When They Beg, I Rise!

Orion swiftly locked his phone screen.

Thaddeus raised an eyebrow, "Judging by the profile pic, looks like it's a girl. Wouldn't happen to be that girl you helped the other day, what's her name?" "Your yapping is getting on my nerves."

"You just won't admit it. You've been holed up in the infirmary last week, and now suddenly you're MIA, looking so gloomy these days. Got into a spat with her?"

Orion turned away, his gaze sharp, "Keep your nose out of my business."

"We've been thick as thieves since we were in diapers, what don't I know about you? Cut the act!"

Orion, phone in hand, stepped out to the balcony, glancing briefly at their chat.

"So, she thinks of the health office as some kind of secret base?" thought he. He chuckled to himself unwittingly and opened her Facebook.

Her posts were pretty much everyday stuff, very teen girl-esque. He scrolled through her page, suddenly realizing he'd spent too much time thinking about her. It felt unsettlingly out of control.

Orion quickly exited the messaging app and turned back to the living room.

but didn't get a response. Was

to keep messaging him, deciding to

books hard. Evelina and the brothers didn't come home either, staying at the

---

Monday morning.

saw Evelina and her brothers, their bond seemingly stronger

word and headed straight to the dining hall

with sarcasm, "Test results

Lemira nodded, "Yeah."

any decent college. Instead of wasting time on studies, you'd be better off training to go pro. With the resources we can provide, fame was just a matter of time for you. Too bad, you didn't seize the opportunity. It's all

replaced in her

grabbing breakfast, Lemira turned and left the dining

seeing Lemira's indifferent attitude, was infuriated, "I can't wait to see

Lemira hadn't agreed to join the team. She knew Lemira had a knack for gaming, and if Lemira joined, she'd lose her

Once she agrees to join the team, I'll gladly give up my spot for her."

heart filled with resentment. She had been practicing relentlessly, all to gain Alaric's