Finally, you get to see what happens next!! I hope i get some comments on this chapter as it is quite a bit of information. I think this one is more worth while to look at since it's longer. Anyways, enjoy!

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My eyes widened, this seemed way different from the quiet and innocent looking Alexandra I met yesterday. And what was about this last leg that she was threatening the unfamiliar mam with?

"You wouldn't dare!" he boomed. Alexandra held out her right hand and showed the back of it, where a mark of the Flower of Despair was printed on. The mark glowed as if ready to use a nasty on the boy. "Try me." She threatened.

Dominic Hoshida instantly got out of his chair and grabbed Alexandra's wrist, slamming it down on her desk. Alexandra could only gasp at what happened.

Thank goodness Dominic got the right idea to break up the fight. Knowing that Alexandra had the curse of being able to destroy anything, she probably would have sent something up in flames. Perhaps even that boy's leg as she promised.

"Alexandra, stop this. Don't do it. Remember, you'll get in trouble. Do you want that?" Dominic asked, calmly. Alexandra's expression softened and she shook her head slowly. Dominic nodded, "Good." Alexandra clenched her fist and tried to relax. So did everyone else in the room who even cared to pay attention.

That made me wonder; did things like this happen constantly? Dominic glanced behind him and said, "Asher, leave her alone for now, please?" the brown haired guy said nothing and turned his back.

A small blond boy sitting at a desk quietly giggled in amusement at this. Dominic glared at him "Michael, you better stop. You started all of this, I saw you." The boy, Michael, shrugged down, already appearing smaller than he already was. I wondered if he was even in our grade. He looked like he would be in Maiko's grade.

"Now all of you, calm down." Rosalina muttered something under her breath but I didn't hear what she said. Alexandra sat down, staring at her hand and blushing. She looked a little embarrassed to be stopped by Dominic.

"Here, let's sit down." Akito didn't speak of what just happened and just sat down in the third row. I sat next to him, in front of Michael, who was silent, staring at nothing but his own desk. I could tell he noticed me when I heard him jump. I looked back at him curiously, I didn't get a good look at him.

By the way he was sitting, I couldn't tell how tall he exactly was, but he showed to be pretty short. I think he was my height. Pretty short for a boy, considering I was only 5'4. He had bright electric blue eyes that went with his blond hair. It was a little longer than Akito's or Dominic's.

I didn't notice Michael was staring at me as I checked his appearance. "Um, can I help you?" He offered, almost teasingly. I shook my head, "Sorry, I'm new here. I was just looking around." he shrugged but only looked away momentarily. He seemed interested in me, as if he knew something about me. He didn't even know my name.

I used my powers to try and read him, but his mind was kind of hard to read, almost like he was thinking of nothing.

My eyes went around him, looking for a mark of the Flower. She looks like some fun to play with. I heard and twisted my mouth. I guessed he wanted to be my friend.

Michael leaned back on his chair. I turned my head and wondered for a second. This boy seemed to act normal, so he probably wasn't cursed. That didn't mean I wouldn't forget about him. Some people's curses were not as obvious as others' or they knew how to hide it well.

Class began a few minutes later with math. Ms. Kobayashi was nice and she looked pretty with her shoulder length blonde hair. That wasn't what I mostly paid attention to, though.

Dominic was like a calculator at math. When I would be writing down the equation right then, he would already have the answer written down or in his head. He was 2 rows behind me so I couldn't exactly tell, but it was almost as if he was a robot.

"Yes, Dominic?" Ms. Kobayashi pointed at him with her pen. I didn't even look back at him, I already knew the smug expression he had on. "X would equal 77 and Y equals 11. After that, you would draw them in a slope form then divide to use the test points."

Ms. Kobayashi grinned, "Correct!" I swear I wanted to explode. How was he getting these answers so quickly? Even me, being only half human and half hybrid, couldn't figure it out.

I didn't notice I held my pencil so tightly, it snapped in half. The crack sound caused almost everyone to look up and stare at me. "Excuse me." I apologized.

A hand put a pencil on my desk, neatly sharpened. I looked forward and saw Rosalina sitting next to the desk in front of me bringing her hand back. I saw the mark on the opposite hand that Alexandra had her's on. "Thank you." I whispered. Rosalina simply nodded and turned back to the front.

"Anyway," Ms. Kobayashi cleared her throat. I just happened to look back and see Dominic a few rows away, chuckling quietly. I glared, though he hardly noticed.

However, I did happen to notice Michael behind me, playing with an unbent paper clip and his math notebook. He seemed to be focused in his own little world of thought, not really paying attention to the lesson Ms. Kobayashi taught.

After math class, which was still as bad as when it began, we had a small break. I left the room to clear my thoughts when Michael came from behind and pulled the back of my shirt. I yelped, surprised that I felt someone pull me. I covered my back nervously and spun around, "What the heck are you doing?" I sputtered, obviously agitated.

"You said you were new here, right?" Michael asked innocently, as if he wasn't the one who pulled on me. "Yes." I said, hesitantly. "My name is Ritsuko. Ritsuko Akiyama." Michael grinned, "I'm Michael Oshiro." I decided this might be a good time to ask him some things.

"Are you in our class grade?" Michael gave me a strange look, "Yes. Why wouldn't I be?" I didn't want to embarrass him so I shrugged, "You just appeared... a little different?"

Michael must have bought it because he questioned no further. He gave me a box, "Here, I think you might need these considering what happened in math class." I chuckled, "Right. It's just because that guy Dominic is-"

"So smart?" He repeated, "He just really likes learning math and science. He just spends his time doing that since he has nothing else to do." I guessed that might have been why he was so good at whatever problem was given to him. "I've heard. But thank you." I took the box looking at the label 'Pencils'

"Well, I hope to see you again and become really good friends, Michael." it was a little cute to see Michael's eyes widen. "Really?" I nodded. Michael looked down for a second as if suddenly distracted. He blinked a few times and looked back at me, "Great! See you!" He ran off.

Looking down at the pencil box that he gave me, I smiled. This one, if cursed, would be truly easy to heal.

"Don't even count on it." There was no mistake that that was Dominic's voice. My happy expression disappeared into a dull and sarcastic one. "And what is it that you have to criticize me about now, Dominic?"

Dominic crossed his arms and paced around me like a predator surrounding it's prey, "Actually, if you were so smart-like you enjoy to act like when talking to me-you would consider it a warning." I rolled my eyes. "And what might this warning be?"

Dominic pushed his glasses up. "Michael is just a trickster. He's not looking for any new friends or anything. He's just looking for a good prank to pull on someone. And you, Ms. Akiyama, have been chosen to be his next target."

I let out a groan of disgust. "Actually, he has taken well to my coming to the school. He's sort of one of the only students to actually be a good classmate." Dominic snorted, "Please, if you're looking for good acquaintanceship in a classmate, I'd rather you choose me. And believe me, I'm not that friendly."

That was a believable statement. Dominic had been all smart and sassy from the beginning of the day. I put my hands on my hips. "I don't find that at all hard to believe." I said caustically.

"Fine." Dominic sighed, stopping in front of me. "If you don't believe me, then go ahead and make friends with him. I know we may not like each other's company at all," that was true again. "But I am trying to help you from making a stupid mistake. He just wants to tease, tattle, prank, and humiliate anyone he chooses. So you can be the butt of the joke, or-" he smacked the pencil box out of my hand onto the ground "You'll be wise and listen to me."

Dominic strutted away like a prissy, royal dog, perhaps a poodle if I may have needed to be specific. I grunted a little, crouching and picking up the pencil box, closing it. I suddenly stopped for a second and opened the box again, only to see there was nothing inside but a few pieces of chalk.

My eyes widened almost to where I couldn't blink. Darn it, the boy was right. Michael was trying to make a fool of me. Well, I wasn't going to let him do that. I stood up and threw the box away.

"Hey, everything okay?" Akito questioned, coming up behind me. I responded simply, "Yeah, everything's fine." Michael was definitely on my list of cursed people. Unless he was just really entertained by tricking people, there must have been something wrong. Maybe I was just getting mad because he tried to prank me. I shook my head and shrugged it off. That didn't mean he was off the list.

When lunch came around, which seemed like forever, I was able to get a good look at the school class. I kept checking people for any mark of the Flower. No more than the original 5 were what I sensed. But I still needed to figure out the mystery of who was number 4 and 5.

Maiko walked by the class and waved at me. I waved back but wasn't able to stop her since she was with some friends. I walked to a small table where Rosalina and Alexandra sat. I greeted shyly, "Hello." Alexandra looked up at me. "Um-hi."

Rosalina still had a deadpan expression like she usually had. "May I sit with you two here?" Alexandra looked to Rosalina, as if asking for approval.

Rosalina shrugged, "I don't care." She said quietly. I took it anyway and sat down on a chair. I put my lunch sack on the table and asked, "You two are the Koizumi twins, right?" Alexandra nodded, "We are the only twins in this place. We saw you yesterday, right? Your name is Ritsuko."

I nodded, "Yeah, that was me." Rosalina picked at her lunch and questioned, "Is Maiko your friend?" I opened my lunch, "Yes. She's so bright and sweet."

"She's sort of a hypocrite." I perked up and looked at Rosalina, "Excuse me?"

"She likes to pretend she's all flowers and rainbows, but truly, she doesn't always like everyone she meets. She's judgemental and selfish. I think she just doesn't like to be aware of others."

"Hmm." It was all I could respond with without pushing the subject even more. I had a little bit of trouble opening my juice can. "Oh, can I help you with that?" Alexandra kindly offered, putting her hand over mine and taking the bottle. I felt the tattoo of the Flower on my back pulse.

Instantly, the can in Alexandra's hand crunched up and deteriorated away. Alexandra gasped and took her hands off of what was left of the can until it disappeared into dust. She glanced around the room nervously. Rosalina glared at her sister, "Alexandra, you're not supposed to-"

"I know, I know. I couldn't control it that time! I'm sorry, Ritsuko." Alexandra pulled her hands back and put them on her lap. "No worries." I smiled at her comfortingly. It was clear to see Alexandra's regret and shame.

"Really, it's fine." Alexandra whispered "I'm sorry about my curse, I just..." she pulled her school jacket over her arms. I reasoned, "Hey, you didn't mean it on purpose. Besides, it was just a juice. No one got hurt, that's what's important. That's what my mom always told me, anyways."

Alexandra looked at me curiously, "Where are you from?" I replied, "Baktavia." I bit into a rice ball which Maiko made for me. It was really tasty. Her eyes widened, "Wow that far? And what did you come here for? Do you need therapy?"

I shook my head, "No, why would I?" I asked, pretending I had no idea why she would ask. Alexandra and Rosalina both gazed at me, their identical faces showing the same question: You're not cursed?

"If you're not cursed by the Flower, then why would you come so far here?" Rosalina inquired. She stumped me... I couldn't use the lie I told Maiko because the twins already pointed out I came far.

"I wanted to travel here for a bit. I travel a lot with my parents and they said I could go to Crysolia to finish school. After I graduate, I plan to travel to Kikloud."

Alexandra gasped, "I heard Kikloud was where Dominic grew up." This made me a little curious. "Dominic?" Alexandra nodded and looked to the side. "He used to live there before he got cursed."

"Did you know him before?" Rosalina spoke for Alexandra, "No, we're from Baktavia too."

"Oh. Do you know his curse?" Alexandra shrugged, "He doesn't like to talk about it. It's not the best curse." She looked down. "Well, I would destroy him anyway even if I could...."

I looked at her as if expecting her to finish her sentence. "Uh, let's just finish lunch." Alexandra looked back and forth the room.

We finished lunch without anymore lasting conversations. I didn't do anything wrong, at least I thought that. It was the twins that were afraid of opening up, and I couldn't blame them.

I walked to the trash can with my wrappers and used napkins with Alexandra and Rosalina in front. "Watch your step." Alexandra warned plainly, stepping a little more upward. I hummed a question and tripped over something. I stumbled and dropped my trash on the floor. I looked back, eyeing Michael right next to me with his foot pulled back.

I could have smacked the boy right then, but I took a deep breath and crouched, picking my garbage up. Alexandra stopped and crouched down in front of me, assisting me in picking up. Rosalina walked back and muttered something to Michael. "You ought to watch it before I break that leg of yours that you love tripping people with."

Michael's eyes widened and he stayed silent, looking back at me. I gave him a warning glare and threw my trash. Alexandra didn't say anything but just tilted her chin up as we both walked back to the table. I happened to see Akito pass by and throw his wrapper away, scooting Michael's water bottle off the table.

The blond boy flinched and leaned down, picking up his water. Akito smiled at me as he walked by. He came to my table, "It's okay, I got him back for you." I giggled. "Thanks." Akito chuckled, "You seem to enjoy this school."

"Yeah, it's nice. We need to tell Maiko thank you for the lunch." Akito nodded, "We'll tell her after our last class ends." I agreed. Akito walked by the twins and greeted, "Hey Alexandra, hi Rosalina."

"Hey." They both said at the same time. Rosalina closed her empty bento box, "Do you stay at his father's apartments?"

"How did you know?" I asked. Alexandra shrugged, "I guessed it because I don't think you'd rent or buy property."

"Oh, I see."

Alexandra smiled, "That's great. If you ever want to come to our house, we practically live alone, you can come by. We can give you the address." Rosalina looked a little unsure but stayed quiet.

"Sure, that sounds good." Well it was a start. They seemed to trust me more now.

The next classes were kind of boring, since I was perfect in history and good at writing class. Michael kept trying to pick on me by pulling strands of my hair or kick my chair lightly. Other times, he'd be distracted, constructing something with a few pencils and a paperclip. I don't know what was up with him. He looked happy when I said I wanted to be his friend, but he acted like a little boy teasing a little girl for attention.

"Can you read this for the class, Ms. Akiyama?" Ms. Kobayashi requested. "U-uhm, yes." I was a little nervous at reading in front of the class, but stood up and held my book open. "'When writing a research paper, you must have index cards with you. Write down all the information you want on the index cards for your pap-'" I got pushed forward by Michael kicking my chair up behind my legs.

What a little pain he was. Couldn't he at least respect me when I read? "'Paper,'" I continued, "'For your first rough draft, do not think about the writing or spelling so much, it is only a rough draft. Just get all your ideas down on paper as fast as you c-'" I yelped and fell forward into my desk. My book crashed on the floor with a loud plop.

Everyone in the class gasped and looked at me. If this was what students at school called school humiliation, I was experiencing it. I heard some laughter and giggles go about the room, but didn't mind it. I heard Michael laughing especially hard, I wanted to kick his chair back, which I did and almost caused him to fall backward. Akito picked my book for me and handed it to me. "Thank you."

Akito nodded and I straightened my skirt. I finished reading and sat back down, thinking what was the deal with this class. We have some emotionally distant twins, a smart-Alec guy and a boy that needs to go back to elementary school. I wished I knew the 2 other cursed students. Maybe they were in a different grade.

School ended pretty quickly, fortunately. I couldn't stand another hair pull, tug or trip from Michael. I think I must've hated him by the time school was over. Alexandra and Rosalina waved goodbye, so I waved back. I was on pretty good terms with them. Dominic was still one to get on my nerves.

Akito met me outside the classroom. "Hey. You did great in history right now." I waved my hand gesturing that it was no big deal, "Well, I find history kind of interesting." Akito put his hand on my shoulder, "Hey, you retain more information than I do in class. You even compete with Dominic pretty well since he's practically the smartest student in class.

I shrugged and leaned into him stiffly. I kind of liked this feeling. "I'm glad you think of me that way. Some kids there are nice but others just get on my nerves." Akito said, "That's how school is. There are some annoying kids and there are some mean ones and some nice ones."

"Oh wait!" I stopped and turned around. "I forgot the bento box Maiko gave me. Let me get it." Akito looked back and nodded, "Alright, I'll be outside waiting for her." I nodded, "Okay, I'll be right there." I walked back to the classroom and retrieved the lunch sack and bento box I was given.

I glanced out the window and noticed it was getting a little dark already. "Hmm." I hummed and left the empty classroom quietly. I was walking back outside to meet Maiko and Akito when I heard a small thud from a classroom. It sounded like something fell or toppled over. I saw the door was cracked open and felt the urge to go in.

I knew it must've not been my business if someone was in there, but curiosity got the best of me. I peered through the door and gasped quietly. Chairs were scattered all across the classroom, tables were turned over messily and a few papers were thrown on the ground. It was a mess.

The room almost looked like a storm happened inside it. This made me wonder why, though. I peeked a little closer, cracking the door open a little more and saw someone I never expected to see: Michael.

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Another cliffhanger! Aaaaahh!! What do you think of this new character Michael? What do you think he could be hiding? What about the twins?? We'll see in the next chapter! I'd also like to encourage you in reading my new Uma Musume Pretty Derby fanfic, Making It Big! It's a lot of fun and I'd love to see what you think. See ya, Reader-Chan! 💜