A Love Mismatch... Episode 4

Empty comfort rooms are the best! Devs thought, putting the paper bag above the lavatory. She immediately took off her clothes and grabbed the pair of skinny jeans, a T-shirt and a pair of sneakers in the bag. Putting on her new clothes, she checked herself on the wide mirror, fixing her hair and took off the little make-up she’d put on earlier. Satisfied, she smiled at herself and put on her hoodie. She was about to exit the comfort room when she remembered the guy earlier.

Ugh! I just hope he’s not outside anymore, Devs thought irately.

She took one last look of her appearance in the mirror and headed for the door. She opened it carefully and peaked out to check if the coast is clear. Seeing that the halls were still empty, she hurriedly walked out of the room and to the place she longed to go to since 2^nd period. She walked through the empty school corridors silently, smiling at the thought of what she’ll have in just a matter of minutes.

As she rounded the corner, she smelled the tantalizing smell of baked cookies, pasta with the finest tomato sauce, steak and other delicious smelling food.

Ah … food is heaven! She sighed, sprinting her way to the cafeteria. She opened the glass door and went immediately to the counter, looking up the variety of foods being displayed.

An elderly woman with a kind face came out from the door beside the stalls of food. She smiled upon seeing Devs and came towards her.

“Is there something you like to order, dear girl?”

“Yes,” Devs replied happily, “I’ll have some lasagna, that chocolate cake over there…oh! And that little cupcakes too…hmmm, and that grilled steak, and also that garlic bread sticks and I’ll have orange juice please.” She finished happily, indulging her stomach’s growling for food.

“Wow, you have quite an appetite, my dear,” the old woman commented, smiling. “Are these all?”

“Yes, thank you.” Devs said, and took her order to the nearest table.

Eyeing the food displayed in front of her, she relish the first food that touches her fork, which was the steak.

Hmmm! Yummy!

Munch. Munch. Munch.

So engrossed was she on her food, that she barely noticed the two guys sitting two tables apart from her.

Drinking his pineapple juice, James eyed the girl who came breezing in the cafeteria a while ago.

Why does it feel like something about her is so familiar? James thought curiously.

She definitely got some pretty big appetite, but seems pretty thin to me…if her legs are any indicator.

He was out of his musings when the guy next to him spoke.

“I wonder if coach will have us practice to death this time. I swear that man is obsessed with torturing us.” The guy groaned, grabbing his can of coke.

“You know how coach is. He wants us to win the championship this year.”

“But still…”

“We’ll just have to live with it, Dean. If you don’t like the heat, you might as well quit the game.”

“Hey! You know, I love the game. I was just saying…tsss” Dean pouted.

James chuckled. “Then stop complaining, you idiot.”

“Yeah, yeah. Anyway, have you heard about Ivan?”

“What about him?”

“He’s pissed about a girl he met in the hallway earlier during class hours.” Dean stated and took a swig of his coke.

“Come to think of it, Enrique and I saw him earlier near the girl’s CR. Was he chasing the girl, then?”

“I don’t know. Maybe. Don’t know much of the details but Derek said he’s hunting the girl now,” Dean answered, chuckling. “He must be really pissed.”

“Knowing Ivan, he doesn’t let anyone go that easily, especially if that person broke the rules.” James replied, smirking.

“Yeah, Enrique is the living example of that.”

A loud clatter echoed through the empty cafeteria. James and Dean looked at the disturbance and saw a girl frantically stuffing cupcakes in her hoodie, seeming to be in haste.

So long food... Remember, I really want to eat all of you…but only cupcakes I’m gonna bring, Devs thought sadly, eyeing the remaining food on the table.

I’m pretty sure I was that girl these two was referring to. I better hurry and hide… hmmm, should I go on the rooftop or in the back garden?

I’m pretty sure I won’t be found with the size of this school… Devs thought, reassuring herself.

She ran out of the cafeteria and run through the long, wide hallways. Just as she was rounding the corner, the bell rang indicating that it’s time for lunch. Doors opened on either side of her, a sea of students swarm around her, making her escape dawdle. She cursed and saw her new-found friend, Marissa, with two more girls, but none of them was her twin. She run to them and called Marissa’s name.

“Ohmygawd, Devs! Where were you?! Oh, what am I saying…that’s not important right now!” Marissa rattled on, “Yvon! Something happened to Yvon!”

“Marissa, calm down!” the girl on her left exclaimed, turning to Devs. “Your twin was hauled by Ivan, our school president, right outside of her classroom. He accused her of breaking some school rules.”

“The hell!” Devs cursed loudly, attracting the other students roaming around. “It wasn’t my twin. It was me, damn it!” she swore, running a hand through her hair, messing it unconsciously. “Where did he take her?”

“I think they’re going to the Student’s Affairs office to decide on what her punishment will be.”

“It’s in the 3^rd floor, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but Devs…” Marissa trailed off, watching Devs run to the third floor.

Damn him! If he ever hurt my sister I swear I’m gonna castrate him! Devs thought angrily.

 ----------

“I will not tolerate this insult! How dare you accuse me of such nonsense?” Yvon fumed, sitting so erect on her chair facing her formidable enemy.

“Nonsense...? You think this is nonsense?!” Ivan reacted vehemently, “I saw you with my own two eyes, loitering around the hallways when it was obviously still class hours!”

“I can prove to you that I have not gone out of the room in any of my classes.” Yvon said in a very haughty voice which riled Ivan more.

“Oh, really…” Ivan mocked, “And how are you going to do that? Call your goons?”

“For your information, I don’t have goons. I rather call them FRIENDS.” Yvon corrected, giving her most icy look. “And no, I am not going to call them to prove that I have not broken a rule, but rather I would like you to ask the teachers that I have classes with.”

Ivan’s eyebrows furrowed.

“What? Are you afraid that the teachers would confirm that you were wrong afterall?” Yvon smiled an evil smile that lurks within. “Mr. Dickenson, it is not right to drag a person against his or her will.” Yvon said, pausing and letting what she said sink in to the idiotic man she thought in front of her. “You drag me against my will and you did not even bother to listen to what I have to say. You just directly accuse me of something I did not do. You do not even have proof that it was me you saw. You were the only one who saw me diddling, as you say I was, through the corridors. You don’t have any witnesses of my misconduct… am I right, Mr. Dickenson?” Yvon asked, smiling wickedly, knowing very well that the man in front of her is trying hard to control his anger.

Ivan was seeing red and this time he wants to wring the neck of the woman in front of her.

How dare she make me look like a fool?! You won’t easily get away with this, woman!

But there conversation was cut short when the door suddenly burst open, hitting the wall with a loud bang. And then a girl step inside like the reaper bringing them death.

Ivan was shocked for the girl looked very much alike to the person sitting in front of him; the only difference was the wild look in the girl’s eyes.

“You!” Devs shouted, pointing a finger at Ivan, “How dare you accused my sister of such crimes?!”

“Devs! What are you doing here?” Yvon asked, surprised.

“I should be asking you that. You shouldn’t be here. I should be the one.” Devs said, and then turned to look at the man sitting behind the oaken desk. “I presume this bird-brained of a man drag you here and outright accuse you.”

“You’re twins?” Ivan asked, dumbly.

“Obviously.” Devs snorted, “If you weren’t so stupid enough, we wouldn’t be in this predicament. If only you had controlled your emotions and not let suffice your irritation for my bad behavior then you wouldn’t be this irrational.” Devs said, piercing him with her stare. “I want you to release my sister now. I was the one who broke your precious rules, Sir.”

“Devs, are you sure about this?” Yvon asked her sister.

“Yeah, get out of here. Let me deal with this guy. I’m prepared to take my punishment.” Devs answered, winking at her sister.

Yvon turned back to Ivan and then with a look of disdain, she went out of the room.

“Now then… where were we? Ah, oh yes. I committed a… I guess in your book, what I did would equal to as a crime. So, what my punishment will be?”

Ivan looked at her, staring at her hard for what felt like hours. But Devs never even flinched from his stare; she equaled his with the same intensity.

“Do you know that you’re disrespectful?” Ivan said suddenly. Devs eyes widen a fraction. But what she did next riled Ivan even more. She threw her head back and laughed.

“What’s so funny?” Ivan asked with a raised brow.

“You have the gall to tell me I’m disrespectful? Now tell me, what you did back then during our encounter outside the girls’ comfort room wasn’t disrespectful? Do you know what you sounded like during those times? I just retaliated by acting the same way as you did,” Devs pointed out, cocking her head to the side, eyeing him. “You’re a tyrant. I bet you talk that way to all students who broke school rules. You may be the student body president, but you’re not above us at all. Girls may fawn over you but it’s just because of your looks and not because of your personality. Are you like this if a student from here commits a mistake?”

“You don’t know me that well to judge me just like that.” Ivan said, leaning back to his chair, never leaving his gaze from her. “If I’m not strict with them, they’ll just take me for granted. I know I was just being elected as the President of the student body and with that kind of responsibility is a great burden. Righting wayward students are never easy, especially in this school where all students are born with a silver spoon in their mouths. They are spoiled rich kids, always getting what they want. I need to tame them for their own sake, mine and most especially for the school.” Ivan said feeling rather depleted.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He looked up and gaze back at her with an expression of calmness.

“I apologize for my behavior earlier, Miss Montebello. I was rather in a bad mood already when I spotted you in the corridor. I shouldn’t have taken my anger at you. I’m sorry.” Ivan said, straight-faced.

“I’m sorry as well for my behavior. Now, I must be careful not to get caught from you.”

Ivan’s brows shot up and he chuckled, shaking his head, looking at her with amusement.

“You remind me of my friend.”

“Really now.”

“Yes. Anyway, let’s get down to business. We may have cleared our misunderstandings but we both know you’re not off the hook yet.” Ivan said, his face turning serious.

“Damn, and here I thought I’ll be able to get out of here safe and sound.” Devs joked, faking an irritated look. But, Ivan seemed to know her façade for he smiled in amusement.

“Not quite, Miss Montebello. I still have to punish you for your misbehavior. So now, let’s let you choose on what punishment you would like,” Ivan stated, opening the side drawer and extracting some files and laid them out in front of her. “You have four punishments to choose from. First, we have the “Tutoring”. In this punishment, you’ll be tutoring a student for a whole month, 7 days a week. Second, we have the “Clean-out”. You’ll be cleaning some parts of the campus after classes on weekdays for a month. You will report to the head of the staff personnel of the school which is Mrs. Porter. Third is the “Outreach program”. You will attend the school’s outreach program every weekend, for ten Saturdays in all. Fourth is the “Cook of the school”. You’ll be serving the school during lunches and you’ll also help cook the food to be served. Now, which of these will you choose?” Ivan asked as he finished explaining, looking up at her expectantly.

“Are you a sadist?!”

“Excuse me?”

Gawd! Your punishments are stressing me out.” Devs huffed, slouching in her seat. She looked at him and gave him a look. “Are you trying to kill the students here?”

Ivan laughed. “It’s not like that, Miss Montebello. If I don’t give them a hard punishment then they won’t really learn.”

“Yeah, whatever. Anyway, I chose the “Clean-out.”

“Alright, just sign these papers and you can start your cleaning session this afternoon.”

“Why do I have to sign these and why does it have to start today?”

“We need to record them and it’s better to do it now than later. I don’t believe in postponing things off. Why do we have to delay things when we can do it today?”

“Gawd, you are irritating.” Devs huffed, looking at him balefully.

“I get that a lot.” Ivan smirked.

“So, that’s it. After your last period, you need to go directly to the office personnel and you’ll find Mrs. Porter there. Don’t dawdle in going there or your punishment will be extended.”

“Sadist…” Devs murmured, casting him a look before turning her back on him.

“I heard that, Miss Montebello.”

Devs turned back on him, looking irritated. “Stop calling me “Miss Montebello.” Just call me in my name. I’m Devon Zerryne, Devs for short. I gotta go, I’m hungry. Bye, Ivan. See you around.” Devs smiled wickedly, eyeing his I.D. meaningfully and stalked out of the room.

Ivan watched as she walked out and closed the door.

This girl will definitely be entertaining to watch out for. I wonder if she will still break the school rules, Ivan thought, smiling at the challenge in facing those twins.

Devon Zerryne… what would be the other twin’s name might be?

----------

Devs walked back to the canteen and looked for her twin and their friends. She saw them sitting at the table near the windows. Yvon saw her then and waved at her  to join them. She run to them and took the seat next to her sister and banged her head on the table in the process.

 “Hey, how did it go?” Yvon asked.

“I got detention. I’ll not be joining you in going home. I have to stay for the “clean-out”.

“You chose the clean-out?! You should have just chosen the out-reach program!” Yvon exclaimed.

“You know how lazy I am during Saturdays. It’s better to be cleaning the school, I’ll just think of it as exercise.”

“What about tutoring?”

“I don’t have the patience.”

Yvon sighed, looking irritated at her sister.

“Let her be, Yvon. It’s of her choosing.” A girl sitting beside Marissa said, looking at both of them.

Devs looked at the people sitting in their table. She realized she doesn’t know the two girls sitting opposite them. She looked at her sister and cast her questioning look.

“Oh, let me introduce you to them.” Yvon said, “This right here is Jennifer, you can call her Jenna. And that is Janine.” Yvon finished, smiling.

“Hi, it’s nice to meet you, I’m Devon Zerryne, but you can call me Devs.”

“Hello, nice to meet you, too.” Janine piped up, all bubbly and smiling.

But Jenna just acknowledged her with a nod.

Sensing her sister’s confusion, Yvon readily explained. “Do not worry, Devs. Jenna is just like that.”

“Just like what?” Jenna asked, looking at her with a rather passive look.

“Like a no-care-what-happened-to-you-look and replying in three to five syllables only most of the time. You’re the cutely weird of this group, remember?” Marissa said proudly, as if she just hit the right target.

“I am not.” Jenna said, and returned to look at the book she’s been reading.

“Yeah whatever, deny it all you want.” Janine said, rolling her eyes. “Oh by the way, we’ll have next class together! P.E.!”

“Ugh…P.E.” Marissa groaned.

“What’s wrong?”  Devs asked. “Who’s our teacher, anyway?”

“Oh, you don’t wanna ask…”

“Huh?”

“You’ll see.”

“So, who’s our teacher?”

“Ms. Genesis.” Janine piped in, munching on her salad.

“Our teacher’s a woman?”

“Yeah, boys and girls are separated during P.E.” Jena explained. “Mr. Westley handles the boys’ P.E. class and he’s also the basketball team coach.”

“Is there any girls’ basketball team here?”

“Duh. That’s a stupid question to ask, Devs. Can you see the girls here? They’re vainer than a queen.”

“But, you’ll get sweaty during P.E., right? What are they gonna do then?”

“Oh, it’s only in P.E. time they are willing to be sweaty, because on the far side of the gym are where the boys’ P.E. class is held. And they like to strut their stuffs at them, wearing the shortest shorts and the skimpiest tank tops.” Janine explained, rolling her eyes.

“Enough of that… let’s just eat our lunch.” Jenna said, closing her book and took out a lunch box.

“Oh my gawd! Bento!” Devs exclaimed, “Can I have one of those rice rolls?”

“Sure.”

All of them ate their lunch and continued chatting on random things, creating bonds of friendship.

 ----------

Swishing of clothes could be heard above the exuberant chatters in the girls’ shower room. The girls are taking their time changing into their P.E. clothes, trying to delay going to their class. Gossips, names of boys, laughters and giggles are floating around the room but five certain girls are talking about something else entirely.

“Hey, let’s get together this Saturday.”

“Yeah, let’s go shopping!”

“Or watch movies!”

“Hey, twinnies, are you both free this Saturday? Come with us.”

“Yeah sure, Yvon and I can come with you guys… just text us the time and place.”

“Alright!” Marissa exclaimed, “Then it’s a date!”

Their chatters suddenly died down when a shrill of an alarm echoed throughout the whole gym. Everyone seemed to freeze for a minute. Suddenly, everybody is practically shoving clothes and shoes on themselves. Different apparels had gone flying in the air in different directions. Everyone seems to be all in a hurry.

“What’s going on?” Devs asked.

“Our teacher is here. Hurry! Or we’ll end up in detention for being late.”

“It seems to me, everyone is afraid of our P.E. teacher.” Yvon commented, eyeing everyone curiously.

“Oh, everyone’s afraid of her, alright. She always wears this T-shirt where the words ‘Bite me’ are written,” Janine hushed. “It feels like she’s sending a challenge like ‘Try and bite me or you’ll face dire consequences.” She shivered.

“So, everyone think she’s the terror in this school. The living tigress.” Jenna added, sending everyone a bored look. “So, what…  It’s not like she’s gonna kill us.”

“Well, we’ll never both know until we meet the woman.” Devs said, glancing at her sister.

“Yes, we might as well get going so we can meet that living tigress you say.”

Everyone run out of the shower room and immediately situated themselves on the left side of the gym, where their teacher is not waiting, looking so menacing, standing rigidly, eyeing them meaningfully.

They settled themselves and formed a horizontal line facing their teacher. They waited for the teacher to give them the next instruction but they were only met with silence.

“Sit down.” The teacher suddenly spoke, making some of the students jump. “Didn’t you hear me? I said sit down, squat on the floor, if you must!”

The girls hurriedly sat down, most made a face sitting on the dirty floor of the gym.

“Would you rather have me let you sit outside, in the soccer field, under the sun? If you don’t, then never let me witness such faces.” The teacher said in her threatening voice.

She started walking in front of them, circling them like a predatory, ready for the kill. “I want you all to be here even before the bells rings. Do you understand?”

“Yes.”

“I can’t hear you. Do you understand?” she repeated in her booming voice.

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Good. Now, you must all know me. But, I see some new faces so I’ll make the introductions again.” She said, eyeing the twins. “I’m Genesis Berwick. I will be your P.E. teacher for this school year. I only have three rules for you, ladies. One. Never be late or it will be detention for you. Two. Always wear your uniform. If you’re incomplete, there will be punishment waiting for you. Three. Never let me see you whine or complain. I do not tolerate childish and foolish acts in this class. Do you understand?”

“Yes, ma’am!”

“Now, everyone stand up and have your warm-ups. I want you all to run five laps around the gym.” She ordered. “Now, move.”

Everyone dispersed and started running, none of the girls are talking. They run in silence, glancing at the teacher every once in a while.

After an hour, the teacher let them gather around the corner of the gym and gave them her last minute instructions.

“Okay everyone, gather up,” Ms. Genesis ordered “Hurry!”

They stood in front of her, looking tired and sweaty.

“Now, for next meeting, we will be playing dodge ball. I will be dividing you into two groups. Be ready for it.” She said and let them go to the shower room.

Suddenly, some girls went squealing and it started a commotion.

“What is happening?” Yvon asked, looking beyond the squealing girls, looking at what they are screaming about.

“Oh my gawd! It’s the team, the rowdy cubs’ basketball team!”Janine, shrieked, looking excited as everyone.

“Who?”

“They are the school’s basketball team. They must have hit the showers while we’re in class!”

“So what... why do they have to squeal?”

“You have got to be kidding me! They are the hottest boys in this school!”

“And one of them is my boyfriend.” Marissa sighed in a dreamlike trance. “Dean!” she suddenly called out and one of the guys suddenly turned to their direction, searching for the voice. Upon seeing Marissa, he smiled broadly, waving frantically at her. Marissa waved back and blew him a kiss. Dean acted as if he’s catching it and put his palm on his lips and then placed it on his heart. Marissa giggled like there’s no tomorrow. The guy standing beside Dean started talking to him and looked at their direction. Devs who was attentive during the exchange between Marissa and Dean, still didn’t take her eyes off from Dean, seeming amused by the exchange of puppy love. She saw the man standing beside Marissa’s boyfriend looking at her intently. She looked back just as intense as his. But then, he suddenly threw her a telling smirk which cause Devon’s hackles to rise. She turned her attention ahead of her and tried not to look at the obnoxious guy earlier.

They reached the shower room and went to their individual lockers.

“Who are those guys, anyway?” Devs asked “Are they really that popular here?”

“Yes. They are the heartthrobs of the school.”

“Really now.” Yvon commented, looking skeptical.

“Yes, really. Guy number one, James Michael Laderrick. Captain of the basketball team, he’s the guy standing near Dean.  Guy number two, Ivan Matthew Dickenson; he’s the point guard of the team. Guy number three, Enrique Renzo Moretti. He’s the power forward of the team. He was the one with a messy hair. Guy number 4, Samuel Kyle Pierrere. He’s the center of the team. He’s the one beside Enrique. Aren’t they just perfect? And then there’s Dean, Derek, Alec and the list goes on.” Janine sighed, feeling elated.

“So, the school president of the student council plays basketball, too.” Yvon remarked, eyes darkening. “I just hope he has the decency to control his temper during their games.” She added, scowling as she remembered what happened earlier.

“Oh, don’t underestimate them. They are good at their game.”

“Yeah, whatever. Let’s just change clothes and get out of here.” Devs said, taking out her towel and went to the empty shower stall. 

A Love Mismatch... Episode 3

A tall, lean, sexy woman emerged from the left path where the gardens are located. Wearing a gray suit with long straight hair with full bangs, red pouty lips and eyes like honey-gold came walking towards them with a smile that could bring the devil to his knees.

“Bonjour Mesdemoiselles, welcome to the Beaumont Herford Academy. I’m Grazielle Buenaventura. Headmistress.” She introduced, holding both her hands out to them. 

They reluctantly took it and the woman squeezed their hands slightly. She let go of their hands and turned around, motioning them to follow her. 

“I was assigned by the director himself to welcome you both.” She commented smiling, glancing at them. “I’ll show you around.” 

They went inside an immense double oak door and walked down to an empty, long hallway. They passed several closed doors, small and large corridors, long stairs and several old paintings scattered on walls. Each step of the way, the headmistress explained the different facilities of the school. She told them where all the departments, the faculties, the classrooms, the comfort rooms, the laboratories, the libraries, canteens, outdoor facilities and other accommodations are located. 

She enumerated all the faculty members and their possible-teachers-to-be. She narrated the brief history of the school and gave out all the rules that the time she was finished the twins was feeling dazed and looking out of their minds.

She turned to them and smiled affectionately. 

“Well then, that would be all, I think.” She said looking like someone checking a list of To-Do’s on her head, clasping both her hands in front of her. “I’ll let you two on your own to explore the place. You don’t have to enter your classes today. The director specifically said to let you have a day to go about the school and familiarize everything.” She stated and moved closer to them, holding their hands with hers. “I really hope you’ll have a great time here, both of you. I better get going. I still have work to finish. If you have questions you can ask me. I’ll be at my office, if you need me.” She said and let go of their hands. She walked to the left corridor and disappeared from view as she turned to the right.

Still looking at the path the woman had disappeared into, the twins was brought up short when they heard a chuckle behind them. They turned and saw Tish shaking his head, and looking at the same direction as them.

“Well, I’ll be damned.” He said, chuckling.

“What is it, Uncle Tish?” Yvon asked curiously.

“Have you ever seen a headmistress that looks like a supermodel, with a mind like a scholar and a tongue like a philosopher?” he asked, cocking his head to the side with amusement and admiration swimming in his eyes. “Tell me, is it just me or does her smile can melt any hard man… hhmmm?”

The twins giggled, thinking the same thing.

“She might be all that, but I sense a formidable temper just being contained.” Devs commented, eyeing Tish meaningfully.

“You like her, don’t you, Uncle Tish?” Yvon asked with a teasing smile.

 “She intrigued me.”  He said, chuckling. “My stay here won’t be boring afterall.”

“Are you planning to hit on her?” Devs asked, wide-eyed.

“No, baby girl. I don’t have time for relationships with the kind of job I have.” He said, looking affectionately at them. “It would be refreshing to see a not-so-ordinary person every morning, right?”

“What do you mean? You’re staying with us then?”

“Yes, your mother put your care to me. I’ll be the one to send you to school every morning. Don’t worry. I won’t live on the same house with you two. I’ll be living next to your apartment and your mothers will be living to your other side of your apartment.”

“Oh, I see. Alright. Well, let’s tour this goddamn school.” Devs said, walking up the stairs to their left.

====================

A limo halted to a stop in the huge parking lot of Beaumont Herford Academy.

“This is it. Are you girls ready?”

“What else can we do?” Devs sighed.

“Hey. No grumpy face, little one. I’m pretty sure you’ll find great friends there.” Tish cheered, smiling at them from the rear-view mirror.

“I can’t wait to check their library. Ms. Buenaventura said it has almost all the books in the world.” Yvon gushed, eyes sparkling from excitement.

Devs rolled her eyes at her sister and stepped out of the car.

After giving Tish a kiss on the cheek, Yvon waved good-bye to him and stepped out of the car and ran after her sister.

Eyeing the big oaken doors where students are already getting in, the twin heaved a great sigh and proceeded along with the students, who’s looking at them rather curiously and something else.

With their schedules in their hands, they tread their way through the throngs of onlookers.

“Is this normal around here?” Yvon asked her sister.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, is this how they really welcome the new students with ogling eyes and awe looks?”

Devs looked up from her list of classes and saw what her sister meant.

“This is creepy. I wonder if we look too alien for them.” Devs, said ruefully.

They checked themselves for mishaps and that, perhaps, what made them stare at them.

With both wearing jeans with high-kneed black boots and fitting shirts with hooded, striped cardigan sweaters, they didn’t find anything out of place at all.

They looked at each other and shrugged, not knowing that it was their honey-colored skin, raven black hair and doll-like faces and being new in school that made the other students turn on their direction.

Trying to ignore the stares, they made their way up the stairs to the third floor for their Calculus class.

“Ooooooooh! Calculus! This is going to be exciting!” Yvon squeal in excitement, doing a baby Bop hop. Devs turned to her sister and gave her a rather fake smile.

“Yipeeyey-doo! Oh, look!” Devs exclaimed in an exaggerated high-pitched voice, pointing above Yvon’s head. “Are those equations pooping out from your head? Wow. Totally amazing.” She said with wide eyes in mock amazement.

Rolling her eyes at her sister, Devs turned around and went straight inside their classroom, Yvon at her heels looking sourly.

Tables and chairs were in disarray, students were in groups talking and laughing, getting reacquainted after months of vacation, as the twins made their way inside the classroom. Looking for empty seats, the twins tried to be unobtrusive as possible but failed miserably, something in them just caught anyone’s attention. An eerie silence crept inside the room, all eyes on them.

Feeling hot under their gazes, Devs felt like she’s a prey surrounded by hungry predators. Uncomfortable though she was her twin seems the opposite, who is exuding calmness and serenity. Yvon is just smiling shyly at all of them. She then turned to the girl seated near her.

“Hello. Is this seat taken?” she asked sweetly, pointing to the chair beside the girl.

“Oh my gawd. Is that one of Monique dela Vega’s works you’re wearing?” exclaimed the girl suddenly.

For a moment, Yvon’s brows furrowed for a second then her face smoothed into a radiant smile.

“Yes, it is.”

“Oh, you better sit with me.” The petite girl, with a cute face said, grabbing the twins by the hand and depositing them on the two seats on each side of her.

“Thank you.” The twins said and smiled.

The chatters came back and the students returned to their previous activity.

They fixed their things and looked at their class schedule. Familiarizing the times and rooms they are assigned and looking around the room when their new friend remarked out of the blue.

“You know, you could make some girls go lesbian if you always flash those smiles of yours,” she commented amused, “It could turn pointy horns to shiny halos.”

She laughed upon seeing the twin’s stricken face. Contagious as her laugh is, the twins can’t help but join in the laughter.

“Oh! Silly me! Let me introduce myself. I’m Marissa. Marissa Aldridge.” the girl said, smiling at both of them.

“I’m Yvon.  Yvette Devon Montebello, and she’s my twin, Devs.” The other twin introduced then pointing at her sister.

“Nice to meet you, Marissa. I’m Devon Zerryne Montebello.”

They shook hands and happy to have new friends.

“Do tell me, Marissa, do we look that foreign to you? ‘Cause I can’t seem to comprehend why they kept staring at us.” Devs remarked in a rather irritated voice, glancing at the back.

Marissa laughed.

“Don’t think that we don’t recognize you. We know who you are. You’re famous even before your mother introduced you to the world. And your fame skyrocketed after your mother’s introduction. In our world, the world of the rich to be specific, almost all know everyone else. Those who are making a name in the industry are observed and criticized. So, it’s no wonder why everyone knows you.” She explained, smiling at them at how amazing her theory is. “Oh, it’s probably also because of how you look.”

“Oh, we look so different then. Perhaps we are like from another planet.” Devs commented sarcastically.

“Not really that different. I’ll say your beauty is alluringly exotic,” Marissa said, winking at them. “In this country, your skin is to die for. If you look around, you’ll see mostly pale faces.”

“Duh, whatever. I just hope they’ll get used to the way we look soon.” Devs said, sighing.

“I hope so, too. It’s unnerving somehow.” Yvon voiced out.

“I doubt that.” Marissa remarked suddenly. The twins looked at her with exasperated looks but she just laughed it off.

After a minute or two, their teacher came in and strode off in front of the class, looking at them in a rather kind smile.

“Good morning, class. I’m Philip Montgomery and I’ll be your teacher for this class.” he announced, taking his briefcase and pulled out a stack of papers. “Okay, everyone, I’ll be handing out these sheets of papers to you. Written there are the house rules, lessons we’ll tackle in the upcoming months and some reminders.” He continued, handing the papers to each row.

“Well, class has finally started” Devs commented, heaving a sigh.

====================

Last period before lunch, but an agitated Devs seemed eager to get out of the classroom that had her emanating a rather black vibe.

Move you damn ticking hand! Still fifteen minutes had passed… why does it feel like forever?! Move already you thick-headed-ticking-hand!!! Forty –five more minutes… it’s like torture! Devs mused sourly, looking at the clock with an expression of a serial killer.

Yvon and Marissa noticed the foreboding aura Devs is emitting that had them looking at each other with confusion.

“Hey, you alright?” Marissa asked cautiously. Devs turned to her with a scary look that had her pulling away.

“Goodness, Devs! Stop looking like a demented person!” Yvon hissed making sure that the teacher is out of hearing range.

“Who wouldn’t look like this?!” Devs retorted, pointing at her face. “I’ve been waiting for that damn click to strike 12:00 so I can go and change into something human and comfortable clothes!”

“What do you mean?” Marissa asked, confusion plastered on her face. “You look human to me.” She added innocently.

Devs look at her like she’d said something ridiculous.

Yvon turns to fits of giggles which had her clamping her hand to her mouth to control her laughter.

“What? Did I just say something wrong?” Marissa asked, looking back and forth at the twins.

“I shall explain everything later, or better yet Devs will show you what she really meant by what she said.” Yvon said, smiling knowingly at Devs who in turn rolled her eyes.

“Damn. This frustration is making me hungry.” Devs complained under her breath.

The two just shook their heads laughing silently at her and turn their attention back to the teacher.

---

Damn it! Just five minutes had passed? … five freaking minutes?! Devs thought crossly, but then an idea came to mind which turned her face into a look of psychotic smile that had Marissa and Yvon cringing as they look at her upon sensing the wicked spirit she’s emanating.

Devs suddenly turned to her sister. “Hey, will you please carry my bag for me?  I’ll get it back during lunch. Please?” she asked, casting her sister with her puppy-dog eyes. Then she turned to the front and raised her hand. The teacher noticed her and signaled her to speak.

“Yes, Miss Montebello?”

“Uhm… ma’am, I don’t feel good. I feel sick. May I, please, go to the clinic? Devs asked rather bleakly, feigning a sick face.

Yvon and Marissa turned to her wide eyes, confusion marring their faces. 

“Oh, of course. Go ahead.” The teacher complied, looking a little worried.

“Thank you, ma’am,” She said, still acting ill. She turned to her sister and her new friend, sending them a wink and then turned back to feigning sickness while exiting the room. She went out of the classroom into the empty hallways, still keeping up the farce.

When she was out of sight, she dashed to a different direction that leads to the lockers.

Oh yeah! Oh yeah! I’m so good! Devs chanted silently, doing a happy dance.

I’m so winning a best actress award for my superb and exceptionally awe-inspiring performance!

…okay so not awe-inspiring… but still it was great! She thought happily, skipping towards her locker while humming random songs. She pushed the code on the lock and yanked open her locker. She took out a paper bag and happily skipped towards the nearest bathroom. She was all smiles and was now standing in front of the comfort room when she heard a booming voice behind her that made her jump from surprise. She immediately turned to see a man walking towards her, looking ominous.

“And where do you think you’re going?”

“Where do you think?” Devs retorted, looking at the door behind her and back at the man in front of her.

“Do you know that it is still class hours?” he asked, looking at her meaningfully. “Do you even have a hall pass?”

“Obviously, I don’t have a hall pass,” she said, spreading her arms wide, letting him check for any attached hall pass. “Are you blind? Duh.” Devs added in an irritated voice.

The man in front of her seemed to explode, getting redder in the face every second.

Gawd, this guy is irritating. Who is he, anyway? Ugh! So annoying, Devs thought bitterly.

“That’s it. Two weeks detention for you! Going out of class without a hall pass, and ta - …” but he was cut off rather rudely by her.

“Just who do you think you are?! Huh?!” Devs demanded in an authoritative voice, glaring up at him defiantly. “Do you know who I am?!”

The guy was taken momentarily aback by her raised voice that he answered her in confusion. “No, I don’t… I don’t think so.”

She suddenly smiled up at him and beamed. “Good!” she exclaimed and turned her back on him and slammed the door of the comfort room on his face.

The guy was shocked. And furious.

He has never been humiliated like that ever. And as he remembered what happened a while ago, he saw red. He was so angry that he wanted to wring her neck. He was about to pound the door with his fist when someone suddenly called his name. He turned around and saw two guys coming towards him.

“Ivan, what are you doing?” a tall, handsome, ruggedly-looking guy asked, looking at him with amusement. “Now, now… are we chasing girls all the way to comfort rooms, Ivan?” he mocked, chuckling. “I didn’t know you’re that aggressive and… desperate?”

“Enrique, quit it. Stop pissing him. He’s angry right now. Even furious.” The other guy said, chuckling. “I wonder why, though…”

“That’s enough. What are you guys doing here?” Ivan snapped. “It’s still class hours and don’t even think you’ll escape punishment for roaming around the school during class hours just because we’re friends.”

“Hey, calm down, dude.” Enrique said, holding his palms up in surrender. “James and I were called by coach Westley. We’re going to the gym now.”

Ivan sighed. “Is that so. Well, don’t let me keep you. Coach must be waiting for you two.”

“Come with us. You’re part of the team, anyway.” James said, putting his arm around Ivan’s shoulder, dragging him towards the opposite direction.

“Yeah, come on. I bet coach is gonna talk about the upcoming games this season.” Enrique piped in, grinning.

“Wait, I - …” Ivan was about to say something but was cut off by Enrique.

“Dude, relax. You have to come with us.”

Ivan didn’t fight them as they dragged him towards the gym.

I’ll get you back. I’ll give you the punishment you rightfully deserve, Ivan thought determinedly.