Chapter 349
Lemira caught Orionโs deep gaze and suddenly found herself breathless. Her eyelashes fluttered. โWeโre justโฆ just friends, you know?โ Wasnโt that what he had always said? They were just friends. And he had always treated her more like a sister.
Orion, noticing her demeanor, licked his molar and stood up. โLetโs go.โ He led the way, his handsome features betraying no emotion. Lemira trailed a step behind, maintaining a deliberate distance.
Thaddeus and Matthew lagged at the back. Matthew looked anxious, itching to step forward and say something, but Thaddeus held him back. Thaddeus whispered, โDude, can you not stir things up, please?โ Matthew was like an uncontrollable husky, impossible to hold back. This was not the time to make things worse.
Driven by curiosity, Matthew couldnโt help but ask, โTheyโre really not together?โ After all these months, his brother still hadnโt won the girl over? Thatโs pretty lame!
โItโs not happening between them.โ
โWhy not?โ
โBecause Lemira, sheโs just thatโฆโ Thaddeus didnโt finish.
Matthew, with his earnest puppy eyes: โCome on, you can trust me. I wonโt spill.โ
Thaddeus gave him a look, pressing his face closer. โAnd why should I trust you, of all people?โ Matthew, notorious for not keeping secrets, nearly caused Thaddeus to slip.
Matthew was all curiosity. Did she have some secret identity? Or was it her ordinary family background they couldnโt mention?
The group proceeded to leave. Lemira checked her phone; Janice had messaged her, asking where she was. She glanced back at the others. โI need to head back to campus. My friend is waiting.โ
Matthew broke free from Thaddeus. โHey, Lemon, Iโll be in Orvin this weekend. Letโs grab a burger and maybe play some video games together.โ
โWeโll see. It might be fun to team up for a game.โ Lemira thought playing games might be a good way to test if Matthew was the person she suspected.
Turning back, she noticed Orion standing there, an imposing presence. She lowered her gaze, not saying anything, and then turned and ran off.
Orion stood still, watching Lemiraโs retreating figure, his tongue flicking against his cheek, his gaze intense. Was she avoiding him?
At that moment, Matthew rushed up, full of gossip. โBro, you havenโt won her over yet? Come on, thatโs weak.โ
Orion gave him a glance. โWhy is she asking you to play video games?โ
โBecause Iโm good at it. Iโll go to the campus club and have her back. Who would dare mess with her then?โ
โShe doesnโt need your backing.โ Orion walked off, face stern.
Matthew, confused, got a slap from Thaddeus. โDo you ever get it? Why are you inviting Lemira to play games?โ
โI was just trying to help.โ
โYouโre just dragging him down.โ
10.52
Didnโt he see Orion couldnโt even keep his cool? Thaddeus thought about their relationship, feeling a headache coming on. He hoped theyโd end up together but was worried about Lemira finding out about that thing.
After reuniting with Janice, Lemira returned to school. Janice was all excitement during the walk. โWhen you talked about making it to the finals next year, that was so cool. We were all pumped up, like we were on a high.โ
โYeah, weโll work hard together. We have a chance.โ
In her previous life, Lemira had led her team to the finals. With like-minded teammates, she could do it again. But Lemira was distracted. She kept thinking about what Orion had said, asking her about their relationship. Wasnโt it obvious to him? Why even ask?
Lemira gazed out the dorm window, her silhouette reflected on the glass, her features indistinct. Back in her room, after a shower, she lay down. The clubโs group chat was buzzing with discussions about the day and future competitions. Lemira skimmed through the messages, then noticed Orion had sent her a text.
[Only my girlfriend gets to check my phone.] [So, you want to check?]
Seeing those messages, Orionโs face inexplicably flashed before her eyes.