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After the failure of Anya's ultimate move of a ball throw, her class resulted in a loss. The opposing team cheers for Bill Watkins but later disappointed after hearing that getting a stella star in dodgeball was just a myth. However, the disapproving gazes of Anya's classmates has never escaped since. It seems to be the same as always, the classmates degrading her and constantly being told of her commoner status. Usually it would not affect little Anya but she trained hard with her mother, who had superhuman strength and also titled the best mother by Anya, and still lost made her feel upset.
Anya has been wearing down from the hurtful comments she gets everyday from her classmates, of course through telepathy. In class, during recess, the garden and even the toilets.
She constantly felt stares drilling into her. There was one thought out of the rest expressing concern for her, it was from her best friend, Becky Blackbell who sits right next to her. She was obviously worried but shows a smile, letting her know it was not her fault. Sometimes Anya could pick up another thought conveying worry for her but the many negative comments made her afraid to look back.
As much as she wants to block out the harsh thoughts, she couldn't. She would always receive the thoughts of others without permission and it was driving her crazy. Almost to the point of thinking to punch her classmates. But alas, she held back to prevent getting any more tonitrus bolts.
She dreaded on coming to school or not because of the sheer embarrassment and pain she had to go throughout the school day. If having to go to school means thought after thought getting into her head constantly, then she would rather watch her spy shows. Before getting ready for bed, she took a peek of the living room, there was only her father, Loid Forger reading a newspaper for some odd reason. According to Anya's telepathic information, it seems to be about another mission for tomorrow. Whereas Yor Forger had decided to sleep early after coming back home exhausted from her assassination job, not that anyone but Anya knows. Hands clasped together, Anya nervously approached her father.
"Papa..." Anya sheepishly voiced around the corner of the living room, twirling her thumbs as she looked down, feeling anxious.
"What's wrong, Anya?" her father, Loid Forger responded, lowering down the newspaper he was reading.
"Anya...doesn't wanna go to school today..." she confessed, starting to feel a lump in her throat. She was starting to shake, in fear of what her father would say next.
Before Loid could voice out his refute, the small frame of the dispirited girl before him made him held back his words. He wouldn't want to make any mistakes and be cautious with his choice of words. Recalling back the book about parenting, he has to understand the child's perspective and feelings.
However he was dead set on at least not let Anya skip school (unless she was sick).
"There must be a reason why, she was so determined before. What could've happened at school? I have to make sure to resolve this issue so Operation Strix would go smoothly." Loid internally monologuing, putting down his newspaper.
Upon reading her father's mind, it lit a spark in Anya's mind. This gives Anya courage as she was reminded of the mission, for world peace!
Before Loid could ask for her reason, she sprung up back into shape and saluted her father in vigor, "I'll do my best, Papa!" then ran off in a hurry to her room. Loid was then left deserted, his right hand raised and reaching out as he stood there frozen.
"What was that about???" he questioned in his head, looking quite puzzled.
Anya was always unpredictable when it came to her actions, feelings and moods that even the best spy of WISE couldn't decipher. Just what could've gotten her cheered up and motivated in the speed of a nanosecond? Anya Forger was truly a mystery.
Anya rushed into her room in a hurry as she rummage around her room for a paper and some colored crayons. Just like in her spy shows, Bondman always comes up with plans and alternatives much like her father would. She slams the paper onto her desk and laid out her collection of colorful crayons. She crafted the Plan A and Plan B of Operation Strix, accompanied with little drawings albeit her unique art style is incomprehensible. The words may be deemed indescribable to read but she was proud of her accomplishment of her plan.
The next morning has arrived, the time has come.
Anya will successfully make progress of the plan and execute it flawlessly. Anya steps out of the bus with pep as she approaches the building before her, Eden Academy. She still felt anxious but determined to not let the cruel comments bother her anymore. The mission rests on her shoulders and she was going to make her father proud. She was brainstorming all night about her plans so it was full-proof, although she did fall asleep midway.
"Focus on the mission!", she thought optimistically, hands clenching to fists, she nervously heads towards the battlefield that was school. Slowly but surely, she started to feel like a spy infiltrating a building for a mission to execute a mission.
Her spirits were then lightened and more motivated to overcome the harsh thoughts that are to come.
She felt cool and strong.
No.
She looked cool and strong (in her head).
She was so immersed into her spy fantasies that it blocked out all surroundings and noises, including the calling of her best friend, Becky Blackbell. She was then pulled back to reality when she felt a tug on her arm. Anya looked back to see a worried Becky, she was still voicing out her concerns about Anya.
"Anya, don't let them bother you. I'm always here to protect you! You're my best friend after all." Becky proclaims proudly, gesturing her hand to her chest as she huffed. She was the daughter of CEO Blackbell so she was confident that she could shield her from the harassment. But to her surprise, she was met by her best friend grinning with determination. She was weirded out at first but followed by a sigh of relief.
This was Anya after all, she was a spontaneous ball of energy when it comes to her actions and moods. She held her by the hand, "Come on Anya!" beckoning her best friend to hurry to class. They giggled and smiled as they rushed to school (elegantly). The cheery girls had caught the eye of the notorious trio, Emile Elman, Ewen Egeburg and Damian Desmond. They stared in confusion to what could've transpired the commoner to suddenly became their dumb happy self again. Strangely enough, Damian felt a small feeling of relief and then later brushed it off.
Even though Anya and Becky rushed over to class, surprisingly they weren't the only ones there. A few students were already in class, starting to look over the entrance. Anya braced herself for the incoming comments when a large shadow hovered over her and Becky. Without thinking, they turned around feeling unexplainably horrified. Their eyes were met with a person's torso. They then looked up. They finally found a face, wearing spectacles.
This guy is huge, is what Anya thought to herself. Meanwhile, Becky shrieked. Upon closer inspection, it was none other than Bill Watkins. The very student that won by a landslide, victoriously and mercilessly. Anya didn't know how long she was standing there like a rock but it seems almost every student got in class, including the trio who were already in their seats. Eventually, the boy with the large build finally spoke.
"Anya Forger" Bill announced, his strangely deep voice echoed and filled the classroom with pressure.
Bill had such a strong aura, leaving everyone in the room petrified and silent. Was this perhaps round 2 of the dodgeball match?
Anya was on the verge of tearing up whereas Becky was hugging her, putting on a brave face although her legs won't stop shaking.
Bill noticed the terrified looks of the two little girls before him.
Reassuring them that he had not come here to intimidate them, he spoke again.
"I apologize for my actions in the dodgeball match". Anya starts to loosen up a bit.
"It was not gentlemanly to throw a ball so hard at you".
Becky still wrapping her arms around Anya, giving a distrustful look. "You realize that now?!", she complained in her thoughts.
==================================FLASHBACK START========================================
A few days prior to the apology, Bill was dejected that he did not get a stella star since it was just a rumour. The teacher in charge of monitoring the students in the gym class, Henry Henderson told him to meet him after school. This seems like bad news to Bill Watkins. What would he say to his father? He did not want to disappoint him. Throughout class, he was always on edge that it almost hindered his focus in class but he understood the importance of education so he set his feeling of anxiety aside.
Once his last class ended, with a heavy heart, he did as he was told and met with him.
In Bill's point of view, the man was just standing there, menacingly.
Henry Henderson senses the dread and worry of the young boy and starts explaining his motive.
"I can reassure you, Bill Watkins. I am here to make you aware of your actions during the dodgeball match. To atone such inelegant behaviour, please apologize to Anya Forger."
Bill knowingly did regret his actions towards Anya.
"I understand, I will apologize tomorrow." he vowed.
"I'm sure she will forgive you." Mr Henry beamed a smile at him.
==================================FLASHBACK OVER========================================
Now cutting back to the present, Bill expressed his apologies and then bowed a full 90 degrees.
"If there is anything I can do to earn your forgiveness, just say the word."
Shocked by the turn of events, everyone had their jaw dropped. Bowing to a commoner?? (Sheeeeesh)
Anya and Becky were just looking at this absolute unit bowing down before them. Their thoughts unite as they imagined themselves as queens, a servant bowing before them.
Anya wears a smug expression while Becky had a proud look on her face. The class seemed to be annoyed that they're enjoying this.
"Then Anya wants to sit on your shoulder." Becky and the class go wide-eyed. Would he really accept such a request in order to be forgiven?
"Very well then." he said, picking up Anya to his shoulder.
Anya view was now higher and wider. She could see the whole classroom from up here. It was truly an exciting sight to see. She wanted to share this experience with her best friend.
"Also Becky." Anya included, pointing at her from up above.
"What??" Becky exclaimed at her request, taken aback as she skidded backwards. Clearly looking uncomfortable. Nonetheless, Bill picks her up to his shoulder too. Hopefully this would make Anya forgive him.
Anya was having the time of her life meanwhile Becky was wriggling around in a panic frenzy. Overall, they were having fun.
Many thoughts suddenly came flooding in, some were baffled, amazed or ridiculing her. But one thought caught her attention.
"I could be strong like that too."
She looked over to where the area of where the provoking thought was coming from. Damian Desmond was looking at his arm and pinching his biceps. He attempted to flex his muscles to appear bigger but alas he was just a little boy. He frowned and sighed in disappointment of himself.
On the other hand, Emile and Ewen was also doing the same thing because boss man started doing it. The two seemed to be comparing muscles and had a good laugh.
Damian turned his view back to the show, only to have met eyes with the pink-haired stubby legs, grinning at him.
"Heh." Anya lets out. Couldn't hold it back since watching the poor scion boy's reactions.
As red as a crimson flame, as red as a ripened tomato, as red as the blood boils in his body. Either mad or embarrassed, he flinched and turned away in the speed of light. So much so that his neck might break. He could feel his pride shattering as he clenched his chest, probably out of frustration.
The fun had abruptly ended as Mr Henry Henderson enters the class with elegance.
Bill had to put the two down and go to his class in a hurry.
Mr Henry gave an approving nod to him as he was on his way out of the classroom.
Truly Elegant.
Bill was forgiven. Henry Henderson was proud of him. Anya and Becky had a fun time, much to Becky's surprise. Lastly, Damian had a new goal that day.