Chapter 154 - Partners & Power (1) (1/2)

Luke frowned when he noticed my messy appearance. He sat in his bed with his usual thick book under a tiny orb floating at a perfect height. It shined the perfect amount of light for a light read where the rays of the moonlight wasn't sufficient.

I ended up skipping my dinner since I spent most of my time in the empty classroom. Maybe my other classmates were considerate to not interrupt as no one came while I wept in silence. My stomach rumbled, growling for more food, unsatisfied from two meals.

Luke threw me his usual chocolate bar wrapped in a gold sheet since the cafeteria was closed. He didn't ask why my eyes were lightly pink nor my hands blistered by tiny scars. My hands glowed in warm white light as it fastened the healing process. When I lifted my hands again, I found it to be unblemished and clean.

I chomped a big bite of the familiar dessert that Luke passed to me whenever I had to skip a meal. A tear dripped down my cheek again when I realized how delicious it was today. I promised myself that I would make up with Ellen soon. She couldn't continue her cold act forever.

”It's good,” I whimpered.

I climbed onto his bed and held out my hands for more. My empty stomach needed to be filled. But Luke pulled me into a long hug instead of more chocolate bars. I froze, not moving from his warm arms since it felt good today. The marble tiles weren't as soft as leaning into his chest.

”This is why family is the only people you can trust. No one in our family will betray you,” Luke whispered into my ear.

My eyes widened as I wondered what was behind that message. Was this why Luke was stuck in this closed world of his? He considered family to be his everything with how loyal he was to them. I could never imagine my world to be restricted the same way. There were so many brilliant people out there, waiting to grasp onto your hand.

They waited to interact with you to create a splendid network of brilliant relationsh.i.p.s you could lean onto and support. No matter how hurt I was by Ellen's words or anyone else, I would have been more regretful if I never got to spend time with them in the first place. This was how I met Sienna, Delia and Ben in the neutral fraction.

”I'm going to talk to Ellen again tomorrow,” I pulled myself away from his arms.

This was how I slammed my plate in front of her seat in the cafeteria during breakfast. I knew how she preferred eating a bit late compared to others. Most times, we would eat separately since I struggled to get up, but I woke up early today to Luke's surprise.

I sat down to wait for her to start talking after finishing her meal. But instead of the usual small talk, she stood up to leave me here alone.

”What do you want?” She glared at me when I grabbed her hand to prevent her from leaving.