Saving the Villain

Days had gone by in a blur for Cosette. She still acted the same with everyone, appreciating every minute, even though school life was a recurring event. The only difference was that her classmates would sometimes do something silly, but that had been the highlight of her day.

However, Cosette had noticed something these past five days since the start of school. And that was…

Cosette turned her attention to the empty desk on her right.

'He skipped today again,' she thought, staring at Luke's empty desk. 'Is he being rebellious now?'

Cosette pondered about Luke's well-being. There were many reasons Luke would rebel; he was at the age, after all. Moreover, he had always been rebellious even when they were adults.

'Still, I'm bothered. He transferred school because of me,' she thought, turning to her left where Maxen was sitting. The corner of her lips curled up subtly, watching him writing down notes seriously.

'Does he have any idea how hot he looks right now?' she wondered, chuckling inwardly, satisfied just having to watch him at arm's length. 'Although… I miss those days we don't bother putting on clothes.'

A shallow breath slipped past her lips, thinking about how she went from the sweet sixteen-year-old teen to a corrupted teen. It wasn't that she was in a hurry to lose her virginity, knowing to whom she planned to give it up.

'He will have a heart attack if I sneak in his room and undress before him.' She chuckled in her mind, shaking her head as she looked at their teacher in front. 'Who would have thought the great Maxen Devilsin…'

"Devilsin…" she whispered.

A glint flickered across her eyes at the thought of Maxen's surname. Right now, Maxen was using his mother's surname.

'I came at the right time,' she told herself. 'But I'm still too young. Knowing what sort of people that criminal organization nurtured, Max will be in danger.'

Cosette remained silent, pondering on her next movements. There were many advantages that came along with her memories. But that didn't mean there were no disadvantages. For instance, her guilt for being the cause of many deaths lingered in her heart.

'At least, I can prepare if that ever happened.' Cosette mentally nodded, sneaking a glance at Maxen. 'I won't let that damn father of yours get his hands on you. Even if I have to put a bullet in his head myself.'

Cosette slowly peeled her sharp eyes from Maxen, only to set them on the empty desk on her right. She still has time to prepare for the turning point of Maxen's life. Right now, there were certain issues she had to fix.

Cosette raised her hand to get the teacher's attention.

"Yes, Cosette?" asked the teacher, making the students set their eyes on the beauty of their class.

"May I go out? I need to use the restroom."

"Be quick." The teacher rocked her head in understanding, being more understanding to Cosette since she was a model student. As Cosette stood from her seat, the teacher resumed her lecture.

Meanwhile, Cosette looked back at Maxen because he was staring at her. She said nothing and simply flashed him a smile.

'I'll be back,' she mouthed at Maxen before turning around, sauntering off silently.

Once Cosette closed the door behind her, she looked back. Everyone was still silent as the teacher continued her lecture. Cosette shrugged, walking through the hallway to the floor's restroom. However, instead of going straight to the restroom, Cosette made a turn to the stairs.

As she jogged her way down, Cosette checked her wristwatch. It was about time for the teacher to leave, so she wouldn't notice that Cosette would take some time.

'That troublesome Quinn…' she clicked her tongue in irritation. 'If he's going to rebel, he should return to the Academy. His brother will use this as some sort of pathetic reason to berate me.'

A frown resurfaced on her face. At the end of the day, Luke transferred to Winter High because of Cosette. So in a way, she was responsible to look after him. Of course, that was the least of Cosette's concerns.

It was not like Cosette completely changed. In her heart, Luke was still her dear friend, and she wanted him to do better than in their first lives. They had so many regrets back then. Hence, although her priority was Maxen, Luke was also a part of her mission.

She wanted Luke to be happy… while being out of Asher's shadow and without the strict rules of the traditional Quinn family.

Cosette looked for places around the school where Luke could possibly hang out. She went to the canteen, to the gym, and even to the unused rooms. When she didn't find him, Cosette decided to check the back part of the school.

As soon as she did reach the back part of the school, Cosette's steps slowly came to a halt. Her eyes lingered on the people group of students idling at the corner.

'Of all people…' Cosette breathed out, sporting a fearless front as she approached the group. The closer she was, the clearer the activity these students were doing.

"Wow… you're good at this!" Emyr, the delinquent that ambushed Maxen into the staircase on the first day of class, exclaimed. He looked at Luke, who was across him, as they were playing poker.

There were also two other participants, squatting down while they used an old barrel as the table. Cosette glanced at the other students just chatting around, counting in her head. There were at least ten students including the four that were gambling with real money.

"Aish.. I'm just lucky!" Luke happily denied it, tossing a small bill to them as compensation. As he took the pot money, he froze as a shadow suddenly stretched over him and onto the table.

The four students slowly raised their heads. Their eyes slowly dilated, seeing the school beauty looking down on them coldly. To their surprise, her cold countenance was instantly replaced by a big smile.

"Luke, you seem to have loads of money. Will you buy me some snacks?" she tilted her head to the side, making Luke furrow his brows. "I'm a bit hungry."

"So, she's the beauty everyone is talking about?" Emyr murmured, staring at Cosette in awe. He hadn't attended the class, but he heard about the school beauty lingering around Maxen. They were just too busy to check since Luke had been keeping them busy with all these fun activities.

"Cozie, I —"

"Let's go?" she kept her attention on Luke, keeping her sweet smile at him. "I was worried that I hadn't seen you for days now. It's about lunchtime now."

Luke's mouth fell open, staring at her bright smile. Although it was the usual smile she would always have on her face, the hair behind his neck raised. He laughed awkwardly, getting the hint Cosette was about to kill her.

"You're hungry?" he asked, and she nodded in response. "Then, buy some for me too."

Luke handed her a bigger bill and looked away. There was no way he would walk to the fiery pits of hell voluntarily. However, what he didn't expect was for Cosette to accept the bill, only to tear it in half.

"Oy!" one of the students sprung up to his feet, shocked how she just tore the money without batting an eye.

"Oh no…" Cosette frowned, teary-eyed. "I accidentally tore it."

"What…" the student gasped but was unable to muster the energy to get angry at how pitiful she looked right now. Meanwhile, Luke gasped in disdain.

'That's my cue to run.' Luke told himself, springing up to make a run for it. However, Cosette had seen it coming, grabbing the back of his collar.

"Ack!" Luke gagged, surprised at how strong her grip was.

"Can I borrow him for a moment?" Cosette smiled at the other three delinquents, wanting to leave a good impression on them. Since they were young and foolish without their leader around, she was certain they wouldn't mind.

"Uh, sure." Emyr nodded after observing Cosette and deciding she didn't seem to have any plans to tattle on them.

"Thank you." Her lips stretched even broader and brighter. "By the way, that shirt looks good on you."

"What?" Emyr looked down at his unbuttoned uniform, wearing a black graphic tee underneath. "It looks good on me?"

The delinquent's brows rose, but when he raised his head, Cosette was already dragging Luke away with her. He scratched the back of his head, as he wasn't used to receiving any compliments.

****

"Ouch ouch!" Luke yelled before Cosette let him go as they got away from the den of the delinquents.

Cosette faced Luke squarely, folding her arms under her chest. Meanwhile, Luke was fixing his collar in irritation, but not once did he look at her straight in the eye. To his surprise, instead of getting scolded, the words that came out of her lips were something he didn't expect.

"Are you alright, Luke?"