13 Haggle

"I hate her!" Slater barged into Atlas's room and exclaimed. "That crafty girl! She's purposely making me angry!"

He threw himself on the comfortable lazy couch, fuming.

Atlas, who asked his family not to be disturbed, ignored him. He continued to answer the problem on his study desk.

"Big brother, that crafty piglet did that on purpose!" Slater continued in frustration. "She's trying to take mom and dad away from us!"

"Atlas, I..."

Suddenly, Hugo also came into Atlas's room, only to stop when he saw Slater unloading his anger in this

room.

"What are you doing here, Slater?" asked Hugo with a slight frown. "Atlas is studying for his exam."

о

"I'm frustrated!" Slater grumpily glared at him. "It's that piglet's fault! Not only she is replacing Nina, but she's

13:50

1/9

also putting a wedge between us and our parents."

Slater jumped from his chair and encouraged, "We need to come together and stop her madness!"

"If there's madness that needs to be stopped, that's yours," Atlas, who couldn't ignore his little brother anymore, gazed up at Hugo. "What do you need?"

Hugo raised a notebook and approached. "I've been stuck in this problem and I need to understand it for

tomorrow's recitation."

Atlas quietly took the note and opened it to the bookmark.

Seeing his brothers' nonchalance, Slater's lips curved deeply.

"Are you not concerned about this?!" he exclaimed angrily. "Someone is invading our territory and now she's winning!" @

"Slater, I know you're frustrated, but vent it

elsewhere." Hugo's voice was cold and commanding. "If you think she's taking Mom and Dad's attention, then you should disappear for 13 years. Otherwise, leave Atlas alone."

35

13 Hoggle

"Let him be," Atlas said without giving them a look. "Slater is just worried about Nina."

feeling a little sorry for

Mom and Dad had another child?" Slater frowned

about to enter my junior year. This year is about preparing us for that and I'm taking it

enter the military, so he also needs high grades

denying the sister we never knew until now. I'd rather spend the energy in my training instead of hating on

only shake their heads and sigh. For them, as long as Penny stayed out of their way and didn't bother them,

13:50.

1969

13 Haggio

also pitiful," Hugo commented quietly, thinking of how she would stay out in the cold

his brother, and

the two elder brothers moved past the talks of Penny, Slater hadn't. He darted his eyes between the

on.

*****

the help of Allison, Penny was able to think of a name for her kitten and her rain frog. She named the kitten, "Chunchun" and her rain

chose, Penny laid on her tummy happily. Her feet were swaying to and fro behind her, cupping her face, eyes on the floor where Chunchun and Tiana

didn't have any companion," she said. excitedly. "It's nice to have

Penny

naranta

13:40

13. Hauga

them. She was too shy to open up and when she finally did,

was I outside in

on the floor. With her weight, sitting

she wanted to know if

when they fell on the laptop in

him.

she

plump girl bounce in his direction. "Penny, why are

forgot to tell you why I was

his side.

13:50

13 Hagge

with those deep dimples

tilted

you always come home late, but

did she

it be she left the house on purpose because she knew he had to clear

making him rest?

genius, and so this

ask you for a favor!" she

quickly laughed at his silly thoughts. "What favor do you need from

turn my money into digital

"You have money?"

frown. "I'm

The Novel will be updated daily. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

Comments ()

0/255