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

smile in Mashauva's eyes vanished.

"I will."

figure for a long while. She hung her hands

nagging feeling that

mother had high expectations of her, so Frida put pressure on herself to get good results. It would be better to wait till her exams were over. When she thought of it that way, Mashauva soon felt relieved.

that she might hear more of the infuriating conversation, Mashauva deliberately made noises as she returned. Sure enough, it was silent when she pushed

"Mashauva?"

back. Why so early

questioned her enthusiastically, as though they were not talking behind her back just moments ago. It was the first

thought in mind, she did not reply but walked

and Lena

understanding what was

the kind of person who could put up an

get her clothes,

she came out of the bathroom, Hailey was hovering by the

Let's eat barbecue

Mashauva said

taken aback. "Why

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

reply, not caring about

telling the truth. Why don't you believe me? If

at Hailey. In a tone that left no

floored, no

as she asked, "Are you in a bad mood? Why? Is it about the presents you helped us

not want to help them deliver their gifts, it wasn't wrong to have a crush on someone,

but still sucked up to her because they had a crush on Bruno.

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

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