Chapter 21: Seek

Dwayne got our group's attention when he informed us that we needed to hold a meeting in order to move on with the next group project that our instructor has asked us to work on. As of right now, the school is in the process of preparing a field trip, and as part of the organizational plan, we have come to the consensus that we will stick with the same group as before.

"Kayla, you are going to have to collaborate with Blaire. Jack, you work with Van," Dwayne began allocating duties for each of us, separating the group into distinct responsibilities, and assigned each of us to a certain person to work with.

I was trying to think of a way to inform him about what was bothering me, so I rested my back against the school chair, kept my hands clasped tightly together, and pinched the edges of my fingers.

*Yes, this is something to consider for alarm!*

I solely couldn't give in to the idea that I had to be an idiot who was hallucinating when I alleged to have seen him in the realm.

"Kayla and Blaire, you are going to be the ones who check the headcount of our group and list the names from time to time or perhaps at every destination that we will be stopping by," Dwayne added, looking down, writing in bullets. "Jack and Van, the two of you will be the main point persons to be assigned to cut and collect branches or any woods that we can be used to cook our meal," Dwayne continued, gazing in every second on us, well, *except for me*.

I couldn't help but let out a long sigh every time my lips moved to form a sentence or pronounce a word. Even though it was something I really wanted him to do, I couldn't help but feel my knees slightly shaking and hope that he wouldn't look at me. My heart was pounding like crazy. I am completely unsure of what I think or feel at this very moment. Simply said, I need answers as straightforward as that.

I examined every nook and cranny of his body, from his face to his nails, in the hopes of seeing anything that was developing like werewolf claws. I peered at him with eyes as sharp as pins. It's likely that my suspicion that he's a werewolf makes me seem too presumptuous. Or I could discover some signs that indicate he is a werewolf hunter. I was going to question Master Apo about it, but I'm still not confident enough to bring up this issue to him since I'm afraid that he would use it as a weapon against me if I do. Nevertheless, I still intend to let him know sooner.

Dwayne poked his head up to me after he finished jotting his notes during the discussion that the members were having with their partners. I instantly diverted my gaze and pretended not to have noticed what had just happened.

"Lita," he called my name as if the syllables became infinite. My shoulders jerked as I persisted in turning away from him. I was startled into looking in his way when he abruptly added, "Both of us will head the field trip competition representing our group," which caused me to stare in his direction with my eyes wide open.

*What?! Is he out of his mind? We cannot even come to a one understanding and his attitude is just as nasty as I couldn’t handle working with him!*

Both you and I were met with skeptical glances from the other members of our group, but particularly when their attention was drawn to mine. They cocked their heads to the side as if they were about to get a glimpse of a famous person, and they even stopped chatting. The awkward silence between us began to make things even worse for me in particular. I crammed my body into a smaller space acting immobile.

"But Dwayne, are you sure that she can make it?" Kayla Meyers, who had one of the top honors in the class, expressed some uncertainty.

“I don't mean to be rude, but..." Blaire cocked an eyebrow and wiped the tip of her nose without glancing in my direction. She took a short break before continuing, "Lita is so disorganized that she can't even finish the most basic of projects. To complete it took her close to two weeks' worth of time. Is it even something that she considers important?"

My head inclined to the side as a result of Blaire's tone. She spoke as if I wasn't in the room at all. *What's up with that? I am literally here sitting two seats from her!*

Jack added, "Performance-based tasks account for a significant portion of our grade but she…” Yes, Jack?

I opened a book and held it so that it covered at least half of my nose and extended below it. Even though I was attempting to seem like I couldn't hear some parts of the book, I made sure to read certain passages aloud to give the impression that I was not paying any attention to their badmouths.

Then, after some time had passed, Van grasped the end of the book in his hand and flipped it around. It turns out that the book was held in the wrong position.

*Ahm… What an embarrassment…*

I dropped my chin and bit the inside of my lower lips, which allowed me to view just the bottom section of my uniform and portions of my thighs. I pretended to have a complete comprehension of what was written in the book's pages while simultaneously turning the pages of it and heaving a sigh, even though my mind was preoccupied with something else.

Before Dwayne tore off the paper and walked over to our teacher's desk to give him the list of members and other crucial stuff, I overheard him giving a sarcastic sneer and muttering something beneath his lips. I glanced in the same direction he went over.

"You missed around two tests and numerous lectures," Van drew my attention by making a comment to the effect, "I am afraid that you might have a failing subject this year." The tenor of his voice, though, indicated otherwise.

I placed the book back inside my bag. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Yes, it does!”

As soon as I heard his adamant voice, I became completely still. I just pinned myself down, staring at him. He jogged my memory by telling me, "You need to keep in mind that you are a scholar, Lita," which completely brought me back to my senses. I wasn't paying attention and puffed out of the accident.

To tell you the truth, I had completely forgotten about this. Hearing this brought back the sensation of choking on my own saliva.

This ring is the source of my carelessness these days. It is unfathomable to me to consider such decisions. I found myself accidentally looking at it, and Van picked up on that.

"What an intriguing piece of jewelry. It is a one-of-a-kind design, and I haven't seen anything like it around here. Where did you purchase it?" he asked. Van is a fashion enthusiast. He loves designing jewelries, gowns, OOTDs, and bags.

I forced a smile. “My parents gave this to me before they passed away,” I lied. I tried to recall how many times I had fabricated tales in order to conceal the truth about this ring.

“Oh… I am sorry to hear that,” Van sympathized. *Everyone does.*

I took a quick peek over at Dwayne and saw that he was still talking with our teacher. It was obvious from the expressions on their faces that they were discussing something important and weighty.

When it was time for lunch break, I made it a point to locate Dwayne before he left the university. I happened to overhear the chat that he was having with our instructor not too long ago, and it was about how he was going to get excused from attending the afternoon classes. *This gave me a lot of reason to distrust him. I am curious as to the sudden reason behind it.*

I anticipated that Dwayne would head to the parking lot to drive his vehicle, so as soon as I realized what he was going to do, I made haste to be there before he could see me.

After he had finished unlocking the doors of his vehicle, I purposefully tossed a pebble in his direction in order to get his attention. By complete chance, Blaire showed up with a paper in her possession.

She spoke fast and said, "Dwayne, you left this," as soon as their footsteps began to match in pace with one another.

“Thanks.”

After they had been talking for a little period of time, I took advantage of the chance to slip inside his vehicle. To be more specific, it was located behind the driver's seat. It's fortunate for me that there's a jacket hanging around here for me to take advantage of. I went below the chair and attempted to position my body so that it would fit through the opening.