• • 17 • •
/ LIYANA'S POV
"Goodness why is Sir Miller so late?" Snow complained. "I am already tired." Then she pouted.
I chuckled. "How can you not be tired when your bag is so big tsk," I said and look at her huge backpack while shaking my head.
"Duh girl did you not hear what Sir Miller said? We will stay at Cassopeia for weeks so I brought all necessary things that I need." She said.
"And when you said necessary things, you mean strawberries?" I asked and she nodded.
I stared at her in disbelief. She and her love for strawberries really. She is so willing to carry that heavy bag for the sake of her strawberries. Tsk tsk.
"I believe Cassopeia have strawberries so don't burden yourself by carrying all that." I said trying to convince her.
The weight of her bag is no joke. I am sure she packed other things other than strawberry.
"True," Stupid said. "Bring out those strawberries so we'll eat them instead."
And with that, Snow glared at Stupid summoning a snow ball making him hide behind my back.
"Hey relax. I am just kidding," Stupid said and chuckled.
"Tsk," Snow scoffed and look the other way.
"Where the hell is Sir Miller? Goodness." Snow complained again.
I sigh and glance at the road but still no sign of him. Honestly, what's taking him so long? He told us to wait for him before we enter Cassopeia but he is still not here.
He instructed us to come here at Cassopeia early in the morning and we are here outside their gate since 5am and although it's only 10 minutes pass that we are waiting, still it's annoying to wait for too long.
"He's coming," Stupid announced seconds later when a car stopped and Sir Miller came out.
"Good morning," he said smiling at us but immediately frowned when he saw our bags.
"What's all that? Why do you carry huge bags?" He asked in disbelief.
"Well Sir you said we will be staying here for weeks so," Snow explained.
"But still. You are not here for a picnic or a fieldtrip just so you know," he said reminding us.
"Anyway, do your best to help and don't make any trouble, understood?" Sir Miller said and all of us nodded.
"Come on."
We entered Cassopeia's gate and I was immediately amazed at how beautiful it is. I was not able to see and appreciate it's beauty when I first came here since I am distracted and on the run so I didn't thought about that.
And for some reason, the place feels home. But I shrugged that thought. I didn't felt like that when I was dragged here.
"It's really fantastic here," I heard Snow said and I agreed with her.
From the huge fountain that produces a crystal clear water, to it's wide lawn, trees and flowers around.. it's just beautiful.
Even the guards here are very kind. One of the guards earlier at the entrance offered us a chair when he saw me.
"Is this your first time coming here?" I asked.
"Nope. This is my third time and I am still amazed at it's beauty everytime." She said and chuckled.
"Well, won't blame you."
We went in the pavilion and a teacher from Cassopeia is already waiting for us there.
Sir Miller greeted her which he called by the name Miss Scarlet who was so shocked to see me. She said I resemble one of her students before that she thought I was her not until I introduced myself.
And I was relieved when she didn't ask anymore questions until the students from Cassopeia joined us at the pavilion as we are going to start the mission.
"Okay now that everyone is here, we will be giving final instructions before you go," Miss Scarlet said.
"We decided that you will go by two's so that you will finish the task as soon as possible. We believe and we trust in you guys so here's the list. If you hear your name, go to your respective partners, okay?" Miss Scarlet said and all of us nodded.
"I hope I'll be partnered with Liyana gosh," I heard Snow whispered making me chuckle in silent.
Well, I hope too. But I doubt that. I am sure they will separate students from the same academy. That's what I heard from Sir Miller earlier.
"Okay here we go. First up, Jian and Calla," Miss Scarlet announced and Stupid and Calla move forward.
"Protect her okay? You'll be the damage dealer and Calla here will support you," Miss Scarlet told Stupid.
"Yes Miss Scarlet," he answered and Miss Scarlet nodded at him.
"Don't worry. I'll protect you," I heard Stupid said arrogantly at Calla while they're going at the side making Calla scoffed at him.
I shook my head. Gosh he is really arrogant.
"Goodness that guy. I can't believe he is bringing his arrogant attitude here," Snow muttered who is also looking at Stupid and Calla making me chuckle.
"True." I said and Snow chuckled at my response.
"Next, Snow and Serena."
"Fighting!" I told Snow before she and Serena walked infront.
And then soon, everyone was called and I started to feel uneasy when it's only four of us who are not called.
Me, Jas, Jester and Max.
I bit my lips. I hoped this time I will be lucky and I will be paired with Jas. I don't want to be paired with Max. Gosh, his face alone irritates me. Grr.
"Okay for the last pairs, here we go."
Oh my god. Please just this once.
"Liyana and Jas, and Max and Jester."
I smiled widely. Gosh thank youu! Jas came to me and I smiled at her. Well, even if we are not close, atleast it's not Max.
"Okay everyone you can now proceed to your respective designation. Remember, you need to come back here before dawn," Miss Scarlet said and we nodded.
"Protect each other and come back here safe, okay?" Sir Miller added and if I am not mistaken, I saw worry and uneasiness in his eyes.
I held into the strap of my bag. I hope no one gets hurt. I glance at Snow and just in time when she look my way.
"Fighting!" I mouthed and she pouted but smiled after.
"Good luck!" She mouthed back before we went separate way.
And then we started to walk out of Cassopeia. Me and Jas is assigned at Rviola. I don't know where that is but apparently, lot of those monsters were scattered everywhere that we need to scatter too that is why we are only paired by two's.
"Liyana," Jas called me and cling into my arms that surprised me but I let her anyway. It would be rude to take off her hands, right?
"I'm sorry last time huh. I'm sorry that we mistook you for someone else and made you uncomfortable." She said.
"Honestly, that was really uncomfortable." I said and I heard her sigh.
"But it's fine. It already happened anyway. I just hope that won't be repeated anymore." I said. It's not even a request. It's a warning because what they did is really uncomfortable.
"Of course don't worry," She said and smiled at me. "So, can we be friends?" She asked.
"Huh?" I look at her surprised but she is just smiling widely at me.
"Well.." I said unsure of what to say. I don't--
"I'll take that as a yes then," she suddenly said making me dumbfounded. What?
"Now, come on. We have a long way to go." She said and pulled me.
~~
"Don't you think this place is kinda dangerous?" I asked Jas.
Since Miss Scarlet told us we should not teleport because there might be one of those monsters along the road, we walked.
And we crossed a small creek which water just reached below our knees. And after that is a small mountain which we need to pass by.
"I hope it's not dangerous," she responded and cling in my arms.
Honestly, I am getting scared. This mountain seems remoted and all.
"Don't worry. I don't think they are here. Let us leave here first. It would be more dangerous if we stay in this mountain." Jas said and I nodded at her.
We started to walk and as we go deeper inside the mountain, Jas hands who is clinging in my arms is getting tighter too.
She seems really too scared that's why I just let her even if I felt like her nails is already digging into my flesh.
"I think we are already getting near at the mountain's exit," I told Jas.
"Are we?" She asked and I nodded even if she is not looking at me.
"Yes. I can see the road already. You can see it too, right?" I asked.
"Yes yes," she said and her grip in my arms loosen as she jump in joy seeing the road.
A small smile escaped my lips. Her personality is a bit like Snow so I guess we could be friends.
"Gosh I was scared for nothing," she said completely letting go of my arms as we are getting nearer to the road.
"This mountain is not dangerous at all." she added and walked ahead of me.
I chuckled at her sudden braveness. "Yah wait for me then," I said and halted my steps to catch up with her.
"Faster!" She said and stopped walking to wait for me.
"I'm co--" But I stopped walking and my eyes automatically widened in horror.
"JAS!!!" I shouted.