CHAPTER TWENTY ONE

🌳WEEKS LATER 🏙

Weeks passed and Chris and Ivy never crossed path again. Chris hardly came to class, and whenever he does, Ivy was not always in class.

Ivy was really thankful she hasn't crossed paths with him. She haven't also heard from him since that day! No expulsion, meaning he has forgiven her.

And from now on she planned on being a good girl, and not making trouble with anyone, even the ones that wants to pick a fight, one way or the other, she avoids it. She wouldn't want that awful experience to repeat itself again, and Alvin was really happy for that.

On the other hand, Chris was thinking he had been favored and somehow God has answered his prayers by sending her out of the school, coz he's never set his eyes on her since then.

Even when they attended the same class, Chris would never get to know that they did. Except for the fact that Ivy would be aware of his presence, coz they were not hidden, they created awareness anywhere they went.

But Chris totally thought Ivy was out of the school, and so he felt a bit relived and very normal.

Chris has not always been close to Leo, he would have inquired about Ivy from him. He always felt like asking Leo about Ivy since he mentioned she was his friend, but his ego and pride would not let him, so he let it be, and assumed she had left the school.

Courtney on her own was so afraid of the C4's, merely seeing them alone scares her to death, and she had no crush whatsoever on any of them. Not because they were not handsome to her, but Coz she was greatly afraid of them.

Leonard was the one she loved, she've had a crush on Leo ever since she got into the school, but never had the chance to talk to him. Now because of Ivy, she could now talk to him and even be his friend.

She was feeling a bit fulfilled, at least she was half way there.

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Courtney has already told Ivy everything about the C4's, and how they run their affairs in the school. Their likes, their dislikes, how to avoid them and what to do to be at peace with them. But she omitted one thing she felt was not important.

Ivy really needed this tutorial, coz she needed someone to guide her steps.

Courtney stayed far away from them, and so did Ivy. It's been weeks now since Ivy has been in the school, she had already started to blend in, and was beginning to find the school interesting.

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They were done with their long classes for the day, and as usual Ivy was famished, so they had to go to the cafeteria to have their lunch.

"Courtney walk really fast" Ivy half yelled as she walked few steps ahead of Courtney to the cafeteria.

"Hey don't you yell at me, if it wasn't for your stupid project, we would have been there earlier" Courtney fired as she walked quickly behind Ivy, who was walking real fast.

"I know but I had to finish up my project, don't I do the same for you" Ivy said.

"But I do not treat you like this after" Courtney huffed.

"That's because you're not always hungry, hurry up please" Ivy rushed her words walking faster.

They got to the cafeteria really late, it was only few students remaining by the time they got there, and lunch break was almost over. The cafeteria was really scanty.

Ivy sat on a chair breathing faster than normal coz of the long walk they had taken, and Courtney stood placing her bag pack on the table. She took Ivy's order, coz she knew her friend was really hungry, and so she quickly went to get them.

She returned in no time with a sandwich and a can of soft drink, and placed them on the table.

"What!" Ivy yelled.

"Why would you do this, I'm hungry" she complained bitterly, seeing the snacks on the table.

"Hey relax, this is the only thing I could find, the food is finished" Courtney consoled.

"I should just mange this" she shrugged and hungrily took a bite from the sandwich, she had no choice as she was feeling really hungry.

As she was about taking another, the cafeteria suddenly became rowdy. People started rushing out of the cafeteria, some held their meal in their hands as they ran away, while some were to scared to take their food along.

"What I'm earth is going on" Ivy thought.

Courtney who was sitting close to her started fidgeting, and quickly she stood up with her bag pack, ready to leave.

"Courtney you too?" Ivy asked feeling really confused.

"Why are people suddenly running away?" Ivy asked.

"Ivy stop talking, we need to leave now. Come with me, there's no time to explain anything" Courtney rushed her words.

"No! I'm not going anywhere until you tell me what is going on" Ivy insisted.

"There's no time Ivy, I'll tell you later when we get out" Courtney tried convincing her, but she remained adamant, and then Courtney had to give up trying.

She took her bag pack and dashed out of the cafeteria, while Ivy continued eating her meal feeling unbothered.

"What's with this school anyway, they're so weird" she mumbled and continued eating her food, but it was not for so long.

She looked around and realized she was the only one remaining in the cafeteria, like everyone really left. And then it dawned on her that she could be making a big mistake, why didn't she just leave as everyone did.

And just then, she saw her biggest nightmare.

The C4's were coming into the cafeteria, with the Castillo guy leading at the front. He was putting on a big black jacket across his uniform, and his usual white headphone was hung around his neck.

"Someone's still there" Canice alerted them, as they walked in.

"It's a girl, a pretty one at that" Collins added smiling, and then they all began walking towards her.

And by now, Ivy's heart was already in her hands. Whatever happens to her today, she clearly deserves it.

Men were situated all around the entrance of the cafeteria, and she assumed them to be Castillo's body guards. She's doomed!!

"I see! You've got some guts you know" Castillo spoke as they stood in front of her. She quickly stood on her feet, and bowed her head in fear.

"Ivy remain calm, it's gonna be fine" she consoled herself within.

"What are you doing here?" Didn't you see your mates leaving, why didn't you leave as well?" Castillo questioned in a soft, but unfriendly tone.

Ivy could not answer, her head was still bowed, she was too afraid to speak.

"I believe I'm talking to a human being. Can't you speak, or are you deaf or dumb, which one!" Castillo spat.

"I'm.... Ivy tried speaking, but she couldn't find the right words, she was just too scared. And so she kept her mouth sealed, with her head still bowed.

"Look at me when I'm talking to you, and do not piss me off" Castillo roared, and it was then Ivy realized she was in big trouble.

Slowly Ivy raised her head to see four pairs of eyes piercing directly at her.

"Oh Gosh Ivy, why don't you ever listen, you could have followed Courtney and save yourself this stress" she cursed herself mentally.

She never knew it was gonna turn out like this, no one told her that people normally exit the cafeteria when the C4's come in.

And immediately she raised her head. Shock was written all over Chris's face, as he glared directly at her in anger.

"You!" He scoffed with a big frown on his face, and Ivy let out a low wince. She was feeling so scared.

"You again! What are you still doing here in Crestfield?" He barked, and all of them turned to look at him.

"You know her?" Collins questioned, and Canice nodded in response for Chris.

"She is our classmate" Canice added.

"Guys this is she, this is the girl I told you about, the same girl that humiliated me the other day at the hallway" he announced.

"What are you still doing here?" He bellowed as he turned to her. He reached to give her a slap, but Collins was quick to hold him back.

"Ahhhhhhh" Ivy screamed loudly using both hands to protect her face as she vibrated in fear, anticipating the slap.

"Hey man calm down, take it easy, we're gonna deal with her in our own way" Canice said throwing glares at Ivy, and Collins nodded in agreement.

Castillo who had been quiet the whole time was gently studying her, he was trying so hard to recall where he had seen this face before. The face looked so familiar, and he couldn't help but to keep looking at it.

After studying the face for a long time, he could not still recall it, so he had to give up. He let it be, but he was so sure he has seen this face somewhere.

After watching all the drama from Chris, he decided to finally speak up. He cleared his throat and stood right in front of Ivy, with his two hands stucked into his pocket.

Whoever this girl is, she's really got some nerves. She insulted Chris the other day, and now she decided to remain in the cafeteria when everyone else had left.

The nerve! Something no student have ever done before, she must be really stubborn.

"I like your guts" he spoke out the words slowly.

"But I think you'll like mine more" he added icily, and let out a smirk.

Hearing this, all the parts of Ivy's system went numb. She did not know she was shedding tears already.

What has she gotten herself into, again??

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