SHRANAIA’S POV

I had a good night’s sleep and didn’t even think about what had happened the previous day when I woke up. When we arrived at the school, I looked at the students who had gathered because new teachers had recently moved to our campus. I have no idea who they are, but rumors have it that they are well-known at other colleges as well. I was merely going back when Jenny looked at me and seemed that she want us to go with what they were looking at. I was just surprised when she suddenly pulled me, and I didn’t do anything but go with her.

When we arrived, I noticed a man right away whose face felt familiar to me; I’m not sure if we both looked at each other or if it was just in my imagination. But Jenny’s smile returned when she saw attractive men again. I simply held my breath as the shouts of the women around made me completely deaf.

“They are so handsome, you wouldn’t believe it, could you?” asked the eighth-grader.

“Yes, you are correct. Right then, I want to marry that guy!” She points toward the male I was earlier making eye contact with.

I covered my nose because I smelled something odd. Even though it smells fine, I don’t like how it affects me. You become nauseated when it smells too strongly. After leaving the gathering of girls, I sat to one side and waited for Jenny to emerge. A man sat down next to me as I waited, and I couldn’t help but stare at him.

“Hi,” he greeted me.

I scowled at him and experienced a weird feeling of weight and nervousness. I also said, “Hello,” to him.

“I’m a new student here, I got lost looking for my next lesson,” he said, then scratched his neck.

“Where is your next class?” I asked.

“In the third building on the third level, but I don’t know where the third building is,” I looked at the other building after he stated.

"That’s the third building; just look for the room number,” I informed him. He nodded and smiled at me.

“Thank you!” he smiled broadly before waving off.

I also waved and, of course, smiled at him. It's too bad I didn’t smile at him. Jenny eventually appeared with a big smile on her lips. I just rolled my eyes and invited her to come in because our class was about to begin. We entered just as we were about to catch up with a teacher. I immediately came to a halt, then motioned for him to go first, and he simply nodded and thanked me. His strange smile makes me stir up, and I gasped when Jenny abruptly tapped my shoulder.

“He’s one of the new teachers!” she exclaimed, and she seemed tickling.

I just walked in, she followed, and we sat down. He is said to be the substitute teacher today because our teacher is not present. I noticed his constant glances at me while he was discussing, and the strange smell I smelled earlier was still in the room. I immediately covered my nose because the smell made me feel sick.

“Why are you covering your nose? Do I stink?” Jenny asked abruptly, and I shook my head at her.

It was smelling around, and I knew she didn’t smell the same thing I did. Apart from that, this is something I’ve been wondering about for a long time because I smelled something that others didn’t, and it’s not insignificant that I see more clearly than others. But, even if I sometimes ignore it, that thing doesn’t bother me.

“What did you smell?” she was curious. Her eyes widened, and she pointed to my nose when she looked at me. “Your nose is bleeding!” she said as our teacher was looking at me.

I examined my hand and noticed that it was stained with blood. That’s why I smell a fishy unpleasant smell. I immediately stood up and apologized, but also Jenny followed me and gave me a tissue. When we arrived at the clinic, the nurse handed me a tissue, which I accepted.

“Why did you have a nosebleed?” the nurse inquired.

“I’m not sure either,” I answered.

“Didn’t you say you smelled something earlier? Maybe that’s why?” Jenny inquired.

‘What did you smell that set off your nose?” inquired the nurse.

“Something that smelled musty,” I said, and she nodded.

“The scent of perfume is bad for your nose. When you smell something like that, you should stay away so your nose doesn't trigger it and made you bleed,” she said, and I nodded.

I’m not sure how long Jenny and I stayed at the clinic until that representative teacher’s class ended. When we returned to the room, my classmates asked if I was okay or if I wasn’t feeling well, but I went in anyway. I shook my head at them before turning to face Jenny.

“Don’t use strong perfumes because she can smell them, and it triggers her nose, causing her to bleed,” Jenny advised.

“Woah, you are allergic to perfume?” Sam questioned.

“Yes,” I replied.

“I had no idea you had one?” Joel stated.

“You don’t need to know,” I replied, and he and Jenny exchanged glances before Jenny burst out laughing.

“Whoa!!! Boom!” she said, and I rolled my eyes.

When the next class began, I couldn’t smell the strange perfume anymore, and when the class ended, Jenny inquired about it and what kind of perfume it was. I told her I had earlier smelled the teacher’s perfume. She looked at me, frowned, and realized what perfume I was talking about.

“Does that have a red rose scent?” she wondered.

“Yes, but a brave one,” I replied.

“But I only smelled it up close,” she said, but then I shook my head.

“I don’t care as long as it stinks to me,” I said, and we walked home.

Today is Friday, and we had no intention of picking us up with our drivers. When I arrived home, Mommy and Daddy greeted me, while Jenny said goodbyes to them. I took a deep breath and sat besides Daddy.

“How’s school?” asked Daddy.

“It’s fine. Although our new teacher's perfume had a negative impact on me,” I said, and Mommy frowned.

“Teacher?” she inquires.

“Yes,” I replied.

Their faces were surprised, but I didn’t bother because I was already hungry. Another thing is that I was tired earlier in our tests, and luckily, one of our subjects was absent, so the headache didn’t bother me this day.

SHRANAIA’S POV

Jenny’s face was the first thing I saw when I opened my eyes. Because of the shock, I immediately stood up and handed my chest. She just laughed at me as if something was funny; one thing was that I hadn’t locked the door, so she got in easily. Fortunately, it’s Saturday, and we don’t have school, but I can’t relax because there’s still so much to do. Our teacher assigned us a lot of homework, which left me with a lot of things to do. I want to rest forever so that I can have peace of mind meanwhile.

“Good morning, Princess,” she greeted me as if something good had happened this morning.

“My morning isn’t going well if I only see you,” I muttered, and she snorted.

“You know how ugly your behavior is, don’t you?” she asked irritably, and I rolled my eyes at her.

“I don’t have time to be a plastic with you,” I said, pulling back my hair, and then I heard something outside as if someone was there. I’m not sure what that was or who it was.

I stood up and looked out my window, but there was nothing unusual to see, but I smelled what I smelled yesterday. Jenny approached me and asked what was wrong with me, so I immediately covered my nose. I couldn’t tell her what I had smelled. I'm not going to say anything because she might think something of me. I don't want her to be concerned about me.

“What’s wrong with you?” she wondered ask.

“Let’s go downstairs,” I said, taking her hand in mine.

“What? Why?” she asks, puzzled.

I didn’t wait for her response before we headed down. I’m not sure why I heard unusual footsteps from the balcony to the room, but Mommy was making breakfast when we arrived downstairs. She looked at Jenny and me, then asked what was wrong.

“Auntie, your daughter has smelled something strange,” Jenny murmured, and I noticed her and Daddy’s eyes widen as they glanced at each other.

“Do you have any idea of my condition?” I said, and they promptly shook their heads.

“Ah... nah... nothing,” Mommy said.

“Yeah, nothing,” Daddy said, taking his cup of coffee, and sipping it.

I’m not sure what they're thinking, but I know there’s something distinctive about them that they won’t tell me. I just groaned and looked at the stairs to see if anyone was passing by, but there was no one. We had barely finished breakfast with them when I noticed a shift in their mood. Mommy motioned to Daddy, who rose up and they went to the living room to have a discussion. But I didn't intend to listen to what they were going to discuss because I didn’t have any plans. Another thing is that something they are keeping from me, I will find out as quickly as possible.

We went upstairs after having breakfast since we were going to the mall. After all, I needed to buy something. We got into the car once I finished bathing and dressing. Thankfully Jenny had brought their driver with her. I didn’t see she had her car. Despite the fact that she does not have a driver’s license, her parents allowed her to drive on her own. The fact that I want to have my own too, but Mommy doesn’t allow me.

“What are you planning to buy?” Jenny questioned.

“I no longer have bond paper and notebook. Another issue is that the ink in my ball pen and marker has run out. I will buy a lot and also a cartolina,” I took a deep breath. “I’m running out of materials because our teachers are having us do a lot of work,” I added, and she winced.

“I’m glad I have a lot of stock,” she said, and I nodded.

She doesn’t run out because she has someone selling it for her. I could see a car with tinted windows behind us but couldn’t see who was inside. It’s too strange, yet I’ve had the feeling that someone is following me. I didn’t see Jenny while she told her story since my attention was drawn to the vehicle behind us.

“Oh, I just remembered something, Joel talked to me yesterday. Infernes with him because he’s handsome, it’s just that he’s not your ideal type. He’s concerned about you because you could have another nosebleed again,” she explained.

“He doesn’t need to worry about what could happen to me; tell him to stop because I might blunder him and smash him,” I replied, then she covered her mouth.

“You know Joel is the only one who has left out of the many who have courted you; why are you being so cruel with him? You are the most terrible woman I've ever seen!” she said, and I just shook my head.

“I don’t desire a man in my life,” I answered.

I clenched my eyes firmly as a remembrance flashed through my head. A memory I’m trying to forget, but why does it keep returning? I bit my lower lip, then held the chair hard and battled myself, afraid that my hand might slip in and startle Jenny if that happened.

“Hope all,” she said.

When we arrived at the mall, I noticed Sam and Joel standing extremely close to each other. I know the two are cousins, but I can’t help but wonder about Sam, as if she has some special quality that I don’t comprehend. Anyway, Jenny and I headed to the bookstore after entering the mall.

While looking for what I needed, I noticed the peculiar fragrance that I had experienced in the classroom again. Jenny and I, are far apart, so I searched for its scent and came to the end of the bookshelves where there were volumes of marketing books. I know that this is where I smell it. I know that he's here.

“Got you,” he said suddenly as he touched my shoulder, and I leaned against the bookshelf looking at him.

“Vixen?” I said.

I recognize him and understand what and who he is since we are the same. I couldn’t help but feel scared when he touched my face. Another one was his scent is its audacity. I instantly covered my nose to stop it from bleeding.

“OMG,” I said.

“Still nose bleeding huh?” he said, and I nodded.

“What’s the matter?” I’ll query.

“Something unusual happened recently, and I’d like to know who the guy who just followed you were,” he stated.

“So I’m not mistaken, someone is following me,” I said.

He gave me a nod and then looked around. “They had no idea where you were, but the vampire clan is interested in you,” he whispered.

“Interest?”

“Hmm. Take care of the people around you, Shranaia,” he advised before leaving.

“Sharanaia?” I glanced at Jenny, then at what she was carrying, “Who are you talking to?” she ask confusingly.

“Nothing,” I said immediately.

SHRANAIA’S POV

After a few days, I was fine, except for the unexpected arrival of Vixen. I don’t know why he’s following me, despite the fact that I’m not an ordinary person. I tripped as I walked into the canteen, and Joel immediately caught me.

“Aww,” I muttered as I clutched my chest.

“Are you okay?” he asked, and I shook my head.

“Do I seem okay?” I said, irritably, straightening myself.

I looked at the blocked leg and looked to see who it was from. When I saw Sam’s face, I approached her, and Joel even wanted to stop me when I gave him a bad look. I could hear her companions laughing as I near her, and they stopped when I was right next to her, and she frowned at me.

“What are you doing here?” she said, irritably.

“You know if you want me to pay attention to you, improve it like I will notice your pompousness and shit presence.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“Really, Sam?” I said, holding back my patience.

I stepped on her foot, and she was taken a back; she didn’t know whether to hit me or shove me. I give her a bad look. “How dare you?”

“How dare me? Have I been neglecting you so long that you need my attention? You are such an attention seeker,” I said as I walked away from her.

I hadn’t gone far when she abruptly yanked my hair and grabbed me. I instantly elbowed her and then pushed her hard, and that’s when I saw Joel catch her. I grinned at what I saw, and it was a good thing Jenny wasn’t here right now because I knew she’d stop me.

After that, she gave me a bad look, and I just grin at her and walked away. I’m not sure what they have with Joel, but I guess I know now. After I left after bought what I needed and left them, I went to the rooftop to be alone.

“What are you doing here?” I asked the man, who was staring at the bottom of the building.

“Boss told us that we should keep an eye on you while he does some stuff,” he said.

“I don’t need a guard, and I can take care of myself,” I said, before eating what I had brought. “Do you want?” I asked on him.

He glanced at me and seemed to crave like a dog when he saw what I was holding. “Wow!!! It’s delicious!!!” he said happily and I took a deep breath.

Sometimes I just want to punch him. Ran suddenly appeared, and then I turned to him. He grimaced when he noticed Ron holding some food, sniffed it, and then approached his twin to ask for the food that he was holding. Ron gave Ran some, and they then shared what I had given them. I merely smiled at them both and sipped some water.

While waiting for the next class, I looked up and suddenly handed my head. I don’t know what I saw, but I know it has something to do with what happened to me then. Mommy didn’t tell me everything, especially Vixen. I’ll find out whatever they’re hiding in due time.

When I returned to my room, the flowers that had been spread on my table were there again, and I looked at them individually. I’m not sure why they keep doing it, even though they see me throwing it out every day.

“This is the last time I’ll throw flowers in the garbage; one more time, and I’m going to punch who might it be,” I said, calling everyone’s attention to me.

I just ignored them and fortunately, I don’t intend to waste my time on them. When the class ended, I looked at the car outside the school and saw who got off.

“SHRANAIA!!!” Jenny waved at me, and then she ran towards me.

“What are you doing?” I asked her.

“Well, you can see what happened to my arm, which is why I came to inform you why I’m absent today,” she explained, as I looked at her arm.

“What happened?”

“I will tell the story later, and I know what happened earlier, so let’s go.” She pulled me into the car, and then we left.

I noticed Sam and Joel arguing outside, and I simply ignored it. “What happened to your arm, and who did this to you?” I questioned.

“The fact is that Sam was the one who did this to me,” she said, winced, and I scowled at her.

“Why did you just say that now?” I asked, irritated.

“I didn’t mean to say it, but when I heard out what happened earlier, I felt like I got my vengeance on that girl,” she said, and then I smacked her across the head.

“I’m not happy with what I’m seeing, Jenny; I will not let go of what happened to your arm,” I stated as I was ready to stop the car when she stopped me.

“Calm down, don’t be a high blood girl, okay?”

“Who wouldn’t be bothered by that?”

“Slow down.”

“I’m not going to settle down until I pay back what that bitch did to you.”

“You already avenged me earlier, that’s alright.” She stopped me, and then she made me lean on the chair, and I pulled my hair. “Calm your mind,” she said, and then I rolled my eyes at her.

Honestly, I have no intention of listening to her, and I have no intention of following what she says. I can’t accept that she is also being sympathized with by those two. They may both tell me everything they despise about me. They were adamant about it, and they did it behind my back.

“What is the backstory?”

“Because yesterday, while I was in the mall purchasing a book, I spotted Samantha and Joel talking about you, and the only unusual thing is that she nicknamed Joel- Deacon,” I scowled and turned to face him.

“Deacon? I’ve heard that name before,” I assured him.

I’m not sure where I heard it, but I’ve heard that name before. “Wherever? Do you have any previous memories of Joel?” she asked.

“I’m not sure; I just met him in our senior high school,” I said. “But the name you said, I know it... I knew him,” I added.

“This is what I remember of that night,” she added, and I just listened. “Since Sam stated that if she’s not the only one who can be picked, it’s much more important that it's not you because she'll do everything to kill you or make you disappear from their path.”

I know that there’s something in this two. But I’m quite sure I’ve heard the name Deacon before. When we arrived at the house, I walked down and told Mommy that I was going to sleep with Jenny. They didn’t object, and I merely went to my room and other necessities because there was no school tomorrow.