Pendulum || TAENNIE FF

⚔Chapter 39: Friend in a second

A U T H O R

"Trust me," the young boy said to his frightened friend hiding behind a dead tree's branch. "I know a way for you to escape." He reached out his hand to the other. "We don't have much time. We have to go."

The scared boy held onto his friend's hand and ran with him. 

--

It's the start of their exams. Flake was right. The questions were indeed challenging and a nonlocal won't be able to get most of them right. Fortunately, the questions were related to Paraillans and their way of living in the past. They were able to learn this topic and Heather got additional ideas from all the books she read for the game. She was fifty percent confident.

"All right, three hours had passed. Please leave your sheets on my desk and have your lunch at the cafeteria." Mrs. Hwa said and gestured to her table.

Heather wrote her last answer on the blank and put down her pen. "Unsure and nervous about this one. It's been so long since I felt this way over an exam." She stood up and placed her paper on the table.

Flake followed after her and watched her as she gets second thoughts about leaving her paper there. He slowly leaned to his left and peeked from behind her. He looked at her answers and smiled. She's not as bad as I thought. Heather sighed and quickly left the room without noticing his stare. Flake stood in front of the table and placed his paper above hers. 

Gracie Violet who happened to pass by noticed how he looked at Heather. Flashbacks of last time raged her and went after the clueless girl.

Heather went inside the washroom to fix her messy hair after the tiring exam. Gracie went inside too and slammed the door shut, alarming Heather. She turned around to face Gracie with her brows furrowed. "Gracie? What's your dilemma this time?" She asked and crossed her arms.

"Do you like him?" Gracie straightforwardly asked. "Flake."

Heather scoffed and walked closer to her. "You're talking about that self-absorbed jerk? I hate him too much to have such feelings. Don't get your issues with him mixed up with me." She was about to walk away when Gracie pulled her arm and pushed her back to where she stood. "What's your problem?!"

"I don't believe you. I remember you desperately asking me what I know about him before. Second, I saw how the both of you looked at each other as if the whole class wasn't there, and now I found him staring at you when you left the room. How would that sound to you?"

"Are you implying that something's going on between Flake and me?" Heather laughed, combing her hair back, and suddenly she flashed a teasingly look. " Too bad for you then. I can see you fuming because he never really paid attention to you."

"You don't dare--!" Gracie attempted to slap her but one cubicle suddenly opened and Wendy went out, blocking Gracie's wrist. "What do you think are you doing?!"

"Assault, Ms. Gracie Violet. I don't tolerate that." Wendy pushed her hand away and stood in front of Heather. "You don't care if Flake and Heather have something. They owe you nothing so stop acting as if you own him."

"You will be in trouble for this, Kwan." Gracie warned then looked at Heather. "And you. Stay away from him while you can. You don't know Flake as much as I do and you don't know the things you'll go through if you're associated with him, remember that." Gracie turned her back around and opened the door to leave.

"That brat." Wendy faced her. "Are you okay? Don't mind Gracie. She's overly obsessed with Flake that's why she's acting like that. She has done this to countless girls so don't take what she's saying too personally."

"Thanks. I owe you one, Wendy." Heather said and smiled. She's not really as bad as I thought back in that pancake place. 

"Are you heading to the cafeteria? I'm actually going there now." Wendy asked.

"Yeah. I only came here to fix myself. Those three are probably waiting for me now. You... want to join us?"

"Can't say no." Wendy giggled. 

The two girls left the washroom and went straight to the cafeteria. "Heather!" Maya called and gestured for them to sit at their table. Firo turned around and widened his eyes seeing Wendy. "Wait, is that Wendy Kwan?"

"She's joining us today," Heather said and sat beside Maya. Wendy sat beside Heather and waved her hands at them. "Gracie attacked me again in the washroom over Flake. Good thing Wendy was there so I was able to stop myself from getting my revenge on her."

"Wow, you really did that, Wen?" Firo asked looking amazed. "I never thought you would stand up for anyone."

"Are you kidding me, Firo Kang? I won't let any bad thing that involves women slide. Besides, Heather's your friend. I can't just let Gracie beat her up and get away with it again like always. Not on my watch."

"You've grown so well. I'm proud." Chase said and gave her a slice of blueberry pie. "That's a leftover, by the way." He said and brought his tray with him to leave.  

"How immature..." Maya mumbled to herself and drank her water.

"What else do we expect from Chase?" Wendy said and ate a part of the pie. "By the way, did you guys hear that the members of Stone Academia's Ink Fictions are recruiting new members? I submitted my entry yesterday."

"What's Ink Fictions?" Heather asked. Wendy furrowed her brows at Heather's question. 

"Sh-she's new here so she's not familiar with the school's organizations yet." Maya quickly saved and looked nervously at her food.

"Ink Fictions is a group of students who make the school paper. The students get to write any form of a literary piece and their works are released every month. I've tried joining last year but unfortunately, the chief editor didn't like my work because he said the plot's too cliché." Wendy explained.

"Who's the chief editor? I might...want to try it." The three of them looked at each other, leaving Heather confused. "Why? Do you guys think I won't be good enough?"

"Not that you're not good enough. The chief editor is a little picky and strict when it comes to the writers." Wendy said.

"It's fine. I like a challenge. Who will receive my entries?"

Firo cleared his throat and looked seriously at her. "Flake Kim." Heather widened her eyes. "The chief editor liked his piece last year and he made him chief editor immediately. Flake has talent in writing and even the teachers praise him for that."

"Oh, I don't think so. He's using the "prince" card to get what he wants and I bet he used it on them too. I, myself, have a talent for writing as well. Wait till the other members read my entry. Let's see if he gets to abuse his power this time."

--

"You shouldn't mess up. Remember, no one knows who you are so you'll be fine, for now." A man with his face hidden behind his cloak said to a boy in Stone Academia's uniform. The younger guy nodded and went on his way. 

--

I'm starting it!!🙈 Remember when I said I might put a little mystery? I'm making big moves now so the story won't be too long😅 

Also, Wendy made another appearance! I decided to make her one of the mains 'cause why not? I'll add her to the list of characters and her emoji😊

I hope the chapter was all right💗 See you guys again next timee✨