Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Evan walked Nina into the classroom.
All the students turned to look at her, then fell silent. Even Brian, who was busy writing, stopped and said, “Wow, she’s gorgeous.”
“I’m Nina Edwards.” After writing her name on the board, Nina gave a sweet smile.
She had smooth, long straight hair, perfectly balanced features, and clear, delicate skin. Her bright, star-like eyes seemed to see right through people’s hearts, making it hard to look away.
“Sit next to me, beautiful.”
“Sit here-this spot has the best light and view.”
“Come sit with me. You’ll get to know the most popular kid in school.”
The boys laughed and joked, but Joshua didn’t look up. He kept reading his book.
Brian shrugged. He was used to it-Joshua already had Sylvia.
After the first class, Evan took Nina to the student center to get her textbooks.
“Joshua.” Sylvia appeared at the classroom door, holding a fancy thermos cup, smiling with admiration. “This is your favorite brand of coffee. I just brewed it this morning.”
Dennis loved coffee, so Joshua, influenced by his dad, liked it too and never drank anything else. To Sylvia, Joshua was like a gentleman from an old novel-elegant and apart from the world.
“Thanks.” Joshua put down his book and walked out to take the thermos.
Brian teased from nearby, “Sylvia, only you can get Joshua to take a coffee. Even I-his good buddy-can’t.”
“I don’t know what you mean.” Sylvia smiled shyly and turned to leave. “Joshua, keep reading. I won’t bother you.”
Then Joshua asked, “Is your dad feeling better?”
“Sylvia, your dad got hurt?” Brian only just heard about it. Now he understood why Joshua had been taking taxis lately.
“He fell.” Sylvia forced a smile and clenched her fist. “But he’s getting better.”
She felt that day at the mall was just unlucky. First, she ran into a sharp-tongued country girl who embarrassed her, then she found Charles bruised and lying at the emergency exit.
It was clear someone had hit him. But for some reason, Charles wouldn’t say who did it.
Joshua nodded. “Good that he’s getting better.”
“Sylvia, I’ll bring you some ointment tomorrow,” Brian added after thinking. His grandpa was a well-known doctor in Hanston who treated sprains and bruises.
The bell rang for class.
“Thanks, I’m going now.” Sylvia lowered her head and quickly went to the next classroom.
1/2
7:10 pm
Chapter 24
Back in class, Brian noticed Nina’s seat was still empty, so he asked, “Grace, where’s that new girl?”
Grace was startled, quickly closed the novel she had hidden under her desk, and looked blank.
Brian didn’t know what to say.
Meanwhile, a black Audi sat quietly across the street from Aqualore International High School. The window rolled down slowly, revealing Timothy’s handsome but distant face.
He rubbed his chin while staring at the school gate, a cold look flashing in his eyes. “Tuition at Aqualore International isn’t cheap.”
“Yeah. I’m surprised her parents are willing to spend that much,” Quinn sighed, sounding a little emotional. “If I were her, knowing I only had three years left to live, I wouldn’t have come back.”
It took Robert and Yvonne so many years to find their daughter, and now they only had three short years with her. Quinn figured they would be heartbroken when Nina died.
Timothy shot him a sideways glance. “She might only have two and a half.”
“What?” Quinn looked even more sorry for Robert and Yvonne.
Timothy rolled the window back up. His expression grew even colder. “Let’s go.”
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