Chapter 23: Twisted Save

Melissa's POV.

I wanted to ignore them, just walk away, act like nothing was going on, go to my classroom like it was a proper school day, but it was difficult to do that with the number of eyes staring at me. I could hardly take a step as I kept moving my gaze from one of them to another.

"Oh, her name is Melissa, and I think she's here somewhere."

Selena said again, looking around, obviously pretending to be searching for me while I stood right there in front of her.

I try to pretend not to give a damn until she begins to call my name out loud. "Melissa! Lisa!!"

"There is a particular eye defect called 'hyperopia', and it's actually a very serious case even though most people tend to treat it as unserious. I would advise that you visit a doctor and get yourself some glasses if you can't see people when they stand right in front of you."

My response seemed to get more attention than I expected it to, as the floor suddenly went cold and she was now staring at me with wide eyes.

"What did you call it again?"

She was staring at me this time, and it gave me a certain feeling of relief and pride.

"Hyperopia," I said it again, my voice steady and confident.

"We both know that I certainly do not have that, Lisa, and that you are just too little to be seen, especially when you stand among people like us."

Those words stung, but I tried to contain them as I struggled with my emotions, not wanting to give off an expression that would make her feel like she got to me.

"That is so much coming from someone who doesn't seem to understand what hyperopia means," I said, wearing a simple smile which I knew definitely would piss her off.

"How dare you think you can insult me?" She raged towards me, and right there, I went blank. I could battle with words; I was confident enough that I had a high IQ, but what would I do when she tries to be physical with me and wants to attack me?

I couldn't touch her. I couldn't lay my finger on her because it would mean closing the gates of Hell on myself so tight that I might not be able to get out of it anymore.

"I am sure it wouldn't be an insult if you actually do know the meaning of the word 'hyperopia', do you?"

Another familiar voice interrupted, making Selena stop in her pace as we slowly turned her gaze in the direction of the voice, and there he was.

"Landon?" Selena called out. Her voice was softer this time as she addressed him by his name.

"Hey, Selena, what is all this fuss about? I mean, why would you be pissed when you truly do not know what the word means? What happened to being open to learning?"

His demeanour was so calm and deep, very different from Lex. The only thing one could say that they share was that their presences were both intimidating. Not to me, but I could see the way other students were all shaken up by his mere presence.

"She wasn't trying to educate me, Landon; she was trying to insult me."

Selena fired back, glancing at me with a very deadly look as she turned her gaze back to Landon.

"And how can you tell that? You acted like one with hyperopia, and she clearly was being nice by advising you to see a doctor. You should at least understand that she's coming from a place of concern and not trying to insult you."

I could almost not believe he was saying something in my defence. I blinked my eyes so many times trying to understand what was happening.

"You weren't here, Landon. How are you supposed to know? And why the hell will you be taking her side on this? Have you forgotten that we are the G4?"

G4? I had never heard that before, and I wondered what exactly she was talking about.

His expression instantly shifted; he looked a little more friendly this time.

"G4, I completely agree, but you of all people should know that we are not dummies and that we always see every opportunity as one to learn. If I were in your position, Selena, I'd like to understand what she meant instead of thinking I could fight her."

Selena's face burnt in anger as she watched Landon speak. From the tight look on her face, I could tell that she could attack him if she had the powers to do that.

"I can't believe you, Landon; this is so unbelievable. I'm out of here."

She stormed out in the opposite direction, walking briskly away, while some of the students around the floor began to go in different directions also.

My gaze turned slowly to Landon, who had been staring at me for God knows how long.

I wanted to say something, but I couldn't find the right words to address them after what he had just done.

"I am sorry, Landon. I don't know what to say to you right now."

I admitted my speechlessness, trying to avoid his piercing gaze.

"I don't expect you to say anything; I didn't do that for you."

His response was curt as he made to walk away.

"Then why did you do it? I mean, if you did not stand up to Selena for my sake, why did you do that?"

I needed that clarification. I hated the way he was making me feel crazy with his actions.

"Selena needed some corrections, which I gave, and besides, not everything is about you."

He sounded cold and unfriendly; his tone was completely different from the way he spoke to me the previous day in that library.

"Just yesterday you spoke to me like you were so concerned about me and you wanted to help me, but right now you're speaking to me in a way that makes me feel angry at me. What exactly are you trying to achieve here, Landon?"

My question seemed to get him off guard as he stared at me plainly. "I beg your pardon? What are you talking about?"