She caught sight of the fluffy golden hair out of the corner of her eyes. Through the window, outside... small figure-
   'What's wrong?'
'Nothing,' Selene shook her head, and smiled nonchalantly.
   When she looked again, there was no one: maybe she saw wrong. After all, students- even teachers were not allowed to go there.
   Her steps paused hesitantly:
But still... what if someone really went there? What if some new student lost their way? That place was pretty secluded after all.
   'Selene? What's wrong?'
'Ah, you should go ahead Mira. I think I left something back in class.'
   '...? Ok. Hurry back. The professor is waiting,' Mira nodded in thought, then turned to leave.
   After Selene was sure that no one was around to see, she ran outside.
   If a kid really went there to see... that's dangerous. Even more so if they decided to enter.

                            🌺🌺🌺
'It was a joke.'
    'What?' she made a really weird face.
'It was a joke when I said I was dying of illness.'
   Though it's true I'll die...
'You... serious? Are you kidding me? No, can you even joke? Does that make sense?'
   Emile rubbed her eyes, and then looked up at me seriously: 'At least... you know, change your expression when you joke. I didn't even know you could lie with that expression.'
    Changing expressions... what's wrong with my expression?
     We continued to walk silently for a minute.
  'Oh, there's an assassin right behind-'
  'What?!' her long hair whipped my face as she turned back suddenly.
And even when she had seen that no one was there, she didn't turn back.
   '...?'
'That was a joke,' I told her just in case she didn't realize.
   '...'
But even then for some reason, Emile didn't turn back towards me again even though I clearly told her it was a joke.
   Anyways, I had to do that because she was about to tell the teachers that she, and I can't go through with the field trip because we both had incurable disease- I had it from the start, and she somehow caught it from me.
  That's what we've been doing during this whole month- we made up excuses, got caught, and suspended. The cycle repeats, and repeats...
Well, I like suspension because we get to do 'nothing.'
   But here's the thing: Emile's ... a b*tch.
   One time, we blew up a classroom together. I did, under Emile's guidance.
   Then we got caught, and guess who was the one that took all the blame, and punishments?
   Usually, 'I'm suspension-friendly,' but that time I had to copy a whole book about rules, and that sh*t. Though I made someone else copy most of it (Emile), I was still really tired.
    If we get caught this time, lying about an un-existing disease, I have absolutely no doubt about Emile... and how she'll abandon me in a second.
   So we have no choice but to go through with it but before that, I sincerely beg... that Selene won't be in the same group as me.
   You see, the field trip is one of the starting events of the plot. The first few chapters are all character introductions- how Selene meets the villainess, the sub-villainess (me), the second male lead (Raymond), the main lead (Ian), and also the crown dude. I almost forgot him because he's so insignificant.
    And it's from this point, the field trip that all the unfortunate relations really start. If I remember correctly, Ian and Phoenix would've gotten engaged soon, and announced it, but since I'm Phoenix now... whatever.
Anyway, the field trip is a big no-no for me.
   When I came to my senses, we were already standing before the teacher's office.
'We should go back now, right?' I asked Emile who still wouldn't look at me.
   Why is she mad? Clearly, it was just a little prank... Besides, my pranks are just cute next to hers: blowing up a classroom, throwing a bucket of water on a kid, and putting a larva on my shoulder... it was fun though.
   'Since we don't have any reason to go to the teacher's office-'
   'What are you two doing here?' the door swung open before I could continue, and even before I could open my mouth, Emile reacted:
   'Phoenix said she had a problem with the field trip,' she said in one breath.
   'What?!'
When I turned towards her in shock she was already running away, but when her eyes met mine, she... winked.
    ... That b*tch.
'Well... come in,' the teacher invited me in suspiciously.
   It was a given reaction since I was a known troublemaker thanks to someone~ who ran away first everytime.
    As soon as I came inside, I almost bumped into someone: 'Ah...!'
    That's... black hair. It's my first time seeing one if I don't count my hair.
   Both father, and brother whom I've thought had black hair, actually had dark brown hair. I've noticed that when brother was training, his hair would look golden brown in the light. While mine... didn't reflect, but it instead absorbed all light- making it look darker.
   And the boy who stood before me... his hair looked even darker, obsidian black. It was very pretty- of course, if you don't count mine.
    'Professor, I'm leaving now,' he said politely, and passed me.
   His face... also looked really handsome. I wonder why I've never seen him before...
    I was staring at his back when the door closed: 'So, what problem do you have with the field trip?'
   'Ah. That's...'
'Phoenix, you know you've caused many problems for the academy despite being here only for a month.'
    '...'
'And this time, if you cause another trouble... this time, you will really be expelled.'
     After that I was kicked out of the room, and the door closed behind me loudly.
    'Her test results weren't even that excellent- just average. Why was she even accepted into the academy?'
    I heard the teacher grumble, loud enough for me to hear- pretty sure on purpose.
    'Hah. Well, it's not like I wanted to pass.'
     That boy with black hair though... he was good looking.
    I shrugged.

   A/N: sorry for being late. I have no excuses.
   Now kids, Emile is what people usually call a toxic friend but don't worry, she gets beaten up by Phoenix later when one of her pranks go too far.
   
   ~Behind the scenes~
 
The first few chapters are all character introductions- how Selene meets the villainess, the sub-villainess (me), the second male lead (Raymond), the main lead (Ian), and also the crown dude. I almost forgot him because he's so insignificant.
   [Somewhere in the academy-
Kalian: 'Guh... I feel a pain my chest for some reason...'
   Some mob: 'Oh no! Are you sick?!']
BTW, Kalian is the crown prince. Aka, the insignificant third male lead.