Her Predestined Life

CHAPTER VIII: PARANOIA

Hailey's POV:

I whispered, "I miss something," as I broke down in their arms. When Lex questioned what it was, I said, "I miss my paranoia." I said, "Usually, I would be cautious about pranks and bullying, but this time, they tricked me." Lex questioned me about if I recognised the guy. I replied that no, he had turned out the lights, and I was unable to see him. Next, he inquired whether he had said anything to me. I continued by saying that he wanted to see me tomorrow.

Lex then questioned why, to which I replied that I was also at a loss. After that, we returned home. Lex drove us home to make sure we were secure, and Jess was relieved that I was okay and nothing terrible had happened.

I was sitting on the couch. Havana thought I had gone insane because I cracked up so hard. Agent 6's identity and purpose of visit are actually known to me. I was aware that Emma was about to pull a practical joke on me. I told agent 6 to come to the changing room for this reason. Emma had a hidden recorder in the locker room so she could film me criticising her or disclosing that I work for the RRH organisation. I pretended to be naive, and Professor Elizabeth assisted him in getting away.

Havana sat next to me and gave me a worried expression. She inquired about how I feel. I replied that I was alright. We hugged for a while, watched TV, had dinner, and went to bed after she gave me a hug. Though everyone is sleeping, not me.
I took out the drawer next to my study table and replaced my phone's SIM card. I thanked Agent 6 when I spoke with him. He claimed that gifts, not praises, are what he accepts. He is such a baby. When I asked him what he enjoyed doing, he said that he wanted to grab lunch with me. That was alright with me. It's just lunch what's he gonna do?
Through the RRH organisation, I have a friendship with Agent 6. Although we have been pals for two years, neither I nor he have ever laid eyes on each other. We are merely colleagues. I'm just worried about Lex because, despite what he believes, I don't love him. All I know about him is that he's a kind man. I have to let him know that I'm emotionless before he takes it anymore further.

Lex's POV

Just as I was going to fall asleep, Hailey came back to mind. I am aware that she hasn't accepted my feelings yet. All I feel like doing is giving it my all. I have to give it everything I've got. Will Hailey, nonetheless, accept me?

Josh's POV

Havana and Josh. Her name and mine fit together so well, don't they? But am I a suitable match for her? I admit that I'm not a very nice person. Nobody else's feelings matter to me; I'll change for her. For her, I'll give up on everything bad. I'll become the best for her.

Next day to uni
Hailey's POV

In the sitting area by the parking lot, I noticed Emma sitting by herself, dejected. Havana was occupied with attempting to get us both breakfast at the neighbourhood cafe. She started crying and hugging me as soon as I approached her. I questioned her about her true intentions and why she's crying. She informed me that although everyone believes she did it, she actually just found out what had occurred to me. Even Josh thinks she did it since she is a bully. Because of that, all of her friends cut ties with her.
Though it's true that she is a bully, I started to think to myself, "I'm sad for her, but she's not a bad person entirely." At that point, she confessed to me and stated that she had been bullied as a child and had always felt really insecure about herself, which is how she became a bully. She began to become them as a means of self-defense for that reason. Even though it seems like a senseless idea , we cannot judge people.

She also mentioned to me the possibility that the individual who entered the dressing room was a Clawhowls member. I pretended to be unaware and asked her what Clawhowls were. She informed me what they were and said that she genuinely hated being a Clawhowl because someone was forcing her to be one. I asked her why she was in an organization which is like that. She replied that if she wouldn't be in the organization then the organization might even revolt against its own members and take over them.

Then she asked me for a favor. I asked how I could help. She pleaded, asking if I could go to the place that guy mentioned. I hesitated, saying I didn’t know where it was and maybe I shouldn’t go. She begged me, promising to stop bullying if I did. Reluctantly, I agreed. She assured me that she and the other Clawhowl members would cover for me.

I went to the address she gave me: the REAL History room, or Rh room for short. I also learned that the Chemistry lab was the meeting place for Clawhowl members, including some teachers. With a racing heart, I slowly opened the door and saw Agent 6 standing there, along with six other students tied down. These were the Clawhowl members who had bullied others before getting suspended from their previous school.

Knowing they were aware I was acting on Emma’s orders, I tried to act worried calm. I asked Agent 6 who they were. He responded cryptically, "Red blood, red blood." One of the tied-down students whispered for me to repeat it. Luckily, Agent 6 seem to know I was playing a part. I repeated, “Red blood, red blood.”

Agent 6 seemed to understand and was playing along. He threatened to kill the students. I intervened quickly, “No, don’t kill them. We must not kill people.” Agent 6 acted confused, so I continued, “I mean, we should try to gather information from them using these guys. If they do anything wrong, then do whatever you want.” I said coldly but I really meant it.

The tied-down Clawhowl members glared at me, but I held my ground, acting all innocent hoping my performance was convincing enough to fool them.
I told him, "Set them free and introduce them to the university as new students." Agent 6 stared at me, then nodded in agreement.

Without warning, he pulled out a smoke bomb, slammed it to the ground, and a thick cloud of smoke engulfed the room. Amid the chaos, Agent 6's voice rang out, "Red blood!"  I heard footsteps and the strained gasps of the tied-down students.
As the smoke cleared, the students were free, stumbling towards the exit. But Agent 6 was gone, thankfully. Just as I caught my breath, a hand gripped my shoulder. I spun around to see Emma, her eyes determined. "You did well," she said, "but this isn't over. There's something you need to know."