[Recommended Song]: Blank Space by: Taylor Swift
_____________________________________

"Hey, who was that?" Dominic ran to his best friend who scoffed.

Elijah opened his mouth to speak. But, when he did, it took him time to find the right words. "Jace's fan, shitty bully."

Dominic looked back. "Let me guess... He shamed you for being gay, didn't he?"

Elijah nodded. "What? Yeah, he doesn't have a life."

The two laughed as they went to class. Dominic sat beside a student at the front, Elijah meanwhile chose to sit at the very back of the class.

"Alright everyone, let's start the long quiz! Defense is our main key for today." Professor Chen, the P.E. teacher says handing a sheet of paper. "Get one and pass it backward."

The pupils groaned. Nobody told them about early long quizzes. A student raised her objections. "Mr. Chen, no notes were given to us about long quizzes for today about defense!"

Mr. Chen took off his glasses and laid them on the table. "Yes, but, I did tell you to watch out for surprise quizzes from my class, didn't I?"

The students were silent. They knew it. How could they forget?! Now, each one of them regretted going to parties instead of studying.

Each student took out their pencils and started answering their quiz. All they can do is guess and hope for good grades.

Elijah felt his head hurt, he wanted to cheat if it wasn't a danger to his grades.

He answered things all about the topic.

"Time's up!"

Elijah passed his paper directly to the professor. He didn't bother to pass it forward, in times like these when the whole class didn't study, there is a 99.9% that someone will cheat and copy.

The class spent their entire time studying defense and arms. When the bell rang, the students went like horses who escaped their stable.

The last to leave was Dominic and Elijah. They decided to go last to avoid being pushed.

The two friends decided to meet everyone at the canteen.

Canteen:

"Hey, guys! Over here!" Kiara called out to the two, saving them a seat.

"Hi, guys." Dominic and Elijah said at the same time, waving at their friends.

When they scanned the chairs, two were left out. Tris and Jace were nowhere.

"Gege, where did Tris go?" Elijah frowned pointing at the empty seat.

Zack looked at the chair before saying: "Guidance... office, with Jace."

"HAH?!" Dominic gasped out, covering his mouth in disbelief.

Kai lowered his phone before gingerly pushing his friend back down. "Relax, they were asked to bring some files by the secretary."

"Oh..."

The two went from war freaks to calm little cubs. Callista giggled softly at the two.

Zack was scanning the canteen, the two others should've been here by now.

"You looking for us? We're here." Jace waved and sat next to his sister. He passed something to Elijah, making the other confused.

"What is... this?" He pointed at the drink in front of him.

Jace crossed his arms, leaning back. "A drink, you asked for it earlier. You forgot?"

"What the-"

Elijah suddenly thought of the time when he was asking and talking to his gege for a drink. His mouth formed a small circle shape. "Jace... do you ever take jokes?!"

"Oh my..." Jace acted cluelessly. "I didn't know that was a joke, my bad. Just drink it, or else, I will."

Elijah chuckled: "You want it, then have it."

"If I had a sip, You should keep it already. I bought this for you, not me." Jace stared at the other.

Elijah pretended to sneeze to hide his face, Tomato alert.

"Nevermind! I'm just going to... drink." Elijah sipped his drink, he then saw Jace staring. He coughed lightly.

Meanwhile, their friends were just texting using their phones, discussing... about them.

Dominic seemed to notice, but, ignored it.
___________________________________

Tris: Your honor, the atmosphere
is fruity, very fruity.

Dominic: I'm starting to think
Jace's being biased.

Zack: Same

Kiara: Almost everyone
agree with it.

Kai: What if... Jace really
likes Elijah?

Dominic: If he does, You can't,
we can't do anything.

Callista: Jace hasn't confessed
though.

Kai: It's obvious jiejie. Even if
Jace doesn't confess, we can
see it.

Kiara: Maybe it's just for fun.
Jace and Elijah are close, so
maybe it's normal.

Tris: It can, and it can't.
We can't make conclusions!
We all talk about this always
without even knowing
what's going on. Just trust
them.

Dominic: Agreed.

___________________________________

They lowered their phones and ate their break. The squad happily talked and laughed.

"Mind if we join?"

The familiar voice made both Dominic and Elijah suffer. Angelo and his banana minions. Dominic was hit by a familiar dude among the group, so it wasn't new that he like to kick the ugly faces.

"Uhm, sure." Callista arched a brow from hidden. From the way the other students dress, You could tell they were bad boys. She'd also seen them on television, as the CEO's son.

The other gang sat properly and smiled.

Wow, such silence.

They took time to adjust and talked. "You're CEO Shin's sons, aren't you?" Kiara asked, and the three nodded.

"Yes, yes. The CEO's son." A guy muttered nodding.

Tris hummed. "Alright. So... What are you guys currently doing?"

"We... learn about holding things for defense." One said gulping when he looked at one row.

"Oooh... We should invite them to come over, jie. We're learning sometimes as well, don't we?" Kai clapped.

The others looked at each other, eventually, agreeing.

"Elijah, Dom, You guys went silent?" Jace called out to the two.

Dominic flinched: "I was texting my mom."

Elijah raised his cup. "I was drinking, Jace. I can't utter, I'm sorry." He said followed by a laugh.

"Give it, it's fine." Jace insisted, Elijah passed the cup to the older without objection.

Angelo honestly felt disgusted. "You... are actually drinking that?"

"I'm drinking straight from the cup, Angelo. Elijah drank from the straw."

Dominic let out a small inaudible 'ooh' hiding his smirk, he wanted to bang the table, to be frank.

"Dear students, please proceed to the main hall to welcome our new principal."

Now was the time. They'll meet the new head. The squad proceeded to the main hall, and all of San Vedra's pupils were there to greet.

A black car was parked outside the university. Someone walked up to the hall, all well-dressed.

"Goodmorning, Mr. Principal." The secretary bowed at him. She then, looked at the students: "Dear students, welcome: Mr. Nie Lixin, our new principal."

Everyone applauds. The new head smiled and waved.

"Greetings, everyone!" He began, stopping and shutting the crowd. "My name is Nie Lixin, the new head, I look forward to leading all of you."

The speech ended with loud applause once again. They've met the new head, he seems nice.

When the break was over and the principal announced his upcoming term, classes had resumed till it ended.

The squad and Angelo's gang met.

"Shall we?"
____________________________________

Whew, what a chapter! Okay, the Zàijiàn squad had already met the principal. Exciting parts are about to unfold!

-Ms. Khi 🦊🖤