Chapter 16: Unease

The rest of the awakening ceremony went by quickly now that Kaden was able to be inside his own thoughts. He spent a lot of time thinking over everything that had happened so far and his plans with his class. He also payed attention to the people on stage still as those that went up there would be his competition later to enter the school.

Kaden stayed like this until all of the students classes were announced, and Mr. Wright walked back to the microphone projected his voice towards the audience, "This will conclude the awakening ceremony. Thank you all for coming today and I wish you all luck on your exam. It will be taking place tomorrow after those of you that have not shown your classes show them to a school advisor in the main school building, you're dismissed."

With the dismissal of all of the students most of the teachers immediately left the building including Mr. Wright and the Principal but a few did stay behind helping students leave orderly as a lot of them were excited to go look in more detail at their classes. Sure many people including Kaden could look at some of the things his class had to offer already during the awakening, but he thought it was important to know who he's up against and gather as much free information as he can.

Surprisingly Emma was the first one to get up and wave to everyone before walking out the door to go home. After her Ken left as well in a similar fashion with James following behind him making jokes about his class leaving Ashly and Kaden left in their seats. They didn't waste any time and also left making their way back towards their apartments.

They both once again boarded the elevator that they were previously on yesterday but this time the awkward atmosphere was almost nonexistent. Kaden could tell that she seemed to have a few screws loose, but he liked it better that she was honest with her thoughts than hide them away. Little did he know that if she was completely loyal to her desires his situation would not be so pretty.

"So tell me, what actually happened with your class~" Ashly's voice entered Kaden's head like the snake that convinced Adam and Eve to take an apple from the tree.

"I thought I said already that I needed to think about it more and that I wouldn't tell you." Kaden said restating his earlier stance on the topic.

Ashly may have heard what he said but it went in one ear and out the other. It seemed she wouldn't be taking a no for an answer, "It's ok you can be honest with me. I won't judge you just because you're a low rank." She said walking closer to him in the elevator immediately making him uncomfortable and backing into the corner of the elevator.

"I promise to help you~ It's ok I can protect you as much as I can from anyone that tries to touch you though I'm not sure I can stop all the damage~" She said with stars forming in her eyes as she mentioned him taking damage.

Ashly's plan was very simple. She wanted Kaden to take the deal with her being his protector that way they could form a sort of bond and he would develop a need for her as a guardian inside the school. Once she was established as such she would begin "not making it in time" when Kaden needed her occasionally thus making her able to see his saddened expressions even more and maybe even his eyes filled with grief of his hopeless situation but also still see her as a shining star in his abyss.

This was a fantastic plan admittedly and would have worked if not for something that even Ashly did not calculate as she still completely thought his class was a low ranking. historical

Kaden thought for a moment about his current situation and realized that no matter how long he thought about it he couldn't find an answer, but he also didn't want to ask Ashly for help as he thinks that would be bad for his health. Based off of everything he has heard and seen so far he has started to become a little wary of Ashly and it was only magnified by her class name the "Emotion Vampire" he had already made many theories in his mind what her abilities were about but no proof yet.

*Ding*

The elevator doors became wide open as Kaden arrived on his floor, "Fine. I will ask for your help if I can't come up with anything by tomorrow. Wait for me here and we can walk to school together, so I will tell you the plan then if I can't decide on anything." Kaden said to her giving her a chance if he needed help.

He wasn't completely sure of his decision quite yet but it seemed she was willing to help. Whether for her personal gain or not it didn't matter to Kaden as long as she could help him if necessary.

Kaden then exited the elevator as he could see the stars in her eyes grow when he said he would give her a chance but that's when he realized something that he didn't yesterday due to his rush to get away.

There wasn't another button pressed to go on another floor above Kaden which meant Ashly was on the same floor as him. This caused his unease to gradually increase with the girl as all of this was a little more coincidental than he would have liked.

Seeing Kaden stare at the buttons on the elevator so intensely Ashly couldn't help but chuckle, "Oh yes we're on the same floor! I'm surprised you didn't notice yesterday but you're about to see something that will surprise you even more!" She said happily seeing his uneasy expression.

She then began walking in the direction of Kaden's apartment which confused him even more making him follow her until they arrived at his apartment. At this point he was a little frightened thinking that she was showing him that she knew where he lived but it was more than he imagined as she took her keys out entering the apartment beside Kaden's, "Bye for now~ See you tomorrow, Kaden!" She said grinning ear from ear before closing the door completely leaving the slack jawed Kaden terrified inside his own mind.

Little did he know that was the least of his problems as a shadow down the hall had been listening in on their conversation this entire time and left immediately after Ashly entered her apartment their motives unknown.