Continuously pissing me off

For the entire week, Aliani and her little lackeys had not shown their faces to Zoan, who thought perhaps the issue had been resolved, thanks to Ving and Ms. Atiro. Or maybe it was her father's doing.

That was until the day Zoan decided to follow Jiho and Ving to the canteen, even though she had little interest in trying the school food. "Can you hold this for me? I was thinking of getting a flan too, Ving! Do you want to come with me?" Jiho called out, waving at the raven-haired girl who was intently studying the menu.

Turning to Jiho, Zoan nodded, offering a polite smile before Jiho dragged her away without warning, leaving Zoan standing at the end of the long line, balancing Jiho's tray.

She glanced around, realizing she should probably find a spot for them. So, she walked about, scanning the room until she spotted an empty table. "There!" she exclaimed, excited to finally take a seat.

What she failed to notice was Aliani and her gang in front of her.

Aliani saw Zoan coming and slyly hooked her foot, causing Zoan to trip. The tray flipped over her head, sending food raining down onto her hair, clothes, and face.

Zoan let out a startled yelp as she hit the floor, the sticky school food coating her. She could hear gasps and laughter from the crowd behind her. Gritting her teeth, she turned to Aliani, who was smirking at her friends while keeping her gaze fixed on Zoan.

"Asshole!" Zoan growled, scrambling to her feet, only to slip on a piece of meat she hadn't noticed on the floor. She fell back again, prompting a chorus of laughter from the students in the canteen.

"Zoan!" Jiho rushed over, Ving trailing behind her, looking shocked at the scene. Ving's expression shifted to one of annoyance as she spotted Aliani at the table, both wearing smirks.

Jiho focused on helping Zoan to her feet, wrapping her arm around her as Zoan grumbled, groaning from the pain in her lower back. They stumbled out of the canteen, Jiho casting a weak glare at the students who were still chuckling.

Ving turned to Aliani. "You're quite the persistent one, aren't you?" she remarked, watching as Aliani tilted her head innocently. "Who? What even happened here?" Aliani laughed, covering her mouth with her hands.

Saige chuckled from the side. "As far as we know, Zoan tripped mid-air!" Lorelai added, giving a mock pout at Ving, who merely hummed in response. "Since you care for her so much, I'd like for you three to clean up this mess," Ving declared, causing them to splutter in surprise and indignation.

Ignoring their protests, Ving walked away, following after Jiho and Zoan.

—

"They're really getting on my nerves," Zoan grumbled to herself, her hands clenched into fists as Jiho tried her best to pick the meat out of her hair. Zoan swatted Jiho's hands away. "Don't bother; I can just wash it out." It was just a wig, after all.

Sol could clean it later when she got home—

"If I get my hands on them!" Zoan slammed her fist on the bed, her body shaking with anger. If she hadn't made any promises to her father, she would have wiped the floor with those girls!

"Y–You shouldn't! You'll just get hurt!" Jiho murmured, her head lowered in concern. Zoan sighed and turned to her. "Then who will? Do you really think I would trip mid-air?!"

Jiho looked up, meeting her gaze. "You do tend to hit your hip on the corners of tables a lot," she said softly. Zoan shot her a betrayed look just as the door opened and Ving entered.

"I do not trip in mid-air," Zoan groaned, rubbing her forehead in frustration, her glasses slipping askew on her face. She barely had the energy to fix them, but thankfully Jiho adjusted them for her—what a kind girl.

"Zoan… I'm so sorry this happened to you," Ving said, sitting in a chair as Jiho continued to pick the meat out of Zoan's hair. Zoan simply gave Ving a tired look.

"Not only did they ruin my Friday, but they completely wrecked my mood! What did I even do to them? And why are they so goddamn petty?" Zoan huffed, crossing her arms and looking away in frustration.

Ving took a small breath, running her fingers through her hair, perhaps seeking a bit of calm. "Students from Class 4 tend to act out a lot," she explained.

"So?" Zoan shot back, glaring. "Is that really a reason to behave like that? What a bunch of petty assholes," she muttered under her breath.

"I'll try to talk to the President of the High School Department," Ving said with a soft sigh. "But she never does anything about it," Jiho chimed in, joining the conversation.

"I'll handle it for now. Just try your best to stay in the classroom," Ving advised, as Zoan sighed deeply. "That's ridiculous! Imagine paying for this and still getting bullied—how amazing," she said sarcastically, clapping her hands.

Ving could only sigh in response.

—

Zoan had nothing to do on the weekends aside from lounging around, watching TV, or playing with her phone. She had already done her studies but grew tired and decided to move from her room to the living room.

Her treadmill had arrived earlier, and she had tried it before eating breakfast and taking a bath. It was fun—but nothing could beat running outside and getting fresh air.

"I miss the times when I could ride my dirt bike or spar," Zoan said to herself, hearing Sol sweeping behind her and chuckling lightly. "Is this because of what's been happening at school? Why hasn't Sir Elias done anything about it yet?" Sol asked.

Zoan shrugged half-heartedly. "Dunno—as far as I know, I can't do anything about it." She laid her head on one of the couch pillows, letting out a sad sigh.

It wouldn't be long before she experienced cabin fever. "You never told me why you came home with food on your clothes and in your hair," Sol said quietly, rounding the couch and taking a seat at Zoan's feet.

Zoan sighed, hiding her face in the crook of her elbow. "It's embarrassing. I literally let them walk all over me. I should have just—!" She punched the air angrily, like a frustrated child.

Sol frowned, her face worried.

"Maybe you shouldn't come to school this week. I can get the notes and work for you!" Sol suggested hopefully. Zoan stared at her, laying her head back. "Why should I? That's basically saying I'm scared of them—which I'm not. I'm much more scared of what Father will do to me…" Zoan shivered.

Sol sighed. "Then perhaps you should talk to your father about this."

Zoan closed her eyes, letting out a hiss of breath. "Later," she said, ending the conversation there.