Take Me Away

The sun drooped from its throne, casting colors in its departure. Clouds soaked in wine, like cotton absorbing blood from a wound, plunging the world in an eerie and mysterious glow.

"You all may be excused!"

the general drillmaster announced to the freshmen of D University. Loud exclamations of elation accompanied by groans of exasperation boomed across the stadium.

"After such grueling hours that we endured, finally, we're free!"

"I'm too exhausted to even open my eyes. My whole body is protesting with every move I make."

"The training just started and you're already complaining. How will you even survive the whole month?"

In the midst of the crowd stood Fiona, cracking her neck and wincing from its stiffness as she approached the canteen along with the rest of her peers. She caught Spencer out of the corner of her eye. The drillmasters seemed to have gathered and were in the middle of a heated discussion.

"Fiona! What are you looking at? Let's go. We'll miss dinner if we dally much longer." Sophia linked their arms together and dragged her forward.

"Alright." Fiona smiled and moved forward with Sophia.

"Hey, Fiona!"

Fiona turned and saw Ryan approaching her with a few bags in his hands.

"Hi, Ryan!" Sophia greeted him.

Ryan paused, catching his breath and said, "I brought supper for the four of you. I didn't know your preferences, so I bought everything I think you would like."

"Thank you, Ryan." Ella relieved him of his burden and gave him a smile.

"Your efforts are admirable." Pursing her lips, Leona offered a shy smile.

"Thank you for putting us in consideration, Ryan," Sophia said. "Are you trying to earn our favor, Ryan? Your actions may lead us to think that you're trying to impress one of us. Will this be a regular occurrence?" Smiling slyly, she settled her glance to her friend, Fiona.

"You're holding me too high, I am not that considerate. Consider this event as a one-time-thing," Ryan jokingly replied.

"Many thanks, Ryan." Shyly, Fiona nodded her head in thanks.

Ryan's eyes softened as his gaze fell upon Fiona. "Are you weary?" he gently asked.

"I am not." Fiona shook her head.

"How come you only ask her, Ryan? Do you not care whether I'm weary or not?" Sophia asked, her voice teasing as a smirk played on her lips.

"You seem more alive than drained."

They were immersed in their conversation as the drillmasters rushed towards the canteen except for Eric and Spencer, who walked leisurely.

"Can I give my greetings to Fiona, Spencer?" Eric asked.

"Oh? What is it you wish to say to her? Are you well-acquainted with each other?" he replied.

"Do you have a reason as to why you pretend that you are a stranger to her when you want to be her drillmaster?" Eric murmured.

Spencer's eyes darkened slightly.

Fiona today," Eric sighed.

high position," Sophia said seriously as she glared at Spencer. "No one disciplined him even when

I would have mauled that arrogant, self-centered and vigorous man. He didn't even give us

Intimidation and dominance filled the air

every second

and her group. Every step shortened the

her hand to wave at him, she said, "Hello, Mr.

bouts

gaze through the girls and then stared at Ryan. He nodded and

passed the by. "He is so cool," she said. Fiona rolled

monster!' she thought

Suddenly,

excused himself and looked away as he answered the call. "Hello? Hmm...I see. All

"What's up?" Sophia asked.

vigor for the upcoming celebration that will be held in

we able to participate in the said event? I have quite a talent for dancing," Ella said with her eyebrows raised. "I can do

replied. "The more participants, the more festive the celebration will

you. You are quite the ladies' man! You must live up to your name! I bet you'll ensnare a lot of hearts as you present to the stage,"

I'll cut our time short. I must leave now." As he

and he smiled. She felt her blood rush to her cheeks. She felt like a flower,

their interaction with a bitter heart and bile in

four girls retired to their dormitory for the night, all fell victim to their exhaustion

chime resounded in

to the phone to look over the message. It read, "Room 201, Building 8. Come here now."

of indignation, she get off

you have somewhere to be, Fiona?" Sophia asked.

on her shoes and rushed out

housed foreign students and teachers alike. The drillmasters resided in the building as

she arrived, Fiona let a sigh

the building, she could make up two people standing at the door to Room 201.

replied with a nod, steeled

her a glance or a greeting,

questioning if she heard him right. "Is this what you summoned me here

down his pen and fixed his gaze towards her. "Did you

Fiona geared up to give him a full retort when

whatever the retort Fiona was about to unleash, he continued, "If you have any plans to

opening her mouth like a

you just stand there. Consider it as punishment for playing with your phone during

you that you were the one who sent me that message? I was not playing

it was the phone in

you want to be a drillmaster?"

here for you?" He approached Fiona slowly.

hit the wall. Frowning as she was trapped by Spencer, she

only reply was

here, please don't give anyone an indication that

be elated by his presence, that she would be assured that she would be taken care, given the nature of their relationship. He didn't expect for her to ask of him to pretend that they didn't know each other. Spencer