Chapter 4 - Inevitable trouble

I carefully put on the jacket that was lent to me. It's a shame; I've met that kind guy twice now, but I never even got to ask his name. Oh well, I'll see him again. Once I got my bike started, I headed straight to Kai's school. I found him waiting outside the gate, and only a few students were left there.

"Why were you so late, ate? I thought you weren't coming. If I wasn't trying to save on fare, I would've gone home ages ago." he said, clearly frustrated from waiting for me.

"Ugh, there were just a lot of activities. Hurry up and hop on. I'm starving." I lied.

I didn't want him to know about the bad things happening to me at that university; I didn't want him to worry. He quickly climbed onto the back, and I began to pedal.

"Sis, how was your day? You came home late... Is it hard to study there?" he asked while riding on the bike, and I was steering.

"It's fine, the students there are kind. Studying there isn't that difficult either; I had a fun first day of class." I lied again.

"Really? I'll study hard too. I also want to get in there when I go to college." Kai replied.

I didn't answer, just nodded, while thinking about my first day at that university. Even now, I wonder how long I'll last at that school.

When we got home, I went straight to my room and hid my clothes that had been torn by the cutter used by the two bullies. My brother must not see them.

I changed clothes and immediately put the jacket in my bag because I still have to return it tomorrow. Even though everything that happened to me today was bad, whenever I remember that someone saved me, I feel hopeful, thinking that not all the students there are mean-spirited. So, I gained a renewed strength to continue studying there.

I started preparing dinner and served it. While we were eating, Kai suddenly noticed, "Sis, you have a wound on your arm." I was surprised. I should have worn a long sleeve; I forgot that I got injured by the cutter earlier.

"Huh... oh." was all I could say.

"What happened there?" Kai asked worriedly.

"Oh, it's nothing. I probably just got caught on something... Earlier, I was walking while reading a book. I didn't notice my arm got caught on something sharp." I lied again. Oh dear... I might be getting good at lying.

"Oh my, Sis, you're already in Spring Hill University… maybe you could tone down being a nerd a bit. Don't drown yourself too much in studying. Look at what happened to you." Kai said.

"Tsk, what are you talking about? It's just a scratch." I replied.

After dinner, Kai went straight to his room to study. I grabbed my uniform that got stained with spaghetti to wash it. As I was doing the laundry, I felt irritated whenever I remembered that arrogant guy. Tsk. Just because he's rich, he acts like that. That's not right. No matter what happens, I'm not going to apologize to him, if anything, he should be the one apologizing to me.

The next day>>>

After dropping Kai off, I headed straight to Hell University—no, I mean, Spring Hill University. I quickly parked my bike. Not far away, I saw a group of students gathered around something.

I got curious about what was happening, so I approached them.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to. Please forgive me." said a male student who was kneeling on the ground.

In front of him stood the arrogant Cairo Hayes. Beside him were his friends, and... and him... I couldn't believe it—the kind guy who saved me was with them. Was he friends with the arrogant Cairo?

"Do you know how much my shoes cost? Your life isn't even worth enough to pay for them." Cairo said arrogantly.

This guy is truly crazy. My blood boiled at what I heard. Who is he to compare a person's life to his worthless shoes?

"Punish him!"

"Beat him up!"

"Tsk, what an idiot."

I could hear the surrounding students saying.

Is this really how the students are here? Enablers with equally bad attitudes.

"I didn't mean to spill milk tea on your shoes; I'll just wipe it off." said the pitiful student, moving closer and using his shirt to wipe Cairo's shoes.

I clenched my fists in anger. What he was doing was unjust, and his friends were just letting it happen. I also couldn't believe that the person I thought was good was with them.

Then, Cairo kicked the student, causing him to fall over and lie on the ground. No... I can't just stand by and watch this any longer. Is there really no one who will help him?

"Dude, I think you've gone too far. I think that's enough already." said the guy next to Cairo—the one who had saved me twice now. Maybe even he couldn't tolerate Cairo's nonsense anymore.

"Asher, I'll do whatever I want. Don't try to stop me. Just stay there... don't interfere." Cairo replied.

Asher... So that's his name. Is he one of the Four Princes? He doesn't seem as bad compared to the other three. I hope he stops that demon, Cairo.

"Did I tell you to use your shirt to wipe my shoes? Choose—either you lick my shoes, or I'll make your life hell here." Cairo said, arms crossed, looking down at the guy on the ground.

"Answer me!" Cairo shouted at him. The guy just cried and begged.

"I don't need your tears. Answer me. Choose." Cairo added.

"I-I'll lick your shoes, Cairo... just please forgive me." the poor guy said.

I closed my eyes in frustration; I really couldn't hold myself back any longer. I couldn't just watch someone being bullied like this, and not a single student helping him. I opened my eyes again, and I saw the guy slowly moving forward to lick Cairo's shoes.

"Hey, you arrogant monkey!" I shouted, pointing at Cairo.

Everyone turned to look at me. Damn, why did I have to interfere like this? Cairo shot me a sharp look.

"Tsk, you again?" he said with an irritated expression. His three friends also looked at me in surprise. Even Asher, but he gave me a knowing smile when he saw me.

"And who are you calling a monkey?" he asked angrily, his eyebrows furrowed and his eyes full of rage as he glared at me.

"Y-You! You're a monkey!" I shouted back at him. His jaw clenched at my words, and he seemed to get even angrier, as if he was about to explode with fury.

The three friends beside him laughed.

"Damn, that girl, she's different, dude." said one of his friends—I think his name is Denzel.

"Dude, it looks like you've met your match." added Sade, patting Cairo on the shoulder with a smirk.

Meanwhile, Asher just kept staring at me. I couldn't read what he was thinking at that moment. There was no emotion on his face.

"What did you say?" Cairo asked angrily. He cracked his knuckles as if he was ready to punch me. He glared at me and stepped closer, pushing aside the student standing in front of me, not caring at all.

"Ouch!" the girl he pushed cried out.

"Oh my gosh, she made Cairo mad!"

"She's in trouble now..."

"When Cairo gets angry, no one can stop him." I heard the students saying.

When he got close to me, he grabbed me by the collar. His face was so close to mine, maybe just an inch away, and his eyes were blazing as he stared into mine. His face was slightly red from rage, and his brow was furrowed.

"Take back what you said!" he shouted in my face.

My heart started pounding with fear, and I felt like he could hurt me at any moment. But I didn't back down; I looked him straight in the eyes with anger, anger at his arrogance and the way he bullied other students. This is too much.

"I've already said it, so why would I take it back?" I replied defiantly.

His nostrils flared in rage at my words. He raised his fist, ready to punch me. Just as he was about to strike…

"Cairo, someone's calling on your phone." Asher said.

Cairo paused, his fist frozen in the air. He didn't end up punching me. He glanced slightly behind him, toward where Asher was standing. So I took the opportunity. I struck first. I punched him hard in the face, causing him to release me, and I quickly ran away.

"How dare she do that to Cairo!"

"Let's go after her!"

"Come on, she'll pay for what she did!"

The students shouted and started chasing me.

I kept running and running. Thankfully, the school grounds were vast. I ended up near an old building with a large trash can. Even though it smelled bad, I went inside and hid there. I was out of breath from all the running.

"Where did that witch go?" I heard one of the students say.

"I think she went that way." said another.

"Let's go! She's in for it with us."

Then, after a while, everything went quiet. The ones chasing me were gone. I slumped down inside the trash can. What am I going to do now? Can I even get out of here? I'm in so much trouble.

Ugh, how foolish of me, I let my emotions get the best of me. I wish I hadn't interfered... but my parents raised me to always stand up for what's right and help those who are being oppressed and defenseless. Ugh, this is all because of my parents' principles. What do I do now?