Chapter 4 - Playboy

As I predicted, the next day, my birthday, was nothing special, just another day. I walked to school like normal, took my seat as per normal and started getting teased as per normal. Checking my phone, no new messages or well wishes. Not that I was expecting any. Don't think anyone in class knew anyway, don't think anyone in class cared.

A few minutes before class started, a guy wearing a red jacket and black jeans walked up to the top of my table. I noticed, I knew who he was, but paid him no mind. Seeing the lack of a reaction from me, he placed his hand down on the table, leaning on it.

Since I was looking down, he ensured that his hand was in my field of view. Anyone watching would think that I am a fool for ignoring this person, but the way I see it, he should have no business with someone like me. However, since he was starting to become annoying, I humoured him by looking up at him.

"Bout time dude. Heheh," the guy chuckled. His voice was in the middle range and he was lean, but still well built. His eyes were a piercing green colour and his thin lips curled to a smile.

"You were being real annoying today," I said simply, trying my best to sound indifferent. He chuckled again.

"C'mon, is it so wrong to bother you on your birthday?" I stopped at his words. He knew it was my birthday?

"How did you know, Alistair?" I asked dangerously. He chuckled and backed off slightly. Alistair was the only other person I could call a friend. He looks intimidating at first but looks are deceiving. However, he has many other friends, and many people trying to get his attention. A byproduct of being rich, attractive and intelligent. The son of a tech genius and developer…what is he doing with a low life like me?

"Think you should go back to your friends, playboy. Don't need more people trying to steal my lunch money just because they are jealous of me for taking your attention." I said bluntly and disrespectfully. However, Alistair merely laughed, slowly backing away. We were now one metre away from one another but he still wanted to talk.

"Look dude, there anything you want? It's your day after all." I thought for awhile, finally deciding on something.

"I do need a bodyguard for today, can't afford to be late. Escort me to the 3rd floor after class." He tilted his head in confusion at first, but followed with a nod of acknowledgment.

"Picking someone up are we? Look at you. But, isn't the third floor for the elite students?" He asked. However, I didn't give him an answer. He also detected that that was the end of the conversation and walked away with an exasperated smile. After that, the gaze of other people fell on to me. They were threatening. But it was nothing new to me.

****

When class ended, I felt the presence of a large group walking towards me. I sighed and wrapped my arm around my stomach, remembering the pain from the previous day. I prepared for the inevitable torture. However, they soon stopped in their tracks. Looking to my right, Alistair was standing next to me, between the approaching group, staring them down. "Back off Brent. Kaler doesn't wanna see you." He said menacingly. I have never seen this side of Alistair before. I have only seen him being cavalier and laid back.

"Al, why are you defending this scrawny, good-for-nothing wimp? What makes him even half worthy to stand next to you." The boy named Brent said. He had several armbands around his upper arm and always wore a shirt that conformed to his bulging muscles. I simply sat there, watching how this would play out. I honestly did not expect much.

To my surprise, a bright red ring of fire briefly formed around me and Alistair in a flash, dividing us from them. This shocked the group as well as me. The fire dissipated as quickly as it formed. It was as if it never existed, like a mirage, and illusion. But it did exist, we all saw it with out own eyes.

The fire was unique, bright red, with a black core, it was the all-consuming hellfire. Few were capable of harnessing the power of The Forbidden Flame and keep in under control. Those that could were said to be rather sadistic, like demons. The approaching group was now sweating and shaking in fear. I could see the shine on their foreheads and faces. I smirked inwardly, who would have thought that I was being protected by both an angel, and a demon.

The group quickly scurried away, their tails tucked between their legs. Alistair turned back to me with a smile. It was warm, and genuine. "Sorry you had to see that." He apologised sincerely.

I said nothing in response, slinging my bag on my shoulders. "Let's go, playboy."

****

When we got to the third floor, I walked to Aurora's classroom where their class was still in session. At the front of the class, was Aurora herself. She carried herself gracefully and with dignity like she always does, like a noble lady, or a princess. She was giving a presentation on her recently finished thesis. I was enthralled by her performance and grace. Her harmonic voice, her small bodily and hand movements, they worked in perfect symphony to provide a captivating performance on a dull and dry topic. It was impossible not to be in complete admiration of her.

"Beautiful isn't she? The president?" Alistair said from beside me. It shocked me out of my daze. I completely forgot he was beside me. He probably caught me staring at Aurora and only Aurora. I did not reply, and continued watching her. After a few minutes of watching and staring, the bell rung.

Many people eagerly approached Aurora, talking to her seemingly wanting to walk with her. They started swamping her with questions and sweet talk to curry her favour. She is as popular as always. I don't blame them, but I can't help but feel bitter about it. She calmly and quickly declined or dismissed them and walked out the door to my direction.

"So, who we looking for? Surely you aren't gonna try and ask the president out are you?" Alistair said condescendingly, obviously meant as a joke.

" I don't need to ask her out." I said simply. That statement left him stunned silent, rooted to the ground. I walked towards the door, with him quickly running to follow me. When Aurora saw me, her ice-cold expression thawed, her face brightened to her usual cheerful self. Seeing her wide smile, I could not help but smile too. It was good to see her break the ice around her coldness. It also seemed to shock her classmates when she started running out the door towards me.

I was caught off guard as she launched herself into me and I caught her using my arms. I could feel everyone's gaze drilling into my soul and their jaws drop to the ground, outraged that she would do that to someone like me. I was also too shocked to react. At the same time, it made me beyond happy.

"You actually came, Kale. Thank you." She said with absolute sincerity, I could hear her throat swelling with happiness. I smiled widely at her, but then remembered where we were, her classmates were still watching as a nobody was hugging and holding the most popular girl in school.

"Aury, we should go, I don't want your friends getting the wrong idea." I said cautiously.

"It's alright Kale, if they misunderstand, they aren't worthy of being my friend anyway." She said, turning her head slightly to the classroom, hinting to them.

"Wait wait wait. Let me get this straight. YOU are dating the president? Aurora Singford? When did this happen?" Alistair asked, completely baffled at the spectacle before him. Aurora unhooked herself from me upon seeing him, sizing him up.

"Alistair Duncan Rafael. What are you doing here, playboy?" She asked coldly. I held her arm to stop her. As I did, the cold air dissipated, which shocked everyone watching. Whenever, Aurora was even slightly rattled, the air would go below zero, and nothing in this world could stop the incoming blizzard. Even most of the teachers were powerless against it. However, in the eyes of the elite students in that classroom, some dimwit could simply hold her arm and she stopped in an instant.

"Relax Aury, he is the only other idiot willing to become my friend." I said bluntly as Alistair clutched his heart dramatically. He started repeatedly bowing to me. I rolled my eyes at his overdramatic tendencies.

"Very well. Well then, shall we leave?" She said with dignity. I nodded. She started holding my arm as we walked down to the foyer. Behind us was Alistair who was still in shock. Further behind him, I could feel Aurora's classmates drilling a hole into my back with their killing looks. I could feel their killing intent as they plotted revenge, to make my life miserable. As we walked, there was a silence for awhile. There was nothing much I could say. Nothing much worth talking about. "So, playboy, why exactly are you here?" She asked menacingly and suddenly.

"It's Kale's birthday, madam president, I was requested to be his bodyguard, so that he could meet you." Alistair answered submissively. So even he has his fears. She turned back from him, walking with an air of dignity, while still holding my arm.

"So you know about it. I'm impressed." She said with an air of superiority, one expected from the student council president.

"What do you have against Alistair?" I asked, noticing she was cold, even by her standard towards him.

"Our playboy over here tried to court me the first month of school. In second year, he tried again." She said, looking away from Alistair as she did. I could sense her annoyance.

"I am impressed how you ever got into a relationship, Aury." I said with an exasperated sigh.

"I don't consider them relationships, but being close with them was the best way to show these wannabe suitors and playboys that I am cold to the bone." She said dangerously.

"So, Kale!" She said excitedly. It was a 180 shift in tone, she was speaking like a royal before, now she sounded like a child. It caught Alistair of guard how brazen she was with me. I couldn't help but smile.. "You realised I haven't wished you yet right?" She ran ahead , asking with her bright smile while facing me. What is she up to now ?