7: Two-Faced

“It’s a miracle to see you this early.”

Out of the blue, my attention diverted to Litty, who had just arrived, closing the headquarters’ door.

I hummed. “I need to chill out.”

She snickered, lifting her brow. “You always do that, Dee. You’re indolent, remember?”

She walked straight to her favorite spot, the one near the window. Every member does have their favorite spot inside the HQ.

“Yeah,” I agreed and scoffed.

“It seems like sooner I’m gonna believe Louie’s word about her astrological shits. She told me that Taurus is a lazy douchebag, like you, but when it comes to money you all quick to attend to things that will bring you closer to that treasure.”

I rose from the sofa and turned half of my body, facing her. Elbows digging the cushion underneath me. “That’s true!” I exclaimed.

I cocked my head a bit to the right and looked at her with much anticipation. “What about you? What did she tell you about your zodiac?”

She shrugged. “She said, I’m friendly and secretly wanted to kill someone, which is somewhat true. I ought to kill you by any chance because of your stupidity. Just sometimes, not often.” She shrugged.

We both snickered as if it was a great joke to laugh off until it died down.

“Do you ever plan on killing me? I mean, for real?”

She smiled and picked up her bag, making her way out of our HQ. “Nope,” she answered, popping the 'p' at the end. “You’re one of my best friends. Killing you is the stupidest and idiotic thing that I’ll ever do in my entire life and you know that.”

Litty waved her hand, signing that she was off to school.

She left me alone, surprised by the words she spit out. Then, a smile creeps on my lips. “Yeah, it is.”

~•°•°•~

It’s currently our vacant time and I can’t think of anything creative to do in our classroom. I don’t want to go outside or wander anywhere either.

Something buzzed inside my backpack.

Since it’s our last subject, I took my leave and marched my way to the lady’s comfort room.

I took the last cubicle once I got to the comfort room and locked it. Unzipping my bag, I fished for that device inside it and pulled it out. A contact under the name of Mister Zapanta was shown on the screen.

Double-clicking the message on the notification, I read the content silently.

[ From: Mister Zapanta

They keep on tracking you down. Avoid any troubles now, young lady. ]

I sent him 'OK' and hid the phone again.

I was about to come out from the cubicle I’m hiding at when the contagious clicking of heels got louder, entering the comfort room. They were laughing and there was something in me that wanted to stay and listen to their conversation.

“I’m planning to take her down. Gwen’s nothing but an encumbrance to me. She doesn’t even deserve to live,” one of those who entered stated.

My left eyebrow crawled to my black fringes. ‘Gwen? Whose Gwen are they talking about?’

“Why are you so rough to her? What did she do to receive that much hatred from you?” another woman asked in a high-pitched tone.

“Oh dear, don’t believe what you see outside. She’s fake. A pretentious one.” She sneered. “I won’t be surprised if one day she’ll stab the Chaos behind their backs. Knowing her, she'd do anything to please herself.”

She mentioned our group. Chaos. It means the Gwen they are backstabbing was the Gwen I knew.

A voice inside my head keeps on screaming that I’m like Gwen, fake. I shall seek professional help after this fucking operation of finding that asshole.

“Worse, she’ll be the reason for their downfall. If I were the Chaos, I wouldn’t dare accept someone I barely know,” she continued.

The inner corner of my eyebrows pushed closer, forming folds at the center. ‘What does she mean by that? Is Gwen hiding something from us? Shall I trust her or not?’

My fingertips gently massaged my temples. My head is spinning from thinking about my past matters, then these bitches add Gwen’s case.

“I’m done with my mascara. What ‘bout you, guys?” the angelic voice asked.

“Done!”

“Me, too. Let’s go.”

Then, they left, randomly chatting. Bring the echoes of their shoes in their wake.

~•°•°•~

I was busy reading a book when the door of HQ burst open.

“Oh, you’re here,” Key’s eyes darted to the food resting on the center table, “I see. That’s the one I smelled from afar.”

“You’re great at smelling, leader. Want some?” I noncommittally invited.

Gwen was the first to make a move. “What’s this?” She pointed to the torn paper bag.

“Just some edible street foods. Try it. It’s delicious.” I gestured to her to get some and handed her a stick, which she skeptically accepted.

“Oh! Guys, try it! It’s good,” she commented.

I saw how intrigued the others got, Gwen’s words lured them to get closer.

“Some are familiar, some are not,” Key said, turning her head to the other torn brown paper bags.

“It’s edible and I ate some of it already while reading. No need to worry if it has poison, I’ll be dead if it has.”

They are obviously second-guessing but still try to bring the food presented in front of them. I watched their reaction closely. Their wide eyes and slow nodding proved to me that it satisfied their taste. As they let the taste of the food vanish from their mouths, they tried the different foods one at a time.

Litty hummed in delight. “It’s delicious, Dee.”

Louie silently ate next to me.

I bought more street foods in case they wanted to try one and I’m glad that my guts didn’t turn me down. The food suits their liking, making them pay no heed even if they are sitting on the carpet-covered floor sponsored by Litty.

“Don’t get offended, Dee, but I don’t like the taste of some of it,” Key fessed directly.

That’s what I like about her, straightforward.

I smiled, shaking my head. “Not everyone likes what others like. That’s fine.”

I pointed to Lou, who was happily eating in silence. “Lou didn’t try some of it either after indulging it once.” I chuckled.

They turned their attention to her, making her lower her head. “I’m sorry, Dee.”

I waved my hand like it was nothing to me. “It’s okay. Eat as much as you want.”

I recline my back on the sofa and covered half of my face with the book I’m holding. Silently peeking and examining every movement of her, the woman those bitches talked about in the comfort room.

‘I don’t know what should I believe.’