On the sign up sheet, the most ringly empty spot was for the women’s two mile run. It was the least popr event, and everyone chose to ignore it.
As Briar was thest one to arrive, all the easier events had already been taken by the time she got there.
When Arlene handed her the sign–up sheet, the long, empty section for the women’s two–mile run was right there in her face, like it was just waiting for
her.
Briar stared at it and could not help but wonder, ‘Do I even get a choice here?
‘Looks like they’ve already decided for me.‘
Noticing Briar staring at the sign–up sheet without blinking, Arlene thought she might give up. Quickly, she put on her best pleading face and said, “Briar<i>, </i>how about considering signing up for the women’s two–mile run? No one else wants to do it, and we can’t just leave this event empty forever, right? Please, please!”
Before Briar could say anything, someone nearby jumped in to help persuade her, “Yeah, Briar, you’re the campus belle of Shoneport University no should take the lead and sign up for school events!”
“Yeah, if you sign up, then- then I’ll join too,” another girl added.
A third person chimed in, “I’ll sign up as well.”
Arlene persuaded, “Now we’ve already got three girls signed up, Briar. Why don’t you join too? Winning or not is another story. It’s all about taking part!”
Everyone started talking over each other, obviously ganging up to push Briar into taking on the spot.
Briar nced around at the people making sarcasticments. As her gaze swept over them, they all avoided her eyes. She gave a shortugh, “Alright, I never said I wouldn’t sign up. Put me down for the women’s two–mile run.”
Arlene didn’t care about the kind of drama that was going on behind the scenes. As long as she could get all the events on the sign–up sheet filled and
handed in without a hitch, that was good enough for her.
Everyone had a valid point. Briar was now the campus belle at Shoneport University, and her example truly mattered.
As expected, all those girls who’d been chiming in earlier suddenly volunteered to join the moment Briar’s name went down. That made Arlene absolutely over the moon.
‘Who would’ve thought Briar had such strong rallying power?‘ she marveled.
Briar ignored the looks from those who were just waiting to witness some drama unfold. After signing up, she turned on her heel and walked away, turning down their offer to go running together at the sports field.
In contrast to the delicate college students who frequently voiced their frustrations about their bodies deteriorating, Briar’s level of physical fitness was exceptional, She was so physically fit that many guys would hesitate before confronting her.
Besides, she ran 6 miles almost every morning. The women’s two–mile run didn’t even register as a challenge in her mind.
Briar would much rather head back to herb building and wait for sses to be over.
As she stepped out of the dorm, Briar ran into Beatrice and Le, who wereughing and chatting as they headed toward the entrance<b>. </b><b>From </b><b>a </b>distance, Beatrice spotted Briaring their way.
She broke into a smile, about to call out and greet Briar.
However, Briar walked right past them, not even sparing the two of them a single nce.
<b>1/3 </b>
Mon, 18 <b>Aug </b><b>of </b>
Realizing this, Beatrice stood rooted to the ground, feeling awkward as she thought, ‘Briar, sooner orter, I’m going to shatter that superior attitude of yours.‘
Witnessing this exchange, Le tried to stifle herughter as she inwardly chuckled, ‘Sure enough, the tension between these half–sisters had reached <b>its </b>peak<b>.</b>‘
Beatrice forced a smile, “Le, you saw it yourself. My sister wants nothing to do with us.
I’m
not sure I can help you with that…”
Le replied, “No worries. It’s not a big deal anyway. If you’re not up for it, I can always ask someone else.”
Beatrice hesitated momentarily before responding, “That’s alright, I’ll try again.”
It was really tough for Le to get close to Briar and find out the information she needed. However, the reward that Le had promised was simply too tempting to ignore.
The Haynes family was one of the four elite families in Shoneport. Even the scraps of resources they let slip through their fingers were more tempting than anything her father could ever offer.
Beatrice realized she had to make an effort, no matter the oue. If she didn’t, Briar would have total control over them, and Beatrice would ne able to improve the situation in the Jennings family for the rest of her life.
“Alright, good luck. I’ll be waiting for your good news,” Le stated, not caring one bit how tough things were for Beatrice. She sneered, ‘Please there’s ever a free lunch in this world. If you want something badly enough, you have to give something up in return. That’s just how it works!
“Hey, Briar,e here! Over here!” Frank, who was in theb office, called out, acting all secretive as he shed a sneaky grin.
Briar walked over and asked, “What’s up?”
Frank lowered his voice, looking all mysterious as he said, “I’m going out for drinks and a party with Ashton and the guys tonight. Did Ashton let you know about his ns?<b>” </b>
Briar raised an eyebrow andughed, “Yeah. Is there a chance I might be going too?”
Frank’s eyes went wide in disbelief, and he gasped, “Wait, Ashton’s being that well–behaved? The guy looks like a total yer, a real heartbreaker. Since when does he report his ns to you and openly invite you along like it’s nothing?”
Briar chuckled, shaking her head <b>as </b>she walked away, asking, “Why don’t you ask Ashton to his face?”
Frank shuddered and eximed, “Ha! Don’t egg me on. I wouldn’t dare to do that.”
Since she was joining the party that night, Briar kept her dinner simple and just had a pizza to tide her over. She even ended up sharing <b>a </b>couple of slices with Frank, who insisted on mooching off her dinner.
“Save some room for the good stuff at Blue Bar,” Frank said, grinning. “I’m telling you, the fruits and pastries at the bar are all made by a five–star chef. They’re amazing.”
“Got it,” Briar nodded, finishing off her Coke in a few quick gulps.
At seven that evening, Ashton came to pick up Briar after he had finished work. As usual, Connor was driving, and Frank shamelessly imed the <b>front </b>passenger seat, leaving the back all to the two of them.
Ashton handed Briar <b>a </b><b>cup </b>of smoothie as he asked, “What did you have for dinner?”
Briar took it, poked the straw in, and took a big sip before answering, “Pizza.”
Ashton frowned in response, “Pizza? You call that food? There’s no nutrition in <b>that </b><b>at </b>all.”
<b>2/3 </b>
Briar continued sipping her smoothie as she replied, “Frank said the desserts at Blue Bar are to die for, so I’m saving, my appetite for those.”
Ashton was momentarily speechless at her response.
He pulled out his phone and called Reece, telling him to have the chef make a few dishes.
The request floored Reece as he answered, “Whoa. Ashton, are you serious? You’re calling my bar to order food? What is this? Do you think this ce is <b>a </b>restaurant now?”
Ashton replied coolly, “What is wrong with that? Didn’t you spend a fortune hiring that chef? Don’t tell me he can’t even cook up a few dishes.”
“Wait a second. Are you bringing your little girlfriend over or something?” Reece teased, suddenly catching on.
There was a low, amused snort from Ashton, Reece immediately got the hint and replied, “Alright, I’ll have them get right on it.”
‘Wow, he’s bringing her out to meet his friends. Looks like Ashton is serious about this one,‘ Reece thought in amusement.
Since Ashton was bringing his girlfriend along, Reece decided to scrap the little show he had nned. ‘<i>Oh </i>well, guess we’ll just stick to a proper drinki session,’ he thought.
Briar was honestly taken aback by Ashton’s request, and murmured, “Ashton, I’m not that hungry. The desserts alone will probably fill me up…”
AD