Mashauva bit her lower lip, feeling as though someone had plunged a knife into her.

Turning around to leave, she bumped into Frida, who had also just returned. Their eyes met. Frida's gaze was forbearing; it was likely she had also overheard Lena and Hailey's conversation. Mashauva pursed her lips, taking a step forward. Just as she was about to speak, Frida grabbed her wrist and ran downstairs with her.

They stopped at a dark corner. Frida had her back facing her.

"Frida?"

Mashauva looked at Frida's back and couldn't help wanting to lean on her shoulder. In a petulant tone, she asked, "Are you done with your studies yet? We haven't eaten together in such a long time. I miss you so much, Frida."

Those words tugged at Frida's heartstrings. She had been keeping a distance from Mashauva for some time, not because she disliked her, but because Lena and Hailey would antagonize her if she kept hanging around Mashauva. Furthermore, she had only recovered recently from the injuries on her face.

Moreover, Frida had grown to enjoy the freedom of being alone with time, so she no longer wanted to hang out with Mashauva. She didn't expect Mashauva to have returned early that day as she'd usually be running at that time.

It was awkward enough that they had bumped into each other. Afraid that the other two might overhear Mashauva if she spoke, Frida quickly ran away with her.

At that juncture, Frida turned to avoid Mashauva's touch, facing her.

"Our studies will only get more and more stressful. After working hard recently, I realized that the questions I was so clueless about before turned out to be really simple. My mom has it hard. She has high expectations of me. I can't slack."

As she spoke, her speech rate slowed. "I'm sorry."

"Ah, that's okay." Mashauva shook her head and comforted Frida. "It's natural that your mom wants the best for you. All the best then. Let's have a meal together after you've gotten your stellar results. I won't bother you."

"Mm. How have you been doing recently?"

"Not too shabby."

"That's good. I left something in the library. You head up first."

"Huh, what did you leave behind? Why don't we go together."

refused quickly, as though it was a conditioned reflex. "I can

in Mashauva's eyes vanished.

"I will."

left, Mashauva stared at her retreating figure for a long while. She hung her hands by her side and

imagination? Why did she have a nagging feeling that Frida was avoiding

herself to get good results. It would be better

returned. Sure

"Mashauva?"

you're back. Why so early today?

talking behind her back just moments ago. It

that thought in mind, she did not reply

Lena

understanding what

person who could put up an act when she didn't

to get her clothes, preparing to take

bathroom, Hailey was

done showering, Mashauva? Let's eat barbecue

their kind offer, Mashauva said stiffly, "I'm

taken aback. "Why

I'm on a diet? I won't eat barbecue. You and Lena can go by yourselves." "Oh, yeah, I've forgotten about that. But it'll be fine. You've been on that weight loss regime for such a long time. One occasional

Mashauva walked past her as a reply, not caring about Hailey's feelings at

I'm telling the truth. Why don't you believe me? If anything, you can

Hailey. In a tone that left no

floored, no

Lena came over next, leaning against the pole of Mashauva's bed as she asked, "Are you in a bad mood? Why? Is it about the presents you helped

Mashauva did not want to help them deliver their gifts, it wasn't wrong to have a crush on someone, so she wasn't upset

upset her was how they talked about her behind her back. They obviously despised her but still sucked up to her because they had a crush on Bruno. How fake. Mashauva was not only

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