How Bad

The grand assembly most have been dreading for weeks was finally here. Four o'clock at the school's hall. The good part of today's celebration was that it was a lecture free day. They were allowed to do whatever they want on or off campus until four o'clock, where everyone is expected to gather as attendance will be taken and marks would be given for just attendance itself. The only reason most rebellious students even care to attend.

Majority of students are just waiting for the dinner and after-party saga. No one gives two cents about an hour talk on the school's history, aims, and objectives and long speeches about its founders and how they see the world and their perspective on educating young people.

Everyone just want an opportunity to party, have fun, get wasted and make out with their boyfriends.

Ebony pushed her laptop inside her school bag, zipping it before bearing the weight of it on her shoulders. She was putting on an oversized hoodie as usual for today's event, with no extra cloth for any reckless party or get together. She was done for today in the school library and got two hours left before the big deal of the day. Most people were either out or still lazing about in their hostels. Few people were hanging about in small groups talking about how uncalled-for this assembly was.

She received a notification on her phone and checked to see it was from one of the websites she took various quizzes from online. There is a new test coming up in the next twenty minutes, and she was invited to try it out. Ebony quickly set a reminder and moved her bag to her front view to put her phone in it, only to look up and come face to face with Violet.

She stiffened, as there was no way of avoiding her this time. The look she gave her was difficult to read. Her composure cool and her expression lacking remorse or guilt. Ebony didn't understand why she found it strange.

''Can we talk?'' Came with no greeting.

Ebony reached out to massage her other arm, feeling ice-cold and having a terrible feeling about this. She thought of something, an excuse why they couldn't talk right now.

''Sorry. But I have-''

''It won't take half a second of your time. In the library?''

The uneasiness of not wanting this and just running off as usual bit at her skin hard, but she had a second feeling of just facing her regardless of the outcome. It's fine if Violet apologized to her a zillion times over, the fact remains; they can't still be friends.

''Sure.''

She followed behind as she led the way back to their library which was thankfully empty. They stopped by a row of chairs and desk neatly arranged near a flower vase she has always suspected of being costly. Because of its origin, looks and peculiarity. The library was cool and added to the eerie silence between them. Violet covered her mouth, nodding as if she know what to say.

''You know you really are the worst kind of loser I have ever encountered in my freaking life?''

She blinked just to be certain she wasn't the one that just imagined her saying that to her. When she was sure she heard her right, ''Excuse me?''

''Yeah, Ebony. Hiding from me and avoiding eye contact when you should have come to me and given me a chance to explain myself? That makes you a big looser if you are that ignorant.''

''Ex…cuse me?'' It came out much weaker than she wanted. Pulling back, the stupid tears slowly blurring her vision.

''You don't even have the right to be mad at me. In fact, I should be one that should be mad. You are a freaking freak who thinks taking billions of online quizzes would make her smart overnight or burying her face in big, smart books, your brain can't interpret a simple word of what it says. I overlooked all those, ignored my other smart friends warning me about befriending the insecure freak…and now, look what I got in return? Silent treatments and no return calls. You even had the guts not to read any of my messages. How dare you, Ebony White? Do you even know who I am?''

She was shaking too much that it got out of control. Her bag slipped down her shoulders and fell to the ground. She pulled herself together, reached down to pick the bag up but froze when Violet had her boots on it, pressing it to the floor and preventing her from taking it up. Ebony staring at her feet on her bag longer than usual, unwanted memories of situations much worse than this overwhelmed her, and she had to leave as soon as possible. She looked up to a mad Violet, her arms crossed on her small chest, glaring down at her like a goddess would on some lowly mortals.

''Please, move.'' A tear dropped and streamed down the side of her face. Violet scoffed shaking her head at how pathetic she looked. Her voice sounding annoyingly weaker.

''Apologize for having the guts to ignoring me all week, and I'll be nice not to destroy the cheap bag.''

Ebony looked down, hating herself more than ever before. She rose to her feet, still shaking for reasons not strange to her, and whispered with all she had. ''I'm sorry.'' Resist or try to fight back could awaken ugly events she would rather not relive again.

Violet looked pleased, removed her leg and kicked the bag to the side and they both watched it slide until it collided with the expensive flower vase.

She stared back at Violet in disbelief. Like she is just seeing this monster for the first time since their two years of being friends. It was so dumb of her to even consider she was on her side all along. She turned to go pick up her bag.

''Wow. I didn't know bullies consider college these days. I thought that sh!t usual ends in high school.''

They both turn and just two rows from where they stood was the gorgeous Hale moving about and flipping through a science textbook with one hundred percent concentration. He had this sexy reading glasses on, and he nodded as if interested in what he saw on that page he turned too.

Violet looked almost terrified that she was being caught not being very nice, but Ebony felt a bit embarrassed him noticing a piece out of her not-so-amazing life.

''Ah, I forgot. The rotten attitude follows a person regardless.'' He dropped the book, turned to us with an innocent smile. Violet wasn't going to let that hurt her in any way.

''Did you just say I have a bad personality.''

''Do not take it personally dear. I read a lot. I was just stating facts. You won't understand when knowledge freaks the likes of you.''

Violet looked like she could murder Hale, but she held back since regardless of being real or not, he is still their teacher. And he could use any form of disrespect against her big time. She turned to her with angry eyes that could rival the devil himself and smirked.

''You are fuck!ng around with the new teacher, right? That's your silly little game of protection against us, am I right? Well, it doesn't matter anyway. I am done pretending to like you anymore.'' She brushed shoulders with her and walked away with a satisfying smile of deluded victory.

Ebony didn't know what to do but avoid Hale's eyes, pick up her bag and planned to disappear to a place where no one would see her for the rest of the day.

Hale was quick to plant himself before her before she could disappear to wherever he suspected she planned to disappear, too. He didn't smile and had no wicked smirk on his face. He saw what he has always felt seeing in her eyes the first time he knew her and understood why she is going through so much.

Ebony did her best not to look at him. She could not endure looking anywhere else except her shoes.

Slowly, he embraced her. Pulling her to himself, his arms encircling her form before resting on her back, he placed his chin on her shoulders inhaling her scent. Ebony should have been surprised. Her backpack dropped to their feet, hugging him back. It was what she needed besides words of encouragement or reproach that she could do better than letting silly words and actions get to her.

His hug felt so good, and she wished it should be more than just a friendly hug. She wrapped her arms around him tighter than she intended too. Brying her face deep in the crook of his neck to take in his rich scent. Her hazel eyes red and teary. She hated every day and moment she has to go through this. It was just too much for her. The things she has to be strong enough for to survive this competitive world. It was very toxic.

After a few minutes, he released her and rewarded her with one of his beautiful smiles. He held her gently by her shoulders saying, ''Now, now. Anti-fans don't usually sob in front of the ones they hate on. It is mostly the opposite, dear Ebony.''

Her smile was so big that her teeth was on display and Hale thought it was pretty to see her smile. He carefully placed his thumbs on her cheeks to wipe her tears. Ebony let him, placing both her hands behind her. He could be so sweet.

''And…the idols never wipe their haters tears. So, it's kind of weird. Don't you agree?''

Ebony nodded, the smile never leaving her face. ''How many times do I have to tell you? I do not hate you.'' She bent over to pick up her backpack which Hale stared at it thinking about something.

''Do you then like me?''

She slid the backpack on her shoulders, turning around to leave the library with Hale walking by her side. His long braided white hair reaching his lower back as he moved.

''No.'' She replied, walking a bit faster.

''Do you love me then?'' He caught up with her with a teasing smile. He failed to notice how she slowed her pace when he asked her. She turned, and their eyes met briefly before looking away.

''How do you love someone you don't like?''

She asked emphasizing on how ridiculous that sounded. Hale smiled to himself as they approached the elevator to take them to the first floor.

''Well…I can be that charming, Ebony.''

She scoffed, ''You mean annoying?''

She pressed on one of the buttons while he chuckled. As they waited, ''Can we go have some fun before the assembly?'' He whispered so close to her ears.

''I am not going with you to your devilish club.'' She whispered back.

''It's called Club devilz by the way. You don't pronounce the last letter when you say it,'' he added, thinking she should know too. Many people have been victims of calling it something as ridiculous as club devilsss. ''And I'm thinking of another round of ice-cream madness.''

The doors slid open and Ebony smiled at the mention of another ice-cream date with him. Even though she thought it was a bad idea to go on random outings with a teacher…but…she glanced at his perfect face, thinking…he really wasn't a real teacher to start with. How bad can it be?

The doors slid close thinking of how smooth their relationship is becoming. Hale brought his hands to the back of her head and drew down her hoodie cap.

''Hey!'' She turned to him with a glare.

Hale chuckled, looked away, pretending not to have any idea of what he had just done. Ebony slowly turned to the other side with a smile of her own.

Maybe, for once, she should dare to dream of a possibility of him feeling the same way she feels for him.