For more than a decade, Lemon McGuire had been under too much protection from her parents. More or less twenty guards had been around her even at school. She missed the chance to have friends because of that.

Now that the opportunity came for her to have freedom, she immediately grabbed it without second thoughts. She was totally ready for a normal life as a college student. Not that she called it normal as being a temporary secretary of their Student Body’s President, the infamous and arrogant heartthrob, Ace Klein Duhambert.

Trying hard as normal as she could be, there was one thing that she could not escape from—her abilities.

Heart pounding. Sweat rolling from my head. Metals clinging on my anklet. A little bit slower of my momentum would be the end of me. Or not. Turning to one corner, I continued sprinting my way. A number of men in black suit came after me with their groans of exasperation.

"You wouldn't stop, eh." I murmured to myself as I hid my way on a light post. They wouldn't see me here but not forever. I brushed my palm on a wall beside me, feeling the roughness of the cement. I could climb to this. Grasping on a protruding cement, I pushed myself up, my tight jeans was a big help. I did the same all over again until I was on the top already.

I closed my eyes, as I leaned myself on a post, trying to get some air. They were twenty meters away from my destination. Fifteen. Fourteen. Ten. When a short guy passed by to where I was, I hid myself to their no avail.

They had been doing this for years already. I had been doing the same. Running for me, chasing for them. Lucky for me, they couldn't catch me when I run away from them all the time. The thought made me smirk.

When all of them get passed on me, I jumped my way to the other side of the wall. Still, it was a narrow street filled with light posts. Not a sign of human could be detected. I glanced through my sides, checking for any men in sight.

"There she is." A man shouted from the opening of the street on my right. He was followed by his companions. They all dragged themselves towards where I was.

"Opps, gotta run." I moved myself in a quick pace away from them. Another opening was on my left. I made turn to it. As I ran from them, my feet suddenly stopped. Dead end. Another wall cornered me. There was no other way out. Just a garbage drum present. Unless...

Loud gasps echoed behind me. I turned my front to them, eyeing each one of them.

"You can't run away from us this time, miss." A tall, lean man told me so. He seemed to be the leader of the troop. Not that I cared about it.

I smiled a little to them in a cutest way I could, trying to please their guts out. "You know, why don't we talk this through, in a peaceful manner?" 

"You have to go with us your or father will kill us." The other man beside the other, pleaded.

"My father doesn’t kill!" I rolled my eyes at them childishly. Even though my father was too much at many things, he never killed.

"Ms. Lemon McGuire, you really have to come with us. This is for your protection." The tall man said, his eyes with conviction.

I sighed submissively. "I can't really persuade you guys, could I?" No one utter an answer. All their eyes were pinned at me like they would be really killed when they lost sight of me. "Well, I guessed I don't really have a choice."

The moment I told those words, my bodyguards instantly shifted their feet to where I was. Good thing my reflexes were quicker. I lifted myself to the garbage drum then to the top of the wall.

"Miss Lemon!" The guards shouted.

"I'm sorry. I can't go with you. I'll lead myself to the house, thank you. Let's just meet up there. Paalam." I landed myself through the other side as silent as I could. I was a cat in medieval times before I was reincarnated to a human. Good thing no one believed me. That ain’t true. I chuckled at my incredulous thoughts.

A big wide house welcomed me. How could they guard their home like this if someone could easily climb through the walls? I guessed it was just me. I scanned my way as I took a stride to where I would be treating as an exit. I couldn't exit through the gates, I would be caught.

"Who's there?!" A husky voice erupted from my behind. His voice was so manly, so deep that I almost forgot the dilemma that I was caught.

"Err,.." No proper words came out from my mouth. How was I supposed to answer him? Oh right. I should be escaping, not answering him.

Maybe he lost his patience because he was shouting at me already. "Show yourself whoever you are!"

I froze at the sharpness and authoritativeness of his words. He was out of my vision because he was standing behind me. I couldn't see his face nor could dare to face him. I sucked up a deep breath.  Should I run?

"Show yourself or I'll call the police!"

"Please don't!" I snapped immediately. "I have no bad intention. I just accidently climbed up to this place. There were bad people chasing me, so please. Just let me go." I tried to make my voice sadder, hoping he would bite into it.

"I don't believe you." He uttered without second thoughts.

I groaned in frustration. Not again. I had been running like forever. My body was so stressed up already. But I had no choice. I had to run. Again.

"I have something to report. A suspicious lady was..."

I didn't finish hearing him talking to the phone. Grabbing the opportunity, I made my way to the right, fifteen meters away from me was an artificial cemented falls, pinned into the wall as a decoration. Colorful plants were laid beside it. If things weren’t this complicated, I would have spent my time appreciating the place. It was like a paradise.

"Stop right there!" The man shouted as he followed me from behind.

Man, the guy was faster than those black men a while ago. I used the cemented decoration to lift me up to the top of the wall for an escape. I had to remind myself to include wall climbing as my favorite sports. Going further, something stuck on my foot that I had to use more force to pull it before reaching the top. "I'm sorry." I shouted, sincere this time before I made it to the other side. The man failed to follow me.

After a tiring day, I made it home with the help of my bike--Potato. I suddenly felt incomplete without knowing why.

The moment I arrived home, I wanted to slump myself in my soft bed and sleep whole day. Yet what happened was beyond my expectation.

"Lemon!!" A tight hug embraced me the moment I stepped a foot on our not-so-humble home. I was shook like doll, a lifeless doll.

"Mom!" I cried out in pain. Not that I hate my mom, Elizabeth McGuire. I loved her actually. My body was just too swollen already for an intimate hug.

She let go and looked at me intently with narrowed eyes. A moment after, she slapped my arm a little bit harder, enough to send tingles to my body. "You bad girl! You were sneaking off again."

"Ouch." I complained. "I did not!"

"Then explain to me on what you just did, like you did not do it all the time." She rested her hands on her waist to emphasize her point.

I laid my hands on her shoulders to emphasize mine too. "Mom, I was just enjoying my last day being a high school student. I didn't slack off or sneak out or whatever."

"You could have just told me so we'll go shopping together." Oh, my mom just pouted like a child. She easily got discourage.

I wrapped one arm around her shoulders and led her to the living room. "You know I wouldn't be enjoying that." I made her sit on a leather sofa then did the same beside her.

"Please stop this running thing Lemon. Worrying about you could kill me, your father too." Her eyes were about to slid tears on her delicate face. Her pointed nose was about to get red. One thing that I hated the most was seeing my parents hurt.

My mom was a sophisticated person. Fashion was her best hobby of all. But despite that, she had a soft heart. She loved us and even those unfortunate ones. She even owned a lot of foundations and charities just to help them.

I caressed her cheeks, removing some of tears that escaped from her eyes. "You know what I wanted, mom."

"Oh dear." She combed my hair, tucking some of it in my ear.

Out of the corner, a maid appeared from the dining room. "Ma'am, dinner's ready."

"Okay, we'll be there." My mom wiped her tears as she stood up. She turned to face me after. "I'll go get your father. You go first."

I nodded pleasantly.

We ate our dinner in silence in a round table--which we preferred to have rather than a rectangular one. No one dared to talk. Even the clashed of the utensils were ashamed to produce any sound at all. This always happen when things were not fine, like how I ran away from my bodyguards.

Mom broke the pressuring silence. "Are you ready for your first day of class the next day, Lemon?" She looked at me with a smiling face.

I smiled in return. "I don't know what to expect but I guess I'm ready."

"It's good to hear that." My Father, Joseph McGuire, commented pleasingly, while slicing the beef before putting it in his mouth. "I know you'll do well in school like you always did." He smiled at me after.

"Thank you, Dad." I replied after churning a lettuce on my mouth. I was trembling already. I was hoping this would work. Clenching both my hands, I inhaled deeply before eyeing my Dad.

"You wanted to say something, baby?" Dad speculated and he was right. He knew me too well.

I went behind his seat and laced my arms on his neck, hugging him like a child. "Dad."

Dad patted my arms. "I wouldn't like this, would I?"

"Dear." Mom held Dad's other hand on the table.

I placed my lips near his ear to whisper. "I have a request."

Dad heaved a deep sigh. Oh no, he was holding his patience. "What is it?"

I looked at him from the side. "Can you loosen up the protection thingy a bit?"

"Lemon!"

"Dad, listen first." I uttered immediately as I went back to my seat. "Please."

Dad was reluctant. He looked at Mom to seek for help but Mom did not oblige to and instead did the opposite. Narrowing his eyes on me, I knew he would listen. "Spill it young lady."

I inhaled a deep breath, catching a big amount of air. "I wanted to be normal."

Mom squeezed my free hand. "But you are, sweetie."

I frowned at them unbelievably. "Normal? You call having twenty I-don't-know plus bodyguards normal? Following me every time wherever I go? You call it normal having no friends at all?"

"Lemon!" Dad scolded me in a high tone.

I looked down for a sec, feeling apologetic. "I'm sorry Mom, Dad. But.." I glanced to both at them, with pleading eyes, asking for an understanding. "..I wanted to be normal like everyone else. I wanted to enjoy my youthful days. I wanted to be free. I wanted to seek the world and explore. Couldn't I have that?"

Both of them didn't talk after. Both were submerged on the wilderness of their thoughts.

After some time, Dad exhaled loudly, like he had just been in a long run. "Could you really assure us that you'll be safe when you’re away?"

I raised my right hand, pledging earnestly. "I promise."

Mom and Dad exchanged glances, like sending some messages telepathically.

I traveled my eyes into them back and forth with excitement. "Mom? Dad?"

"Okay, we'll loosen it up a bit." Dad finally said.

I squeaked in delight hugging them both in a tight embrace. "Thank you. I love you guys so much." Even if it was just a bit, I would settle to that for now. "So, no guards?"

"They can't follow you 'till the university. But we'll still be watching you, secretly." Dad reprimanded.

I sighed in defeat. "Okay."

The dinner ended with a compromise. It made me happy. The night was so deep but my mind was still so shallow. As I prepared for my slumber, I took a bath first. After 15 minutes, I went into my dressing room and changed into pajamas. Facing my human-sized mirrors at the corner of my room, I combed my slightly curly hair and tied it in a ponytail bun. My body was slimmer than the usual girls since I had my regular exercise every day. I was also taller than the average lady on my age. My skin was nurtured by milk baths which I totally insisted at first. Mom had been so shenanigan as she tried to persuade me to do any girly thing. I didn’t know milk baths were for girls at all. I only thought it was way too exaggerated. But she won over me. “Parents.” I made a face.

Tomorrow would be a miles and miles of travel. Away from too much protection. Away from my parents. Was I really ready for the new chapter of my life to come? Removing my tight jeans, I stopped midway. My hands were trembling in fear. I just lost one important thing in my life, my sister's anklet.

It was bright and sunny day at Rockwell University, the University where I would be studying in. But the scenario was contrary what I felt in the certain. I was drenched with fear coated with excitement. This would be the start and I would be embracing this. "Lemon, you'll gonna be alright."

It wasn't that easy to leave my parents. I was under their care for almost nineteen years. It was hard to abandon everything behind and start something new. That was why I promised myself that I would do my best and would never break my parent's trust on me. Letting me go was the hardest decision they made and the best at the moment.

The place was bombarded with sophisticated students from different prominent families. The University was big and was filled with tall buildings. It had a wide field where athletes do their practices and trainings.

Dad got me a dormitory, the place where I just came from a while ago, inside the premises despite insisting to have one outside. It was one of the conditions I couldn't argue much.

I wasn’t even having a hard time to park my Potato despite of the lot that was filled with tremendous and luxurious cars. It was a good thing that bicycles were allowed inside the campus even though my Potato had no place in it. I would still have a long way to walk.

In the corner of my eyes, people were having their own worlds. On my right was a bunch of classy women talking about the latest trends about dresses. When they passed right in front of me, their eyes drifted from my head to my toe as if I was the ugliest creature in town.

I suddenly wanted to rant on these people. Did they have any problem with tight jeans and loose shirts? This was the trendiest among all their outfits. I snorted with their backs in front of me. Walking instead was the best thing to do.

On my left was a group of students in white coat bringing complicated wiring inventions. Looking at them was cool enough. It motivated me. I was here in hoping to travel the world. Studying about it would be the first step.

Being astounded on the place, it was too late to take notice on the man approaching to my side. I made way on the opposite but still our shoulders brushed up a little. “Sorry,” I mumbled to him as I fixed my cap with my head down.

"Wearing a cap is a deduction of your points." A deep, sounding voice warned me. His catchy voice made me looked up.

The man was six feet tall, looking masculine with his black coat and jeans. Man, he looked like a model. He had a fair complexion with a slightly well-built body that was surely taken care well by going to the gym every day. His hair was light brown, thick and curly in a mess. But he never looked ragged in his hair but rather look so hot. He also had narrow yet deep chocolate brown eyes that weren't expressive at all. His face was clean and surely soft to touch. Despite all, authoritativeness covered him whole.

It took a while before I realized that I was staring at the man for too long. My actions were too embarrassing. When the man narrowed his eyes suspiciously, I coughed in a fake manner to hide my shameful act. "I'm sorry. I didn't know that caps aren't allowed inside."

"Freshman?" He asked in a monotone. He was keeping his poker face for too long.

I nodded shyly. This guy was totally intimidating.

"You could have been more responsible to know the rules." And with that, he walked passed me.

I was left dumbfounded, my mouth opening slightly in shocked. "The nerve of that guy. Arrogant fellow! Baka!" I muttered between gritted teeth. Taking a step became so heavy.

Trying to forget the incident, I took a corner when I saw a commotion nearby. A group of five men were circling around, making fun of someone. The students had taken notice too. Some that passed by stopped their way and shifted their attention to the incident.

I blended into the crowd to get a bigger view. The bad guys were making fun on a poor guy. With its big glasses and tucked-in shirt, he was the best sample of a laughingstock; no doubt about that. They kept on pushing and passing the poor guy like a ball.

I looked around trying to find someone to stop them. But these people were just enjoying the show. Something was stirring up inside me. One thing I hated the most in myself was being too helpful that I even got myself into trouble too. I just couldn't take it.

I pushed the people in front of me to make it between those goons. "Stop right there, will you?"

The moment I had spoken those words, the goons stopped laughing and turned their heads on me with a questioning look. After assessing me, they all bust into laughing. A beautiful maiden-in-disguise appearing in front of them without short notice was such a hilarious show. The people around seemed to notice my supposedly-heroic action too and laughed together with the bullies.

I wasn’t intimidated at all and kept my eyes on them firmly. One thing I learned from experience was being strong and independent.  "You all don't have the right to bully him."

A tall guy with coffee brown complexion stepped closer to me. “What will you do? Are you going to report us to the school management?”

"Thanks for the suggestion. I probably should. You guys deserved it." On how intense his eyes were nailed to me, I was paying him equally.

He shoved me hard on my shoulders. "You don't know who you're dealing with."

Taking a step towards him, I gave him a smirk. “Oh, I know too well--weaklings.”

“What did you just say?!” A bald man brawled and was about to hurt me in all means.

"Mr. Russell, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Lee and Mr. Noran, demerits of thirty points for bullying Mr. Lincoln.." That voice. "..Mr. Bellings to be demerit by fifty points for hurting Ms. Jellies physically. Mr. Lincoln ten points for you, for not reporting to the DSA as well as it goes for you Ms. Jellies."

The five men groaned.

I looked at to Mystery Guy amusingly. He was the help I needed. He barely made it on time.

"Me too??" The poor guy asked, bewildered.

"Yes. And all of you, report to the DSA tomorrow." He roamed his eyes at the crowd. "For the by-standers, you all will be deducted by five points." Then he walked away like nothing happen.

And just like that, the crowd immediately dispersed in a hurry. Even the bullies went away. Dismay was all over their faces.

"That was intense. Who was that guy? Is he a supervisor or something?" I scratched my chin, thinking thoroughly. "He doesn't look like one though. But he acts like one. What do you think?"

The poor guy beside me didn't even respond. We were left alone on the place so technically I was talking to him.

I moved my face near him and narrowed my eyes at him. "Hey."

The poor guy jumped out of surprise. "Woah, you scared me."

Straightening my figure, I placed my hands on my waist. "You treated me like I never exist. Is that how you repay someone that saved you?"

"I'm sorry and thank you." He said in a low voice. "But--aren't you worried at all?"

"About what?"

He suddenly shook my shoulder that made me step back. "We were all been deducted by points!! On the first day of school!"

I raised my brow at him. "Deducted? My name wasn't even mention.." Then it sunk me. I wasn't using my parent's family name as requested by my parents which I happily obliged. But I didn't know what my mom used for me instead. I checked my ID for confirmation. I was Ms. Jellies!! My mom and her weirdo names!

The poor guy nodded at me for several times as if he knew what was inside my head.

I removed his hands harshly then I snorted. "Well, who cares? It isn't like my life is on the line for that."

"It is!" He shouted.

I laughed hoarsely. "That's impossible. How could that be?"

"You didn't know?" Shocked was all over his face.

I sighed hardly. "Does a freshman have to know about that point system thing, first day of school?"

"You were supposed to!"

I rolled my eyes on him. "Who was that guy a while ago then? Acting like a superior one. Acting like he owns the place."

"You didn't know him?"

"Am I supposed to know that too??!" I was irritated already that I even matched poor guy's voice.

"Of course!" We were shouting already even though we were just a meter away from each other.

I sighed for the nth time; this time was heavier to calm my emotions. "Care to tell me then?"

He stepped closer then whispered. "He's the infamous Student Council President. The scary, Ace Klein Duhambert. And yes. His family owns the University so technically he owns the place too."

My eyes widened. He was a big time! No wonder. Why didn’t I research first about this University? This school was crazy.

My day didn't end up yet. We still had to attend a student orientation at the University's hall. The place was filled with students from different colleges.

Sitting together with the other freshmen, it seemed to be so hard making friends. I hoped no one knew me here. I was miles away from home but still the possibility of having someone I knew back home here was not totally zero.

"Watch it, will you?" A sophisticated yet stupid-looking girl complained in a high tone. Her shirt seemed to run out of cloth.

"I didn't do anything." I said calmly yet innocently. She was complaining on something that I didn't have any idea about.

She raised one of her eyebrows at me. "You nudged me on my arms!"

"I didn't." Who nudged this stupid girl, anyways? Because I swore I didn't.

Seconds later, a girl beside me whispered something that caught my attention. "That was close. Good thing she didn't see me and blame others instead."

The stupid girl was about to barked at me when our attention was caught through a microphone by an old man standing in the center of the stage. It was for all of us to settle down.

The old man came by the name of Richard Hardy, the Officer-in-charge of the University. He was talking about what was in the Institute and what we would be expecting. When the point system--that the poor guy talked about a while ago--was mentioned, Dr. Hardy gave the floor to a very beautiful and slender woman.

She smiled first before starting her piece through an introduction. "Good morning everyone. For those who didn't know me yet, I'm Professor Leagene Norris--the head of the Department of Student Affairs."

A lot of students cheered loudly. This teacher was surely a celebrity.

When the crowd turned to being attentive again, Professor Norris then continued. "I know it has been a question to every freshman here on what is the point system all about."

A lot of murmurs emerged on the hall. But I chose to keenly listen to her instead of complaining.

"The point system is your way in and your only way out."

Loud whispers continued to float. Even the freshmen that surrounded me groaned in puzzlement.

Professor Norris coughed to get our attention. Then she continued to speak. "In the first day of school, all students have 1000 points each. Until the school year ends, your 1000 points have to remain 1000. Every violation of the rules is a deduction of points."

A girl at my right snorted. "Is this a game or something? This school is crazy." I did remember saying that in my mind a while ago. No matter how I thought about it, I couldn't see the significance on why point system existed.

"So how to earn points? You have to do noble deeds in order to regain back the points you lost. You could do community services or you could work. But of course you wouldn't be paid in cash but instead with points as long as it is decent."

Only few continued to argue in their seats. It took me a while to realize that only the freshmen were complaining.

Then someone raised his hand. "Why does the institute adopted a point system in the first place?"

Prof. Norris didn't even falter and received the question with a sweet smile. "Remember, the school is your second home. Your Professors are your second parents. The point system is our disciplinary method. As the mission of this University says, to mold students to a better society. Thank you. You all may go now."

Slowly, students exited from the hall, having their own businesses. Most of the students didn't seem to be affected at all. Only a few leaved the hall with a heavy heart. Poor guy was one of it.