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."

though it was a conditioned reflex. "I can

the smile in Mashauva's eyes vanished. "Okay, take

"I will."

Frida left, Mashauva stared at her retreating figure for a long while. She hung her hands by her side and wrung the sides of her shirt, biting

her imagination? Why did she have a nagging feeling that Frida was avoiding her? Had she done something

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. Her smile returned to her face again

she returned. Sure enough,

"Mashauva?"

early today? Didn't you go

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

mind, she did

and Lena exchanged

what was going

put up an act when she didn't like someone just to keep

straight to get her clothes, preparing to take a

of the bathroom,

showering, Mashauva? Let's eat barbecue today.

offer, Mashauva said stiffly,

was taken aback. "Why

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.

past her as a reply,

don't you believe me? If anything,

tone that left no room for argument, she

was floored,

leaning against the pole of Mashauva's bed as she asked, "Are you in a bad

their gifts, it wasn't wrong to have a crush on someone,

about her behind her back. They obviously despised her but still sucked up

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