Chapter 7 (1/2)

Fara, the new SL, had started showing her iron-fisted ruling. The first sign: she and her board members made a request for the current guard company to be changed to another one. This meant that all guards who had been working at the school for a long time would be changed to new ones - ones with br.i.m.m.i.n.g spirits… and don't take bribery.

When the request was made, CGTSS students had long known about it - as she and her board members had promised that everything would be done cleanly. When it was announced during the a.s.sembly, n.o.body dared to even squeak. No one person protested - logically, what's there to protest about changing guards?

Those who knew, knew.

Guards who don't take bribes would follow the rules to the letter. Who had always 'gifted' the guards something to go out during prep and doing other rule-breaking activities, would no longer be able to do so. And of course, Gibbs, Ray, Troll and KJ were among those who did.

”Your sweetheart's showing her claws now,” said Troll to Gibbs at Bintang Coffee Shop. KJ was there too. Ray had to manage something related to the performance that would be held in a short while - his staging would usually be the ending act before the end of the year.

Gibbs smiled.

”Smile la, smile! Next year is our final year, you know?! It won't be fun under the rule of this girl of yours before we graduate,” KJ was becoming emotional.

”Relax. The new guards haven't even started yet. Who knows whether they'd accept bribes or not?” Gibbs tried calming things down.

”Yeah right. First she meddles with the guards. What's next?” questioned Troll.

Gibbs just shrugged his shoulders.

Suddenly, KJ elbowed Gibbs' hand. ”Ish, what's wrong?”

KJ pointed to a direction.

Deepa was standing out Bintang Coffee Shop… and was peering inside, directly at Gibbs. She wasn't doing anything in particular. Just standing there. Alone. Staring at Gibbs.

”s.h.i.+t, she's stalking you, Gibbs! That's creepy as f.u.c.k,” Troll exclaimed.

Deepa realized that Gibbs and his friends had noticed her, but she still stood there, staring directly at Gibbs. Then, she closed her eyes, her mouth wording something, as if…

”Are you seeing this?! What kind of bulls.h.i.+t spell is she chanting?” KJ started panicking.

”Chill, chill,” said Gibbs while standing up.

”Woi, where are you going?” Troll asked.

”Meeting her obviously.”

”You mad bro? Don't bother!” KJ advised.

”No worries. She's alone. What can she do? Besides, you guys are here, right? If it looks like I need backup, just come,” Gibbs said and the immediately leave before his two friends could say anything else.

Gibbs went closer to Deepa. Her eyes were still closed, mouth muttering something. Nothing could be heard, giving Gibbs the chills.

”Hey…”

Deepa suddenly opened her eyes. Her earlier serious face became cheerful. There was no feeling of guilt or anything. Weirdo. This girl is really weird, Gibbs thought.

”You… what are you doing here?”

Deepa suddenly grabbed Gibbs' hand, making him freeze.

”Seeing you of course! Can I go back with you?” Deepa asked, still happy.

”You… outing? How did you know I was here?” Gibbs asked while slowly trying to detach himself from her. He saw KJ and Troll standing up. Stand down, guys. I can handle this, Gibbs acted as if he's giving ESP signals to his friends.

”Not really. I asked to go to the clinic. I knew that you always hang out here,” she answered simply.

”You're sick? What kind of sickness?” Oh how nice my mouth is to ask her but in fact, what do I even care!

Deepa laughed. He got goose b.u.mps hearing her suddenly laugh like that. ”I'm not really sick! It's just an excuse so that I could meet you.”

”How did you come here? Shouldn't the school van send and take you back from the clinic?”

”I did come with the van. But… I want to go back with you.”

Gulp!

”That can't do. The driver would be searching for you and if he doesn't find you, he'd report it to the teachers. What'd you do then?” Gibbs persuaded, trying to throw the image of Deepa hugging him on his bike.

”I'll just say that I came back by myself,” she replied.

”Deepa, I… came out by myself. If you say that you came back with me…”

”Don't worry. I'll just lie and say that I rode a taxi when coming back.”

s.h.i.+t s.h.i.+t s.h.i.+t…