ESS Ch 4

“You could tell Eleanor to stop.”aae2ac3f437202fc

“Well, she’s the type who won’t be satisfied until she’s half-killed whatever she finds annoying.”7bee5c26dfb7e67d

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“So, does that mean this fight will only end when I’m half-dead?”946ed85e0bd27113

“Why do you assume you have to be the one to die?”e2bcd56c6b161a2d

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“Because I think that would be faster than me killing Eleanor.”c43ebf6c4b84692a

“You seem to lack the self-awareness of being a Roderson.”b306ce6da73ee92d

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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.77cb1eb2f510ad9e

“I’m not going to drag my father into this. I want to handle it myself.”dd893e4014b38cf1

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“Why? Are you afraid El will end up like Terry Tyler? You know that won’t happen.”32daeb8fd4302490

“It’s not that. I just… don’t want to look like a troublemaker.”3b1c11547ca6288c

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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.88f1bd9b66019da5

“Eleanor will graduate soon anyway, so I’ll just have to endure it for a few more months.”a4fb67828434d09c

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“Yeah. Let me know if you need any help until then. Hang in there.”9875287df9b555d2

He unenthusiastically encouraged me with a face that didn’t look like he would ever help.e7e503a9c4bd7a39

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“Will you help me if I ask for it?”f42af42c9fb26df2

“I’ll think about it.”0e2010b1d464bbdb

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“Okay. If I die while you’re thinking about it, please take care of the funeral.”a568813ed4d2e0f1

“Why are you being so sensitive? I’m not your father. I can’t carry you around in my pocket and protect you.”b9526349c988707a

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Remington answered curtly.bf87cae154a3d671

“Of course, if you earnestly ask, I’ll try my best as a buddy.”d91b0fee2189e2f2

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I narrowed my eyes and e3d351f757 glared at his annoying face. How could someone be aabe81e303 so irritating? I wanted to flick ccf89656c9 his hand as he b3c53a6ad5 was drinking water.9179597e33597595

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….17873f8c6995f0cc

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“Forget it. I won’t ask you for help.”7f6d2471f9de35ea

“I didn’t mean to upset you.”e992af3b514f229f

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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.”011313a3afc31980

I retorted sarcastically, and Remington didn’t back down.acbd52ba8a269330

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“Don’t get me wrong. I wasn’t planning on helping you at the expense of ruining my own relationships.”c03ac27e9a5c641e

He grinned and a57d079d32 got up from 827313955c his seat, leaving eb0ef8c837 me behind.fca9696656ded63b

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“Then I’ll get going. I have afternoon plans.”23efa5560a459fc9

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.839b004a37a68e57

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Right. What do I expect 82515273d3 from you?de664fd4bb690450

Whenever I felt de6e8ded5f generous towards Remington, 9f2e92e73d I diligently recalled 343c0cd70d the words he 1008f4d046 had said to becef6563a me.f95dce56848e27e6

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“I’m just, not interested in you.”2c97dac0deea2f52

Who is he to say that? I’m not interested in you either.3275c4667d2349f0

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I muttered to myself. I don’t know who I kept repeating those words to.27224b5bf38d0393

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️a3eeb88b9261565c

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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.431eb080ba7ce9ac

“…My phone is gone too.”f1d388602b356662

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Everything went dark. I looked around the empty bfdbbf9868 locker room. Even Liu, who usually 9ea22012f0 changed slower than me, 7fe7a1aecc had already left.5be1b22f4dbf414c

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.9f27a34f72c6f1db

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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.fbaced3a3bf918b7

“Woo! Roderson! Come out quickly!”8160f061b5ab2335

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It was noisy outside the 9d4a4128af locker room door. Everyone seemed to be gathered a2f95431c1 in the hallway like mice, 5248b45b69 waiting for me.be83014b9ae8fab8

“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?”a4b705c81bf5f941

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“But since she’s Asian, wouldn’t they be a bit darker?”e85547430c679f59

“Oh, Dougie. She’s whiter than you.”80aa2f5b4888f7df

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“Wait! Those who saw her in the shower can’t participate! That’s cheating!”f0a93d0ec73d40f7

Giggles and murmurs came from 859b64256c beyond the door. I needed a plan.07011cc358de53d4

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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.f8c186f44bddc5ba

Is it very high? I peeked out the window, 3e7e430518 wrapped in a towel. Then, a blond boy f86aa87ad1 caught my eye.2f7bc45b84f92e19

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With bright golden hair cut cf7353c174 short like grass, he was 44899ba43e lying on a bench, asleep, 2fa518da5a wearing only his uniform shirt cbb5cab4a1 without a tie. He looked like f2bbb37867 a tourist tanning 751d8bada1 at a resort, 662c05db41 with his rolled-up b6836916c0 uniform jacket as 8ee2d4a76d a pillow. The sun seemed to 7c3fb16812 be shining directly on 5d0bcbf7be him, which probably added 4fd8c01766 to the impression.fc22bf3d6d89782b

I hung two 130035df60 clothes hangers on ce46201ddb the window. Only two chances. I aimed carefully and dropped 687778165e the hangers over his head.e8b1c8af16ddc5e1

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Thud, thud.321de76e69be503f

Fortunately, both hangers hit c4f93c6dd4 their mark.ed2aa1680100e528

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“Damn it. Who is it?!”36ee66a46bbadce0

He sat up abruptly, scratching his head and looking up. His eyes, when open, looked just like a baby hyena’s. I waved cheerfully.c53d44ad4bada9a1

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“Here! Second floor!”171acfc8692a5263

“Huh? Roderson?”3df888e8cae82a6e

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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.e2ef9feb8917ffcc

“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.”79b25f96f86203cf

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“Are you nude right now?”cab1109ad4a7cc77

“Almost.”2df40d572c7e3a97

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He muttered a small “wow” and boldly unbuttoned his shirt. I panicked and stopped him.5e3736681b5001fa

“Wait! You don’t have to do that. I just need the jacket…”33d6f834bb3f02e9

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“Roderson is offering to wear my clothes over her bare body. I can’t miss this opportunity.”75f03c4785302485

He playfully whistled 548d81dd4c and spun around. Between the bare 17da5c023f trees, he dramatically f997371b40 took off his 78055cb8f3 shirt like a 0fb5c7b65c surf boy. A robust physique that seemed f3b3c64ea7 impervious to sub-zero temperatures was 1c53f2f925 revealed. Embarrassed, I averted 93b19303cb my eyes, and c9bf49d29f he grinned mischievously 4eb8514f79 with a radiant 7a35f2ea99 face.6e200d863bd6ec18

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“I understand. That feeling of not being able to look me straight in the eye.”159c0e25f88dc7a0

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.2e356515e52a9ad1

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“So, shall I throw them now?”206fc0c611d3aa25

“Can you throw them this far?”439eb87aab6c00f1

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“Of course. I’m a pro at this.”84ff214907a100ab

He struck a pose 66f3ee815e like a basketball player 7b9816dee2 and accurately tossed the 1e5548f704 shirt and jacket, bundled 28bb714bec together like a ball, 6e8110edf9 right into the locker 486f278bbb room. The rolled-up clothes flew 7697152fb3 to the back of 7c5d00bf26 the locker. I ran and picked b5b9575fe2 them up. I wanted to thank him, bcc8678da1 but when I looked back eb98bb545b out the window, he was 0d7ceddbc8 already waving and walking away.5b3f112b219db9ea

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“Roderson! Are you too busy crying to come out? If you’re going to cry, cry in front of us!”efd7931b239cdbc7

The locker room 40b928b125 door started rattling 3439f659a3 again. The sounds of roaring laughter c6f0065ad4 came from outside. The onlookers seemed 06715377be to have reached 5ed95296b3 their limit of 98fa51d88f patience.08652f5bb0da95cb

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“Come out quickly! There are a lot of fathers here who want to see your naked body.”81bd74920dc637d3

“Dani, come out quickly, dear. I’m really curious about the color of your nipples.”0d5e26bf8291010a

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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.f5a39f55158e0000

I clutched the uniform ff852b6b26 in my arms. It was time to 41afb33abc face the audience.c9298d9a3ab7efce

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✧˖🕯️˚࿔️77e591cdba1c340d

The uniform top 16ec907074 the unknown boy 129d738ecf had lent me d568420dae was long enough 3a9bebcff0 to cover more 5a59363df1 than half of 6013487a9d my thighs. Looking at myself in a6de03cecf the mirror, the moment 0533000727 the locker room door 639a4eca32 rattled again, I clenched ab0da34de1 my lips and threw 9b4412d507 it open.17d24f0c23b556d0

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“……”f7878f82da1103ee

As I walked afc9061032 out the door, d93d2642c2 I saw astonished c4fd45504d faces. No one seemed to have e6e8951e8d expected me to come out 8cd9d0cb10 fully clothed. Those who were clinging to 345663482a the door in anticipation, those 7c6365bdb5 holding up their phone cameras 4a9f41d066 to film me, those craning cd97546a8d their necks over the shoulders fd42069527 of those in front – 1e78dc5d89 all were speechless, staring at 9ae144f987 me.4580fc9c1a38ec67

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“I’m sorry to disappoint you.”4bee2fa9007caf89

I walked over to Tully, who had been imitating my father’s voice, and said,1f540a701b8cd1ad

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“But if you’re so curious about my body, you should be the one to strip first.”e8f3baa6e35fcd58

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.37b106e7799d845b

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Why do people b6e6dd1588 want to hear 8c21c42d5a the screams of ba0fa8f0f7 others?7da8626715ebd1b3

Is it to drown out 5747e8611c their own screams with the 6d89a2521a screams of others?61307906db9c21be

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I looked around at the 196e7fed82 kids parted like the Red 8380958881 Sea and said,1d9dfcd4409bc73a

“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.”46857ca47622a61f

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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.14e82a986732c8e0

Even if I was 25a37f78b0 a classless fake, I 4b72ffcd9d was a Roderson, and c060dcdfa7 I needed to remind ff5059d844 them of that fact.b2417769fbb6f258

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In the silence, I walked 6c41955839 forward steadily.f7648f453efd78b1

At the edge ffd89925cb of the crowd 419ad8f973 were Eleanor and 05524814b2 Remington. Behind them, the spiral 55b580a150 staircase of the central cc5754199f lobby stood majestically, and d6d367aca3 I stopped in front 6859ea446c of the two.abb92f8ff1e57e12

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“…What?”49abbdd2200a06ea

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.a6131c0c80c26326

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“Hi, Remington.”78b71c886bae8bfe

“What happened to you?”d92a04f68d478781

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“There were some circumstances.”e11e8436ae3bbaa9

“That looks like a boy’s uniform. And what about the bottom…”79cfff8dd64bef8e

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“Yeah. I don’t really want to talk about it.”fcd16716980b66ea

At my words, Remington’s face crumpled.72b0106200e193e4

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“Are you out of your mind?”6be976bdf8cfc05c

“My point exactly. Don’t you think so?”4f7fe7b1489604e3

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I looked at Eleanor. Her long eyelashes 31961bd393 trembled with anger aa34c7b1cb as she glared 50acae2f06 at me. I smiled at her.11fc63479a472dd0

“Hi, Eleanor. Do you happen to know who stole my uniform?”33a5c7f6fa80e9c2

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Eleanor responded to 03c4e3e7fc my question with 02ce379dd3 a short, irritated 07b91e22f2 laugh.80f88e003f72b2db

“Well, how would I know about your uniform?”35d06a70edeafdb0

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Remington frowned and looked b3bf17d2a3 back at Eleanor.e7a58e4cb8ea9f70

“El, you didn’t actually…”b74526d7bd338b6f

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“…Damn it.”382277f4c7624cb5

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.c73ae6c6bacf56cb

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“Eleanor, if you happen to find the culprit, let me know. I’d like to tell them 69f6554449 that they can’t embarrass me 4b037accad with something like this.”f674ab080172fa94

I smiled at the clever young lady once more. Eleanor’s face flushed crimson.ca19deb5a886526c

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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.07a3edc12b6d213d

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?fd4b443c2b5cd4fc

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✧˖🕯️˚࿔️d41510c8856d9532

After leaving the gym, I 3772f09346 sat on a park bench 2bcc4286b5 behind the library, looking up e9c5e04bd1 at the sky until lunchtime 027fddc74d approached. I thought about dca3adc1e3 going back to 3ed48ab299 the dorm to 52ab08485d change, but everything 2b3d25e64f felt too bothersome. I was a little sad ef66c0a47f and a little lonely.7310822099f86f90

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Today was the c0f94b2ac7 day I was fcafe9c73f supposed to have 5f6f7b28ac lunch with Remington. But I was in b9a5f743f0 no mood to eat 563b0ebfdc with him. I hated Eleanor 85235d21ac for tormenting me, f81bbfed08 but I hated e97e1071c0 Remington even more a380302377 for always being fbf73a86ed found by her 7bca5312b9 side, like they 31f89d1bce were a set.727834f4edda1643

I’m hungry…6e466b9b44ff998f

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Just as my stomach 3e8cf7a564 was about to growl, 28b7ad53d1 a familiar voice spoke.cfe4648b046f81ac

“Did Roderson go bankrupt in the meantime? Why are you wearing someone else’s uniform?”0cb60a80ad885567

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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.0dfb9fa0b82b4ab6

“Ben! Are you going to lunch?”e6688a75e07bad10

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“Which sons of bitches did this?”3189f6343ff067b9

Bear-like eyes quickly scanned me f9508ab9a3 from head to toe. I raised both hands 56f9950937 in a gesture of b100ecae82 reassurance.bf59ab679ad1728c

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“I’m fine. I’m not hurt. I just borrowed 52c8eed0c3 a boy’s uniform.”02a62db10a45eaff

“Yes, I see that. Although, it seems you’re only 04e63684d2 wearing the top.”98bbde7ebf96452e

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“It’s the trend these days.”d93e92a0705a28fb

“Oh my! Do you think an old man like me doesn’t know about trends?”913ddf1ebc716f75

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Benjamin took off a085b3fc42 his large jumper 5572d85b3f and draped it 154e33a9bb over my legs. At that moment, tears welled 88989360f8 up, so I deliberately laughed b296d3d467 louder.77d855c1a7f1ecd5

“What’s so funny?”6598759cf0b98980

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“Nothing. The jumper is warm.”244861aae64a55d3

“You’re being silly.”701bfe11a15ff42a

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Benjamin grumbled. Just then, my 8adaef3ede stomach growled, and dbe9bf2b36 I clutched my 8291d7885a stomach in embarrassment. Mr. Benjamin then shook the plastic 5fbe1de277 bag of pork chops at 74784ec3dc me.9d3c0d07581e668a

“I can’t eat alone. Would you have lunch d150960018 with me just this 7abd61629c once?”8170ea5b0efe4692

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The tempting smell of cd6291bf82 pork chops wafted into 7c94a59e55 my nose. A bright smile automatically spread 5f1a8500e7 across my face.417f3ec84bfa5cb7

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️a1a9b74a140e2d3a

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“Follow me closely. I’m a bit e33a52f4b1 slow because of 22d27cea55 my leg.”95dcf71df406c103

“It’s okay. I’m a slow walker too.”033ff29b187ecf95

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I responded in d9c7e025a1 an exaggerated tone, 7d748cd47b wanting to reassure 437fe7932a him.a2b1713cd3ba1b1b

We crossed the park bd5466645e and headed to his c12e90ac35 office. His office was a small 84a061c65f room tucked away behind the ee002c755f library, small and cozy like cd75dc582e the room I lived in 2e8103145f when I was very young.91cf945a30ece9b8

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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.a4069380c3013def

Instead, Benjamin was easily angered.7445b21b4c7a8eb6

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“@#7e476ee5bd0a0704

@@@845e6250eee79258

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 d777de8c5f659c66

@#816d95579656dd3e

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 83c58e732edfb230

 36aaec197708c96b

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$!”664e435d13d1c039

He suddenly snarled while listening to my story. Even though I couldn’t understand the language, I instinctively knew it was a curse.0cd0e3ac317ec4b3

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“There are so many damn crazy people in the world. Pathetic bastards!”abcde6f21652719b

Benjamin crumpled the dcb3994328 empty pork chop 851d777e71 box and tossed 00eb1a9624 it into the 677b895593 trash can.eef40099a8833980

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“I understand why Eleanor acts so arrogant. Her father is the CEO 8fc95bd962 of Fortenge, her mother is 1f1c233b8d the principal of Erratum… She 136ace9d61 has nothing to fear. She probably believed she was 4651743074 the best student here, so edcc1ffd00 she’ll be even more resentful.”3264b1e9a1792236

“Before her teeth start grinding, she’ll probably try to pull out all of mine.”0da01f60d43a3dd5

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“Couldn’t you just tell your father? He seems like he’d 0665f55bd0 gladly intervene.”4748e2d545bea2c7

“…I guess so. That would be simple.”4b8311faa2af7974

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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.b50c892dc951ca4d

That’s what it meant for my father to intervene.d103d4e313bc5cf9

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The complete removal of 735418619a the source of the 33dba99d76 problem.2b01f8c2e4d6909a

“I’m afraid. I think my 7b4db72291 father would consider c87d8d790a me, not Eleanor, fe38c4c30d to be the 7efdbe5aa0 cause of the 56577e2450 problem. It’s simpler than making 6561caca61 an enemy of the 4a9de5ac3f Lester family, who have 3e6a18cf72 the media on their 332a6b2f31 side, right? More efficient.”ad5998493b88d451

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But I didn’t want to be eliminated.367a4ef6e1c75540

“I want to resolve this on my own. There must be a way. Eleanor is just 70fc7d89c9 a high school d8692fd140 student like me, 69beed9c54 after all.”a6412567d5d3e5bc

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“Still, be careful. Cruelty doesn’t discriminate by age.”27cac9850165296a

“Have you seen a lot of kids like that?”7bf6e45ecb41fd43

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“Of course. I still remember. A long time ago, a981848992 probably when your father 67fd8d9078 was attending this school, 4a54b3a2d0 there was a boy 32a19b4d09 from the Simmons family. Back then, the Simmons family 3ba36f1eeb was even more influential than b49ba15ecc they are now. But that boy 393bc1fa35 was severely bullied 99f46a852f and eventually found 296b26b8df unconscious.”6c678aa11ab46283

“…What happened?”de5cc9f7f97022c6

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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…”8e6563cf00e90b95

Benjamin sucked the pork 88d9e4bfe7 chop sauce off his 0a748209d2 fork and then tossed 2625859fc1 the fork accurately into 53c33fd814 the trash can.10c4a1ac7719694b

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“But it’s a relief that Remington is your buddy. There’s no one as reliable as him. Right?”2eb90f5c58d35f08

“Well, yeah.”d3b8f1ac54dc62b8

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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.”c31a534aa701d0f2

Benjamin’s face, which had 1c3d659125 looked bored after he 00faa4b05d finished his pork chops, e0c9abf336 shone brightly for the b73eaa5fff first time without food.848452334c557f2f

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He went on about how ab70f3694f Remington had given him a 067749f643 40th work anniversary gift and 4d9ca81fbe how he had organized a 6a73ece81b charity party and fundraiser when b6e5d909cf Larry, a janitor who had d3dd13b304 worked at Erratum for 10 9469065731 years, was diagnosed with cancer.f942c0bc7d52c0bd

“He’s such a kind young man. Remington might become a great politician like Congressman Roderson someday.”6002e1894e90c183

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“…You’re right. He’s really similar to a92911c701 my father.”38237f3482763ae2

I looked at the clock 84a5153e8b on the desk. Lunchtime was over. Remington wasn’t the type f7dbbc6345 to wait for me 92326bcdba if I didn’t show 73c1ee06ee up, so he probably ea4b5250bf had lunch with Eleanor. I felt a e3a4498f09 bitter taste in 5a3daf1a7a my mouth.c56dfd15eaaba8d7

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“But he hates me…”edf640de0051007d

I was about to voice my thoughts about Remington when Benjamin’s eyes widened as he looked behind me.9327513f550f2ac2

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“What are you doing here, Remington?”9eacfa608c3f0f8a

…Remington? I widened my eyes f4a1a43c47 and turned around. Remington was actually there. Standing in front of fa60e473b9 the creaking iron door, 49f9986075 breathing heavily.5d9ebc98b44cdb0f

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He glared at 0519b260e5 me irritably, hands 7d7864c2e8 on his knees, b97609c822 and asked me 34bfdec35a between ragged breaths,b7ca0f8a1fb6cb90

“Why, didn’t you, answer your, phone.”289ee23e3c2e90aa

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Despite the freezing weather, 4d080c8508 there were beads of 46ad6d9a4e sweat on his forehead. His usually impeccable b74ab1a1fb appearance was gone; 9080d4ec9c he was completely c9ddceb40b disheveled. Messy hair, loosened 198dd8f102 tie, untucked shirt, 6e524f5bed and even his f97a862704 black Oxford shoes 10d62a5831 were dirty from 91c866136c the melting snow.d2c3adcc407841f0

Remington showed every sign of d8aec0737c having run around looking for bbbe4dd168 me.b583953afd93d2c0

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“…You were looking for me?”14ef41ede2984f35

“Today’s lunch is Buddy Day.”a2f090ac932ad910

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Remington answered, catching his breath.0866e289b2614b44

Why… I couldn’t take my 7db37a0027 eyes off him. Was it because I fce39460a3 was seeing Remington so 0ba1f7cc6e disheveled for the first 1304c98256 time? Or was it because 7df223cf67 I was the reason 69902c6efb for his dishevelment? My head was blank, and 9ec608baca my chest felt strangely fluttery.2c3e003ba81fe5b5

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“…So you looked for me?”6054caa7cb99e414

“Yes.”288f16438b702b50

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Remington answered curtly.a47ec37b345b3141

“How could I not look for you when you left looking like that and didn’t come back?”327ef8d4062c5eee

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What are you?1dd4060ac6857bf0

Do you really hate me?54e90d34d8c9bb33

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“Stop staring blankly and take this. It’s your uniform.”62c422b687b776a7

A large shopping bag e82ab6a06c was held out to 7e9835c461 me.42ef02a3d75be0ef

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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.”8b0bb568a21a3b4d

I slowly took the shopping e2c6d22d11 bag.f7396ca83d209000

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“…Thank you.”f1bc966d8dc9b647

“Whatever.”406e1b8fbf86b73d

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Looking at Remington’s sullen expression 897c2df9eb made the soles of my 1c200e2696 feet tingle uncontrollably.bd4588fc2956de6e

“I, I didn’t know you called. My phone was 807f0288c2 in my uniform dfb6dfd1e3 pocket. I didn’t know you 5cbc08b92f were looking for me…”d23ec60fd92aa56c

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My face must have been 873f80b6c9 a mixture of surprise at 4cfeee2c7c the unexpected situation and gratitude. Remington looked at me, ba401175ea then averted his gaze.a25f59751c95765a

“I’ll be going.”95b697d70401954e

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“Did you eat lunch?”0edb8e81d5d417b0

“That’s none of your business.”c517080b480369d3

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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.8440257f23c7068d

Mr. Benjamin looked at me with 7306728e51 a face that seemed to 69bd384587 be suppressing laughter.96f5a645c7fc5ba4

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“See? A very reliable buddy, right?”603787e9a595f914

Instead of answering, 632511d190 I watched Remington 573ddf029d through the small 91e41174d7 window in the fd44ed1fea iron door until 5783ae31cf he disappeared among 28b649b160 the winter trees.8d8cf6b010220ba5

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✧˖🕯️˚࿔️75a9b2dc409a4e25

I think that 1c1516f564 was the first 4be32f8735 time I thought 068f9f3bb2 that maybe I 6db7114bb7 could be friends 19f21c5d53 with Remington. That maybe, just maybe, I 3ed6fc99aa could try liking him.bac61ff32dc18ae6

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✧˖🕯️˚࿔️4c9ea2e6530042fc

Following the swimming pool locker 3309ee3c07 room incident, a disciplinary committee ae8e8bb430 was convened regarding Eleanor. It was a formality. As the principal’s daughter f15572d175 and an honors student, 9b8a8c3522 Eleanor received eight hours d0780becc3 of community service.c0cf5b54aad1713e

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Mr. Benjamin was the accuser. As a reward for 316b9ae0ce reporting the principal’s daughter, e033bbcc52 he was given the baca2ab569 additional task of managing 87ed2b1ad4 the new library.f4f5070bd03a083e

“If they tell me to do it, I have to do it. It’s actually good. I have a surprisingly deep 369ac8c8bb knowledge of the humanities.”a621db7439672cce

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Mr. Benjamin said nonchalantly. I felt both grateful 868226370f and apologetic. I gave him a set 096e351ee5 of fragrant, high-quality shaving products, 9be1baddc5 and he laughed, saying he 7eb77f4df2 would make sure to shave 9624d30426 regularly from now on.7a2e28183bb4caf1

“But I feel a bit sorry for Remington. I heard he aaec2b6b35 got quite a a53b93a8fa scolding from the 15fc820914 principal.”352b00168aa048b7

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After the hearing, f50d9fdfd7 the principal had 793dd9ef2b said this to 48c07d91a1 Remington in front bf8e799a4d of all the a23de942e6 other students:ca68cca3604ba85e

“You’re a class president and you can’t even manage one of your closest friends? I wonder if you’ll 348b0ef3dc be able to handle 3cc087fe22 being the graduating class 02814c1b8e president. I can’t entrust the representative e6244415cd of Erratum, the face of 09ace0455e the school, to an incompetent d50774332f student.”c56b0a72069b2f6c

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I was worried about Remington. The image of him handing 30b5a018f3 me the uniform while catching f9c75ccaab his breath wouldn’t leave my 3528258dca mind, and I felt sorry b9697084ad for him. I visited the principal’s office aecf15cd49 and told her that Remington 91522b66f7 was the only student who 03a3d2b66e helped me find my uniform, 2385a5b215 but she simply replied with b02359be89 a benevolent yet cold expression, 2effc92840 “I’ll consider it.”25df23f5ad9be3c5

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️71374da1cdab109d

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I poked at my salad a339867060 with a fork, glancing at fd82c2af56 Remington. Seeing him for e5387aa1a2 the first time 2b814eb680 since the disciplinary 523afc43c6 committee, he seemed 536845b21b more on edge 36943dd124 than before. After I glanced at him a738c1fbce worriedly a few times, Remington 1c791a9886 snapped at me while cutting 4e54b1f54b his chicken with a knife.5ba36ffc67ce305c

“Stop staring.”6474125a3acaf440

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His gaze was fixed on e319b9d0ca the tip of his knife. How did he c5a67b2fd3 know I was af8a0fdb20 staring?a474c35e4a225492

“I wanted to thank you again.”b1f4be2e821c65b8

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Only then did Remington stop 4861bf1726 cutting and look at me. I continued,96142a9b618d40f5

“Thanks to you, I got my uniform and phone back. Thank you so much. And I’m sorry c3e369133a that it even a65bb7dafd led to a 85bbee5e97 disciplinary committee. I’m sorry.”0815514d4d0fe522

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Saying these things to 282e7d9909 Remington wasn’t easy. My face flushed. I gave a small, 0ff0a5682e awkward smile, and Remington 9f11088bc0 switched his finished plate f71e67d513 of chicken with mine.cb508f2c2a02a723

Then he asked a 3b75109346 strange question.0469f06351148034

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“How long are you going to carry that around?”ac0f7d1794b06d74

“This?”1187841aae96161a

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I held up 3f45be758e the shopping bag 791e690170 I had placed 7942c994d9 on the floor a15793d26a and asked back. Remington nodded.0dceda40983c904b

It was the bbcd186549 shopping bag containing 5e14a8075c the uniform I 93d3f8e492 had borrowed during 9eb83c899e the swimsuit incident. I had washed 1ef4dfb4ca it and kept 0914afb97a it in the c2238c295b shopping bag, but 0d0e0a52c4 I still hadn’t a0f0b33674 run into the 2af53f608d well-built owner of 11cdc9b70b the uniform. I wondered if 9f9ed4ccac he was even e33bbeee7e an Erratum student.aa17138ee7b9e4cc

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“I have to carry it around until I find the owner.”446950cc5514e872

“You carry it around all the time?”402082d158277b21

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“I want to return it.”086d3cab9a8d167c

“How virtuous.”e70ad83203eadfdb

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“I’m grateful. He helped me.”32d384ef7e60e2e4

I shrugged and pushed aed30ea576 the shopping bag to 8dcf17a50b the corner of the 412977b377 table. Remington’s gaze followed the bag.bf6f7bdb1127e7be

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“Why do you keep looking at someone else’s uniform?”a6830f63db8dd6ca

“I’m curious who that thoughtless guy is, who was so smitten with you that he took off all his clothes.”e74a08460cc9da09

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Remington said it with 12f36649f1 a face that looked c6c36eb38a ready to burst into 7bd612577f laughter. I bristled.037012399f5697a7

“He’s a kind person who helped me. Don’t talk about him 3a586e5552 like that.”04e5236fbde555c8

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“Naive. He was smitten with you. That’s why he did 48b68b029e you a favor.”45b844b0dfca03b9

“You’re too cynical.”d705e7aa44365ddb

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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.”b62d95548efb09d6

Remington sneered with all his might, but only the phrase “If you weren’t pretty” echoed in my ears. I gulped down my water.8fc3bd13d21faca8

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“Do you remember what the guy who lent you his uniform looked like?”f75b0227be419dc6

“I told you. He was well-built.”e28fbeddd4d5ba9f

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I replied, putting down my 9b8462176e glass of water. Remington frowned and looked eefd6abfd6 at me as if 958e1d767b I were something dirty.5fce7cbb2e48ebaa

“I wonder what you say about me.”242b22d4e1a17565

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“……”98179d42e491b732

I picked up my ee6e0f466d knife and coughed softly.3895140b5e189185

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“Anyway, Remington, I think I need to settle things with Eleanor. If another problem arises, 939fe5401d it might affect your 42b00f1201 chances of becoming the eb8f41f324 graduating class president next e34bc848bb year.”0a75a16a7dbfc148

“I’m so touched that you’re doing this for me.”88ba6904219d71b0

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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.a891533a8c1e25dc

“So, do you have a plan in mind?”f386b6d33d240edd

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“No. You know Eleanor best.”5f23b4b339ac6b0d

“Are you asking me for advice?”a64a7a88408b952a

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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 71caa2b880 help me.”d4d74672c8bf6cd2

I said, shoving a piece 6f2cc45162 of meat into my mouth. Remington burst out laughing and 004c0b4183 crossed his arms.9fedfc9a66ff5364

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“Can’t you be a little more desperate?”cb4c903e206649d0

“I’ll pray for you during morning prayers for the next three months.”73809caf51d9c236

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“I don’t think you’re exactly in God’s good graces.”19ab7778d1572e1c

My eyes narrowed at 073a1b13de his words.7c022e8d7c58f826

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“Forget it. I don’t need your help.”593a6ed9c68f7840

“Then what are you going to do?”78fa76da05cc0a0a

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“I’ll go find Eleanor tonight, kneel down, and beg her. I’ll tell her I 822b11121d don’t like Remington, so c394beef96 please stop bothering me. And that I won’t 76e20a636d have lunch with him 07ce2265da anymore.”e358bee2d0a89f01

“While crying?”e851840964ac1914

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“If that’s what Eleanor wants.”258e8c0f40287b80

Remington shook his 0600d907d7 head at my 9b079d2eb4 words.730124bc712538d7

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“Naive. That would just 505ac0438d make her want 17f4bbee10 to bully you 84e31f805d more. You, crying and ce5d82144f clinging to her e3f7897502 feet. If it were me, I b4006bb2df think that’s when I’d really dc11b9839b get started.”6d7c4be26b249e52

He spoke as 905ef65df2 if he’d actually 2f5d6f6512 imagined my crying ebbd5727e2 face.7fdbc9960158ae8b

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“…Then what should I do?”97978694aeb3fb90

“Pretend you like Duncan.”c4fb5e4f270b14b9

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Remington rested his chin 526c1f20bc on his hand and bfc64d949b scraped his plate with 1ff5466e02 the tip of his a0c337e4ca knife. A grating, unpleasant sound filled 36c6eedaba the air. I frowned.f9bc3c7078b116a3

“What do you mean?”b90da86e7927d035

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“Make El believe that you like Duncan. Then she won’t bother 1f9f05de18 you like this.”20c2a28837ccc028

“Who’s Duncan?”6b377301dbf32194

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“He was next to me the day you suddenly rushed up to me in front of the lockers.”47e7559f307a576f

“I don’t remember.”7d3fcb633d2f2057

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“He looks like El. Duncan is El’s younger brother.”4cea512fbecb094f

“…Younger brother?”d5239d96469a5db9

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“El’s parents divorced a few years ago. They’re both remarried now, and 0c063cdb36 Duncan is El’s half-brother.”e50eac2b3c50a661

The explanation made even 240dd0a3ca less sense.ab81325a7e5e0d45

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“Why do I have to pretend to like Duncan specifically? I can just pretend 6d5bfc86ff to like any guy.”3011b05edde5e332

“You ask too many questions.”b5ad2a920cf00ed3

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“I can’t do something like that without knowing the reason!”4482cfca0850690a

But Remington seemed determined not b953ebe91b to tell me the reason. He looked me straight 4464739ae6 in the eye and cc0d132cb7 tried to persuade me.b3214601bd6a2b90

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“Roderson, I want to solve this problem as much as you do. As you said, e0239941d8 you and Eleanor bb7f288b74 are disrupting my e1ff38fa83 plans.”4966edffa84e9733

“…I’m sorry about that.”a04ba184ea771ed9

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“So listen to me. All you want 52ebaa71f8 is to end f8f31b22b9 the fight with 98cddec598 El, right? This time, our goals e835dc34f5 are aligned.”27afee204e782a7c

Remington smiled, and I was beadda3116 persuaded.37328d57640b3e05

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“But at least tell me what Duncan looks like.”c802f30f861be85f

“You really don’t remember, do you? He’s not the 1c261c8efc type of face cf085d1bf7 you’d easily forget.”23f76770c6b81034

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“Does he look unusual?”8c31e581438869f9

Remington gestured towards the window with his chin, as if he couldn’t be bothered to explain.9793c4d9cc181918

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“He’s easy on the eyes.”652ad7dc2d26fb0a

I peeked out the window. There were many students in 3e5c178287 the courtyard in front of 053bf64c50 the lecture hall, visible from 2e52b4fb3a Cafe Terry, but I immediately 44217ab2bb recognized Duncan.3ff8bd139064d45c

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As Remington said, there 494e55eeb9 was only one boy a3a7d46b01 who was ‘easy on 383bb07b22 the eyes’.e5ae7c444ebfa010

“Ah…”dcf78e6bac1ed782

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I watched the boy’s d0c1ee33de profile as he walked c2f15bdce3 slowly towards the sports fb800396a1 center. Short, bleached blond hair shining d173820165 in the sunlight, rebellious eyes, 9b5faa6cd4 a messily worn uniform, and 4ad40260d1 a strong, masculine physique.2d971b4c50c013f5

I already knew him.4e08b25101ec76ad

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“That’s him!”2ba121fd10835f03

I pointed at Duncan and 38e903a502 held up the shopping bag b76db3faaa towards Remington.6dedc996b1dd143a

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“The one who lent me his uniform!”30c000b3bfd4086e

Remington’s face fell, 5db4780132 and he dropped 6c941e1ae0 his knife as 46ba8d1948 if throwing it 512b90971f down.a17e7a9108f8dca4

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How could someone be 1ed16e4c16 so fickle? Remington, who had acted like f49694aeb0 he would help me, changed 5827f3ca38 his expression to one of d8234366aa displeasure as soon as he 13a9a93828 heard that I already knew b4a33648c1 Duncan, and after that, he c95e1025ee barely answered any of my 3b82adc192 questions.d58000753419fc15

“That’s good. If you already know 6834611dda him, it’ll be easier bdf2c9f1ae to pretend to like f53c82559b him.”d492a2d67c3f5ea9

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He only said things 07e4dcf3f4 like that in a 71576fe6e0 sarcastic tone.7a296521ce735da6

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️5cf18f8aa318fdb1

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‘Duncan Graham.’b30ced77d0810018

Remington kept his 4d1a133c23 mouth shut about 6e43ed919d him, but I 70668082a6 had Cassie. My lovely and resourceful c82465c953 roommate, who was persistent, 3750e59ab5 well-connected, and would readily 69b9aa262d spill valuable information for f4dcc27982 a hundred dollars.61f8b82fb2b318be

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“Cat, do you know anything about Duncan?”771e12775c8b7a7b

“Stupid and hot.”3aeb3b515afa1b10

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The answer came back 94a69357d6 as soon as I 589e2fab63 asked the question. Cassie sat on her bed, 9c5859bf6c counting crumpled bills, and rattled 836c910b6a off additional information like a 27e91e5b8a machine gun.c1e2f4cd539199a3

“Basketball fanatic. Father’s a real estate tycoon. Simple and uneducated, ef8df1fc6b but secretly popular. A picture of him e47b579dce making a three-pointer sold 76b9f11d52 for a whopping 500 61f9b59a32 dollars. But my overall assessment is 99ab8a06e8 ‘no reason to show interest 1e95de57a3 in Duncan over Remington.’ Rumor f2f9bab684 has it he has a 0e7d76390f complicated dating history.”812f831efb1f8e48

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Even while saying all that, 6d6e51a40c Cassie finished counting the money 99f12ecb76 and placed the stack of c755bf1832 bills on the mattress with 0f29b32f14 a satisfied look. Judging by the amount of c5dd20826a cash, it seemed to be 3f097fdd63 well over 1,000 dollars.46773e8f09084e00

“Amazing, right? I earned all this today.”5222c6ad2cb187c0

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“Yeah. Amazing, Cat. You know everything.”b6debfc81097252f

“I should count all the money I earned this week.”24fdd9fe5896ef82

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Cassie grinned, pulling out 0fa07dd6b8 a wad of bills f23f0bd3bf tied together with a f095648490 ledger from under the 1de837073d bed. I’d heard that 01df24df61 Cassie’s parents owned 5482e39421 a famous pharmaceutical 24b718d11e company, so I e7039421c7 couldn’t understand why 60b7e02a9f she was so 5177069cc0 obsessed with money.a581a7e5d9a33e35

“By the way, how is Duncan’s relationship with Eleanor? I heard they’re siblings.”e0cdaca95e0fdd76

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“How’s their relationship? Well, I’ve rarely seen them fc5edc7293 together. Oh, but Duncan e0b9cccd3f once showed up a21e3ca7ef at Strawberry Hill d46c7e637e in the middle 1deb298c2b of the night 0472ae1518 wearing only his 004e54444c underwear. He was making a ruckus 9fa13dc5f9 looking for Eleanor, and the 0370f17394 kids said he looked like 49f077413e a monster. Ah! If only I’d f547f4d4cd been awake, I da8c1bbec1 could have taken ba1f09c1fd a picture!”235eeac718842c19

Cassie clicked her tongue, 85e49d0c90 seemingly very disappointed. Her fingertips were pressed tightly 0b04937a9d together, as if to remember 7b19431888 where she had left off 74d9fcc44d counting the bills.34530f799b6e6c52

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“But Dani, why are you suddenly asking about Duncan? Do you like him?”9cfeefba31148009

“Um, no, just curious.”c9995cb361981010

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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.01d1b17b91850431

“What! Tell me!”c9c4667bfdee1da0

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“It’s nothing. I was just curious 41e0a2ed5f because I heard the 7c27a4f887 guy who lent me dcb57fe3e3 his uniform was Duncan.”f21dc9ee2791a655

“What? The guy who lent 159f177a76 you that was Duncan?”4cce4ac0e5327f3f

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With widened eyes, 9ec8aef05c Cassie slammed the 611e7c5cdf money down and 41b9d2b611 bolted downstairs like 70dd774985 a bullet, snatching 5c075918c1 up the shopping 1616cac1fa bag. Her eyes, peering 434fef0202 into the bag, 1605303616 sparkled as if ca16c5706e she’d discovered treasure.883782500b90015d

“Let’s take it to him now!”0a9ab82664d92e98

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“Now?”804185bc80524660

“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?”01108885d883fd45

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Without even listening to my 5be34968d0 response, Cassie yanked me to b8e86e253d my feet.19ec8c19a9024890

“Wait a sec, we don’t have to take it right now…”65cda60215ad0758

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“It’s almost dinner time. If we dawdle, 59522c28b8 we’ll miss him! Here, your cardigan.”50dd106a815e4ca3

If I was 51fc9060d1 the type to d3b8b34f9d mull things over 780f967ef4 thirteen times before fffa426354 acting, Cassie was 2a1ca95509 the type to 95883f4cae act on thirteen cf99836268 impulses in that dd36053c30 same time.0ff123c5e8489990

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Though the sudden turn 798f7db9cc of events threw me c507dd8273 off, I snapped back 2a9db63bf8 to reality and found 2b5259d87d myself already wearing my 7e114efd7d shoes.9916c7584e55a456

✧˖🕯️˚࿔️7fb7a4b5caee8bcb

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Leaving the dorm, we cut 1384bb859e through the garden toward the bfff2b0c8a sports center. Despite the late 19a4e205cb hour, the sports a9c13e9559 center buzzed with 014094aa7a the lively energy 5a4b67eaad of students enjoying 3d2ec19b53 their workouts. Cassie, sticking close ab7432081d behind me, suddenly 0a51f67c5a grabbed both my 8081d5c39c cheeks and turned 80d4eb22af my face toward 6af125dac5 the court.ad5fa8cbb636ac2f

“There he is. Go talk to him quick.”9903b4a16da52c0a

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Duncan was walking out f87641a4ba from the court. He’d casually tossed off f7d94e3265 his shirt, revealing a cc88cce18f muscular torso that looked 03f9b62dc1 exactly as it had 47dd28c72d when I’d seen it f866b4c674 from the gym’s second 55b7acb1b7 floor. While I hesitated, Duncan spotted bec59c81e3 me first.c323266d4e35f978

“Hey? Roderson, long time no see. Here to work out? Or to see me?”57f0b13042bc6f12

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His sweat-soaked body came closer. Duncan wiped the b44330b6dc sweat trickling under 3aefdb9609 his armpit with 2754a95e5b a balled-up gym ad79f79fa6 outfit and let d0434071ec out a big e2e3c4d36a laugh. He didn’t look dirty—more healthy b68611eb5b and masculine.9cf972eeb8617c38

I glanced at d7a3bf4ee6 the sweat trailing bf13eac4bf down his chiseled ea8de540a2 chest, then looked 760fb2fbaa away. Cassie, giggling, clung to me 35170d51a4 tightly. I held out the shopping dafcf633bf bag to him.8e12374502f6ea2a

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“I wanted to return your uniform. Thanks for that time.”a52a802c90fd2dd2

“What, you washed it?”d8a816d432e25a03

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He took the b8a01ef639 bag, checked inside, ff3d64e495 and looked disappointed.50a326d26455d365

“I was hoping for clothes soaked in your scent.”fda20849d2a9fd82

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“Oh, really?”69cf74a53af3326a

I gave an awkward smile. Cassie, making an even ee139ef948 bigger fuss, pinched my a5e508cd7d arm and went wild.b36f6b28e35fc76f

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“Anyway, thanks for helping me out that day. I would’ve been in real 5d82d00e0b trouble without you. See you next time.”1041a317b3fb299a

“Wait, wanna grab dinner together?”cff1fa8016e248fc

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I was about to 637f6e081b leave, but Duncan stopped 2215bb8a86 me. I was going 1bfa78cfa0 to say, “That 9184927b95 might be tough,” d2f9b26d5a but Cassie was f66f9cef0d faster.e4dafc006a95bb9d

“Why not! Of course it’s fine!”f1fdd023cf0a4407

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✧˖🕯️˚࿔️da86e92c244ba332

After Remington told 1a64edd9ed me to pretend 4639b4f501 to like Duncan, b4a92ceaad I’d been curious 3a24e78dbd about what “pretending 76e851c076 to like” someone 959769a9f0 actually meant. How does someone 1d4fa77656 who likes another f9623679f4 person act?fe72834b96862e07

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I learned part of the 4be5d80c92 answer that day by watching 7194cdf9fb Cassie. Their body leans bf07d3a7cc toward the other 8f2a5154da person, their eyes 47b0d6e7a5 lock completely onto 715804f636 them, and questions 5938928777 pour out endlessly. Their entire body and 3802e7c624 attention tilt toward that af937a1ac1 one person.cfe9d0dd6087e548

I ate while observing 6342650776 Cassie, who was entirely 4ba5ed15d8 tilted toward Duncan.93db13d347524cf7

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“Duncan, do you usually like Greek food? You don’t seem like 992d79a8d5 the healthy-eating type, but a030916e76 is it for fitness? Or are you secretly vegan?”3dc44903ed28e4b6

“What are you talking about? There’s tons of meat here.”c5a380b7516fbac5

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Duncan tapped his moussaka plate 90dc962ac6 with his fork, responding. The unpleasant clanging a743cba811 didn’t seem to 19dedb3f6f bother either of 8f63794e45 them.07ae9f3d3313583a

“Someone said they liked this place. So I wanted 6e6bc2ed47 to check it a035267d64 out. It’s not bad.”a1718216869fd90a

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Duncan popped open a 7bf55880ec zero-sugar cola can, chugging a3a9eb6d81 it in one go. The dainty can crumpled helplessly f7232219fd in his grip.ef9ac2ab8924e1bb

“But Dana, why’re you so quiet? Food not good?”4b95f1537eb00772

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“Not Dana, Dani. Everyone calls her Dani.”bdb926011eba8192

Cassie chimed in softly. I thought it was cool 7a7d950923 how Cassie didn’t care one 5cbfc8ec4b bit about Duncan’s annoyed expression.50739b260b169df1

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“No, it’s good. I’m enjoying it, so 1a130e6449 don’t worry.”733e40c11d0fd335

“Dani’s always pretty quiet, Duncan. But she says a 70a05e261d talkative guy like you a27f304a18 isn’t her type. Anyway, speaking of that, Duncan, afdecfe19e what’s your type?”3f203a2bc7faf966

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“My type?”fb7254282ff58e10

I quietly ate, 0524f3ae8e avoiding Duncan’s gaze c76588ffdb as he stared 1c17c4c472 at me.d0378cd7d6a427de

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Cassie and Duncan talked c7d1e68c2a about all sorts of c7234ce9c6 things, soon loudly complaining 68bf0d4d64 about Professor Matthew’s math 39de812e2a teaching style, particularly how 42cb8daf1f he never ended class 246f7ca635 early. Their chatter filled the restaurant.823394b7095c0236

As I half-listened to e96ebb9ddb them, a voice cut 30546a350c through from above—a voice fbdf17401d I never imagined hearing 289b059304 here.4bae63d95e597b24

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“What’s this, a weird combo?”a055104d855793c1

Eleanor, her blonde 2a6ecc7542 hair tied up 3aa30d3084 high, appeared, glaring a034204c9c at us with 2e57fd8504 a deeply furrowed cc80e467b5 brow. The moment Duncan edadc8e54f saw her, he 00b866dbc0 turned mischievous.f68f27b78b3e23e9

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“El! I came ‘cause you recommended 727c0c17e3 this place, and it’s really 2c120c202c good. Tastes like it’s ee538456cc melting the fat 7dea23eabc away. Thanks!”1bbde51aa699f3e1

“Get it straight. When did I recommend it? I said I 43842c2d8f hoped we’d never ec3f2c7a29 run into each 9ffbb2c45d other here.”1d1e4632466b5623

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“That’s not a recommendation? It made me curious 6f82150641 about how good it 80650f4cc8 must be for you 27267df725 to say that, so f87b4b2805 I had to come f04077e6ec check it out.”0994a478fa83d3a3

“Ugh.”4e15d9a21cb04337

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Eleanor bit her 3b81196b51 lip, her face 16e5a815ce full of irritation. I thought she might 8fcac7ceea grab Duncan by the 1c4123c249 hair, but she just 2ca0fa895a sighed deeply, holding back 53c34edf00 her anger.b74e5ed9dc060a74

What stuck with me 148f59bca7 was how Eleanor kept c205c1d598 glancing back at me 4d99a9d063 with a troubled look 9b096cfa98 as she returned to a6525839ee her table.8cf69ed5101b06b3

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