C H A P T E R 2

T H E H A N D S O M E D E V I L

( Part II )

Author: Raven Orthodox

After getting my textbooks two hours later from the library and selecting free expensive school supplies in the School Asset Building, I walk towards Lion's Den, which mom instructed me was my assigned academic building. It was also a nickname for school building number one, by the way. The other buildings are Eagle's Haven (number two) and Serpent's Fangs (number three).

Luckily, the guard was still asleep, and the door gate was open. So I entered.

"Uh, excuse me? Why aren't you wearing your badge?" A professor spoke to me. He was professor Montgomery, I've read about him on online, which I suppose is an Algebra and Precalculus teacher.

"What badge, professor? Where can I get it?" I asked and then realized he was wearing a pure gold lion-carved badge. Badges everywhere, even students passing by, had small ones. And yes, I realized it, but I was told I can only get the badge after entering an assigned building.

"I don't seem to believe you're one of the lions." He said as he sorted something on his phone, "What's your name?"

I told him my name, and he typed it to search which building room am I. The school did not even inform me when I signed up for this university. "Serpent's Fangs." I didn't get a chance to visit it last summer because I've been working my butt off for low-salary jobs.

"Serpent's Fangs? So that's my official building number."

"Yes. And you see, students from the other buildings can pay a visit here freely. The problem is, most students here can become territorial and defensive even. The only student with the biggest gut can visit Lion's den. So if you don't mind, you should watch your step, got it?"

I made a low chuckle and thought of a joke. "Ha-ha, professor. Are you saying this building has a group of lions?"

The professor was triggered. "Is that a mock, lowlife? Have you any idea the name Alexis is a current target here? Lucky for you, most people still haven't noticed you, or else they've already put their claws on your behind."

"Defending myself from the mean girls' gossip isn't a crime, professor. But if that multiplies my enemies on campus, then I'll serve them my best counterattack dish.

"And I know those mean brain-dead girls like Diana belonged to Lion's Den. But if she tries one move against me, she and your Lion's Den members will have a taste from a Slytherin's fangs."

"Hmm, not so. I don't think you could last here, now I need you to step out of this structure, and off you go with the limbless reptiles."

"Fine, fine, fine." I walked out of the building as the professor was seething in agitation and seemed to never stop eyeing on my back until I would leave.

"Ow!"

"Ouch, watch your step, lady." Said a familiar voice.

"Raven?" I wondered. I took a closer look at her facial features, astonishingly bright emerald eyes and the thickest, darkest, and shiniest black hair. "Raven, it is you!"

"Alexis! What the hell are you doing on Arkskye?" She looked shocked as she immediately hugged me. " How I missed you when you left New York."

"Me too, you didn't even call me you recently registered here."

"We don't care about what schools we attend. I mean a sixteen-years-old girl like me and seventeen one like you are exceptional enough to graduate high school early." She laughed. "Anyways, how are you doing here? You already get used to it? I bet half the people here are confused and didn't know a crap about what to do in a university, but that's just what I heard."

"I haven't seen you in while. And just so you know I'm a bad trend right now."

"Are you kidding me?"

I broke from her one-minute hug. "Seriously, you haven't checked your phone yet? People were raging about me getting destroyed and thrown to the lion's claws as soon as freaking possible. I am their target at the moment. I am at war on the first day of school, and Dominica was my only real ally aside from you who just stepped out the van!"

"What? That's unacceptable. You should be popular, not notoriously popular like back on our crap high school." She leaned closer and fixed my hair bit, "You're going to be a pain the ass, step-sister. I will have to care for you now more than ever."

"Take care of me? No, you already cared for me a little too much, I've learned all the lessons you've taught me, I can handle this myself now."

"I see, but we're still too young to be in this awful position. You'll need my help when things get rough. Just stay on this bench, and I'll get you something." She patted me on the head like I'm her Chihuahua or something, and then left to buy me a quick snack.

"Not just rough. Ugh, I felt so lost." Sitting on the bench, I sighed to myself in desperation for a quick relief from all of this.

"Did somebody say rough?"

What in the world?

The same guy who bumped on my shoulder is giving me a stern, cold look, "I've been thinking a lot about you, Lexi."

"Since when, sucker? Since the last two hours when we had just met?" I rolled my eyes at him and averted my gaze to the cheerleaders and the rhythmic, music-for-a-cause band.

Standing 6'5 feet, he was crossing his arms, and now here he is standing in front me for I was just sitting around here waiting for my sister to bring me a snack. When in actuality, he can just be the snack I wouldn't hesitate to bite. As a yummy substitute. . .

Just kidding.

Hell, no!

He was taller than most boys. Those two biceps that looked like buff guns hugged perfectly on his gray shirt. He towered over me now. "I know what you did to my sister. That was not cool, Lexi."

"Your sister? Do you mean the ginger girl? Ha, she deserved it, okay?" I said with a smug. "And I'm not even sorry if I offended her."

"No, I meant Diana."

My lips shut the moment I heard her name. "Diana?"

"You took the position of Diana being the booth model. You pissed off my best friend, Jake. And then you made a worst-case scenario in the cafeteria. I am impressed."

I shrugged and combed my hair, looking away as if he was annoying the very life out of me. "That sounds just about right, bonehead."

"You also pissed off my favorite teacher, Professor Dickens Montgomery. And you threatened Diana and the Lions about your Slytherin fangs, isn't that right, Lexi?"

I stood up in immediate effect while stalking closer to him. With a sudden rush of confidence, looking up at him even with my heels could not get me to level his height. "Yes, and I am not sorry for my actions."

Our eyes locked for a moment, and I can feel people are watching our show. He looked at my lips, and then on my eyes. He breathed slow, "A little advice for you, Lexi. You and I are enemies against each other, you understand? Hurt my boys and my sister, and I'll bring you down. Slowly, 'till you would beg for it, 'till your knees would hurt from kneeling, begging us all for it to stop."

He made a smile that only handsome devils can make. I can pretty much tell that he loves this game so much because he probably wins every time he threatens people. If he likes to challenge me, then I must make myself seem even more challenging. Even stronger. And prove myself as Arkskye's most wicked sweetheart. "Game on."

"Game on, wild card." He grips my shoulder tightly, reminding me how strong he was in all mirrors. I feel like trembling in fear, but my pride refused and just wouldn't budge on showing it.

He released me as soon as he sensed my wavering and trembling shoulders. Being done with it, his soft chuckles unnerved me as he turns to walk away. His bad-guy walk contained that devilish aura like all the bad guys you see and read in slasher/horror and crime fiction. He was a character which came to life, after all.

Raven's oh-so glossy jet black hair blocked my view as she saw him leave. "Hmm, you know it's not easy to deal with 'terrorizers' like that guy. And if I were you, I'd be like calling the cops. Like. . . right now."

"He was threatening me."

"What? You're crossing a line!"

"What are you talking about, who the hell does he think he is?"

She made a slow head turn shushed me out with a finger. "Girl, you just destroyed the webs of your dreams by crossing with that man, a monster that is Calixon Reaver Dayne. He was soft with you for now, but never again. Now tell me, was it all even worth it in pissing off an egotistic beast? Clearly not!"