4 - Elaine's feelings
Like every morning since high school began, I slept through my alarm again. Getting up on time was always tough, but since I started working nights, it's become impossible.
In a burst of late-comer efficiency perfected over the years, I washed up, inhaled breakfast, and got dressed in record time—a pure survival instinct.
Rushing down the stairs from my third-floor apartment, I almost collided with the one person who could stop time: Miss Isabelle Lazar, goddess of the second floor. With wavy burgundy hair and a gymnast's physique, she was beauty personified.
For me, she was the epitome of a forbidden fantasy—my first erotic dream. With those curves, that confidence, and those lips, her short skirts did nothing to calm my teenage hormones.
But let's be realistic. She's thirty-four, more than twice my age. She'd only notice me in some alternate dimension where pigs fly and I wake up on time.
Yet…did she just smile at me? My heart lurched. No way. Must be my hormone-fueled imagination. She's not the neighborly type—I've never seen her talk to anyone here.
Shaking off the thought, I dashed out the gate. Another day, another sprint to avoid tardiness.
Outside, Brianne and Clare were waiting, visibly impatient.
«Do you always leave this late? You and punctuality are worlds apart!» Clare teased, half-mocking, half-worried.
I stared, baffled. «What are you two doing here?» I asked, surprised but oddly pleased.
«We came a long way, so don't make us late,» Clare said, grinning.
Brianne blushed. «He's on the student council now, so we can't let him trash our reputation by being late!» she said, more serious than she meant to.
We crammed into Clare's flashy red sports car—typical of her. Brianne took the passenger seat, and I got in the back, feeling like I was dreaming.
«Brace yourself!» Clare said, turning the key dramatically.
Then came the nightmare. Clare drove like a maniac—dodging cars, speeding around corners, and narrowly missing pedestrians. I clung to the front seat, eyes shut tight.
I'm going to die. I'm going to die. I'm going to die!
«What's your problem, Ren? You have the Blood Crystal, remember? A crash won't kill you,» Clare said nonchalantly. «And this isn't even fast.»
Fast?! My dad never goes this fast on the highway!
Trying not to puke, I heard Clare ask, grinning, «So, how was your first night? Did you and Brianne kick some ass?»
«No…» I mumbled, too nauseous to add more.
«Well, tonight I'll show you real action!» Clare said, smirking at Brianne. «I've got a lead on something shady at an abandoned factory. Can I bring the rookie?»
Brianne glared at her. «We'll discuss it later,» she said curtly, unimpressed.
The car screeched to a stop in the school lot. My legs felt like jelly as I stumbled out, miraculously not throwing up.
Clare hooked her arm in mine, pressing her chest to my cheek. «Bry wants everyone to treat you like a real council member,» she teased. «This should help.»
Brianne turned red and seized my other arm, pulling me close. Her chest pressed against the other side of my face.
This…this is heaven.
With both girls on my arms, we walked into the schoolyard. Every eye followed us, heavy with bitter envy.
Eirik, leaning against the gate as usual, looked ready to explode. He muttered under his breath, teeth clenched in barely contained curses.
«See you in the student council room after class, little Ren. Don't be late,» Clare said, then gave me a quick kiss.
Cue the uproar.
A loud murmur rose from the boys. «We'll kill you, Ren! How dare you let Clare kiss you?!» they shouted.
Mortified, I felt my face burn. Clare and Brianne left for class, leaving me to face the angry mob.
Later in class, still shaken by the morning chaos, I saw Eirik leaning over, face red with fury. «You bastard! How do you come to school with two fourth-years' boobs in your face? You're selfish! A real friend would've shared!»
He was crying. Honestly crying. I'd never seen him so upset.
Before I could speak, Elaine approached, looking embarrassed. «Ren, can we talk?» she asked, shooting Eirik a glare. «Alone.»
Grumbling, Eirik released me. «First Brianne and Clare, now Elaine. What's next—every girl here likes you instead of me?»
Elaine took me into the hallway, looking serious. Other students whispered behind us.
«About what you said a few weeks ago…» she began hesitantly.
My heart thundered. This was it. She'd rejected me before, but maybe the Blood Crystal changed things.
«I recall you saying I was the most beautiful girl in the world,» Elaine said.
I tried to stay cool, though excitement tightened my chest.
«Since we're both on the student council…»
Here it comes.
«I don't want your feelings interfering with my work,» she said plainly. «I didn't like you then, and I still don't now.»
Her words felt like a punch to my gut.
«Am I really that bad?» I asked weakly.
Elaine's stare was cold. «It's not about looks. Girls want someone who makes them feel safe—someone strong, not a pushover. Someone like Gin.»
Gin? That thug? I was speechless.
Elaine shrugged. «Let's return to class. If people see us here too long, they'll get the wrong idea.»
Devastated, I followed her back inside, her words weighing on me.
After class, I entered the student council room, still reeling from Elaine's rejection.
«Late again!» Brianne teased, though her tone was exasperated.
Gin sat in the corner, his dark aura even more menacing than usual. I couldn't help staring.
«What are you looking at, kid?» Gin growled.
«Stop it, Gin,» Brianne scolded. «We're a team, remember?»
He muttered under his breath, clearly uninterested.
«Anyway,» Brianne went on, undeterred, «here's the plan: Gin, you scout the old station district. Elaine and I handle the northern district. Clare and Ren, you take the industrial area. Got it?»
Got it? Sure. One question: why is my life so insane?