Unlucky: Luxury And a Lies

Chapter 40: My School's Full Of Rats Minji's POV: I Like You With Your Mask

I found myself engaged in a phone call with Mia, recounting the baffling events of the day. "They're literal rats in the school," I exclaimed, my voice tinged with amusement. Mia's response on the other end was a curious "What?"

Perez burst into laughter upon hearing my statement. Chuckling, I propped my phone up to continue our conversation. "They're crazy, so I guess watch out for tomorrow," I advised, "and will you be coming to the party?"

Mia's voice carried a hint of reluctance as she replied, "I don't know. I used my best costume. I might have to be an ogre or something." Her remark drew laughter from both Perez and me.

"I suppose I'll have to recycle my old costume," I mused, contemplating my party attire. "Nobody will notice, right?" Perez responded with a snort, offering a generous suggestion. "Please, that wasn't even a costume. Tell you what, I'll lend you my ghost face mask, and you can figure out the rest."

Grateful for his offer, I thanked him, saying, "Thanks, P." Our conversation flowed smoothly, filled with camaraderie and anticipation.

Mia, ever inquisitive, asked, "Who invited us, anyway?" I chuckled in response. "It's a whole thing. This girl, Mabel? She runs the club I have to attend because of my suspension. She said I could bring a few plus ones." Mia acknowledged my explanation with a nod.

As our conversation neared its end, Perez excused himself. "I've got to go, ma's calling. Bye," he said before disappearing from the call. I waved in farewell.

Curious about Mia's costume choice, I inquired, "You're not actually going to be an ogre, are you?" Mia's laughter came a beat late, and she shared her real plan. "No, I've probably got an old nurse outfit lurking around," she admitted. My curiosity piqued, and I playfully raised a brow.

"A nurse, huh? I'm excited to see what you make of it," I teased, my voice laced with a hint of anticipation. Mia responded with a smirk, "Me too." As our conversation came to a close, I couldn't help but ask, "I'll see you tomorrow?" Mia nodded, and we exchanged our goodbyes. Hanging up the phone, I couldn't suppress the giddy feeling that enveloped me, as thoughts of Mia filled my mind. Mia, Mia, Mia, Mia. What am I to do with you?

-

chaos erupted in the school's hallways as the plan to release rats into the building unfolded. Laughter bubbled up within me as I watched the scene unfold, and I couldn't help but recall the classic catchphrase: "There's something strange in the neighborhood. Who you gonna call? The exterminator!" The hallway descended into utter chaos as the rats roamed freely, and someone's panicked cry of, "Rats! They're everywhere!" echoed through the corridor.

I exchanged a knowing glance with Alex, sharing the smirk of watching the chaos unfold. Amid the commotion, Alexandra called out to Daniel, who had a rat near his foot. With shaggy hair framing his face, he greeted the tiny creature with a friendly, "Hello," and bent down to pick it up. "I'll call you, Kiichi," Daniel said, leaving me to raise a brow in mild bewilderment.

Kara, however, was not amused by the unfolding madness. She stormed toward us, her anxiety palpable. "What if we get caught? The cameras probably caught us. Oh my God, we're gonna die," she hyperventilated, her panic palpable. Mabel, undeterred, approached, her enigmatic demeanor intact.

"Now, just let the rats interact with each other," she mused, leaning against a locker beside me. I couldn't help but tense in her presence. Mabel, with her unusual charm, engaged in casual conversation with me, asking how I was doing. I answered cautiously, maintaining a degree of distance.

As her gaze remained fixed on the panicking teachers in front of us, Mabel scooted closer, and I inhaled deeply, slightly unnerved by her proximity. She exuded an unmistakable '90s vibe, complete with her hair styled in a blowout fashion. Her throwback approach reached its peak when she pulled out her old phone, leaving me to scoff at her eccentricity. Mabel's presence was a constant enigma, and it left me intrigued and wary.