Bad On Another Level

° T H R E E °

C H A P T E R     T H R E E

Losing my academic rank as number one was a huge deal to me, however I never knew that it was just as big of a deal to everyone else until I entered the cafeteria.

The chattering throughout the entire cafeteria instantly silenced. You could drop a coin and it would be heard loud and clear.

Every single pair of eyes in the room were trained on me, coupled with looks of pity and sorrow.

Zara stood up, slamming her hands on the table. "What the hell are you all looking at?" Zara roared. "If anyone even glances at her, I'll make sure that will be their last glance."

Everyone knew that Zara's threats weren't empty threats.

Immediately, everyone looked away, however the room was still ear-piercingly silent. Suddenly, people began to whisper around, but little did they know that I could hear everything.

"I still can't believe she's no longer number one. Somebody pinch me."

"Thank God she's fallen! She's been hogging that spot for years."

"Maybe she actually has a life now—"

"Oh and, If anyone has anything to say about her, say it to my face. Come on, don't be a wuss. I dare you." Zara announced in a menacing voice, sending shivers even down my spine.

I blinked furiously to avoid bursting into tears. Zara was truly so amazing!

Soon, the entire cafeteria went back to normal, as if the whole extravaganza with me never occurred.

Walking towards my beloved group, I went in to give Zara a hug until she raised her hand.

"No!" She screeched. "Do not touch me!"

Of course, how could I be so silly? That hug with Zara earlier was a once-in-a-lifetime thing.

I still grinned at her appreciatively. "Thank you Zara. I am so blessed that you are—"

"—Yeah, yeah, whatever. Now give me your lunch, I'm hungry."

Rummaging through my bag, I happily passed her my box of white rice and chicken curry, and she passed me her box of delicious lasagna in return. It was a norm for us to always exchange lunches, since we got tired of eating our cultural foods everyday. Not that we didn't like our traditional foods — it was just, if you ate the same thing everyday, you were bound to get bored of it. Besides, Zara loved my mom's cooking, and vise vera.

I sat down between Luna and Tony, and instantly I was attacked with a huge hug from Luna.

"Oh Raiya!" She cried, tears brimming in her eyes. "Are you okay?!"

The corners of my mouth shot up to form a smile, my eyes staring into space dreamily as I thought about my recent encounter with the hot specimen. "Never been better."

All three of my friends shot me a very worried glare.

"Uh-oh, I think she's officially gone loco." Tony gulped. "Should we take her to the doctor?"