Lyfers: Amnesia

Chapter 7 - Ready

 – That's my seat, shithead.

At this unknown voice, Dove looked up, astounded: another young man had arrived. He sat down behind her right after throwing the other away like a paper ball, and put on her hazel eyes that seemed extremely kind, for someone who just tossed out another guy. She detailed him: he had short, mint-colored hair with bangs going down on his forehead, a thin, attractive face, and the body of a fighter, built lean yet powerful. He put his elbows on the table and rested his chin on his hands, showing her a smile.

– So you're Dove, huh? He asked her.

– Y-yeah, that's me, she replied, still astonished.

– I'm glad to meet you. I'm Sphinx, I'm Phase's Lieutenant. I'm sorry I couldn't make it yesterday.

– Oh, uh, it's fine!

She smiled back, a bit embarrassed, and peeked to the other side of the classroom, only to gasp when she realized everyone present there were staring at them, harder than they did before. Seon was getting helped up by a worried girl, while the others stood there, silently watching. Seeing how nervous the blonde was, Sphinx leaned in, patting her head.

– Chill, he's fine, I've barely moved him.

– ... Not like that would've bothered me if you shook him up some more.

With a smirk, he immediately raised up, but Dove was quicker than him, and grabbed his white shirt's sleeve to stop him, eyes widened.

– Just kidding, just kidding!

– You didn't sound like you were kidding.

– ... I wasn't. But don't go putting yourself in trouble for that kinda man.

She crossed her arms, disdainfully designating the brown-haired boy by a chin gesture, eyebrows frowned. She didn't know if it was because of these new friendships, particularly because she now felt safe, but some boldness had hit her since these two were around. She was not sure that she would be completely unattainable, but still, feeling both free and reassured was priceless for her.

On the other side, after the look his previous friend gave him, Seon had felt the same pain in the chest that the one she experienced earlier, and as she began to laugh with the new guys around her, regrets and jealousy began to form inside of his mind. He eyed them with despise, shoving the one that helped him back up and sitting down, angered.

However, Dove erased him from her thoughts as well as she could, focusing on the lesson: mathematics had never been her cup of tea. The teacher didn't even take the time to introduce the new students, and strangely, it reassured her. She did not want anymore attention on them. She kept her eyes locked onto her notebook, a hand holding her forehead, sighing from time to time. No, definitely, she hated mathematics. Phase, otherwise, seemed to be doing quite good, for a previous dropout, and she peeked at her notes with a surprised expression.

– Didn't you tell me you stopped after a year at uni? She whispered.

– M'aw, yeah, but I've learned this subject the hard way, he chuckled, in a low voice.

– Do you need help in it, Dove? Asked Sphinx, who was laying onto his desk.

– Maybe Miss Hyo-Jin wouldn't need help if you Misters would stop chatting with her, don't you think?

The teacher's voice almost scared the trio, and, under the laughter of the other students, they all went back to concentrating on the lesson.

The bell ringing lunch's break time rejoiced them; they couldn't take anymore number matters for that day. They left the classroom before everyone else, and headed outside of the university's building. Once they exited it, Dove observed them, head tilted to the side.

– Hey, now that I'm thinking of it, she started, how did you get accepted?

– I just transferred, explained Sphinx, I was in Class F before.

– And I just paid the director, casually said Phase. Wait, no, I shouldn't have said that.

– Too late man, she heard it.

They shared another laugh, until Phase's phone went on. He took it from his sweatpants' pocket, glancing at the screen.

– Who is it? Questioned the other man.

– Ether, he sighed.

– D-did she tell you anything 'bout me?

– Why would she?

The two's looks got fixed on the mint-haired boy, who shrugged and raised his face to the sky, annoyed.

– Got an earful from her yesterday, he grumbled. Apparently, hittin' an old man's bad.

– Depends of the ol' man, giggled Dove.

– Hey, I already like you just for that, he answered in a laugh.

– Well, tell us, what did that ol' man did?

– The kiddo used to do boxing, told Phase. But he's a shit at picking clubs.

– Yeah, yeah, maybe I fucked up on that, but hey, I'm only one year younger than you, calm down!

The three of them chuckled, but the pink-haired man quickly took back a serious look.

– Anyways, sounds like we have some problems with Downtown, so I'm skipping lunch. So be a good boy and watch over her, Sphinx.

– That's kinda what I'm here for.

Sphinx nodded, looking at the Lieutenant, who was already leaving their side. But Dove had something else in mind, and caught his arm, forcing him to stop. At the same time, she crouched down, searching for something in her backpack. The men watched her, taken aback by her gesture until she found what she was seeking, and held it to him with a smile: a sandwich.

– Take that, she said, skipping meals isn't good.

– Thanks, but what about you? He inquired, palming it.

– I'll treat her to something else, replied the other.

Phase acquiesced, answered the smile, waved at them then left the campus. The two left looked at each other, as Dove raised up. She intended to replace the bag on her shoulder, but Sphinx grabbed it first, putting it on his back. At his gesture, the young woman couldn't help but blush, stunned of his kindness.

– I'll carry that for you.

– T-thank! So, where are we going?

– Nowhere. You two are going nowhere.

The familiar voice startled her, and as she turned around, her heart missed a bit.