Kalila Miracle Hart

Now that the booth is gone and Carcel Evander Dawson—that jerk—is practically camping out at our base, we have no choice but to go to the cafeteria. Not a bad call, though. Everyone's on the verge of losing their minds—especially Evara, who looks like she's seconds away from exploding out of sheer rage.

Carcel said that Ciel was the one who got our booth shut down, but I'm not sure I can trust a word he says. Still, when I think about it, it does add up. If Ciel really did pull the plug, it was probably because of him. I don't know why Carcel couldn't help but linger around us, drawing attention every time he showed up but I know for sure  Ciel must've had enough of watching girls gawk at her fiancé like he was some grand prize. So, when it all comes down to it, this is still Carcel's fault.

That guy never failed to make my skin crawl, every time we talk. Something about him feels... off. Just thinking about our conversation earlier, a chill runs through me. Lately, his behavior has been overly strange and his eyes—that damn beau—No, Kalila, what hell are you talking about? Anyway, his absolutely infuriating.

"Miracle!" Evara's voice jolted me out of my thoughts. "Are you alright?" she asked, her eyes searching mine with urgency and concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I muttered, though it didn't sound convincing, even to me.

"You don't look fine," Akira remarked, folding her arms as she settled across from me.

"Did Carcel say something to upset you again?" Evara asked, her hands tightening around the table. I could tell she was ready to have another fight.

"Is he the one who ordered our booth be taken down?" Akira added, her brows furrowing and her lips pressed into a thin line as she spoke.

"No," I paused, trying to figure out how to break the news without starting an even a bigger problem than we already have. "He did not to do it but I think his one of the reason why," I said, feeling a knot of nerves tighten in my stomach.

"What did he say?" Sumer pressed, all three of them staring at me, waiting for answers.

"He said Ciel was behind it." The moment the words left my mouth, Evara slammed her fists onto the table, rattling everything on it. Akira's jaw tightened, and Sumer's gasp echoed through the cafeteria. Thank God people were busy talking, so it went unnoticed.

"I honestly thought it was Carcel after what happened with Ashton this morning," Sumer murmured.

"I thought the same thing," Akira agreed. "But if it's Ciel, I totally understand."

"Let's not jump to conclusions," I urged, trying to keep the situation from escalating. "Carcel could be wrong."

Evara's fist hit the table again, harder this time. "Well, let's find out." She shot up from her seat with enough force to send it screeching across the floor. She looked like she was ready to tear someone apart, and students were starting to stare.

Akira and Sumer grabbed her, trying to hold her back, but she kept pushing forward, her eyes blazing with fury. "Evara, calm down!" I shouted, and, to my relief, she finally paused and listened. I let out a slow sigh.

"I'll talk to her," I said, keeping my voice steady.

"But—" Evara began, her voice sharp, but I cut her off.

"I don't think it's great idea for you to do the talking," I said, reaching out to gently pat her head. "Take a moment to cool off." I smiled, and though she didn't look entirely calm but she unclenched her fists and took a deep breath.

I stood up from my seat. I knew that Ciel and I were bound to face each other sooner or later after all, I bet she had many things to say to me.

"Do you want us to come with you?" Akira asked.

I shook my head. "If I'm not back in thirty minutes, come find me." I paused for a second. "And bring Carcel."

I stepped out of the cafeteria and immediately felt my hands trembling. Why am I even doing? I groaned in frustration. Let's just get this over with—the sooner, the better. Ten minutes later, I was scanning the quad in vain, unsure of where to find her. I pulled out my phone and scrolled through my contacts, hoping someone—anyone—might know where she was.

Akira... Aunt... Ashton—wait, Ashton? That might just work.

Hey, Ash, it's Kalila.

Sent 2:15 PM

Yeah, I saved your number. Hahaha.

Sent 2:20 PM

Oh, that's cool. Hehe.

Sent 2:21 PM

That was painfully awkward. Shaking my head, I sent another message.

Anyway, how's your face?

Sent 2:21 PM

It's fine, hahaha. What's up?

Sent 2:22 PM

Uhm, hehehe. Do you happen to have Jade's number?

Sent 2:22 PM

Yeah, I've got it. Want me to send it to you? Jade won't mind.

Sent 2:24 PM

Yay, thanks!

Sent 2:24 PM

Oh, and by the way, Carcel apologized to me. Hahaha.

Sent 2:25 PM

I stared at the screen, rereading the message just to make sure I wasn't imagining things. Carcel apologized? Something had to be seriously wrong with him. Maybe he's dying? That guy doesn't exactly scream apologetic. If anything, he'd say something like

'Yeah, it's my fault, but you should apologize for making me mad.'

Now that sounded more like the Carcel I knew. Shaking off the thought, I realized Ashton had already sent me Jade's number. I quickly messaged her, asking if she could tell Ciel that I needed to talk. To my surprise, Ciel agreed to meet up right away. She said she'd be waiting in the Elite main building lobby, where no one would bother us since most people were hanging out in the quad—and I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

When I reached the Elite's lobby, spotting her was effortless. The soft lighting framed her perfectly—as if she belonged on a magazine cover—while I felt like a worn-out rug in comparison. A resigned sigh escaped before I could stop it, and I reluctantly took the seat across from her.

"So, what brings you here?" Her tone was clipped, slightly impolite, almost as if I had already wasted her time.

I debated whether to cut to the chase or dance around it. then I realize there's no point beating around the bush. "Did you have our booth taken down?"

The silence between us stretched uncomfortably before she smirked, that same irritating smirk that Carcel wore when he was up to doing something no good. But somehow, hers felt worse.

"Oh, that?" She paused, her smirk growing. "Yes. I thought it would be difficult to convince the admin, but it was surprisingly easy."

Easy? It was easy for her to tear down something we spent days building? All it took was one request and our hard work was erased—just like that. This school... this whole system, is sick. Of course, we were nothing compared to her. All our sweat and dedication could never stand against wealth and influence. My fists clenched under the table as frustration bubbled up inside me.

"Why?" The word slipped out, low and strained. It was all I could manage.

"Well, you guys are really getting on my nerves." She sighed, as if this were just another minor inconvenience in her perfect life. "First, your booth caused a lot of commotion—you see, Foundation Day is supposed to be celebrated with sophistication, yet your games only incite chaos. Second, I don't think something like that belongs in this school; the admin agrees with me, so don't hold any grudges against me. And lastly..." She paused, interlacing her long, pale fingers as she leaned toward the table. "You force my fiancée to join your childish game of matching dates, are you out of your mind?"

I was lost in words, scratch that other two reason, it was as fucking clear a day why she's about it. I tilted my head, offering a polite smile. "Oh, I see. So, you're saying Foundation Day should be celebrated with sophistication—like, say, taking down a booth because of pure jealousy? That does sound elegant." I rested my chin on my hand, feigning deep thought. "As for your fiancée—he walked up on his own, filled out the form on his own, and participated on his own. But I get it, accountability is hard." my smile widened. "Don't worry, though. Next time, I'll be sure to ask for your permission before he makes another independent decision."

She let out a low chuckle, and I instantly regretted trying to fight this freak. Birds of a feather really do flock together, huh? "I don't get why Carcel and the boys get associated with people like you," she sneered, her tone dripping with arrogance. "You're loud, uncultured, attention-seeking, and pathetic-looking."

I smirked. I'd heard that insult a dozen times before, but somehow I could still feel the heat rising in my chest. I forced myself to remain calm. "I'm sorry, it's totally our fault," I said, my tone dripping with sarcasm so she would get the point. "But hey, if you're so concerned about who Carcel and the boys associate with, maybe you should take it up with them. Unless, of course..." I let my smile stretch, just enough to be irritating. "You're just mad they don't listen to you the way you wish they did."

Her silence was all the confirmation I needed. Then she scoffed, and I could see the mask of superiority cracking ever so slightly on her face." You shameless fucking bitch!" she sneered, her nails digging into her hands. I'm surprised she can control herself so well. "Just because Carcel talks to you a few times doesn't mean you're fucking special, nor does it give you the right to talk to me like that."

Her words made me pause. How did she know we had been talking? I felt a pang of guilt—I knew I shouldn't be speaking to him. But Carcel is such a spoiled jerk who doesn't take no for an answer. He doesn't even care whether he's engaged; he only cares about what he wants. What am I supposed to do about that? Besides, my conscience was clear—we hadn't done anything wrong.

She stood abruptly, her eyes dark with fury. "Do you honestly think I wouldn't find out about you fucking rat?"

Then I saw it—her hand swinging up, fast and sharp, her fingers curled just enough to strike. My breath caught, but I didn't flinch. Instead, I shut my eyes, bracing for the sting, for the sharp burn of her palm against my skin. The air tensed, the moment stretched—until nothing. No impact. No pain.  it never came.

"Didn't I warn you, bunny?" That voice and that awful nickname.

I opened my eyes, to see Carcel holding Ciel's wrist, stopping her mid-swing. His grip was firm, his expression calm but cold. Relief washed over me. The girls isn't here, which meant—by sheer dumb luck—he'd shown up just in time. 

God forbid that slap had landed. I don't think I'd be able to show my face around campus without a mask and why in the world is Carcel calling me that ridiculous nickname in front of his fiancée? This guy is really trying to get me killed.

Ciel snapped back, yanking her wrist free with enough force that Carcel was momentarily thrown off balance. "Bunny? Didn't know you were into childish nicknames, honey." Her smile was sweet enough to rot teeth, but the sarcasm was razor-sharp. It was nauseating.

Carcel chuckled, and I caught a glimpse of his face—twisted in pure disgust. What the hell? This is the same guy who throws around weird nicknames like it's a hobby, but he can't handle a little of it back? Seriously, what's wrong with him? I shifted my gaze to Ciel, arms crossed, looking completely unfazed—like she's used to Carcel being this way. This whole situation is a disaster.

"Hey, Kalila," Carcel's voice pulled me back, and I glanced up at him towering over me. "You want to give me a nickname too?"

Huh? What?

It felt like the world froze for a second. I swear I just heard Crows cawed in the distance, marking my impending doom. He really just did that. He just put me right at the top of Ciel's hate list. I should probably call Aunt and Marco, let them know to expect the worst. I'm not making it home alive tonight.

"Go on, Kalila." Ciel's voice was low, her words laced with a barely contained threat. "I dare you."

I glanced at her, then back at Carcel. What kind of twisted situation was this? My heart pounded, feeling the tension rise between them, but I was the one stuck in the middle.

Then Carcel rested a hand on my shoulder, leaning in close enough that his breath brushed my neck. "Are you scared?" he whispered, sending a shiver down my spine. "Don't be. As long as I'm here, no one will touch you." His voice was low and firm, and my body trembled in response. I wished I could was off my ears and unhear what this crazy bastard had said.

I elbowed him as hard as I could and shot him a glare, but he just chuckled, clutching his sides like it was nothing. Meanwhile, I was sweating buckets under Ciel's stare, feeling like I'd just stepped into a minefield. I'm gonna fucking punch this guys face later for making things more complicated.

"I think you should go now, bunny." Carcel's voice softened as he gently pushed me forward. "I need to have a conversation with my future wife," he added with a smile, as if the situation wasn't completely absurd.

I glanced back at Ciel. She stared at me like I was something she'd scrape off her shoe. I wasn't going to leave without getting some sort of resolution about the booth, but if I stayed, who knows what kind of madness Carcel would stir up next.

Let's retreat for now.