Chapter 30: Chapter 30

JONEA

Marilyn dragged me to a bar which is about 15 minutes walk from campus. The place was very crowded, like most bars. The difference is tonight was dominated by students from our department.

"Goddes, look! They were drunk even before coming here," whispered Marilyn.

I grumbled as I started to enter the bar. Countless students had almost lost consciousness. They are all drunk.

I even saw lovers almost shamelessly making out in some dark corners.

Marilyn kept pulling my hand. It seemed she feared I would disappear again like the last time we were at the club.

"Watch your step, Jonea! Don't keep looking around. You will be mistaken for a cheap girl."

"Who came up with the ridiculous idea to organize a welcoming event like this?"

"Of course, the student head in our department. Who else do you think? I heard they are also holding this party to welcome someone."

"Who?" I ask.

"Dunno; we'll also find out later when they announce it."

The girls from our batch assemble in one place, talking about everything. Marilyn figure is an extrovert. She easily gets along and mingles with them. At the same time, I remain alone and clumsy. I don't feel comfortable around them.

I went to one of the empty tables while snacking on the food that had been provided. I took a fork and poked a piece of barbecue meat. I just played with the meat on the plate.

Marilyn came over with two large cask ales.

Seeing such delicious food, I have no appetite at all. I kept feeling defensive and depressed.

Why should I eat if I must die in the end? I even continued to waste time doing pointless things while my life span was getting shorter. Aland… what is happening to him right now?

Marilyn patted me on the shoulder. She keeps worrying about me.

"Sorry, Marilyn. I can not do it. I don't feel comfortable here."

I put my fork on the plate and stood up. I grabbed my bag and pushed back the chair. But someone was standing right behind me.

"Hunter?" said Marilyn and choked on her beer.

I could only gawk at Hunter. I don't know where he came from and how he got there.

"Sorry, I have to go." I pretended not to know him. "Could you step aside and give me way?"

Hunter remained unmoved. He just looked at me coldly.

"Hunter!" I said hello to the other girls around where we were sitting.

"Finally, you came! Why late? We are holding this party to welcome you back to campus."

Hunter ignored them. He still blocks me. "You want to go? How about having a drink with me? It's too noisy in there." Hunter pointed in the direction where his friends had gathered.

I breathed heavily and kept my head down to avoid Hunter's eyes. I could faintly see a glowing red mark on his forehead. For a moment, it was bright, and for a moment, it was dim.

Marilyn noticed my predicament and approached me from behind.

"Jonea, don't you have a business? Why are you still here?" Marilyn grinned stiffly. Then she glanced sharply at Hunter and showed distaste.

Three seniors in the same direction as we approached upon seeing Hunter among us.

"Stay here, Jonea. You can't refuse a request from a senior, right?" threatened one of the girls while looking at me curtly.

I know these girls are using me. If I had stayed, Hunter would have joined us and had a drink. If I go, maybe Hunter will too. And these girls would lose their chance to get Hunter's attention.

I got fed up when I realized my situation was deliberately taken advantage of by my seniors.

I glanced at Marilyn for help. But Marilyn also looked desperate and couldn't refuse requests from seniors.

They pulled me back and sat me in a chair. I sat flanked by the seniors. Beside me is also a Hunter.

"Oh, you guys look familiar. Have you two known each other before?"

A senior asked about my relationship with Hunter.

I glanced at Hunter. "No! We don't know each other. It's our first time meeting here."

Hunter just smiled faintly at my answer.

They started pouring beer into our glasses until they were full. The girls laughed and chatted happily in the presence of the Hunter. They were trying to get Hunter's attention while Hunter kept looking at me. That makes me uncomfortable.

"Are you freshmen?" asked a senior me and Marilyn.

"We just entered this year."

"Oh, no wonder you don't know Hunter Abraham!"

Hunter waved them off to stop talking about him.

"Do not exaggerate. I've been off campus for over a year. I came back and had to start over from scratch. Consider me your junior."

"You must have a reason for that," said one of the girls. "Leaving off for a year or a few years will not change you. You are still popular, Hunter."

Hunter turned to me. "Jonea, where do you live now?"

I stuttered and couldn't come up with an answer.

The seniors were stunned. "So you do know each other?"

I'm sick of Hunter's overly familiar attitude. I tried to avoid him, but he acted like we were good friends for a long time.

"It seems you misunderstood me," I said to the girls. "We've met before. When we went to the club… Hunter mistook me for someone else."

"Wait, I seem familiar with you!" cried Marilyn cutting off the conversation. She pointed at Hunter.

"What do you mean, Marilyn?" asked a senior.

"Ah, I remember. Hunter Abraham was a well-known student because of the news a few years ago. Do you still like to do the same thing now on this campus? Bullying your juniors like back in high school?"

I nearly choked on the soda I was drinking when I heard Marilyn trying to confront Hunter. The female seniors in our department were curious about Marilyn's topic of conversation. I panicked and worried that Hunter might be offended and harm Marilyn.

"Marilyn…" my daisies kicked her knees from under the table.

Hunter pretended not to hear and ignored Marilyn's sarcasm.

"You don't want a drink, Jonea?"

"No, I can't get drunk," I answered curtly and coldly.

I could see the female seniors secretly scorning and sneering at me. It seemed they were already drunk with their respective drinks. Even one of them started behaving strangely and clinging to Hunter.

"Then the barbecue–" Hunter offered me a large piece of meat.

I quickly raised my hand and refused. "I've been vegan since yesterday."

It seemed Hunter was taken aback by the coldness and rejection I kept giving. This made the female seniors annoyed by my behavior. Maybe they thought I was underestimating Hunter.

"Rawling, what are you doing? Why are you being so impolite to senior?"

I don't care if they get mad at me.

"Jonea Rawling?" whispered Hunter. "I keep thinking about that name. Where have I heard of that name, huh?"

Hunter said emphatically though his face looked so relaxed. He made me very nervous and scared. I was uncomfortable being there, especially since my friends and seniors started to suspect us.

"Jonea, I…" Hunter reached out to touch me.

I was so panicked seeing it. No! Should not! He must not touch me, or I will die this very moment.

Hunter didn't seem affected, no matter how many people there were. He was trying to touch my hand.

No! He must have wanted to touch me on purpose to make me weak. No!

I screamed inside my head.

I have to run from here. I must avoid it!