GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Akira's POV

"What did you think, fair lady? That by forsaking my love for the warmth of some other arms, you have defeated me? Alas, madam, it is only a feeble wish of yours. I have been wounded by your cruel mockery of my love but not defeated. Never shall I be defeated by those dainty hands that dared to caress another. Never. For I shall rise like the phoenix from the ashes of the hurt you have given me. And when I fly higher than the man who has snatched you from me, I shall look down on you. When you mourn the death of my love, I shall laugh at you. For only then will I have my vengeance and- "

"Shut up and walk faster, Naeem," Louis's annoyed voice cut through Naeem's heartbreaking monologue about the most recent rejection he got which was about five minutes ago.

"Do you mind, ill-mannered child? I was in the middle of planning my vengeance upon her," Naeem looked about ready to start another round of that torture.

"Sol, Just get over it, Naeem, she had a lover," Kishar snapped at him.

"I don't see how her lover factors in her rejection of my Godly face."

"It definitely factors when the said lover tries to break that Godly face," Gunhild replied from the front of the group.

"You guys won't understand. Legends say true love triumphs all," Naeem said dramatically.

"Well, legends also say you'd be so much more likable if you keep your mouth shut," Gunhild murmured with a sigh behind me.

"We are so late on our first day and it's all because of this moron," Ebi glared at him over her shoulder.

"I don't see how all this is my fault. I mean you guys do remember how desperately she wanted to talk to me at my brother's party? She even invited me to her backyard party which I am sure way too small to host a party. Can you believe her family doesn't have a party hall?"

"Why did you even accept that invitation? You don't even go to commoner parties!" Louis's voice sounded even more annoyed if that's even possible.

"I like the feeling of getting invited, it makes me feel important," was Naeem's easy answer.

"It's truly saddening that your self-worth still depends on party invites," I said rubbing the bruised hand I got while defending this moron from that girl's canine-like lover.

That boy bit me! What are we? Five year old in the sandbox?

"The girl was a commoner. It is trully baffling that you would go to such lengths to get the approval of a commoner," Louis said with an elaborate eye-roll.

"Hmm, you're right. Why did I do that? Oh right, because I do not care what you think," Naeem said with the brightest smile.

"I swear on Selena if today marks the day of my first-ever detention, fist marks will be visible on your face, Naeem," Ebi hissed again, not taking any breaks from walking.

Apparently, it's hard to run in heels. So now we all are power walking behind her because she won't let any of us go in front of her.

Sixteen years old and she is still as competitive as ever.

"Why did you even wear heels? It's not even a party." Cephas spoke and everyone looked at him in shock.

"Cephas, since when are you with us?"

Hmm, he was getting better and better at stealth. Almost didn't sense him.

"Since the whole time Naeem was about to get his ear bitten off by that dog of a lover." Cephas looked offended.

"Damn, we didn't even see you there. You're getting training from daddy Farishta?" Naeem started to tease Cephas completely forgetting the apology he owes us.

Classic Naeem. 

Sol, he was like a Betal.

You would think my days here would get better after the disaster from the day. But unfortunately, unlike daddy dearest, I wasn't really Sol's favorite.

So here I am, on my way to get detention in my first class. That too from Inayat, father's favorite protégé. I can already see him pouring his heart out to dad in great detail about me.

As if the letter sent home hadn't already warranted me a long lecture from mother and abundance of teasing from my sister.

On top of that, the dorm-head seemed to be as impressed with me as my Godfather was with my progress in swordsmanship.

At this point I wasn't even sure who the old dorm-head hated more? Me or his hairline?

I hope it's me because I'd really hate to loose against something nonexistent.

Well, if he doesn't hate me the most now, he'll be sure to do it once I make history by getting detention on the first day.

Guess I can check out another thing off my list of "How to disappoint your parents."

Curse you, minimum expectations from parents!

Don't you just hate it when the people who brought you into this world get all demanding and start to expect you to not get warning letters sent home?

Well, on a more hopeful note, this day can't get any worse.

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I spoke too soon. This is so much worse.

Did that damn-dorm head spill the details to Inayat? Why else would he make me sit next to the feral gremlin with a hobby of tripping me and getting letters sent to my home?

I looked at Inayat to see if I can find any trace of a conspiracy.

Hmm, nothing suspicious there.

So I make my way towards the girl who still hasn't noticed me and a smirk makes its way across my face.

Her outfit for today was as usual completely headache-inducing.

I don't know where she got that hideously yellow sweater from but by the looks of it, it came straight from Sol's closet. That's the only way a piece of clothing could be so damn bright.

It reminded me of Louis's grandma's homemade mustard.

"Miss Morozova, please move a bit. Akira over here needs a seat."

My smirk got wider as soon as I saw the color drain from her face at the sight of me. 

Damn, I liked the effect I had on people.

"Hello there, we meet again," my voice was purposely laced with fake happiness just to annoy her.

She ignored me.

Well, if she can get letter sent to my house, the least I could do was annoy her to death.

You know what they say, kill them with annoyance.

Even if she still makes me uncomfortable. 

"I said hello there, how are you this fine morning when you're not trying to trip or tackle me?" I repeated louder this time. She has to answer. I wasn't used to being ignored.

She ignored me. Again.

So we're playing that game, huh? Let's see how long she keeps it up.

With new determination, I lifted my foot, and with a bam! brought it down to hers.

Aha! she glared back at me with those fierce blue eyes.

Got you.

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GLOSSARY

*Vikram and Betal: Indian mythological stories about legendary King Vikramaditya who has the vampire like entity, Betal stuck to his back.

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