[C] Annoyances

After the shower incident involving Jin, her friends, and the hospital, rumors spread like wildfire within the walls. They started off fairly accurate about how I single-handedly beat her and her friends up in a surprise attack (some details were fabricated to make it seem worse than it was), but slowly progressed to more fictitious stories about how it I went off the deep-end and tried to kill all three of them for getting on my nerves. Pair that with the accurate information for what I was tried for, and you have the entire juvy being very cautious of me.

No one dared approach me anymore. No one teased or mocked or picked fights with me. No one would lock eyes with me, or stand in my way, or inconvenience me in any way. People were so wary of me that they began to stay as far away as possible. Not only did I have an entire table to myself during mealtimes now, wherever I went, people would leave so that I could do what I want. In peace.

I wanted to watch TV in the common room? All I had to do was walk up to the TV, glare at the people who were using it and they would automatically surrender both the best seats and the remote to me without any arguments.

I wanted the entire shower to myself? All I had to do was walk into the showers, scan the area, and make an annoyed tsk-ing sound. Those who haven’t started showering yet would scatter out of the bathroom while those who were mid-shower would speed up their self-cleaning efforts.

It’s amazing how differently people treat you when they think you are capable of murder and more specifically, that you might attempt to murder them at any moment. Because of this, I have participated in zero fights since the Jin incident, which meant that everyone has left me alone. Including officers, though for the reason that I’m not technically causing trouble anymore.

This is not without its downsides though. I’m not an idiot. I’m aware that while the rumors have given me so much peace and making me seem like a badass gang boss inside these walls, also meant that whoever was looking in from the outside will be extra critical in my evaluation. Which translates to, I should behave. Should.

A batch of newcomers were shuffling through the cafeteria with trays in hand. Most of them just found a seat furthest away from the loud tables and hoped to make themselves invisible. There was one who dared to sit at my table. She seated herself in the corner furthest from mine and avoided looking in my direction the entire time. She ate silently, so I decided not to bother scaring her away. Besides, she’ll learn in time.

“You shouldn’t sit here,” one of inmates whispered to her.

I didn’t bother looking up to see their interaction. I just continued reading the book I had with me, unfazed.

“Why?” she deadpanned.

“This is Nao’s table.”

“So?”

“It’s her table. She likes to be alone.”

“So?” she defied, turning to look at me just as I was turning the page. “She doesn’t own this entire table. Her name’s not on it.”

She’s a feisty one, I thought to myself as my lips curved on its own accord. I continued to show the outward appearance of ignoring them. They can interpret my sudden smirk however they wish.

“If you end up dead, don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

“What? Is she the big shot around here? She run things here?”

“No,” I finally spoke, slowly closing my book and rising to my feet. “I just like peace. Are you two lovebirds done squabbling yet?”

“S-Sorry, Nao. I was just leaving. U-Uh... g-good day.”

And she scrambled off, leaving just the newcomer in my presence.

“The next time you decide to sit so close to me,” I started as I stepped closer to her. “Try to keep conversations minimal. I get very annoyed when pests squabble when I’m trying to read.”

My warning was met with nothing. Just a deadpanned expression.

This one was going to be an annoying one. I could feel it already.