Evelyn and Victoria fought together against the gangsters while Genesis stood at one corner and cheered both of them, giving them moral support. Evelyn knocked down the last man standing to the ground and let out a loud and tired groan.

"Uh-oh," Genesis voiced when she noticed a group of boys from a distance, making their way towards them.

"Ahhhh-why do you guys keep coming?" Evelyn shouted in exasperation with her hands rested on her hips. "Screw you all," She gritted and attempted to charge forward but Victoria held on her arm and stopped her.

"You know what- we better make a run before they reach us," Victoria suggested under her panting and gave her a knowing look. Evelyn looked at her for a moment and understood her. They both were tired from fighting and if they continue, they will be crashed and moreover, those boys were all armed with weapons.

"Let's make a run now then," Evelyn said to which Victoria nodded at her. They both went towards Genesis and took on either side of her hand and started running away from the place. 

Genesis kept looking over her back and kept shouting dramatically upon seeing the gangsters nearing them. She quickly doubled her speed and ran ahead. Evelyn and Victoria glanced at each other before accelerating their speed as well. They were now a good distance away from those gangsters and quickly made a turned into the dark alley and hid behind the shadows. They stayed there quietly, trying to normalize their breath. 

Once those gangsters ran past their way without noticing them, they let out a relieved breath and rested their backs against the wall. 

"You should compete in marathon, Genesis," Evelyn deadpanned under her panting. Then the three of them looked at each other for a moment before bursting out into a small laugh.

"Your screaming is worst. I guess I need to go for an ear check-up tomorrow." Victoria snickered and she put her finger into her ear and shook it gently. They stayed there laughing for some moment before deciding to leave for college.

*

Three days passed and yet Brian hadn't talked to her still. Evelyn sighed wistfully as she sat down on her usual spot and blankly stared at the space. 

"Ah-this is sad," She heard a familiar voice coming from her side and turned towards it. Russell closed his book and turned towards her with a smile. "Finally, you noticed me."

"When did you get here?" Evelyn asked lazily.

"I was here the whole time," Russell answered amusedly. "You simply ignored me and sat down. Your mind's somewhere else? Is something bothering you?" He asked in concerned.

"Yes, it is but I'll be fine," Evelyn answered with a serene smile. "I just have to give time, that's it."

Russell regarded her for a moment before turning away from her and stared down at the book that was now rested on his lap.

"I'm guessing that you have completed reading that book," Evelyn said in an amused tone.

"Yes, I just did and it's kind of sad ending," Russell commented under his frown. "I need to start a new one soon." He added.

"Our first evaluation is on Monday, you should stop reading novels and start with the studies," Evelyn reminded him with an amused smile. 

"I'm done with my studies," Russell said under his chuckle. "I just can't wait to see the top-listed students of our batch. I wonder who will be at the top this time."

"That, of course, Nathan will be the top one as always," Stephen said cheerfully as he came and joined them on the bench. Terrence and Jeffrey also came and joined them. They brought sodas along with them and offered to each of them.

"So, I will have to defeat Nathan to become the top one student." Evelyn pondered under her silent smile. The boys narrowed their eyes at her before nodding at her. "That's easy," Evelyn said cheekily before unsealing the can and drinking it.

"I just need to do a little study," Evelyn chirped and stood up from her seat. She then glanced at her wristwatch and read the time. "We still got forty-minute for our next class. I'm going to the library, wanna tag along?" She asked glancing at each of them.

"I'm in," Russell said and stood up from his position.

"The others are at the Library too, let's go and join them," Jeffrey said before throwing the empty can on the garbage bin.

*

William flipped over the next page of his book and continued reading while Nathan sat relaxed on his seat with his earplug on. Eleanor and Mark were seated on the table adjacent to them. 

"William," Nathan said quietly as he took off his earplug. William looked up from his book and hummed in reply. Nathan looked at him for a moment longer before sighing tiredly, "Nothing," He said before plugging on his earphone again.

William gave him a deadpanned look before reaching to take off his earplug. "Tell me, Nathan," He urged with a serious look. "I know you want to talk about something. Now, tell me. I'm all ears," He added and gave him a demanding look.

Nathan remained silent for a moment longer and pondered in thought before deciding to speak up. "I've decided what to do. I will tell Evelyn- NOTHING!!" Nathan changed his words quickly when he saw Evelyn and his friends making their way towards them.

William frowned deeply and turned back to see them.

"Hey, guys," William greeted them silently with a smile as they quietly took thier seats.

"What are you reading?" Evelyn asked him who was seated beside him.

"English Literature," William answered amusedly.

"I need to work on that subject too. I heard that Prof. Lobee is too strict with correcting answers." Evelyn said under her smile and reached for her English Literature textbook inside her backpack.

"You should or you won't be able to defeat Nathan," Stephen commented amusedly.

"You plan on becoming the top one student?" Nathan asked amusedly, jerking an eyebrow at her.

"I am not planning. I am always at the top in whatever I do." Evelyn said with her chin held up. Nathan regarded her with an amused but handsome smile for a moment longer.

"Good luck, Grumpy," He said under his chuckle.

"Thank you," Evelyn said cheekily.

"Seriously, you two should start dating already." William said quietly as he gracefully flipped onto the next page. Then he gave both of them a once over glance before turning his gaze back to his book.

Nathan silently stared at Evelyn, waiting for her to play along with the teasing like she always does but she didn't do so. She simply reacted with a soft chuckle before opening her book and getting into it. He grimaced inwardly as he thought about the talk they had that morning during the weekend. Evelyn was damn serious when she said she will not bother him anymore with her stubborn ways to get him.

Evelyn looked up from her book only to see Nathan staring at her with a sad look.

"Are you okay?" Evelyn asked trying to be casual but inside, she was still hurting. It pains her to be near him but still she want to be near him always even though it hurts.

"You are very hard to read." Nathan muttered under his breath before nodding at her. "I'm alright," He smiled at her before slowly turning his gaze away from her.

After spending some minutes at the Library, they all decided to leave as their next class was about to begin in less than ten minutes. They got out of the Library and walked through the hallway as they talked and laughed among themselves.

"Ah- I still got tons to study for the evaluation," Eleanor whined adorably under her pout making the other to laugh at her.

"Don't stress too much, Ele, you'll do just fine like you did for your entrance," Mark said softly as he rested his hand around her shoulder and pulled her closer into him and continued walking.

"I wonder from where did you all got such good brain," Eleanor pouted.

"Just say that you are jealous of us," Terrence said in a cheeky tone to which Eleanor stuck out her tongue at him while the others stifled a laugh at their behaviour.

"Oh look- there's Adrian," Stephen said cheerfully and pointed his finger at him who was some distance away from them, "And his Dad," He added slowly.

"C'mon, let's go and greet Mr. Johnson," William said and walked ahead, the others followed him except Nathan who stayed behind with Evelyn. 

"You're not gonna give your greetings?" Evelyn made an slight turn and looked up at him. Nathan shook his head and smiled amusedly. 

"We often see each other," He said with a shrug. Evelyn chuckled softly and turned her gaze back to the boys who were exchanging greeting to Adrian's father.

But the moment Adrian's father turned his head towards them, Evelyn eyes went wide in shock, making her books slipped off from her hands and fall on the floor with a loud thudding sound. Nathan snapped towards her and creased his eyebrows before curving down to pick up the books from the floor. 

"You okay, Grumpy?" Nathan asked as he straightened up in his position and turned his gaze at her only to find her eyes filled with unshed tears. Concerned latched into his feature as he quickly reach to cup her cheeks. "What happened, Evelyn?" He asked softly.

Adrian and the others made their way towards Nathan and Evelyn along with his dad. "Dad, I want you to meet Evelyn, the daughter of the Chairman. She's a dear friend to us," Adrian said in an excited tone as they strolled towards them. But the moment they saw her with tears, their smile faltered and concerned surfaced in each of their faces. 

Mr. Johnson looked at her with a sad smile, his eyes slowly filling with tears as he stood five steps away from her and stared at her. "Evelyn, my-"

"No, I'm not," Evelyn interrupted and growled at him as tears rolled down her cheeks. The boys stood clueless in their position and stared at them with wide eyes opened.

"I hate you, I HATE YOU!!" Evelyn shouted angrily and ran away from the place. Nathan glanced at his friends before following her behind.

"Dad, what's going on? How do you know Evelyn? And why does she hate you?" Adrian was full of questions. He was utterly shocked at what he saw just now.

Mr. Johnson gave his son a wistful and sad look before letting out a sorrowful sigh.

"Evelyn is my daughter."

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