Chapter 9

IT was the longest walk she ever had. Normally, she’d reached her apartment for around fifteen minutes but now it took her thirty minutes to get into their street.

From a distance, she noticed a car parked infront of their building which she recognized to be her brother’s car so she paused and stopped Luke from walking.

The guy turned to her in question. “Are we there yet?”

“Uh… I’ll just walk home from here. Thank you again. Take care on your way home.” She flashed him one last smile.

Luke felt something suspicious but he ignored it after seeing her smile. Instead, he nodded and turned his back to walk towards the opposite direction.

When Luke disappeared from her sight, she quickly ran towards her apartment. She was about to enter when suddenly, there was a beeping sound coming from behind her.

Turning around, she saw another car flashing its lights blinding her. The car stopped infront of her and revealed Chandler who was now walking towards her direction.

She wasn’t surprised to see him cause she was used to him coming. But this time, she was getting anxious due to reasons unknown. “Parker!”

The tall guy didn’t answer. He just stared at her with a frown on his face. “Where have you been?” He started to speak.

“What do you mean? I just went in the bookstore.”

Chandler shook his head. “I saw you… you were with someone.”

Her eyes widened in disbelief. How did he know that? “Yes. I was with my classmate. Why? Got any problem with that?”

“No. But maybe your brother won’t like it if I tell him.” He threatened her.

“Fine. Tell him. I don’t care.”

“Really? You want me to tell him that you went out with a guy?” He asked again.

Well okay she didn’t really want that. Her brother would certainly freak out and wouldn’t allow her to go home late ever again if he knew. “All right. No. Then what?”

Chandler chuckled. “I knew it. You should be thankful I didn’t tell him yet.”

“Whatever.” She continued to march her way inside the building.

Chandler followed her inside as they found Kris sitting on the couch waiting for her to arrive.

“You’re late again Kace. Don’t tell me you went in the bookstore again,” Kris started his litany.

Chandler threw his arms on his shoulder. “Dude, don’t worry. I was with her.”

“What?” Kris turned to him. Even Kace raised a brow at him. What is this guy talking about?

“They finished something in their office so she was late. I just happened to see her while going out of the school grounds so I gave her a ride home.” Chandler explained. “And we got caught in traffic so yeah that explains everything…”

Kace sighed. At least he had a decent alibi.

“Then why did you call me earlier to say that she wasn’t home?” Kris asked again.

“Y-Yeah, because I saw her in school that time. So I told you that she wasn’t here in her apartment.”

Kris eyed the two. He felt that there was something that they’re not telling him. But he just shrugged it off. He didn’t want to give his sister a hard time especially after what happened at the meeting earlier. “Fine. I cooked dinner. You should eat now.”

“Uh… actually… I’ve already eaten dinner. But hey, don’t think that I’m just saying this as an excuse. I’ve always wanted to eat your home-cooked meals.” She flashed her brother a smile.

Kris sighed. “It’s such a shame that I even prepared food when nobody’s going to eat it.”

Chandler tapped his back. “That’s okay. I’ll go eat it now.”

Kace felt guilty so she just said, “I’m going to eat it.”

Kris turned to her. “Don’t force yourself if you’re already full.”

She shook her head. “Nah! I’m always starving.”

Chandler laughed. “Yeah. We all know that an anaconda lives in your stomach, Larson.”

She threw him a piercing look. “Whatever. Why don’t you just go home?”

She walked out of the living room and left the two alone.

***

THE next day, during their free period, Kace and her team started to position themselves at the entrance of the cafeteria to distribute flyers to the incoming students. But apparently, no one was paying attention to them. She was starting to feel hopeless after being ignored there for almost half an hour.

Just then, she saw Nix approaching two guys on a table. She recognized them as part of her brother’s circle of friends.

It was the Dance Club president, Alex and the other unfamiliar kid who is always sticking with him the past days. “Hi would you like to join our editorial staff?” Nix asked them as she handed the flyers.

Alex chuckled. “Are you serious? Do you even know us?”

Nix froze. “Y-yeah. Of course I know you, senior.” She bowed before them.

“How can we join?” The other guy asked her.

“Uhm… just fill up this form and…” She got cut off when Alex grabbed his friend away.

“Come on Lance. You don’t have to join them.” He said as he dragged him towards their table.

Stephen and JM were already there eating when they reached their spot.

“Why can’t I join them?” Lance asked him, as they sat across the Oh brothers.

“Because you already belong to the Dance Club and… those kids are different from us. You should just stick with us.” Alex explained to him.

“What are you telling him again, Alex?” Stephen asked.

Alex frowned at him. “None of your business.”

“Hey! We’re eating here.” JM scolded them.

Then, Stephen finally noticed the students giving out flyers at the front of the door. “Who are those?”

“That’s what I’ve been telling him about. Those kids from the publication are trying to recruit students to join them.” Alex muttered.

“That’s Kace.” Stephen stood up from his seat. But then, his brother stopped him. “What are you doing?”

“Stopping you.”

“From what?”

“From mingling with them. I told you before that you shouldn’t be befriending those classmates of yours. They are different from us.”

“I see nothing wrong with talking to them. So, do you mind?” Stephen released himself from his brother’s grip. He marched his way towards Kace who was now sitting down on a corner.

When Kace noticed Stephen approaching, she quickly greeted him with a smile. “Stephen!”

The guy smiled. “Need any help?”

She sighed. “We still haven’t recruited anyone.”

“Then, can I join?”

Kace jumped up from her seat. “Really?”

“But I gotta ask something in return.” He smirked.

“Okay. Anything. What is it?” She asked giddily.

“Can we be lab partners in Chemistry?” Stephen asked in an almost loud voice, not knowing that someone actually heard it.

Kace was stunned. She already said yes to Luke so she couldn’t accept Stephen’s offer.

But then, that would mean he wouldn’t join the pub. They badly needed even just one student to be added on their list. She was about to speak when suddenly, someone came towards them.

“Sorry. But she already has a lab partner,” Luke answered, throwing a look at Stephen and making Kace feel weird inside her.

***