reflections

chapter 1

"Ariel Camilla! Congratulations! It was somewhat expected, but a compliment never hurts. After all, my dearest friend just placed second in the midterms exam! It's quite an achievement." She exclaimed, wrapping her arms around Camilla's neck with a wide smile as they walked to the classroom.

"...Second place, huh? That's far from satisfying." Camilla murmured in a low tone, her long hair falling to conceal her darkened face. Never in her sixteen years of life had she placed second in any contest or exam. Who dared to challenge her now?

"Being in the top 10 is challenging enough, and you're still not content with being second out of 200 students? Be grateful!"

"You wouldn't understand, Eve." She pushed her friend's arm off her shoulder, a cold glare piercing through Eve's eyes as Camilla walked away.

"She's at it again..." Eve sighed.

Eve had been friends with Camilla since they were thirteen, and Camilla stood out from the other students. She was an outstanding genius. Middle school was a breeze for her; she never scored lower than 95 on any exams. Her name was always at the top of the results.

But today, her name was second on the list. 'That's probably why she's acting like this.' Eve thought.

Bam!

Her knuckles collided with the bathroom door with force. She stared blankly at her bleeding knuckles; the pain in her hand paled in comparison to the pain in her heart.

"Fuck! I'm doomed if I go home. I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm dead, I'm screwed!" Camilla tugged at her tousled hair in distress.

She paced back and forth, biting her nails as she looked around nervously. Sometimes she would bang her head against the wall, ignoring the bleeding on her forehead. Her usual tidy appearance was now completely disheveled.

"Have they found out already? Did the teacher send the results home? What if they're waiting for me?" The air suddenly felt heavy.

After all the effort she put in just to get second place? All the blood dripping from her nose because she studied until morning? All the sweat because she was terrified of failure? All the tears from the pressure she faced? Just to come in second?

"I need to see who the hell took my place." She clenched her jaw as she walked outside, completely unfazed by the stares she received.

Of course, since 'The Ariel Camilla Verlice,' known for her neat appearance and intellect, was now walking the school hall with bleeding knuckles and forehead.

"What happened? Camilla!" Eve's eyes widened as she saw Ariel's appearance. She quickly grabbed her wrist, trying to talk to her.

"Get out of my way." Camilla snatched her hands back, giving Eve a malicious glare before walking away.

Grade 11, Class D.

That's where the person who took her place should be. But seriously? The bottom class? Who could beat her when she's in the top class? What nonsense!

Without hesitation, she barged into the class, leaving everyone's jaws dropping. Not only were they shocked by her sudden appearance, but also her current state.

"Who among you got first place?" Her eyes roamed fiercely around the class. Surprisingly, the students all looked dumb!

Her gaze landed on someone who raised their hand. What was even more surprising was that it was a boy. And with a... suspiciously disheveled appearance. Not only was his uniform untucked, but he also lacked a necktie. 'What a disgrace!' Camilla thought.

"You! Don't try to deceive me! There's no way someone like you could beat me in anything!" She looked at the boy in disbelief.

"Oh wow, look at yourself. You look like a deranged person sneaking into school to kidnap someone." He chuckled.

'So this is the school's top student? She's definitely not right in the head. What's with the bleeding forehead and knuckles? How can this person be sane?' His heart mumbled.

"Shut up! Just tell me who actually beat me! I'm a thousand percent sure it's not you!" She slammed his desk.

"I told you it's me, you idiot! Are you deaf?" He frowned. This was definitely not normal. He was peacefully sleeping when suddenly this mentally insane person barged in and asked the most random question.

"What's your name?" She squinted, still not trusting his words.

"Ariel Hayes."

"What?" Her voice rose. There's no way they both have the same name. The most prestigious girl and this... random boy? Oh please, they're total opposites!

"It's unfair if only you know my name. Tell me who you are too." He sighed. Even though she was the top student, he never actually had the slightest interest in knowing anything about her. Not even her name or face.

"I thought everyone knew who I am." She snickered.

"Then you're definitely wrong."

"Fine. I'm Ariel Verlice."

"...What the hell?" He blinked in confusion. What were the chances of this coincidence?

Or perhaps it's fate?

"I know. Worry not. It's also unpleasant for me to have the same name as someone... like you." The look she gave him still hadn't changed.

The look of disgust.

"Urgh, don't look at me like that. As if I also like the thought of sharing this name with you. And for your information, your bloody appearance and face are more terrifying than the horror movie I watched yesterday." He rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"You... you... just wait... um... Arie-"

"Call me Louise. It's Ariel Louise Hayes."

"Y-yeah, right! Just wait, Louise! I'll beat you in the next exam! I won't let you get comfortable with where you are right now." She slammed his table again.

"I know, being number 1 isn't my intention either. Anyways, I don't want to call you Ariel. That freaks me out."

"...Camilla."

Suddenly, someone grabbed her wrist. She turned quickly and saw Eve's worried face.

"What are you doing here?! Let's go to the infirmary." Eve said, urgency in her voice, as she swiftly dragged Camilla away.