Chapter 11
Preston there. “Hold”
All the terms around him tired to stare.
nicht off guard, he blinked, ears going red. “Uh, no I just thought you were new. Didn’t recognize you, so I kept
Roy let out a quiet stort
pt looking”
Clive and Brad rolled their eyes, thinking. Yeah, sure, Preston. Total 115. You knew it was her–you’re just floored by how hot she is
Regina frowned, wondering, Why’s he blushing? Nervous? Lying? Or does he hate me? Ugh, I can’t read people anymore.
She dipped her head to hide the spark in her eyes and said softly. “My mom says we’re in the same class. It’s my first day, and I’ve got no clue where to po Can you show me?”
Roy, off to the side, looked stunned.
Prestar’s ears stayed red, but he puffed up his chest. “Well, since you’re asking, I guess I can.
Brad cut in sharp. “No way?”
Regina raised an eyebrow at him.
Standing at the edge of the crowd, Brad glared at her, his eyes filled with resistance. “Regina, are you hitting on Preston?”
Preston widened his eyes. “What are you talking about, Brad? We’re classmates, and she just needs help. That’s all
Brad got madder. “You’re so clueless! Can’t you see she’s trying to weasel in close?”
Preston blanked out.
Clive smirked at Regina. “Pretty slick. Want to fit in, so you start with Preston–the easy mark.”
Preston was stunned again, thinking. Tm the easy mark!“
Sniffing, Melinda said in a broken voice. “Regina, I know you’re eager to be friends with us, but Preston is very naive. Please don’t use him like this?
Prestou thought. Ti naive”
Instead of getting angry, Regina smiled, not awkward or guilty at all, “You
Preston’s jaw dropped.
Brad smirked, pointing. “Knew in We’ve got your number!”
She shrugged nonchalantly. “I am new here. I think Preston looks aloof but is actually nice, and I want to be friends with him. That a crime or what?”
She walked to the Mitchell brothers and looked up at their faces, which were similar to her. “You two want to take me to the
classroom?”
Brad glared, snarling, “Why would we? You’re sneaky and nasty. Don’t think I’ll play nice just because we’re related”
Regina nodded. “Fair. “That’s how you should treat me. I’m not here to bond with you anyway you didn’t act like this, rd be lost on how to handle
The Machell brothers were stunned
She smiled brightly. “In fact, I’ve been wondering what if you and Clive had grown up with my foster parents?*
She eyed their spoiled vibes, a bitter edge creeping in “You’d be the ones getting smacked around, burned, begging on y Her you’d love it”
on your knees, nearly assaulted
They went quiet
Her smile was meaningful. “But it’s fine. I’m more than capable of making you. Melinda, and Hugh feel my pain”
1/3
Chapter 11
They were a bit guilty at first, but hearing this, they became angry at once. “You wouldn’t dare!”
Instead of amwering, Regina looked at Presson. Since your friends don’t like me, nothing will come out good if I force my way in I’ll get out of
your ho
Theton parked at her.
Then she ribed her head and smiled at the Mitchell brothers slyly, “Let’s take it slow.
Stunned by her smile, they watched her as she stepped into the teaching building unhurriedly.
Feeling a bit down, Preston looked at Brad angrily Just because you don’t like her doesn’t mean she’s a bad person. She just wants to be my friend. What’s wrong about that?”
Coming back to his senses, Brad sneered, finding him unbelievable. “Preston, didn’t you hear what she said! She wanted me and Clive to suffer!” Preston retorted. “So what! Melinda’s mom switched them, or Regina would have lived with you and grown up with us! She suffered for years, which is so unfair, and now you refuse to acknowledge her. She’s supposed to hate you
Roy sneered, “After all, it’s Regina who was starved and beaten, not them. Of course, they can’t feel the pain”
Choked. Brad looked at Roy. “Even YOU think I’m wrong”
Roy said with a straight face, “Because you ARE wrong. No matter how much you hate Regina, she is the victim, and instead of feeling sorry for her, you are bullying her. You sicken me
He looked away and continued with disgust. “If we hadn’t grown up together and been friends through thick and thin, I’d have kicked you and Clive
Brad fell silent.
Clive laughed, pissed. “Fine, we’re the bad guys. But her humanity’s only ten–why defend her? Not scared shell off
you?
Preston said without hesitation. “The doctor said she could change. She just needs a bit of help. What if I’m the one who helps?” Other boys rolled their eyes, speechless.
They looked at Preston as if he were the biggest dummy in the world.
But he didn’t care, he strode away, went to the classroom, and sat in his seat.
Several teenage boys
come in a Coatingrounded him at once. “Prince, did you see that girl with level–ten capacity to a combat cyberware! She’s so pretty! And she
What class is she in?”
“Prince” was Johnathan’s nickname.
w girl
One boy exclaimed, “Man if she’s in ours, Class Six gets a level–ten badass! We’d be her crew–how dope is that?” Another one juraped in. “For real! Thought it’d be a dude. Forum’s blowing up–everyone’s obsessed with the new Preston leaned back distractedly in his chair, not responding to their chirping
A buy with heavy, black–rimmed glasses walked past Preston with his head down Annoyed, Preston stretched out his leg to block the boy’s way.
The boy, arms full of books, slodged without a glance and sat in the back row.
Preston watched the boy sat in the last
Desks here were for two
row and suddenly noticed that no one sat in the seat next to the boy,
Only his seat and that boy’s had an empty spot
Preston thoughs, ‘If Regina is really our classmate, shell sit next to me
He folgeted, antsy, then waved off his crew. “Go sit down. Class is starting”
His lackeys thought they heard him wrong. “What?”