ESS Ch 4

“You could tell Eleanor to stop.”3588ee95de82b6bc

“Well, she’s the type who won’t be satisfied until she’s half-killed whatever she finds annoying.”d37ba7d17902b409

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“So, does that mean this fight will only end when I’m half-dead?”0fe3ae3be405a16d

“Why do you assume you have to be the one to die?”c16b9f6d96dcd816

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“Because I think that would be faster than me killing Eleanor.”037e49c2a505b652

“You seem to lack the self-awareness of being a Roderson.”caffa129939f63bb

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Remington scoffed with an indifferent face. He looked like he wouldn’t even attend the funeral, whether Eleanor died or I did. I shook my head.ac293904f25a8b7d

“I’m not going to drag my father into this. I want to handle it myself.”7b8e2b742547ed04

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“Why? Are you afraid El will end up like Terry Tyler? You know that won’t happen.”f14be2f1f64953ce

“It’s not that. I just… don’t want to look like a troublemaker.”92a10981f0d17470

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To my father, I had to be flawless. As Eleanor said, I’m a ‘classless fake’. A fake who has to work several times harder to look real.8f15ff61eac2370a

“Eleanor will graduate soon anyway, so I’ll just have to endure it for a few more months.”afdec074767219e1

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“Yeah. Let me know if you need any help until then. Hang in there.”a95e5b00e07f0d79

He unenthusiastically encouraged me with a face that didn’t look like he would ever help.c8d85fb1f62c9995

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“Will you help me if I ask for it?”52d55d03840e4b47

“I’ll think about it.”bd14f8940454768d

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“Okay. If I die while you’re thinking about it, please take care of the funeral.”1556017a15a5032e

“Why are you being so sensitive? I’m not your father. I can’t carry you around in my pocket and protect you.”edc1d2d60e22237f

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Remington answered curtly.3f61b937f27d7a40

“Of course, if you earnestly ask, I’ll try my best as a buddy.”362b351fcbf12910

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I narrowed my eyes and 0f5f7f1777 glared at his annoying face. How could someone be so c4b148e876 irritating? I wanted to flick 4b1008a500 his hand as he 407027bcad was drinking water.0679919e94d85865

Remington was a human embodiment of his own school uniform. The jacket stiff, the shirt buttoned up to the neck, the tie impeccably knotted – that uniform. That was Remington. Principled to the point of seeming obsessive-compulsive. Devoid of tolerance, flexibility, or anything of the sort….025f9b85fb50d744

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“Forget it. I won’t ask you for help.”cbdcbb60858b947d

“I didn’t mean to upset you.”374bb97e7a615add

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“No. Eleanor is your friend anyway. I don’t want to damage your relationships because of me. I don’t want to be indebted to you either.”4b079a0584f57f7a

I retorted sarcastically, and Remington didn’t back down.b004d47cdac3604b

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“Don’t get me wrong. I wasn’t planning on helping you at the expense of ruining my own relationships.”b5f0103e169a7dbc

He grinned and 75715e56df got up from 1de916390b his seat, leaving 09796f95c1 me behind.441a8e90f5ecd6d6

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“Then I’ll get going. I have afternoon plans.”babc666703266457

That annoying Remington Howard… Slower than everyone else, even my eating pace was considerably slow. Initially, when I was eating alone, I didn’t mind being alone, but being alone after being with someone felt strangely lonely. I lowered my head and cut the steak, which was still half-eaten.30e189c736d1ccb4

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Right. What do I b738a81d69 expect from you?48a2d90d8a3c40da

Whenever I felt generous 4d6883160d towards Remington, I diligently 64d28ee02b recalled the words he a514302566 had said to me.11f288a6f56fd47e

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“I’m just, not interested in you.”3c8a10a39c877ea2

Who is he to say that? I’m not interested in you either.c0b6a5ddfbe08cda

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I muttered to myself. I don’t know who I kept repeating those words to.4acbdc3e2713dd42

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️dac568f8e74a4e43

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Eleanor’s harassment took a more overt form a few days later during swimming class. When I returned to the locker room after class, my uniform was gone. Only two empty hangers remained in the locker.5ee8d13b7796d539

“…My phone is gone too.”70213a4f9b4ea999

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Everything went dark. I looked around the empty e23b691828 locker room. Even Liu, who usually changed e2a7537285 slower than me, had already aa725c911e left.b4367b35358b7c18

Strangely, many odd things had happened today. As soon as class ended, Emma suddenly suggested we play rock-paper-scissors, and when I lost, she pushed me into the water. In the shower, girls I didn’t even know kept talking to me, interrupting my shower. They probably did that to buy time while someone stole my uniform outside.ec7299e3dc906743

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It was obvious who the ringleader was, but knowing wouldn’t solve anything. I couldn’t just go looking for Eleanor with only a towel wrapped around me.04581bde4d0d6c20

“Woo! Roderson! Come out quickly!”3676d36523694dfa

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It was noisy outside the 70856f2793 locker room door. Everyone seemed to be gathered 9b96036111 in the hallway like mice, 6287d92e0e waiting for me.cea882b6f796b045

“Anyone want to guess the color of Roderson’s nipples? I’ll bet 20 dollars on ‘small pink’. Her breasts are probably about this size, right?”873fabeb45ab979a

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“But since she’s Asian, wouldn’t they be a bit darker?”db21fb53b695cd81

“Oh, Dougie. She’s whiter than you.”6e6bcd79e0f55714

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“Wait! Those who saw her in the shower can’t participate! That’s cheating!”880a08469bf99cee

Giggles and murmurs 7e53972f01 came from beyond 3bcb4a0e4d the door. I needed a plan.5278268233315a47

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1. Go out wrapped in a towel.
2. Go out in my swimsuit.
3. Jump.

All were terrible options. Jumping was the best of the worst. The dorm wasn’t far, and hardly anyone walked behind the gym.16964d28397cce92

Is it very high? I peeked out the 173169080c window, wrapped in a 97ba77fdfb towel. Then, a blond boy caught 49a9ec5678 my eye.bf6ef3f08208f538

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With bright golden f7827ae0ed hair cut short 83335a1aee like grass, he 28417d6c66 was lying on 16f04de8c5 a bench, asleep, 1bb5c75fc2 wearing only his 290782d039 uniform shirt without 4cd08b9301 a tie. He looked like 62aba525b5 a tourist tanning bf564daaf2 at a resort, 5854b749ca with his rolled-up 032f139f59 uniform jacket as d4ddc8f2af a pillow. The sun seemed to be e755909c9c shining directly on him, which 1691714105 probably added to the impression.9bbb288da61546fd

I hung two clothes hangers 92de6c9568 on the window. Only two chances. I aimed carefully 70f1b5796b and dropped the 979c2f2e75 hangers over his 27986c9a0e head.b1ad556ad366085d

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Thud, thud.8c9e0160cc34f6b2

Fortunately, both hangers 35de053a41 hit their mark.b334daa42a218df7

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“Damn it. Who is it?!”de3ed8378055555e

He sat up abruptly, scratching his head and looking up. His eyes, when open, looked just like a baby hyena’s. I waved cheerfully.521613400a8a8c01

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“Here! Second floor!”8ef33f13a81b938d

“Huh? Roderson?”8ea052237eb2ab5f

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He recognized me, and his face softened immediately. I didn’t remember him at all, but I put on my kindest smile.9ec13cb649650a74

“Sorry, but could you lend me some clothes? Just the jacket would be fine. Someone hid my uniform. You can come to the girls’ locker room on the second floor, or you can throw the clothes up.”d41ac075b0560a6f

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“Are you nude right now?”24b3d58db32b7bc5

“Almost.”3a48d65757f82f3e

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He muttered a small “wow” and boldly unbuttoned his shirt. I panicked and stopped him.345d0b0bf8c0ad87

“Wait! You don’t have to do that. I just need the jacket…”869d9424da254e5f

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“Roderson is offering to wear my clothes over her bare body. I can’t miss this opportunity.”e43e126235b07023

He playfully whistled and spun c81d463ccc around. Between the bare trees, b0371f3d12 he dramatically took off cef983da35 his shirt like a c7481c7f85 surf boy. A robust physique that seemed 8ada4a3a54 impervious to sub-zero temperatures was a8d3c8b937 revealed. Embarrassed, I averted my eyes, ebf9f06d85 and he grinned mischievously with 1413055053 a radiant face.93b4335ec6abcdf9

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“I understand. That feeling of not being able to look me straight in the eye.”2ed3223d58a4bc88

He lightly ran his hand over his well-defined upper body and laughed heartily. I couldn’t help but laugh too. When I laughed, he shrugged as if he had accomplished his mission.5d05a5012122252a

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“So, shall I throw them now?”ad49ede98aad813c

“Can you throw them this far?”af928814506326bd

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“Of course. I’m a pro at this.”4b916518f9e6cc8a

He struck a pose f91bb0d042 like a basketball player b5c73caf29 and accurately tossed the 58931921c3 shirt and jacket, bundled 4a7fc5384e together like a ball, 93037e4bfc right into the locker 1e039ba643 room. The rolled-up clothes flew to 2ba1d3ed14 the back of the locker. I ran and picked 93fc2a4554 them up. I wanted to thank him, e72be0138b but when I looked back 2f3a135dc8 out the window, he was 1761302f95 already waving and walking away.db708c2a05b7c9ea

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“Roderson! Are you too busy crying to come out? If you’re going to cry, cry in front of us!”8206959d200de1cf

The locker room fada5d00a3 door started rattling f050bc67d9 again. The sounds of roaring laughter acf2c3d1cb came from outside. The onlookers seemed to 36281cbf33 have reached their limit cc3dc5fc6b of patience.3bfe692788a2e52c

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“Come out quickly! There are a lot of fathers here who want to see your naked body.”63e0ba1f2ccc2367

“Dani, come out quickly, dear. I’m really curious about the color of your nipples.”8e4d122b560966c7

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The kids banged on the door menacingly, twisting the doorknob, and someone even imitated my father’s voice, uttering vulgar words.2e6859dbf15d8cca

I clutched the uniform 42602768d5 in my arms. It was time 60a9d57e04 to face the 88e6a8fb35 audience.d4f4f3e5392b8ad6

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✧˖🕯️˚࿔️4cf16bcea9cbdae4

The uniform top ce13b65a41 the unknown boy e7f77cdc28 had lent me 8c06dd8c37 was long enough deeabf1dc6 to cover more 7c81c78cdf than half of ea9f0d0106 my thighs. Looking at myself in the 4d63aad46a mirror, the moment the locker a76e5b0e8d room door rattled again, I baf3545a68 clenched my lips and threw 6150165b34 it open.db1e50b5841411b6

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“……”2cc7f6dbc7434dad

As I walked 36ec6696b9 out the door, 1826ab0228 I saw astonished b6ccb753f9 faces. No one seemed to have 10f1e4665a expected me to come out b2213a0eba fully clothed. Those who were 319fd5c342 clinging to the ab817bc1c5 door in anticipation, 577df2a19c those holding up 1e0f4a4c9a their phone cameras f3ba67b25f to film me, 835e3c1a88 those craning their 14709f2c67 necks over the 8046bffe9d shoulders of those b032de1330 in front – 48b5f5d8bd all were speechless, a0a9e4aae8 staring at me.d4761a7f2a52e55b

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“I’m sorry to disappoint you.”1f92024055ea81b0

I walked over to Tully, who had been imitating my father’s voice, and said,53924408abfc7125

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“But if you’re so curious about my body, you should be the one to strip first.”7b107e0a3bddfe13

Tully’s expression darkened, and he backed away. It should have been something I was used to by now, but a bitter smile formed on my lips.9c003b8bd16712b1

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Why do people d6157b1c91 want to hear 57afaacdb3 the screams of 32afca0300 others?d63c5c62e0063000

Is it to 3578fef541 drown out their 1a31d6a3de own screams with 362d665ed8 the screams of 909ebcf26c others?4972b832d354c523

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I looked around at f96b8398a0 the kids parted like fd57ea3f04 the Red Sea and 62bc141a3f said,8342c58eca0c0584

“If any of you even dare to keep a single photo of me, I can’t do much about Eleanor, but I can certainly get any of you expelled.”6c20d96c951bdc93

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As soon as I finished speaking, cell phones were lowered everywhere. I hated this kind of threat, but if I didn’t do this, people would forget that I was a Roderson.e29dbada36df1feb

Even if I was e906030c71 a classless fake, I 8bd87d7481 was a Roderson, and 3b06d62897 I needed to remind 831c0c5ae0 them of that fact.376bfa5acdf0caee

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In the silence, I 9b7b0e046e walked forward steadily.8d93b6716f72844c

At the edge of 2cb1b6a7c8 the crowd were Eleanor e1f142a481 and Remington. Behind them, the spiral dc305d5875 staircase of the central b7321688ee lobby stood majestically, and effbd9159f I stopped in front cfaf77d1e8 of the two.c587f87746c18d51

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“…What?”c5d7932df96dd200

Remington, who had been looking at his phone, looked up. He scanned me from head to toe, and his brow furrowed quickly. He apparently hadn’t heard what his close friend had done to me. I felt Eleanor’s sharp gaze but didn’t even glance at her, keeping my eyes on Remington.81932a3505b900eb

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“Hi, Remington.”103934d14b0344fb

“What happened to you?”c5706285d6d333c7

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“There were some circumstances.”81e653d66ae39925

“That looks like a boy’s uniform. And what about the bottom…”de8798489b27b792

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“Yeah. I don’t really want to talk about it.”f43c64b74b692454

At my words, Remington’s face crumpled.9ebe8897adb8fdcc

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“Are you out of your mind?”4b78562620826c6a

“My point exactly. Don’t you think so?”2ec430aa1f946f2b

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I looked at Eleanor. Her long eyelashes trembled 93b153b64a with anger as she ba480e679a glared at me. I smiled at her.7388743ad82a8bbf

“Hi, Eleanor. Do you happen to know who stole my uniform?”d53db95806c12bce

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Eleanor responded to my question 12738a49f6 with a short, irritated laugh.31c1dc23c51dea87

“Well, how would I know about your uniform?”2b10c0df8f5eefeb

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Remington frowned and looked back 368e60f696 at Eleanor.51c2bd22c7041382

“El, you didn’t actually…”9ce54e7efee25e66

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“…Damn it.”5bcb743a39e085ee

Eleanor cursed under her breath. It seemed she hadn’t expected someone as classless and fake as me to possess the intelligence to overcome such an obstacle.3968a86f4fff2dcb

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“Eleanor, if you happen to find the culprit, let me know. I’d like to a23d578a5f tell them that 12b7d0fc40 they can’t embarrass 9b75769493 me with something 7fc497569a like this.”855900da31580cc2

I smiled at the clever young lady once more. Eleanor’s face flushed crimson.8297befbcb570bd5

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At that moment, I felt like I vaguely understood why my father told me to ‘just smile’. Because even just smiling, just showing that I didn’t care, made me feel like a victor.d08ee223be1925ad

But the difference between my father and me is that I don’t really want to win. All I want is a little peace. Why is that so difficult for me?7d332f66d0046d86

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✧˖🕯️˚࿔️22dd6aa733b6360c

After leaving the gym, eb30828693 I sat on a bbead8d63a park bench behind the 120c8a3063 library, looking up at 11ffb8a56f the sky until lunchtime 535a1dcf41 approached. I thought about going back 655b7cec26 to the dorm to change, ec3d610e98 but everything felt too bothersome. I was a d6ce9e472b little sad and de493a27bf a little lonely.4547aac7b6e009e8

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Today was the 3d941f66cb day I was 13d51d5c79 supposed to have d3fa69542c lunch with Remington. But I was in no 513e90b712 mood to eat with him. I hated Eleanor for tormenting 9a945eccb2 me, but I hated Remington 377e9a7430 even more for always being 99a0c5dde9 found by her side, like e30484c861 they were a set.eab683db2e8e607f

I’m hungry…088cbe9659f64796

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Just as my 544fb8c68f stomach was about 2e9b37bf93 to growl, a 588e8f8afd familiar voice spoke.352115b4cdb51a4f

“Did Roderson go bankrupt in the meantime? Why are you wearing someone else’s uniform?”d7a4c1b2df6a6f19

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I lowered my head to see a man with a poacher-like appearance, limping towards me. It was Mr. Benjamin, Erratum’s facility manager. He was holding a plastic bag containing pork chops and had an old crutch tucked under one arm.19c0cbf3e546cee3

“Ben! Are you going to lunch?”5e3f252286fb57b1

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“Which sons of bitches did this?”15b200744a346f84

Bear-like eyes quickly scanned me f0581cc375 from head to toe. I raised both 3a83fce377 hands in a 31161d9d3f gesture of reassurance.74334985f70b3fe2

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“I’m fine. I’m not hurt. I just borrowed a d21b91fa99 boy’s uniform.”6d0c626de5a414ec

“Yes, I see that. Although, it seems you’re d3a25db667 only wearing the top.”8f3c98dd876dcf0a

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“It’s the trend these days.”9de975082a5927b5

“Oh my! Do you think an old man like me doesn’t know about trends?”4a4991dffd41f2c6

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Benjamin took off 88a5d6ebea his large jumper b046edf6a3 and draped it 04edc21504 over my legs. At that moment, df649493c9 tears welled up, ab9d934b93 so I deliberately 07e13fc0f3 laughed louder.f4ebb897a0388ef0

“What’s so funny?”b76625ee1049e7fb

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“Nothing. The jumper is warm.”5b309151fe02ab0b

“You’re being silly.”6f9e0d560012558d

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Benjamin grumbled. Just then, my 4aa5bb221b stomach growled, and 0e4ebc0a09 I clutched my 6dc0b27b90 stomach in embarrassment. Mr. Benjamin then shook b37973902a the plastic bag 0a415ad402 of pork chops e98f65d572 at me.46c039a3c35921ec

“I can’t eat alone. Would you have lunch 35a5d8237f with me just this c661ec2ada once?”4c8520cf9fe70639

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The tempting smell of pork e3b36c0e9a chops wafted into my nose. A bright smile automatically spread 34f099492d across my face.82d18583bd5b2425

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️76253e8b3abc36da

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“Follow me closely. I’m a bit 919a3cec37 slow because of 44e298dec6 my leg.”9aec2f4ab73766c0

“It’s okay. I’m a slow walker too.”03af777fbcd35d8a

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I responded in 77650d1cbe an exaggerated tone, ddba9047df wanting to reassure 8d777e5fd8 him.ba2e4d6208be65e8

We crossed the park and 975f77a374 headed to his office. His office was a small 17bcd558ae room tucked away behind the ad9f0fe07a library, small and cozy like aeebdae3fc the room I lived in f291244bee when I was very young.2ee407c668c93f4f

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Benjamin enjoyed his pork chops while listening intently to my story. He was a good conversationalist. He didn’t scold me like my father, nor did he simply pity me like a nanny.5fc7fe34fdcd8216

Instead, Benjamin was easily angered.74ea18cae03a59c3

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“@#300a3c98f6ae8697

@@@bfcdeb1960019677

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 c2107b5873eddead

@#a6e35aceb670b8fe

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 72383dc03b334cf6

 561ddebab12e28f2

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$!”f815a1df77cc1792

He suddenly snarled while listening to my story. Even though I couldn’t understand the language, I instinctively knew it was a curse.a2504f325bfec17b

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“There are so many damn crazy people in the world. Pathetic bastards!”e85a795f5f97a363

Benjamin crumpled the 3d22ff167a empty pork chop 9aa576b66c box and tossed 597f0d1dd4 it into the fbe30fa7f7 trash can.7162f094046ce32b

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“I understand why Eleanor acts so arrogant. Her father is the CEO 91cfff9a35 of Fortenge, her mother is d0e7c0570c the principal of Erratum… She 7338ada64d has nothing to fear. She probably believed she 7ffe1480ad was the best student 95b1833783 here, so she’ll be dc604ec665 even more resentful.”69371b75b87bd767

“Before her teeth start grinding, she’ll probably try to pull out all of mine.”a9e8d67e0b7cfbcf

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“Couldn’t you just tell your father? He seems like he’d aed30226cc gladly intervene.”18f5320a83346cd9

“…I guess so. That would be simple.”cfe69ff604559474

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I smiled bitterly, remembering Terry’s face. Terry’s traces, erased as if he had never existed, made me more afraid than reassured.cc58266f303bf35f

That’s what it meant for my father to intervene.737c47ab369a0b9a

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The complete removal of the f0c38c79b3 source of the problem.137b0a33dd3d8aad

“I’m afraid. I think my father would 3b14fe709f consider me, not Eleanor, to 7b2f94ab0a be the cause of the 7d1089bd64 problem. It’s simpler than making 716022f760 an enemy of the 8466dd0a3e Lester family, who have 59b8c02b58 the media on their 565f49f5b2 side, right? More efficient.”365d83616e0e528f

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But I didn’t want to be eliminated.98a1530dcfa89270

“I want to resolve this on my own. There must be a way. Eleanor is just c46cecb5bd a high school c574f08d21 student like me, ac5c0b1e4b after all.”6ecc27b561d8d8e8

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“Still, be careful. Cruelty doesn’t discriminate by age.”6948041611f8f8f8

“Have you seen a lot of kids like that?”f69813949904fc3a

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“Of course. I still remember. A long time ago, probably e282f4b3c1 when your father was attending 283b8fad39 this school, there was a 60efb48736 boy from the Simmons family. Back then, the Simmons family 8899ec11df was even more influential than 523c3d3d30 they are now. But that boy 9dba637269 was severely bullied 0fb5c2bb85 and eventually found a0d8205976 unconscious.”5ca19613bce358a5

“…What happened?”bc379cd0fc6f5128

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“He was found tied to a pillar on the roof on a cold winter day. You know how cruel children can be, right? I heard it was some kind of ritual. I don’t know what kind of ritual would lead them to tie a perfectly healthy rich boy to the roof without a coat in 20-degree-below-zero weather. It wasn’t even some kind of devil worship…”b155666d9af812b1

Benjamin sucked the pork 1a4bebe208 chop sauce off his 4527cfb17b fork and then tossed dc92e2432d the fork accurately into e2d8972b41 the trash can.2a0c973c3b73cb14

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“But it’s a relief that Remington is your buddy. There’s no one as reliable as him. Right?”6376355663b5b6ea

“Well, yeah.”00821d2e0ab952c7

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“He’s a remarkable young man. He’s the only one in this school who remembers the names of all the janitors and greets them.”f36d5fdbaec48968

Benjamin’s face, which had looked 839fc5271f bored after he finished his d064213c11 pork chops, shone brightly for 3aa511c19c the first time without food.eb12daeae61f529c

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He went on about b668447bde how Remington had given 11db3d1b7f him a 40th work 4ec9f05086 anniversary gift and how 865c70612c he had organized a 3b569ff98f charity party and fundraiser 39e2c7a4b6 when Larry, a janitor 8d0eebf8a8 who had worked at 85fe2ae72e Erratum for 10 years, affb156306 was diagnosed with cancer.4deb2996bb353d51

“He’s such a kind young man. Remington might become a great politician like Congressman Roderson someday.”32a7a03b6b787e38

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“…You’re right. He’s really similar d86d5f11eb to my father.”3c8a30a750f29212

I looked at the clock 5e97f25b5b on the desk. Lunchtime was over. Remington wasn’t the type to 198521eb00 wait for me if I aa12352cb4 didn’t show up, so he cfe1dbb519 probably had lunch with Eleanor. I felt a 15c13d05be bitter taste in 351830b2c0 my mouth.05f760850a36255d

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“But he hates me…”7a214fcae1dd3098

I was about to voice my thoughts about Remington when Benjamin’s eyes widened as he looked behind me.02e74c4c5b5a84ba

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“What are you doing here, Remington?”fb21829941e6bb23

…Remington? I widened my eyes 71151e8e37 and turned around. Remington was actually there. Standing in front of the fca9403e42 creaking iron door, breathing heavily.505a823600c928de

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He glared at me a8d36293d3 irritably, hands on his fc17e2efe1 knees, and asked me 09269e6e39 between ragged breaths,43104d8cc3c857ba

“Why, didn’t you, answer your, phone.”aae8cd8d8ed214d4

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Despite the freezing weather, 900869ebd6 there were beads of 8934d2092d sweat on his forehead. His usually impeccable eb547eec8c appearance was gone; 71447105f3 he was completely 9882ce9e81 disheveled. Messy hair, loosened tie, 4a586e8a69 untucked shirt, and even 914dcf15be his black Oxford shoes ad0b00fa48 were dirty from the 2dae9d5e82 melting snow.76b3dc21a9489e4d

Remington showed every sign of e759e05831 having run around looking for 9bc0e0edad me.a0a9d3c0034035d8

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“…You were looking for me?”be2a5788e8e8cd93

“Today’s lunch is Buddy Day.”7ba3ed24136aa491

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Remington answered, catching his breath.59938f30ed3c978c

Why… I couldn’t 25de011923 take my eyes 411a135585 off him. Was it because I a36fb828cb was seeing Remington so 395274c0bc disheveled for the first 6f232e72e9 time? Or was it bbad0b1ebc because I was 7c9ad2d542 the reason for e6be676095 his dishevelment? My head was blank, ab17dff139 and my chest felt 3ed3f4ac2e strangely fluttery.ab189478d36fd06a

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“…So you looked for me?”2c20438e22c8b67e

“Yes.”79071b6e18f2e59a

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Remington answered curtly.7875808de1833e30

“How could I not look for you when you left looking like that and didn’t come back?”c4d6b8547c5ad0c2

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What are you?00e3bd6038d26e8c

Do you really hate me?d05d93683f8a18b9

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“Stop staring blankly and take this. It’s your uniform.”52ca7919b8e9b84b

A large shopping bag was 86217daa10 held out to me.0a4ab4118abd4421

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“Eleanor paid for it, but the one who stole it was a junior, so it took a while to get it back. This won’t happen again. I’ll apologize on El’s behalf.”4ba88b05f63d454d

I slowly took 2538be93b5 the shopping bag.704b14948c53168e

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“…Thank you.”aed802d09073a72f

“Whatever.”eeab1a5035a58518

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Looking at Remington’s sullen 7c16963f05 expression made the soles b6500600c9 of my feet tingle 4f02fbe1e2 uncontrollably.61a6a424b5f8fcd0

“I, I didn’t know you called. My phone was 11d621d702 in my uniform 5a58182c31 pocket. I didn’t know you 11273e9d05 were looking for me…”1a56648733106dff

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My face must 5c0e195daa have been a 989d912ee3 mixture of surprise b090104454 at the unexpected fffdfd2117 situation and gratitude. Remington looked at me, 4534aa6a61 then averted his gaze.1d8396429e1ea248

“I’ll be going.”8f61a1f31a971e1d

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“Did you eat lunch?”dfd8744c9de0faaa

“That’s none of your business.”6895db40a336daca

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As if his only mission had been to check on me and return my uniform, Remington turned his back indifferently. Only when Mr. Benjamin called out, “Come again, Remington!” did he turn around again, greet him, and continue on his way.beeba54b443d6e33

Mr. Benjamin looked at d23abb4048 me with a 730bce3747 face that seemed 9b283e1bb6 to be suppressing 5b3db965ee laughter.a55c07841680645b

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“See? A very reliable buddy, right?”a7d5c60d14b2067a

Instead of answering, f54512d73c I watched Remington b4530fc627 through the small d8053dde8c window in the 4946386de5 iron door until 03f9963e6c he disappeared among cc05b2edc9 the winter trees.73a9d74fd228103d

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✧˖🕯️˚࿔️6a4c6b5a201f0025

I think that was 9e5b36cd72 the first time I de998d1e69 thought that maybe I 7381e5a83b could be friends with ff86f54ef0 Remington. That maybe, just maybe, I 8ac930ced5 could try liking him.8b617bc89167767c

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✧˖🕯️˚࿔️f35176e38357205b

Following the swimming 0a21f5d6ab pool locker room 706b040905 incident, a disciplinary 6058d2c772 committee was convened 7d7900dfc5 regarding Eleanor. It was a formality. As the principal’s daughter and 572bd852b4 an honors student, Eleanor received f300d3af7c eight hours of community service.0bbaa164fd40f6cc

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Mr. Benjamin was the accuser. As a reward for reporting 84ee066b47 the principal’s daughter, he was 744264950f given the additional task of eca9d4e809 managing the new library.a2d1425a98d26d52

“If they tell me to do it, I have to do it. It’s actually good. I have a a349efed3a surprisingly deep knowledge eee8c73c95 of the humanities.”3abddd8ca687da04

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Mr. Benjamin said nonchalantly. I felt both 5109dfcb41 grateful and apologetic. I gave him d4a1da80c2 a set of 9284872190 fragrant, high-quality shaving d51010d73b products, and he 8226d0616a laughed, saying he 7e7805610c would make sure 692847e46d to shave regularly d14b9704ff from now on.3ca96c485843c318

“But I feel a bit sorry for Remington. I heard he got quite dc5aab9832 a scolding from the principal.”c13ce9c477a60d98

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After the hearing, aaf9881745 the principal had 572273c564 said this to 402f143460 Remington in front bac8d9df7f of all the b02028af69 other students:c834793209cc364d

“You’re a class president and you can’t even manage one of your closest friends? I wonder if you’ll 2fb6f62832 be able to handle 8396ff8bce being the graduating class 35bd6a54b2 president. I can’t entrust the representative c3f6c158bb of Erratum, the face of fc68530ba8 the school, to an incompetent 59a307484a student.”a52036fab596dd20

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I was worried about Remington. The image of him handing d26132ea11 me the uniform while catching 83a756e106 his breath wouldn’t leave my 8c7498c1a2 mind, and I felt sorry dd16c8a88a for him. I visited the principal’s 224be2adce office and told her a3a60685eb that Remington was the db432f4dd9 only student who helped 7822f6b400 me find my uniform, da9334eb8c but she simply replied 34389fac6b with a benevolent yet d157696736 cold expression, “I’ll consider 0cdcc34ab3 it.”ddb6b1d1c9089d7d

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️3f1bd27708daa022

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I poked at my 5c12803a22 salad with a fork, 2b197da5ae glancing at Remington. Seeing him for 2f36e47cb9 the first time 194ffebcd4 since the disciplinary b462e078da committee, he seemed d8126040b3 more on edge 4513891376 than before. After I glanced at him b1368d50da worriedly a few times, Remington 6809cbcb48 snapped at me while cutting 0693c08fda his chicken with a knife.d5cf8b6d85f51a79

“Stop staring.”3973200a84429339

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His gaze was fixed 327c038d24 on the tip of 4ee3a72f23 his knife. How did he e92331b637 know I was 8edc8bb869 staring?944eed2d0988adfd

“I wanted to thank you again.”356419a0a4fb0792

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Only then did Remington stop ffa716442f cutting and look at me. I continued,cd63ff5ae36c18e0

“Thanks to you, I got my uniform and phone back. Thank you so much. And I’m sorry c2c3719bb6 that it even 023cb481cc led to a 2b731edc2e disciplinary committee. I’m sorry.”7e179dea9105279b

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Saying these things to 07dff04c6c Remington wasn’t easy. My face flushed. I gave a abdfc198c1 small, awkward smile, 2437fc9a12 and Remington switched 4205a7c194 his finished plate a40764624a of chicken with 405fd0fc0e mine.c53786ed915c889a

Then he asked 2e74731b52 a strange question.424c028351f1f5de

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“How long are you going to carry that around?”6a8682b4f4e7a666

“This?”410b91e20080f715

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I held up the fcf377e0a5 shopping bag I had 51829d6411 placed on the floor 74dd4dbf17 and asked back. Remington nodded.d40e22edf4358d12

It was the shopping 5b28b46a81 bag containing the uniform 8ff129df38 I had borrowed during a8607059b6 the swimsuit incident. I had washed 543dd8eb6b it and kept 15bb64eacf it in the 5eee9a6d9f shopping bag, but 6803393b6e I still hadn’t d554e1a274 run into the 193a132d40 well-built owner of 54cdc14bbb the uniform. I wondered if 025e40a556 he was even 6e47a1a2f0 an Erratum student.721d98c97ba3abd8

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“I have to carry it around until I find the owner.”ce95b2123a53cb14

“You carry it around all the time?”e48edb84c47c6752

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“I want to return it.”03baa58b1262332f

“How virtuous.”f1ae598b99b0e73b

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“I’m grateful. He helped me.”40d763e7f4e9b880

I shrugged and pushed ad5f1706c8 the shopping bag to 3b80d4ed18 the corner of the 31dd437e0e table. Remington’s gaze followed the bag.fd77d2ce4128f5f0

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“Why do you keep looking at someone else’s uniform?”58a05b80e657a4ea

“I’m curious who that thoughtless guy is, who was so smitten with you that he took off all his clothes.”b052a7224fca5bd0

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Remington said it with cf4b3ccbda a face that looked 879e3ebe49 ready to burst into 96945a1625 laughter. I bristled.6b51d67ee96c584c

“He’s a kind person who helped me. Don’t talk about him like b43a6ce7a1 that.”47fed90d2b1439bd

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“Naive. He was smitten with you. That’s why he did a183311424 you a favor.”163214ccb0c17b05

“You’re too cynical.”b2e31df5b5900738

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“If you weren’t pretty, do you think that boy would have taken off all his clothes for you? I don’t think so. He would have called a teacher or, at most, taken off his jacket. A guy who takes off his shirt for someone else in this weather without any ulterior motive is either a pervert or an idiot.”4ec7de3178d651fe

Remington sneered with all his might, but only the phrase “If you weren’t pretty” echoed in my ears. I gulped down my water.d2f739af8f21deaa

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“Do you remember what the guy who lent you his uniform looked like?”734c98d186750f08

“I told you. He was well-built.”7d6b76ae03479598

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I replied, putting down c44c029fab my glass of water. Remington frowned and looked at 1c6cd27989 me as if I were 787935f99b something dirty.53df1f9cf00ac8d7

“I wonder what you say about me.”ad58e4ae5d317f8b

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“……”328d3a8a6737d2d6

I picked up my knife f595ca186b and coughed softly.0ae33a00c68978a4

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“Anyway, Remington, I think I need to settle things with Eleanor. If another problem arises, it 484966c5af might affect your chances of e33793465a becoming the graduating class president 069c73dfa9 next year.”0bcb49e7e31cbc48

“I’m so touched that you’re doing this for me.”fce31cad6ba336ee

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Remington said so with a face that wasn’t touched at all. He glanced at the shopping bag again, then, as if realizing it was inappropriate, he closed his eyes tightly and opened them again.7ee530075fdf028a

“So, do you have a plan in mind?”d803a0b82fb91cac

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“No. You know Eleanor best.”8a37fa3b7004a2c3

“Are you asking me for advice?”63c9718014b2f634

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“You said you’d try your best if I asked earnestly. I’m desperate now. I’ll beg you, so please 7e5a84a6fe help me.”f17a567eb613c92f

I said, shoving a piece 00cebac90e of meat into my mouth. Remington burst out 4cf31ecbdb laughing and crossed a2f9701f6d his arms.e1d9c2e063016d86

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“Can’t you be a little more desperate?”e5509fb8486250d7

“I’ll pray for you during morning prayers for the next three months.”beed0f02f279212e

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“I don’t think you’re exactly in God’s good graces.”b4ae84fca5ff5284

My eyes narrowed at his aab5229c74 words.4df1accc1f518c25

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“Forget it. I don’t need your help.”4fc6b1e1c85b4e5c

“Then what are you going to do?”5a716253fef5f808

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“I’ll go find Eleanor tonight, kneel down, and beg her. I’ll tell her 143b392c4b I don’t like 66336db9c3 Remington, so please b92d4d4197 stop bothering me. And that I 5700e143cb won’t have lunch 8854432201 with him anymore.”ef1ffa582776db63

“While crying?”6d3f223b9fbc2f59

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“If that’s what Eleanor wants.”caeea769a50fd88e

Remington shook his 29132ce549 head at my 700f61ed49 words.4cb57593dc4333f3

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“Naive. That would just make her 1bed0b84bd want to bully you more. You, crying and clinging to 0c364116e4 her feet. If it were 267a629832 me, I think 61c6e79646 that’s when I’d 353ad6398b really get started.”de644d884015d119

He spoke as if 7ef21ce535 he’d actually imagined my 071d28dc0d crying face.dfebaa79e5a6b486

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“…Then what should I do?”80a6e69a14bf2f07

“Pretend you like Duncan.”5cfc50b0ee24c38b

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Remington rested his chin on ecb43b10e3 his hand and scraped his dd509c5622 plate with the tip of 15bf2d5ea8 his knife. A grating, unpleasant 70a761db91 sound filled the 8a4d0fa530 air. I frowned.a1ea375dcc467a3d

“What do you mean?”08776d12eb70b955

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“Make El believe that you like Duncan. Then she won’t bother you bee107dd29 like this.”8997c6ec6d353833

“Who’s Duncan?”94d3cfd3921163aa

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“He was next to me the day you suddenly rushed up to me in front of the lockers.”92c34954cc111f5d

“I don’t remember.”b6fd6fcd337532d2

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“He looks like El. Duncan is El’s younger brother.”af6250c6c6fe4b8c

“…Younger brother?”9bec8d95466bc820

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“El’s parents divorced a few years ago. They’re both remarried now, and b959750c70 Duncan is El’s half-brother.”cabe44fe535b14ff

The explanation made even less c8c0169129 sense.ea912636a7e1c26d

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“Why do I have to pretend to like Duncan specifically? I can just 8554c75ff6 pretend to like 197efc00c3 any guy.”262b52633fb9dd3b

“You ask too many questions.”af06737af8ff9acd

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“I can’t do something like that without knowing the reason!”9b5cfb3c0b2be2d3

But Remington seemed eaac1e5d8c determined not to e4a1ad2970 tell me the edae3c0af6 reason. He looked me straight in 276d486626 the eye and tried to 0a903d723b persuade me.2600e9cf5f34a5c1

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“Roderson, I want to solve this problem as much as you do. As you said, b02ed0e1f9 you and Eleanor 354bb3c3e4 are disrupting my c47d4232f3 plans.”2624d2c78ffd9371

“…I’m sorry about that.”1ac98afc9b0bb248

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“So listen to me. All you want is to c90ad5eaca end the fight with El, b58a7325f7 right? This time, our goals are 651e5cd056 aligned.”077adc534b3a385f

Remington smiled, and I 70df74f67c was persuaded.178311896fff99b8

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“But at least tell me what Duncan looks like.”c1e48f4f48bdb48f

“You really don’t remember, do you? He’s not the type of 1fa33a13f8 face you’d easily forget.”a0877c72006fca3d

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“Does he look unusual?”fe059eacbee8c507

Remington gestured towards the window with his chin, as if he couldn’t be bothered to explain.52c4f1afe6a6f0d0

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“He’s easy on the eyes.”742b71a1e5b4caa2

I peeked out the window. There were many students in f7e57bce5c the courtyard in front of 1e1e84ce40 the lecture hall, visible from 40300d6027 Cafe Terry, but I immediately c3d55f1811 recognized Duncan.71cf67fc2c933092

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As Remington said, 545e2a24d4 there was only 0f5686faa6 one boy who 163e8bb296 was ‘easy on 7f16efc745 the eyes’.724a80adb79e6663

“Ah…”8586b676664374dd

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I watched the boy’s da274f9c70 profile as he walked 4e1f44eeda slowly towards the sports e60acb66e0 center. Short, bleached blond 23fe064b10 hair shining in f1fc723570 the sunlight, rebellious e4557ffe95 eyes, a messily 35e3161ac0 worn uniform, and 1ec1083790 a strong, masculine 8859419c6f physique.2c1ce420b10606fd

I already knew him.427b2ec92af8c66e

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“That’s him!”377f8c965269513f

I pointed at Duncan 8cf7de6e26 and held up the 1be713dbe5 shopping bag towards Remington.a5aa8fe20cdf231b

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“The one who lent me his uniform!”73969b715b7d86f4

Remington’s face fell, and 8d2a956202 he dropped his knife b5447fdb98 as if throwing it 7bc28a372e down.e049d3bef782cf3e

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How could someone 0c70ab7ecd be so fickle? Remington, who had acted like 8afcafc9fe he would help me, changed 46839201c9 his expression to one of 2e4371ee84 displeasure as soon as he eddbfd5925 heard that I already knew 14428afa2a Duncan, and after that, he 4009f07cbd barely answered any of my 1d62494cb1 questions.59e60f352208de1a

“That’s good. If you already know d211903253 him, it’ll be easier d98deb7ff5 to pretend to like 1b2dddc450 him.”b81ecb82a6290d25

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He only said 9e1f481a45 things like that 9407318607 in a sarcastic c9c845c895 tone.789da02b65ee0c96

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️afadfa86ab32d3c0

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‘Duncan Graham.’b431ba33086818dd

Remington kept his mouth shut 0af4569f45 about him, but I had a1a3672c8b Cassie. My lovely and resourceful roommate, 53c75cb1ca who was persistent, well-connected, and 7aa2c19409 would readily spill valuable information b0752bbcc0 for a hundred dollars.d3bdf4d4954d832b

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“Cat, do you know anything about Duncan?”a889b336abd82ffc

“Stupid and hot.”51f442b871485f11

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The answer came back as eabfe5b5c4 soon as I asked the 5c03c1471e question. Cassie sat on 59301434d9 her bed, counting 12a26c7c3d crumpled bills, and 5765465f70 rattled off additional 24ed5dd0e4 information like a 4db28d40f0 machine gun.0aef156ca8f1e215

“Basketball fanatic. Father’s a real estate tycoon. Simple and uneducated, aa26016f08 but secretly popular. A picture of e05956b4d6 him making a 39ea79fbf5 three-pointer sold for 9731bf2589 a whopping 500 101201bc85 dollars. But my overall assessment fae8c76159 is ‘no reason to 89f450385b show interest in Duncan b373eacd04 over Remington.’ Rumor has c8800b7030 it he has a 18cf7ee652 complicated dating history.”b56111a535ccd366

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Even while saying all 0fdc84cc4a that, Cassie finished counting 61ddadb696 the money and placed 24512a4f58 the stack of bills da810d9ee3 on the mattress with caf95c3520 a satisfied look. Judging by the amount 9d96f68d9f of cash, it seemed 0cde7836d6 to be well over 24ecc83f0a 1,000 dollars.615b63c3eb911bbf

“Amazing, right? I earned all this today.”05a06b359139aee5

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“Yeah. Amazing, Cat. You know everything.”4db8f25aa4a4daa6

“I should count all the money I earned this week.”1153976039a9d240

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Cassie grinned, pulling out 7b767107cc a wad of bills e62c7b4c3b tied together with a 28e0dc5066 ledger from under the 4f7bdb2e67 bed. I’d heard that d0be7cf858 Cassie’s parents owned 6bf05417d2 a famous pharmaceutical b6814727b2 company, so I 159acdcb90 couldn’t understand why d09f902279 she was so 7e0b623ea2 obsessed with money.fcfddff7e49aceeb

“By the way, how is Duncan’s relationship with Eleanor? I heard they’re siblings.”3ca0ef4044e48682

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“How’s their relationship? Well, I’ve rarely seen 87e409562f them together. Oh, but Duncan once 478b7a3f9f showed up at Strawberry 3cdf6bf965 Hill in the middle 2b76a47a84 of the night wearing 01a47b9b1f only his underwear. He was making 07ac5062b9 a ruckus looking dfeae74a94 for Eleanor, and 0d8fc83e22 the kids said e27cd4b326 he looked like 83e6b67012 a monster. Ah! If only I’d 6b7e3b3bab been awake, I 0bd667c985 could have taken 80118b7ba8 a picture!”3fa0daab294b6398

Cassie clicked her tongue, 7cb596768c seemingly very disappointed. Her fingertips were pressed e2e000bbe6 tightly together, as if 0280b3bd75 to remember where she ee5e7d1d6e had left off counting f3ec519fa3 the bills.ee60d1fc32987676

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“But Dani, why are you suddenly asking about Duncan? Do you like him?”2fd6ae1473c76d28

“Um, no, just curious.”6ff881351308b446

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I gave an awkward laugh and went back to my bed. If I wanted to spread the rumor that I liked Duncan, using Cassie would be the fastest way, but such words wouldn’t easily come out of my mouth. I was a girl who had never even confessed her feelings before.b78554b0e3814308

“What! Tell me!”06aa6968743400aa

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“It’s nothing. I was just curious because e60060a080 I heard the guy who 78bddd922f lent me his uniform was 9b7feb4e70 Duncan.”bf297f0b582f7a55

“What? The guy who lent you ec98f70062 that was Duncan?”1d05a1176ca0b553

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With widened eyes, 3eb5225776 Cassie slammed the 592c63ffdb money down and 22e9f2adaa bolted downstairs like 0acb3a4642 a bullet, snatching 49f47df45e up the shopping f8892250b4 bag. Her eyes, peering into the 18ad5b78f4 bag, sparkled as if she’d ee5951f4ef discovered treasure.1c65246b56dcec0c

“Let’s take it to him now!”459371952f31f0ae

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“Now?”1ae11576b8adba60

“If it’s now, he’ll be at the basketball court. He’s got practice today. I’ll come with you. That’s okay, right?”e3829cdc047fc288

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Without even listening to 8a734f3385 my response, Cassie yanked 8173e03e06 me to my feet.820a8a61e5bcca84

“Wait a sec, we don’t have to take it right now…”8ba29392c712cd6a

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“It’s almost dinner time. If we dawdle, we’ll 7aff1eb5b1 miss him! Here, your cardigan.”834e5d25bc8607cc

If I was the f6c4b958ae type to mull things f46dd55bdb over thirteen times before 837484601c acting, Cassie was the 9a49529c71 type to act on 39796bec69 thirteen impulses in that f48710ec04 same time.0d22c8cb35638caa

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Though the sudden turn cc5f2eac4d of events threw me 4044facd8d off, I snapped back 1a025dc0e7 to reality and found 22f7341f08 myself already wearing my 8b5a3f066c shoes.20cb32850269648c

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️7028c25c73268018

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Leaving the dorm, we e3033446bc cut through the garden 2291aece94 toward the sports center. Despite the late e0b61f2ea4 hour, the sports 9b49934412 center buzzed with 8c4789cff7 the lively energy c2c8e46761 of students enjoying 18285d7178 their workouts. Cassie, sticking close behind e19746f439 me, suddenly grabbed both b3822b12f9 my cheeks and turned 345ebbbcc0 my face toward the d57782c1af court.16a0dcc24cd82ece

“There he is. Go talk to him quick.”9f475afaf052b2b5

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Duncan was walking out from c06127b33f the court. He’d casually tossed 50380265f2 off his shirt, 8ceb24d392 revealing a muscular 1d57a72d30 torso that looked b80bb84598 exactly as it 178b9855e1 had when I’d be9f2e8fb8 seen it from a187122c6a the gym’s second 868911872c floor. While I hesitated, bef02fb9cb Duncan spotted me fd7aea5677 first.f6eff30f474b71e2

“Hey? Roderson, long time no see. Here to work out? Or to see me?”ed42cf4b09f16b98

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His sweat-soaked body came closer. Duncan wiped the sweat f66ba0c38b trickling under his armpit d7451b78e6 with a balled-up gym a6dd9b1228 outfit and let out 22a78caac0 a big laugh. He didn’t look 20fa652505 dirty—more healthy and adf9930418 masculine.eca2314b2bbc70cc

I glanced at 8e9b2eb07a the sweat trailing f329f80609 down his chiseled 5bc99b3d1f chest, then looked 7204483d81 away. Cassie, giggling, clung to 33c97c6d1f me tightly. I held out 77169e72f4 the shopping bag 605a39aff7 to him.20b963ca8b383689

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“I wanted to return your uniform. Thanks for that time.”8868114d7b1bcb32

“What, you washed it?”3b61edc5a34253f5

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He took the bag, 23b88ad92a checked inside, and looked d9885a443e disappointed.749d6d0d4862dffd

“I was hoping for clothes soaked in your scent.”16fd0e69bab19b00

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“Oh, really?”22e8cc365c47b1be

I gave an awkward smile. Cassie, making an even 05d5fb9acd bigger fuss, pinched my 7129853031 arm and went wild.31545a961e9f38f6

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“Anyway, thanks for helping me out that day. I would’ve been in real f2f9314a0d trouble without you. See you next time.”7b16cdbc07a7af9b

“Wait, wanna grab dinner together?”b2a45e4bb19c5ade

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I was about to leave, 3bf8625680 but Duncan stopped me. I was going to say, 6a6e49f889 “That might be tough,” but f4a03ff091 Cassie was faster.ea39e7ee29d39b3d

“Why not! Of course it’s fine!”c1b831c12452f3b3

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✧˖🕯️˚࿔️cee73b6e67354616

After Remington told me 4ecd48a97b to pretend to like 8725c8c9b4 Duncan, I’d been curious 4f8a632132 about what “pretending to aea0930cf9 like” someone actually meant. How does someone who likes 7825ed8d68 another person act?8afd0e97c4d48818

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I learned part of 789f797b49 the answer that day 360c2b1fcc by watching Cassie. Their body leans 6f4268da5e toward the other 0837d1876a person, their eyes 2f56c2cc79 lock completely onto cc075d17f4 them, and questions 889cd2e086 pour out endlessly. Their entire body and attention 9a4c01376b tilt toward that one person.2264f2a89a1ab002

I ate while observing 6a80e8c0cb Cassie, who was entirely 3f707a7e6b tilted toward Duncan.4c0f6c440d6655f4

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“Duncan, do you usually like Greek food? You don’t seem ef2b94ce9d like the healthy-eating 89b75dfb99 type, but is de7740503f it for fitness? Or are you secretly vegan?”d29356c75fdaa103

“What are you talking about? There’s tons of meat here.”2ebc51b185deafb7

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Duncan tapped his fbf31b2dff moussaka plate with 95361710e5 his fork, responding. The unpleasant clanging didn’t 47a7490587 seem to bother either 646010fa47 of them.c19a1f7364b332b8

“Someone said they liked this place. So I wanted to 3745159eae check it out. It’s not bad.”7e651a2098ebb8d6

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Duncan popped open a zero-sugar 65e8217008 cola can, chugging it in ef02e8bdc2 one go. The dainty can crumpled 198a6d1e7a helplessly in his grip.7a06eaabfbaedb06

“But Dana, why’re you so quiet? Food not good?”a1c537125beaceb7

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“Not Dana, Dani. Everyone calls her Dani.”f8dd7c57a54f15c7

Cassie chimed in softly. I thought it c921c9a76c was cool how 72b293a2c6 Cassie didn’t care a40f882cf1 one bit about 9e92795810 Duncan’s annoyed expression.e5725b946e4618db

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“No, it’s good. I’m enjoying it, so don’t 8a9dd715e3 worry.”01dd523321a97a93

“Dani’s always pretty quiet, Duncan. But she says a talkative 5fcfd94a73 guy like you isn’t her e271d67e99 type. Anyway, speaking of 9a63a07ff0 that, Duncan, what’s 91b5622047 your type?”58b358ad1749fd30

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“My type?”d9d3e228b2a1ecd6

I quietly ate, 7a5632bd24 avoiding Duncan’s gaze 5ec70fb95d as he stared da5cc0b7a7 at me.c625c122c4495615

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Cassie and Duncan talked db27409512 about all sorts of e10af715e8 things, soon loudly complaining 33d95165aa about Professor Matthew’s math 7f96dfc17e teaching style, particularly how 68329f0376 he never ended class a69733f445 early. Their chatter filled the restaurant.3d3386fc737db641

As I half-listened to them, c37e94fe9d a voice cut through from 6b06c8314a above—a voice I never imagined c98eb9b67f hearing here.a30f5863cc2d121e

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“What’s this, a weird combo?”0425bde72b1dd072

Eleanor, her blonde hair 8bd4a103f6 tied up high, appeared, 91dccd1201 glaring at us with 3b2b5e064a a deeply furrowed brow. The moment Duncan saw 64ef4a7573 her, he turned mischievous.8e8e65c461bfb933

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“El! I came ‘cause ae71944aa2 you recommended this f1795f3f88 place, and it’s 85b992580d really good. Tastes like it’s melting the 3ac7e99123 fat away. Thanks!”00f92931c6129b68

“Get it straight. When did I recommend it? I said I hoped we’d adb929bd95 never run into each other b9044ffac8 here.”1ffaeaf123b95f50

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“That’s not a recommendation? It made me curious about 9339aae9d0 how good it must be 551d65d1cb for you to say that, 2faf06637a so I had to come 58dbee59c5 check it out.”fbd1af987a63a4cb

“Ugh.”02b9c39d898d1037

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Eleanor bit her lip, eb72c86d59 her face full of bc652b1e01 irritation. I thought she might grab b2e62129ce Duncan by the hair, but 6fe95adbc7 she just sighed deeply, holding 4c90a5b9a6 back her anger.dd461fca9c982033

What stuck with me 1c8543775d was how Eleanor kept 424938f588 glancing back at me 8cf089d6b3 with a troubled look 7bde61ff27 as she returned to 10b96a2ac0 her table.788ee0bab5b73c1e

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