I Thought I Was A Devil

Season 4 Chapter 14

The following day, both Christina and Karl were absent from class, and an unusual calm settled in, as if yesterday’s storm had left no lasting impact. Life moved on seamlessly, seemingly indifferent to their absence. With Christina’s arrival in our team, her previous alliances became obsolete, thus making Julie the official captain, bringing resolution to the major conflict. There was still few weeks left for the deadline, currently there are six members in the football team including Christina. I still need to find five more members. If my scheme works properly, soon Hope and Irina will bite the bait but that will only give eight players, I need to find three more people as soon as possible. I bit the tip of my finger realizing that time was running out.

Recently I have been too busy and failing to spend time with Lotte. “I hope this won’t affect that poor child negatively”, I thought while making my way towards the football ground after school. Lately Thomas have grown found of Bruce and Paul, he visits our school everyday to spend some time with his few friends, he has been really grateful to me for helping him solve his problems.

Me: I see that you are having a good time here Thomas. (I smiled approaching the club room)

Thomas: Mhm!! Thanks sis! (He grins)

Me: What about both of you? (I tilt my head looking at Paul and Bruce) Hope you both aren’t bullying Thomas.

Paul: (he pulls my cheek) Shut up you brat, first you get me stuck with these kids and now you are running your mouth huh. I know you are a troublemaker when I first saw you (He sighs) That one is kinda cute though….(he says addressing Thomas) So I forgive you. (He pats my cheek smiling)

Me: yeah yeah….whatever. (I shrugged) you are such a drama King.

Bruce: He cries a lot. (He says looking away) it’s annoying.

Thomas: Hey! That’s not true! (He pouts while protesting)

Me: (I smirked) I thought you have a preference for crybabies.

Bruce: Shut up! (His face gets flustered)

Victoria: What’s going on here? (She said while standing beside me) Where is Julie? She called me.

Me: No idea. I just came here. (My eyes shifted towards Bruce)

Bruce: Stop acting like I know everything about her. (His cheeks turns red as he stammers due to embarrassment) S-She is g-going through the club’s supplies….she seemed worried regarding something. (He pressed his lips)

Victoria: I will go and check what’s going on. (She said entering the club room)

Me: Hm….(I frowned getting a bad feeling)

Thomas: I wonder what’s going on. (He said feeling concerned)

Paul: Anyways….(he wrapped his arm around Thomas’s neck) Gotta take this guy to the beach. He wanted to learn surfing)

Me: Is it? (I raised my brow as Thomas nodded in agreement) All the best then.

Thomas: Thanks!! I hope I don’t die!! (He grins)

Paul: If you die, I will lose my job. So stop saying stupid stuffs. (he sighs) Bye guys, I am getting late for my work. (He said while dragging Thomas)

Thomas: Bye Anne, will meet you again if I am alive. (He said smiling brightly even though his face was pale with fear)

Me: Bye! Enjoy! (I waved my hand)

Bruce: That guy is a coward. (He frowns)

Me: So are you. (He stares at my face while I shrugged)

Bruce: You!! (He gets flustered)

Me: Ah, Julie. (Bruce turned around immediately changing his facial expressions)

Julie: Oh….hey Anne. (Her seemed down and she looked stressed)

Me: Any issue?

Julie: Uhm….(she hesitates)

Victoria: It seems that many of the club resources are missing and other resources are overused. We also lacking good jerseys for the football team. Need to make new jerseys and buy proper equipment. (She said sighing)

Me: Yeah, so what’s the issue? We just need to go and buy them right? (I asked confused)

Julie: Budget is the main issue. (She replied rubbing her forehead)

Bruce: As far as I know, the female football club is already assigned a particular budget. Even though it’s less, I think it’s sufficient for now. (He replied) Just ask your coach, and you will receive the money.

Victoria: That’s the real problem. We never received any money, even though we have requested her numerous times. Jules was even saying that our coach must be stuffing her own pockets instead of helping us out. (She sighed out of frustration)

Bruce: If that’s true, then why don’t you complain against her? I am sure my father and Mr. Gunther will take care of the matter.

Julie: Well……(she hesitates)

Me: They can’t. It’s not that easy. I am sure there is no evidence to the accusations. So it’s better if we stay quiet for now. (I pinched the bridge of my nose)

Julie: What should we do now?....(she said getting anxious)

Me: Hmm….I have some savings from part-time job. So you can take them, though it’s not much. (I sighed)

Victoria: Don’t worry, I have enough pocket money. We can use that to buy jersey and resources. (She smiled reassuring us)

Bruce: Yeah. I will also contribute from my end and I am sure Thomas would be more than glad to dump his money.

Me: (my eyes sparkled with fake tears) See Julie? This is how it feels to have rich friends. (Julie nodded in agreement)

Victoria: Someday, I will murder you and get rid of your body. (She said in a warning tone)

Me: Ouch. (I pressed my chest with my hand) You hurt my feelings….you monster. (I said while pouting as Julie giggled)

Victoria: Drama. (She rolls her eyes in disbelief) Anyways, the money matter is solved. Now we need to go and place orders.

Julie: Choon Hee is busy with her athlete team, so she cannot accompany us. Bella said that she needs some private time to……uhm…

Me: Daydream….right? (I said laughing)

Julie: Yeah that. She wants to read novels and relax today. She is tired of stressing about the team. (She replied)

Victoria: Classic Bella. (Snickers)

Me: Well, Jules has started a new part-time job, so she cannot join us. Paul and Thomas just left. So we are the only ones remaining. (I gave Bruce a meaningful look) Victoria and I can go to the tailoring shop for ordering jersey while Julie and Bruce can buy the resources. 

Victoria: (she whispers in my ear) Are you sure? (I nodded)

Bruce: (he blushes slightly then clears his throat) Though I am a busy person. Now that you insist….

Julie: (bluntly) I will go with my father.

Bruce: What?! (He turns towards her in disbelief)

Julie: Yes Mr. Bruce. I don’t want to burden you with our club’s meaningless activities. So it’s better if you leave and attend your important business. My father will be more than glad to spend time with me and help me out. (She smiled with a hint of distaste)

Victoria: (she murmurs to herself) Lucky…

Me: (Whispers in her ear) I know right. (Bruce elbows me as I cleared my throat) I mean….uhm Julie. Isn’t it better if we don’t disturb Mr. Hans with our club matter? Anyways, Bruce is currently the manager here, so it’s his responsibility to help us out.

Julie: But he said that he is busy. (She frowns)

Me: No need to listen to this stupid fellow. Just make him carry the commodities. (I smiled meaningfully)

Bruce: (he glared at me then smiles nervously) Yeah Yeah….I am a foolish person…..so please don’t mind my words.

Julie: Fine….you can come with me. (She said reluctantly)

Bruce: Can we…..uhm….h-hold hands w-while we walk? (He asked feeling shy)

Julie: (she rolled her eyes clearly annoyed) Are you a kid?

Bruce: (he sulks like a puppy) No…..

Julie: Let’s go, we are getting late. (She starts walking off without waiting for him as Bruce hurried behind her)

Me: Hopeless fellow. (I rubbed my forehead feeling frustrated)

Victoria: Are you sure that this is a good idea? (She raised her brow)

Me: Well that guy is cranky. I did promise him that I will help him our, so I cannot back out now. And he isn’t as bad as he looks like, but he needs to try harder. (I replied)

Victoria: Anyways, let’s get going? (She asks)

Me: Hm…let’s go then. (We were about to leave when Irina and Hope blocked my path)

Hope: Uhm Anne, we want to talk with you. (She seemed stressed)

Victoria: (she pats my shoulder) Take care of this matter. I am going to the tailoring shop. (She said before leaving)

Me: (I sighed putting my hands in my pockets before facing them) Tell me, what’s the issue.

Irina: Stop acting innocent!! What is Thomas still doing here?! (She hisses)

Hope: Calm down Irina. (She said while holding her back)

Irina: How can I calm down when this wrench is manipulating our friends! (She screamed)

Me: Have you ever heard of the term ‘freewill’? Or is it missing from your vocabulary? (I said mockingly)

Irina: You!! (She gets agitated)

Hope: Anne…. Please stop triggering Irina. (She frowns) I used to think you are a good person but the way you are acting is crossing the limits.

Me: Are you kidding me? Both of you sound like I have kidnapped Thomas and Paul and kept them here against their will. Grow up dude. (I said in disbelief)

Irina: Thomas is too innocent. I am sure you have used some dirty method to make him agree to your demands. (She bites her lower lip)

Me: You are really annoying, do you know that? You think that your version of story is correct and everyone else are wrong. You believe what you want to believe. And try to be a savior for people, even though they didn’t ask you. (I rubbed my forehead) You know what is your problem? You don’t understand boundaries. You think that just because you are their friends, you can step on them whenever you want.

Hope: Stop it Anne. Irina, it’s better if we return, there is no point in arguing. (She said frustrated)

Irina: Tsk. (She said before walking off)

Me: Hey, Hope.

Hope: (she looks at me with irritation) What?

Me: It’s good to be a loyal dog but do you think it’s worth it when your friend don’t even respect your wishes? (I said tilting my head)

Hope: Shut up. (She said coldly)

Me: Whatever, but don’t regret later. These types of friendships don’t last long, where one is oppressed and keeps on sacrificing while the other enjoys authority. Remember, Hope, life is giving you a chance; not everyone is privileged enough to have this. (I replied with a serious expression).

Hope: She won’t agree…..she will be angry. (She gulps her spit getting worried)

Me: Then start setting boundaries. It’s important to set boundaries in every form of relationship; be assertive. I feel like you are a people pleaser. Stop being pathetic, and live up to your name. The more you lower your head, the more they will walk over you. So wake up before it’s too late.

Hope: (she hesitates) I……(she bit her lower lip, instead of getting angry, she was disappointed on her own self) I-I am the only friend she has….I-I cannot betray her. S-She has always p-protected me, and I am g-grateful to her. (She stammers while speaking her mind)

Me: This isn’t betrayal. Being grateful doesn’t mean that you will stop living your own life and become a pet for her. (I stood in front of her and patted her shoulder whispering in her ear) If she really thinks of you as her friend, she will understand your dreams and let you pursue it. (Hope’s lips trembled as she looks deep in my eyes)

Irina: Hope! Come on! (She shouted infuriated)

Hope: I….I need to go now. (She felt restless)

Me: Well …..I know that you will think about my advice. (I smiled before walking out of the school).

To be continued....