January 24th. Wednesday, 4:02 PM.
"Aryt, I've got a deal for you lot. Lemme hide your devices".
Everyone around the room glanced at each other and then looked back at Malakai.
"Why would we do that?".
"My spot is sick", Malakai said, leaning forward in his seat. "You're guaranteed to get points".
Malakai gathered eleven people into a study room. One of them was Melody. Five of them were his best friends (William, David, Lucas, Benjamin and Ray). And the other five were his best friends, partners for the challenge.
"What's the catch?" Marcus asked. He was Benjamin's partner. He is in class 1-E, and he's a close friend of Justin. He's short and has a sharp buzzcut.
"There isn't one", Malakai casually said, shaking his head and looking at him. "Wait... I recognise you", he said, pointing at him. "From the minigames innit".
"Yeah. I was on your team for the dogeball match", Marcus nodded. "And I was on his team for the second challenge", he added, pointing at Lucas.
Lucas blinked. He was caught off guard. "Oh… yeah", he replied, clearly not remembering. During that challenge, he was focused on other things. A blonde and a brunette, more specifically.
"You might as well be our friend at this point", Benjamin joked.
"Hahaha-".
"But why should we trust you?" Anya asked, interrupting them. She was David's partner, sitting back with her arms folded.
"Because you're partners with my friends", Malakai replied, pointing at David. "I wanna help my friends get points".
"Is your spot actually good?" Daniel asked. He was Lucas's partner. He's in class 1-D, and most people knew he had a girlfriend called Olivia. Those two are inseparable.
"Yeah", Malakai nodded confidently. "You can ask them lot", he gestured to his friends.
All five nodded immediately.
"It's a good spot", William added. "You're getting points for free".
"They're your friends. Obviously, they are going to agree", Anya said, still not convinced.
"If the spot was shit, they wouldn't agree. They're not yes men. They want points like everyone else", Malakai replied with his arms out. "And if you still don't believe me, ask him", he pointed at Chris.
Chris saw all the eyes land on him, "It's good. I doubt it's getting found in that spot".
"You're trusting him?" Daniel asked, raising a brow.
"Yeah", Chris shrugged. "The offer is too good to turn down. We're not finding a better spot".
"If you want more proof. You can ask her", Malakai said, nodding to Melody.
Melody lifted her head from her phone. She had one earphone in, listening to beats while writing lyrics.
"Yep", Melody said, pushing her glasses up. "You'd be stupid if you didn't take this offer".
"See", Malakai said, lifting his shoulders. "Before this challenge, she hated me. Now we're friends", he put his fist out for Melody to fist bump him.
"How did that happen?" Chris asked, seeing the two fist bump.
"Shh. Don't tell them", Melody said, with a finger over her lips, wanting to keep the music making a secret.
"I uuh... made her realise her talents", Malakai said.
The whole room silently looked at him, unsure what to make of that. Malakai's friends knew what he was talking about, as he told them, but the rest had to keep guessing.
"Anyway", Malakai said, breaking the awkward silence. "If you got a better hiding space than you can do whatever innit. But I doubt you do".
"Where is this spot?" Anya asked, narrowing her eyes, not liking the last comment. "I can't agree without knowing where it is".
"I can't tell you that", Malakai said, shaking his head. "You have to accept, then I can tell you".
"Why?" Anya asked, confused.
"I can't trust you that easy", Malakai said with a casual shrug. "You might tell someone after I've told you".
"How the hell am I supposed to trust you?" Anya replied, a little annoyed.
"I don't know. You just have to trust me innit", Malakai replied, lifting his hands. "You not trusting me now means you don't trust your partner".
"Yeah. I'll be real. He's doing all of us a favour by doing this", Benjamin said, backing him up.
"I'm in", someone said suddenly.
Malakai looked at who said that. It was the girl with her hand up, sitting next to Ray.
"Actually?" Malakai asked, not fully believing her.
"Yeah, why not?" Molly replied, sounding serious. "I trust you".
A smirk appeared on Malakai's face, "Aryt. Ray, tell her where it is", he said, nodding to him.
Ray leaned over to Molly, covered his mouth and quietly said, "It's under the floorboards in one of the rooms near the nurses' office".
Molly's eyes widened. "Ooooouuu. That's good", she said with a little smile, showing a little of her braces. "Take my device", she picked up Ray's bag and pulled the capsule out, like it belonged to her.
Ray didn't even resist. After being Molly's partner for two days, he was used to her behaviour and accepted it.
Malakai got up and went over to Molly to take the device from her.
"Molly, is the hiding spot that good?" Marcus asked, interested.
"Yeah", Molly nodded, handing Malakai the capsule. "I had the idea of doing something like that myself, but didn't think it was possible".
Marcus was tapping his foot. He was getting more and more tempted. He wanted more control over his points, but the easy route was too tempting. He could be getting points with no effort.
"Ugh.... Okay, I'm in", Marcus said, giving in
Malakai didn't even say anything, he just nodded to Benjamin.
Benjamin leaned towards Marcus and whispered the location to him.
Marcus looked up at Malakai, "Did you actually hide it there?".
"Yeah", Malakai nodded.
"How?" Marcus asked, confused but curious.
Malakai didn't say anything. He just put a finger to his lips and smirked as he walked back to put the capsule he'd gotten into his bag.
"Do you have a picture of the spot?" Marcus asked, wanting proof to believe it.
"Nah. But I've got videos of me on the mission", Malakai said, waiting for Benjmain to take the device out of his bag to give it to him. "Ben can show you the videos?".
"Mission?" Daniel repeated.
"Yeah", Malakai replied. "I broke into the academy at night to hide it".
Molly, Marcus, Anya and Daniel's jaws dropped after hearing that so casually.
"You broke into the academy?!" Molly gasped, almost out of her seat. "I wanna do that. Ray, let's do that", she nudged him eagerly.
"I don't think I can", Ray replied, shaking his head, knowing what Malakai had to do to break in. "Maybe you'll have a chance", he added, half joking.
"Is the hiding spot legit?" Daniel quietly asked Lucas so that the others wouldn't hear.
"Yeah", Lucas whispered back. "If I'm being honest, we're not finding a better spot. Unless you have a place in mind?".
"I don't", Daniel shook his head.
"I might as well tell you the spot", Lucas said, lowering his voice even more. The two of them were having their own quiet conversation. "It's under a floorboard in a room no one goes in".
"Under the floor? Like, actually under the floor?" Daniel asked, brows furrowing.
Lucas just silently nodded slowly.
"How did he do that?" Daniel genuinely asked.
Lucas shrugged. "The only answer I can give you is that it's Malakai", he said. "Whenever he does something crazy, it still low-key surprises me when it shouldn't".
Daniel thought about it for a moment. He saw Marcus's surprised expression as he watched the videos Benjamin was showing him.
"Okay, give him our capsule", Daniel said, not hesitating. "I guess I got lucky this challenge being partnered with you".
Lucas smirked, unzipping his bag. "Pfft. I got lucky being his friend", he said, pulling out the capsule. "Yo Mally. Here, take it".
Malakai turned to them, "What? You convinced him?" he asked, walking over and taking the capsule.
"Nah, it was all you", Lucas lied with a sly smile.
The only person left undecided was Anya. She sat back, biting one side of her lip. Seeing everyone else agree made her hesitate. It was likely she was going to confirm any minute, but a part of her was still doubtful.
"Are you not accepting because you're in 1-A?" David asked gently.
"It's not that", Anya replied, lightly shaking her head. "It just doesn't feel right".
"What do you mean?" David asked.
"If I do agree and let him hide it for us, but it gets found. Then we've lost points for nothing when we could've done it ourselves", Anya said. "…But seeing everyone say it's a good hiding spot and even you've told me it's a good hiding spot, it's convincing me. Because honestly... the spot I have in mind doesn't seem that good".
David leant forward in his seat. "I know it's hard to believe because I am his best friend, but the spot is really good. If it wasn't, I would tell him no myself", he said. "It's up to you if you trust us or not. But think of it like this. I could've just given our capsule to Malakai and told him to hide it for us without telling you, but Malakai told us that we should let our partners decide if they want to go ahead with it or not. This whole meeting was his idea".
Hearing that last part actually hit Anya. She hadn't thought that they could've just done it without telling her. She didn't realise how considerate Malakai was being by doing this until David told her.
"Malakai", she called out. "Can you guarantee you'll get us points?".
"I can't guarantee", Malakai honestly replied. "But there's a high chance it won't get found".
Anya slowly looked around the room. All the eyes were on her. The eyes weren't forcing her to agree, but they looked confident and satisfied with their choice.
Finally, she exhaled. "Fine. I agree", she said. "Can you tell me where it is now?".
"Everyone agreed innit", Malakai said, confirming, looking around. "It's hidden under the floorboards of a room near the nurses' office, like around them sides. The only way to get to the spot is if they take out the floorboards. But they can't unless they use tools or find the floorboard I used".
"What happens if they find that floorboard you used?" Marcus asked.
"They won't", Malakai replied, holding David and Anya's device. "They have to move something to get to it. And even if they move that thing, the floor looks the same as the rest of the floor. It doesn't look damaged or anything".
"Are you going to break into the academy again to hide them?" Daniel asked.
"Yeah, it'll be suspicious if I go hide them now", Malakai replied, putting the capsule in his bag and finally zipping it up. "The second years are everywhere".
"Can I join you on the mission?" Molly asked with her eyes sparkling.
"Nah, I'd rather go on my own", Malakai replied with a smile. "I need to make sure nothing goes wrong innit".
"Aww..." Molly pouted.
"I'm trusting you with my points here", Anya reminded him.
"Don't worry, Mally's got all of us", William confidently said. "He's top of the leaderboard for a reason".
Malakai grinned and leaned back in his seat, "You know what? If our devices get found, I'll treat you all to dinner".
Smiles flashed across the room.
"That'll be a big bill if they get found", Melody commented.
"Our credits will be able to handle it", Malakai joked, looking at her.
"Ours?" Melody repeated with a smile. "That's all you".
Malakai smirked, "So what? If I get you all points, are all of you treating me for dinner?".
The room fell dead quiet with every eye looking away.
Ray finally spoke up, "Don't worry, Mally, I've got you".
"Yeah, your boys will treat you", Benjamin added.
"You're my friend too, I'll join", Chris said.
"If you get me points, it's the least I can do", Marcus agreed.
"Yeah, me too", Daniel nodded.
"I want food too", Molly chimed in.
"I wouldn't mind a celebratory meal", Anya smiled.
"I should've already treated you to a meal anyway for making me realise my talents", Melody teased.
Malakai was smiling, showing his teeth. He couldn't hold it back. He was really enjoying this moment. It was so wholesome for him. It was weird for him, but he liked it.
"Don't worry. You can count on me, innit".
January 25th. Thursday, 12:41 AM.
"Hey".
Malakai turned to his right, leaning his elbows on the balcony railing as he looked over his shoulder, "Yo. Why aren't you asleep?".
Maria stepped out onto the balcony, arms wrapped around herself. "I could ask you the same thing", she replied.
"You already know me", Malakai said with a little smirk. "I've got insomnia".
"You don't have insomnia", Maria smiled faintly. "Just a really bad sleep schedule".
"Nah. I prefer calling myself an insomniac", Malakai said, looking at the sky. "Did you just wake up?".
"No. I was about to go to bed", Maria replied, feeling the cold and regretting not covering herself with a blanket.
"And you randomly wanted to check the balcony?" Malakai grinned at her.
Maria let out a tiny breath through her nose. "I was putting a cup into the sink, and I thought I might as well check", she shrugged. "We haven't spoken much this week".
"That's true you know", Malakai said, realising that. "It's already Thursday. This week has gone fast".
"Have you been busy with the challenge?" Maria asked, standing next to the balcony railing. She didn't copy Malakai's position because she needed her arms to warm her body.
"Eh, kinda", Malakai replied. "I've mostly chilled with my partner. We did the challenge quick".
"Ray told me this morning that your partner hated you", Maria said.
"Yeah", Malakai said with a small laugh. "But we're good now".
"You missed the lectures this morning", Maria said. "All your friends said you overslept".
"I wouldn't say I overslept", Malakai replied, looking away while fighting a smile. "I was tired though. There was no way I was gonna wake up for those lectures".
"Did you stay up playing games?" Maria asked, tilting her head, trying to see his expression.
"Nah, nah. It's something else", Malakai shook his head. "How is your partner? It's a guy from 1-B innit", he asked, quickly changing topics.
"Yeah", Maria sleepily nodded. "He's fine. "We got along well", she said, rubbing her eyes. "Oh, did you hide your device yet?".
"Yeah", Malakai said.
"Where did you hide it?" Maria curiously asked.
Malakai smiled a little. "I can't tell you".
Maria blinked at him, trying to get eye contact, but Malakai was looking up, "Why?" she asked, assuming he was joking around.
"It's a secret", Malakai replied, looking at her.
"I'll tell you where we hid ours", Maria offered.
Malakai's smile grew a little, "Even if you tell me that. I can't tell you".
"Why?" Maria asked again, a little hurt this time. "Don't you trust me?".
"Nah, I trust you", Malakai assured her. "But it's more than just me innit. There's more people".
"What?".
"It's not just my device hidden there", Malakai explained. "All my friends' devices are there as well".
"All your friends?" Maria repeated, wanting to know which friends.
"Yeah. Ray, Ben, Lu, Willy and David", Malakai confirmed. "My boys innit".
"How did you all hide it in the same place?" Maria asked, curious, trying to get something.
Malakai put a finger to his lips and smiled, "It's a secret".
Maria stared at him, almost pouting. The curiosity was eating her. She was a little annoyed that Malakai wasn't telling her.
"I won't tell anyone if that's what you're worried about", Maria said.
"I know you won't", Malakai replied, giving a confident look.
"Then why?" Maria cut in before he could say anything else.
Malakai let out a small breath and smirked, "I made a promise to a few people. I can't snake them".
"But telling me won't break that promise", Maria said, her arms slowly unwrapping from her body. "I'm not going to do anything with that information. I just want to know".
"I hear that", Malakai replied. "But, if all our devices get found, imma have to look at you".
"No, that doesn't make any sense", Maria said, shaking her head. "Why would I tell a second year where you hid your device? I'm your friend. Why would I do that?".
"It probably don't make sense to you, but I just can't tell you because you're not involved", Malakai said. "It's just how I think. It's my morals... Is that the right word?" he continued with a hand on his chest. "I do trust you".
"No you don't", Maria muttered, looking down from the balcony.
She wasn't hurt that she didn't know where his device was hidden. She was more hurt that he didn't trust her. Telling her where his hiding spot was so small and irrelevant, but he still didn't tell her.
"So, where's your device hidden?" Malakai joked to try to lighten the mood.
"I'm not telling you", Maria replied instantly. "It's a secret", she added, mocking his tone.
"Hehe", Malakai grinned. "If you wanna know, let me hide your device in my spot. Then I can tell you".
"Nope. I'm happy with my spot", Maria refused.
"You sure?" Malakai asked.
"Yep", Maria passively aggressively answered.
"Aryt. Whatever you say innit", Malakai smirked, shrugging his shoulders. "I did lie a little though".
"Huh?' Maria side-eyed him.
"I haven't hidden my friends' devices yet", Malakai said. "Imma hide them in a few hours".
Maria fully turnt her head. "A few hours?" she asked. "It's nearly one".
"I know", Malakai said with his smile. "Imma break into the academy".
Maria stared at him, not knowing if he was being serious or trying to joke to make her smile. "Are you joking?".
"Nah, I'm being serious", Malakai replied. "That's how I hid mine. I broke into the academy yesterday and hid it. That's why I didn't come to the morning lectures. I went to sleep at six".
Malakai looked at her perplexed expression, "You don't believe me innit".
"No- I.. uuh", Maria was speechless.
Malakai quickly pulled out his phone and showed her the videos of him inside the academy. Maria's sleepy eyes widened seeing Malakai covered up, walking through empty dark corridors in the academy.
"You actually broke in", Maria whispered. "Did you really have to do that?".
"Probably not", Malakai said, shrugging and putting his phone back in his pocket. "But no one saw me, that's all I care about".
"Wait, so you're going to break in again tonight?" Maria asked.
"Yup", Malakai nodded with a proud smile. "I need to hide everyone else's devices".
The conversation went quiet temporarily. Maria was a little shocked that Malakai broke into the academy, and he could see she was shocked.
"You want to break into the academy with me?".
"What?" Maria swung her head to Malakai.
"If you wanna know where my hiding spot is, come and see it yourself", Malakai said, looking serious.
Maria didn't know how to answer, "W-we can't. How will we even break in? There's no way".
"We can", Malakai said. "I broke in yesterday. It's not that hard. I'll help you climb the gate. You ain't scared of heights innit", he smirked.
Maria kept silent, debating in her head whether to say yes or not.
"I haven't got another bally, so you'll have to get a scarf or something to hide your face", Malakai said.
"Bally?".
"Balaclava", Malakai explained.
"No. No", Maria shook her head quickly. "I'm not doing that! You're joking. I know you are".
"I'm not", Malakai honestly said. "If you wanna come with me, you can. You don't have to stress. I'll help you".
Maria looked at Malakai intently.
"Break into the academy... No, I can't... But I'll be with Malakai. When will I have this chance again? Being with him alone. Just the two of us. Walking around an empty academy. That's like something from a movie...
"No, I can't break into the academy", Maria said, stopping herself. She couldn't do something so out of character. She forced herself to turn around and start walking away. "I can't. I'm going to sleep".
Malakai smirked, "Yo", he called out, turning his head to her.
Maria stopped but didn't turn around.
"I'm gonna go at three. So if you wanna come, just text me at three that you're awake".
Maria didn't reply. She stood there for a moment, taking in what he said. After feeling the cold hit her, she snapped out of it and made her way off the balcony and back into her dorm.
3:02 AM
Malakai checked his phone for any new notifications.
"Heh. Looks like a solo mission".