Kieran busied himself, reading a novel he randomly found in his room, during a free class oblivious to his classmates sneaking looks of wonder from him.

"Hi," a boy who has eventually mustered some courage walked up to him.

Kieran glanced at him and nodded.

"I am Tristan,"

"Kieran,"

Tristan felt relieved. "I saw you guys arguing."

Kieran gave him a look that said so?

"Aren't you afraid of him?"

"Why should I be afraid?" Kieran asked with narrowed eyes.

Tristan blinked. He lowered his head to meet with Kieran's eyes.

"You see, his uncle is the director of this school. Practically, he gives tons of hell to those who don't agree with his government. Considerable number of students have been forced to leave this school because of him. Actually, most of us are not afraid of him, that's just to avoid trouble,"

"No one has ever stepped up to his toes like you did," Tristan continued with a chuckle. "He must have felt humiliated,"

"I find intimidation distasteful," Kieran said with an apathetic shrug.

"I understand that. But you have to be careful. I bet he would try any means to get to you," Tristan advised with concern.

"Don't worry," Kieran told him with a light smile.

Tristan was amazed at Kieran's air of indifference. However, he decided to change the subject.

"What are you reading?"

Kieran tilted his head to him. "Novel__Lord Of Shadows, to be precise,"

"Lord Of Shadows! You also love reading fantasy novels?" Tristan asked excitedly.

Kieran arched up an eyebrow and gave him a nod.

"It is a trilogy. You knew that right? Dark artifacts. Recently, I read Lady Midnight and haven't read Lord Of Shadows actually. But it is still one of the best fantasy novels I have ever come across. Sincerely, fantasy novels are a system unit of my life," he confessed, his eyes glinting delightfully.

Kieran stared surprisingly at him for a while. "Well, you can have it when I am done," he eventually said.

"Oh! Thank you so much,"

He is not arrogant and cold like he seemed. Tristan thought.

Kieran found the idea of someone thanking him both strange and pleasant. Nevertheless, he said nothing in return.

Watching their exchange, the class was speechless. Normally, Kieran doesn't pay them any attention or whatsoever, doing everything on his own. Moreover, he would only speak when spoken to, but that was only by the use of his head as he rarely talks. When Tristan walked toward Kieran, they thought he would immediately come back in embarrassment. However, not only did he not return instantly but was still chatting excitedly with Kieran; and Kieran was responding at that_talking also.

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Most of the girls were filled with envy.

"What were you talking about?" Cristina asked Tristan as he walked back to his seat.

"Boy's stuff," Tristan replied with a smug smile. Cristina rolled her eyes at that.

Cristina Anderson was one of the most beautiful girls in the school. During multiple times, she was unanimously crowned as the school beauty. With the long wavy golden locks, thick eyelashes, bow shaped lips, in addition was her slender and curvy body most girls will kill to have.

She was a total standout from the rest. Not only was she beautiful but also smart. Expectedly, she was the ideal type for the majority of boys, including Todd. However, ever since Kieran began school at Coast Hill high, it's like she has tabs set on him at first meeting. Being sought for and highly aware of her beauty, she was full of herself and confident in her charms. But, it all seemed like her charms were not performing any magic on Kieran, who never once looked at her, probably doesn't even know of her existence. On seeing Kieran and Tristan conversing, she at first wanted to join them but her pride didn't permit that.

She had asked Tristan about the nature of their conversation and he in return didn't give her any useful information. She decided to go to Kieran herself but halted as a teacher suddenly entered their class. She bit her lower lip in frustration and reluctantly sat down.

During break, and one of the rare days Kieran will go to the cafeteria. He sat down alone as usual, picking and eating his share of food. Tristan joined him, he acknowledged him with a nod and continued.

But then, Cristina and her group of friends with their own tray of food were walking to their table when she spotted them sitting together. She motioned her friends to walk ahead while she trudged towards them.

Tristan nudged Kieran on seeing her. "Do you think she is coming in our direction?"

Kieran shrugged. "I think she is coming here," Tristan said, adjusting the fallen hairs that partially covered one side of his eyes.

"Hi, I am Cristina," she introduced, flashing a disarming smile which left Tristan lovestruck while Kieran was still unfazed.

"I am Kieran,"

"Can I sit on this table," Cristina asked Kieran, ignoring Tristan completely.

Kieran narrowed his eyes at her, as if trying to make sure she was actually asking him. Realizing, he said, "Whatever,"he mumbled.

"You can sit, it is not like we own this table right?" Tristan hurriedly said, turning to Kieran, who said nothing in return.

"Thanks," Cristina released another charming smile, revealing a set of perfect white teeth. At this time, they were now the center of attention in the canteen.

Todd, who was also in the canteen block, saw the scene. Some of the girls gushing how cute and perfectly made for each other they were, flamed his anger.

He gritted his teeth and stalked away, leaving his food untouched.

Cristina was one of the most popular students in school, known for her beauty, intelligence and wealthy background. She was also known for arrogance and playing hard to get, solely because of her famous embarrassing ways for rejecting other handsome boys, who had summoned courage to ask her out. She never took the initiative to speak to a boy.

Cristina, now staring at Kieran in admiration, thought it was worth it. Kieran was simply the most beautiful creature she has ever seen.

"I saw the way you put Todd in his place. That was way cool and he deserved it," she began enthusiastically.

Kieran just shrugged, making no attempt to engage himself in the conversation.

On noticing Kieran's uninterest in the subject, quit talking. Let's take it slowly.

*

In one of the school's storage rooms filled with old furniture; tables, chairs, desks and so on. a group of roughly dressed boys were seen smoking and gambling away their time.

A green eyed, who appeared to be their leader, sat upon a rocking chair as he snapped on and off a lighter while staring at the excited teen gamblers in boredom.

Todd walked into the room. He exchanged greetings with the boys, as they seemed to know him quite well. He took out a cigarette from its pack lying around on a table.

Then, he walked towards the leader, they shook hands with the leader offering him the lighter.

"Man what's up?" The teen leader asked in a prominent gruff voice, patting his shoulder.

Todd puffed out the smoke and turned to look at him. However, he remained silent like he had no idea on what's really subbing.

"Is it about a boy?" The leader pressed on, which resulted in Todd's mouth hanging open in shock.

Seeing his expression, the boy continued, "Come on Man, why acting so shocked? Who hasn't heard of him? The newest most beautiful boy in school, as the girls said. I also heard you confronted him or something. That's so unlike you,"

"That boy is getting on my nerves," Todd finally revealed.

The boy smirked. "Oh, I don't know why you have to confront him yourself when we're here. I have an effective method of placing noobs like him to their perfect position, exactly where they belong,"

Todd stared unblinkingly at him, eyes burning quizzically.

The boy grinned knowingly. "If you are afraid of having your position threatened in this school. We just have to remove the obstacles for you. We will do the dirty work but you have to....," The boy trailed off.

Todd, understanding the direction of his trail off, immediately dipped his hand into his pocket, pulling out wads of bills. He handed half of it to the other boy.

"I will give you the rest when the job is done," he said. That boy smiled wryly, shoving the bills into his own pocket.

"You are not touching his life,"

"Woh! Who knows that the ever fearing Todd of this school is afraid of having murder on his head," seeing the serious look on the other boy's face, he went on to assure him. "Don't worry. I am still on probation. Besides, how can I commit something so evil?" He asked rhetorically, while his mischievously gleaming eyes depicted an entirely different thing.

"We will just have to reshape the face. With our facial design, you won't need to worry," Todd nodded in satisfaction. He removed the cigarette, and left.

"Boys!" The leader hollered in his gruff voice, attracting the presumed attention.

"We seemed to have a new job to attend to."