"Here we are," she announced, but I pulled back before she could drag me forward.
"I can't go in there," I said firmly. This was the high-ranker cafeteria, and I had no business being here.
The cafeteria was split into two levels. The upper floor was for high-rankers - luxury dining with all the amenities. The lower floor was for people like me - basic, functional, and depressing.
There were two reasons for this setup. First, it prevented conflicts between different rank levels. A fight between high-rankers was manageable, but if a high-ranker decided to kill a low-ranker, they could do it before anyone could intervene.
Second was cost. A single meal upstairs cost more than a low-ranker's entire weekly allowance.
But for me, avoiding this place had a different reason entirely.
"Why can't we go in?" she asked, tilting her head curiously.
Why are you trying to run?
Do you really need to ask?
Wait... you don't mean—
Yeah. Eloisa.
Knowing how unstable Selena could be, there was no telling how she'd react in there. Worse, given Eloisa's volatile personality, she might literally try to kill me if this psycho decided to act lovey-dovey.
That's definitely a problem. But you could always accept my blessing.
Fat chance.
"Why?" she pressed, staring at me intently.
"I just prefer to eat in peace." It wasn't entirely a lie. This place was full of nobles who knew me and would take any chance to make my life hell. Plus there was Eloisa's twin brother Ethan, who was actively looking for reasons to murder me.
"Are you afraid of these weaklings? Listen, no one in there can compete with me," she said, her gaze searching mine.
I met her eyes silently.
"Just let me go," I said with a sigh.
"No, I can protect you," she smiled.
"I don't need protection."
"You know you do. Don't deny it." Her voice softened as she suddenly cupped my face in her hands. The movement was so smooth I didn't register it until it was too late - or maybe I was just too distracted by those peach-colored eyes.
"As long as I'm here," she said seriously, "no one can lay a finger on you."
I frowned. "Why are you doing this?"
I couldn't hold back anymore. I had to know what her game was.
Honestly... that would make sense.
"I like you. That's all there is to it," she said with a smile, then pulled me forward.
So I was right. She was planning something.
By now we were attracting attention.
"Isn't that the guy who fell asleep in class? He's a low-ranker, right?" someone whispered behind us.
"Yeah. What's he doing here? And with her of all people?"
I'd expected the whispers. Hell, I'd resigned myself to them.
"Hey!" a voice called out.
I turned to see some guy flanked by two others. Classic delinquent look - tracksuit unzipped, white shirt underneath, trying way too hard to look tough.
"What do you think you're—" he began, scowling.
WHAM!
Holy shit, she was fast.
One moment he was yelling at me, the next he was unconscious at the far end of the hallway. I had no idea how she'd done it - probably telekinesis amplified by her gravity abilities.
Yeah, the girl was just broken.
I turned to the other two, who were visibly trembling.
"Let me make this clear," she said coldly, her voice cutting through the air like a blade. "Try that again, and you'll be unconscious permanently."
Her eyes were colder than I'd ever seen them. For the first time, I realized just how powerless I was against her.
"Now," she said, her cheerful smile returning instantly, "let's go."
I understood one thing clearly: as long as she was stronger than me, escaping was impossible.
But I wasn't the only one shocked. Everyone who'd witnessed the scene was whispering among themselves. Great. Rumors would definitely spread, and my list of enemies would grow.
Reluctantly, I followed her into the cafeteria.
All eyes turned to us, but I kept my expression neutral. Professional indifference was something I'd mastered.
Then I spotted Eloisa.
She stared at me for a moment... then looked away.
I really hope I survive until the grading exams at this rate.