Chapter 80 The Results (2/2)
Kyle shouted, ”Great! Let's all go out for dinner together! My treat!! As a sort of celebration for a job well done.”
Beatrice shook her head, saying, ”I'll pass. It's getting late.”
”Oh, come on. You still need to eat, right? The cafeteria is already closed,” Kyle said, trying to persuade her, ”And look, Sam doesn't even live in the dorms and he's gonna come. Right, Sam?”
”Since you're paying, of course,” Sam replied and she looked at Beatrice, ”I will take you back after dinner.”
”No no no!” Beatrice said, rejecting the offer with embarrassment, ”No need! It's okay. Really. My parents would be worried if I came back too late.”
At that time, she noticed Kyle was on the phone then he said happily, ”Hello Mrs. Chan? This is Kyle, the Student Council President. I'm sorry that Beatrice was held up because of the interview, but we're all done now.”
Beatrice's eyes bulged wide open and she glanced at Sam in a panic, ”What is he doing?!” she hissed at Sam.
Sam just shrugged his shoulders.
”I was wondering if it's okay that I take her and the rest for dinner, as a 'thank you' for all their hard work? I promise to make sure she gets back safely. I can? Great! .... What? Really? Thank you, Mrs. Chan!”
Kyle grinned at Beatrice who was just standing there looking at him, ”Problem solved. Your mum said it's okay and to get you back by 10 pm. She said it's okay to stay longer since there's no school tomorrow.”
”You ... called ... my ... MUM?!” Beatrice nearly shrieked. What would her mum think? She had never had anyone - except for Betty - call for her. Now, not only did someone call, it was a boy! She groaned, knowing that there was going to be several hours of inquisition once she got back.
***** BEATRICE'S HOUSE*****
Meanwhile, unknown to Beatrice, back at her house, her mother was practically dancing around in the living room. When her father saw this, she merely ran to him and hugged him, tears in her eyes. He patted her back and she looked at him, saying, ”Our baby girl has friends now. She's actually going out to dinner with them!”
Beatrice's dad's eyes also started misting over and they hugged each other tightly, happy at the thought. They were always worried about their genius daughter being ostracised and was extremely worried about the lack of friends she had. She only went to school and came back. Whenever they broached the subject, she would just shut them down. They felt utterly helpless about their inability to help their precious daughter.
However, ever since she was in Sage Class and became part of the Student Council, they noticed her thawing out a bit. Her face wasn't so unemotional anymore and they often caught a glimpse of a smile - sometimes of irritation - but at least, there was more emotion! Now she was actually going out? Their hearts were full.
*****BACK TO STUDENT COUNCIL ROOM*****
”Wait! How did you know my number?!” Beatrice nearly screamed while Kyle was punching the keys on his phone again.
Kyle first sent the message and then looked at her as if she was dumb. Then she did feel dumb. Of course. All Student Council members had the biodata of each other. Their address and phone numbers were listed as well.
Sam patted Beatrice on her shoulder, ”Give it up, Beatrice. Just join us for dinner. It'll be fun.”
”Kay and Xing Han will be here soon,” Kyle said,getting up. ”I just texted him. So we'll leave right after they come. Shall we go to the Food Trucks or ...?”
”Food truck is fine for me,” said Sam, ”Beatrice?”
”I'm okay with it as well,” she replied nervously. She was actually both excited and scared. This would be her first time eating with ... friends. Usually, in school, she was either alone or just eating among her classmates in class. In Sage Class, they would eat at their own pace and time, not keeping to the recess like normal classes. Thus, it was usually her eating by her desk while looking at data on the computer.
Kyle printed out the notice for the successful applicants to the Student Council and placed it on Liam's table. He wrote a small note on a sticky notepad and stuck it on the notice. Just then, Kay and Xing Han arrived at the door, with Xing Han grinning widely.
”Kyle's treating!! I wanna go to hotpot! No, barbeque! No ...”
”We're going to the food trucks,” Kyle cut in.
”Hmmph,” Xing Han muttered with a pout, ”Spoilsport.”
Then, his eyes glistened while he rubbed his hands together, ”Even better! Then I can have both hotpot AND barbeque! HAHAHAHA”
”Glutton,” Kyle said with a grin and put his arms around Xing Han's shoulder.
Xing Han grinned back and did the same. He put his arm around Kyle's shoulders (even though Kyle was taller) and they walked out like that, even skipping as they did so.
Beatrice watched this with a slight smile on her face.