So, Alice Conley started to become curious about how her friend and Kyle Kinston met, how they got involved. Mabel Quinn didn’t hide much from her friend, only skipping the part about their first encounter in the underground parking lot. She simply mentioned that they met at a mall, then were inexplicably taken away by Kyle to a dessert shop, signed a so-called agreement, and then started dating.
"What? Just like that?" Alice Conley was astonished.
"Just like that." Mabel Quinn shrugged.
"But why do I feel it’s a bit weird, inexplicable?" Alice thought for a moment, then lowered her voice, "Could it be that Kyle Kinston fell in love with you at first sight, just didn’t have the nerve to say it?"
Mabel nearly choked. Love at first sight?! How could that be, but speaking of her initial encounters with Kyle Kinston, even she felt it was a bit inexplicable. However, no matter what, she liked Kyle Kinston now, and she hoped to receive the same feelings from him.
Then Mabel also learned from Alice that Lyra Grant had been returning to school these days. According to the class next door, Lyra was also preparing to submit her graduation thesis, seemingly hoping to graduate this year. She also heard that Lyra had been making several trips to the principal’s and dean’s offices these past days, hoping the school could remove or lighten her punishment.
At noon in the dormitory, Alice pulled Evelyn over to Mabel’s front, "Mabel, Evelyn wants to apologize to you. She misunderstood you about that incident earlier, and that’s why she said things she shouldn’t have. She hopes you don’t mind."
Evelyn quickly added, "Yes, Mabel, I’m really sorry. I don’t know what was going on then, but I heard so many people saying it, and I misunderstood, believed the lies Lyra Grant said. Please don’t hold it against me. I really didn’t mean it at that time!"
Mabel smiled and said, "It’s alright, we’re all in one dorm, and what’s past is past." She was very clear in her heart, though, that she and Evelyn could never be real friends. Sometimes, just eating and drinking together couldn’t show how much weight friendship held in each other’s hearts. Only when something happens can you see who truly reaches out to help you when you’re in trouble.
Mabel went to the library to find some books, intending to read them back in the dorm. But thinking about how Evelyn, these past days, has been intentionally or unintentionally steering the conversation towards Kyle Kinston, she decided to settle under a shady tree to read instead.
The sunlight peeking through the branches, along with a warm breeze, made reading quite comfortable.
But this comfort did not last long before it was shattered by a quite familiar voice to Mabel Quinn.
"I’ve already said about your father’s situation, neither I nor my family can help with this. Right now, no one can get your father out." Soren said coldly.
"I know, my father’s situation is tough, but... but school matters shouldn’t be that hard, right? If your family is willing to help, at least I can graduate this year." Lyra Grant said, her eyes brimming with tears as she lunged forward to embrace Soren, "Soren, we’ve been together for four years. I’m your girlfriend. Are you truly that heartless? Can you just forget all those wonderful moments between us?"
Soren’s face showed a trace of emotion, indicating he still had some feelings for Lyra Grant.