they start the lesson for today. Kinrue walks back to her group. She saw Raven glance at her but walk pass by him and stand beside Arisa. An awkward atmosphere lingers in their group as Mrs. Morales discuss the next thing they need to do.

"Our topic today is making a muffin. Each group required to make a three different flavored of muffin for two hours. We provide everything so, you can start now."

Other students move and prepare every ingredient they need but Kinrue's group doesn't even look at each other to ask what flavor of muffin they will make.

"What do you want, Arisa?" Raven break the silence and asked her.

"I want a cheddar cheese muffin."

"Let's make it then. I'll prepare the ingredients. You should search for the recipe so we can follow."

"But we need three different flavors. Why don't we suggest each? How about you and Kinrue?"

"I'll do the chocolate banana muffin. I know how to do it."

The two gaze towards Kinrue but she didn't talk nor look at them. Arisa turns her eyes back and forth to them before she clears her own voice.

"Hey, cooperate with us if you don't want to fail this subject, but if ever you wish to do so, its fine. Get out of here so, you won't bother us." Raven said, it made Kinrue grit her teeth.

"Raven you shouldn't sa—"

"Don't worry, I'll make my own. I will never cooperate with a shithead like you." She shouts at him before preparing all the ingredients she need.

Some people near their group look at them with confusion, but it didn't bother Kinrue. Without hesitation, words or unnecessary action, she prepares everything in silent. Both Arisa and Raven look at her with disbelief, but later on in preparation, too.

The baking continues for a few more minutes, though they are in a group, Kinrue still making her own muffin on the side while the two helping each other. After Raven prepares the chocolate banana muffin, he changes position with Arisa for her to make the cheddar cheese muffin since the other side is wider. But midst of making Raven glance towards Kinrue. He saw her struggles on what to do next, his eyes looks around the ingredients she prepared. There's a strawberry and cream cheese. On those two ingredients, he realizes what she's trying to make. It's a strawberry muffin with cream cheese filling. For someone who doesn't know how to cook or bake, she chooses a complicated one.

A sigh escape his mouth while watching her cut the strawberries. The way she handles the knife and position her finger is dangerous.

"Raven can yo—" Arisa was about to seek help but saw him get the knife from Kinrue.

"Don't set your pride too high," he said.

"W-what? Put the knife down and mind your own business. I can do this alone."

"Shut your mouth, use your brain sometimes before you use your pride." Raven utter while he continues to cut the strawberry.

On the other side, Kinrue left dumbfounded. She looks at him in disbelief and remembers the words he said yesterday. A tear falls from her eyes as she crouches down, which surprise Raven. Even without asking, the way her shoulder move and breathes in gives a hint that the woman is crying. He heaves a sigh before continuing the rest of the process.

Arisa looks at them again, but didn't expect there's no argument happened. She knows Raven since child but he never acts nice towards other woman besides to those he's close too. It's a surprise to see him act as if he cares for Kinrue.

After almost half an hour, the muffins were all done. Both Arisa and Raven prepare the muffins and let Mrs. Morales grade their work, followed by other groups. But Kinrue is still crouching under the sink, hug both limbs together. Not until a pair of shoes stops in front. She lifts her gaze and saw the icy stare of Raven.

"Get up, we're done."

"Leave me alone,"

"Are you still acting a child? Do you want me to apologize to you or kneel in front?"

"W-why are you acting like I'm the only one at fault here? I didn't do something wrong, but come to that place where you are." Raven rolls his eyes. His hands move to tousle her hair.

"It's my fault, okay? Stop acting a child now,"

"You're saying that but you still blame me for all of this... Y-you..."

"Hey elf, stop acting and stand up before I change my mind and blame you again."

Those words linger in her ear. She stands up and face him while wiping the tears away.

"Am I an excellent actress? I lea—I mean, there's a good drama series airs last night and I follow it. Who knows, it'll work? Don't take back your words." She pointed out to him but shrug his head in disbelief.

"You're not a good one. I just don't want you to tarnish my name any more than this."

"Argh! Can't you just let me win in our conversation for once?" She said out of frustration, glares at him.

"Yeah, yeah, whatever you want. Clean everything we used today and be good for the rest of the day, okay? I'll go ahead."

"W-what?" She look at the sink and saw a lot of plates and others to wash. "H-hey,"