After her rebirth by Cici

Chapter 68

Cecil held the book, listening to Katniss talk. He had a smile on his face, but his eyes were ice-cold.

Daryl and the gang knew Cecil well enough to see that Katniss might be in for some trouble.

"Cecil, looks like your charm's wearing off. Katniss hasn't even glanced your way all morning!" Byron teased with a smirk.

He and Daryl had assumed the new girl, Katniss, was just another one of Cecil's admirers.

They'd heard that Laura wanted to switch to the medical school just to be near Cecil, but her grades weren't good enough to make the cut.

Cecil's face darkened, sending out a clear warning, "You're talking too much!"

With that, Cecil strode forward, and Byron and Daryl quickly followed.

In the cafeteria.

"My dad found out I'm going abroad as an exchange student and said he's proud of me. If I hadn't stopped him, he would've thrown a three-day party," Juniper complained, looking glum. Katniss laughed and asked, "Have you set the date for going abroad?"

Juniper looked reluctant. "Yeah, it's set for December. But I don't want to leave you guys. I'm scared to go abroad alone, where everything's unfamiliar."

"You don't want to go? There are plenty of people waiting for your spot," Katniss teased.

"No way, I'm just kidding. If I don't go, my dad will have someone drag me there!"

Seeing Juniper shake her head vigorously, Katniss chuckled and then reminded her of the things she needed to prepare.

Halfway through, Juniper suddenly poked Katniss's arm, signaling her to look to the right.

her direction, Katniss's eyes widened

had changed a lot since they last saw her. She looked gloomy and scary, with no one

cry from the

"What happened to

former friends abandoned her and started badmouthing her, revealing all

and some people followed her for money. Now that Jackson had fallen, and it was all over the news for days, everyone knew Laura's family was bankrupt and owed a lot of money.

has their own path, and this

bit scary. "She is looking at you like you're her

looked up but only saw

furrowed her brows and obediently agreed with

to fear. Jackson was arrested for his own crimes, and no matter how much Laura

lunch, Juniper went back to the dorm, and Katniss planned to go to the library, so they parted

see Laura

Laura silently got up and walked to the sink, vigorously scrubbing her greasy, sour-smelling

soaking them, but Laura seemed oblivious, focusing only on scrubbing the lunchbox, her

she turned off the

your family's situation. Are you okay?" Clara asked, looking

a white knit dress with an elegant coat, looking like a noble princess. In contrast, no matter how clean Laura's clothes were,

Clara's sudden appearance, Laura took a few steps back, hiding her worn

think that? I'm worried about you. My brother Nathan was sick recently, and I was taking care of him. As soon as I heard about you, I came to find you." The concern on Clara's

the first person to show her concern made Laura burst

much of

father went to prison, the company went bankrupt, and their villa was seized and auctioned off. She couldn't

to be

sick mother that given their situation, she should stop studying since her family couldn't afford it. Instead,