Chapter 245 Farewell Party (1/2)

It was finally the day of the party.

Ali and Sophia stood at the front of Sage Class, looking at the layout and the decorations, heart happy and content.

The food was laid out on the long table at their kitchenette. Each desk had a placemat so that any food spilled would not ruin or dirty the documents there. The front of the Sage Class had the banner with the words, ”Congratulations Natasha!” and the present was hidden in the pantry cupboard.

”Just looking at this made me realise just how much of a monster Kyle is,” Ali said, ”Again.”

”What do you mean?” Sophia asked as she made one final sweep of the food.

”Last year, he arranged a surprise birthday party for Sam in just a couple of days,” Ali explained, ”And unlike us, he sneaked everything in without anyone knowing!”

”Eh? How is that possible?” Sophia asked. Just the food alone had the catering team send a small truck to send the food.

Ali shrugged, ”Like I said, monster.”

”Who had you in a headlock,” Sophia said, giggling.

”Oh come on,” Ali whined a bit, ”You're never going to let me live that down, are you?”

Sophia took his arm, leaned her head on his shoulder and replied, ”Not at all.”

Ali stood there, enjoying her closeness. The words of warning his father gave rang in his head ”do not let her lead you to Hell”.

Ali knew his father meant that Sophia, not knowing the boundaries set by his religion, wouldn't be reserved at all with any form of physical contact - more so since they're a couple now. It wasn't that Sophia was evil or bad, but she would be the temptation for Ali, and he may not be as devout as before.

Just like how it was said Eve caused the downfall of Adam, resulting in them to be exiled from the Garden of Eden.

Right now, Ali wasn't thinking of all of that.

How could something so right, be wrong?

Anyway, Ali figured that since he regarded Sophia as his future wife in his heart (even though she didn't know it yet), the normal 'no physical contact' rule didn't need to be followed so strictly. He was treating her with respect, right?

Ali felt this amount of contact was acceptable.

He put his arm around Sophia's shoulders, bringing her closer, loving the feel of her warmth and soft body next to his.

Yup, more than acceptable.

Little did Ali realise, that he was slowly making compromises and giving excuses for each action that he takes. Slowly, the line became more and more blurred between what was allowed and what wasn't.

But that was something he'd only figure out much, much later.

✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿ ✿

Natasha was touched.

She stood there, clutching the present that was given to her as she looked at everyone in Sage Class - and the extra girl that apparently helped in the preparations.

Tears formed in her eyes and the girls in Sage class hugged her - except for Beatrice, of course. Ingrid hugged her from the left, Kay from her right while Beatrice stood awkwardly in front. She wasn't as reclusive as before but she still wasn't in the 'hugging' category yet.

Still, Natasha could feel the love and closeness.

During these two years (well, technically, it was one year and a bit), she found her calling. With the research she had done in class and Kyle's guidance, she finally set her path. This was something that she would never have been able to figure out in a normal school.

Not this early, anyway.

She hugged the two girls tightly, then looked at Kyle hesitantly.

She felt like she owed him a lot, for his detailed reports to the Principal truly did help her. It helped her see her strengths and the plans that were made were mindboggling. Once again, she wished she could have spent longer at Sage Class as she could have gained so much more - yet on the other hand, at least she did have this one year.

As much as she wanted to hug Kyle, she also knew that he wasn't the type to hug any other girl except for Kay.

[Go on, brother] Kay admonished him [It'll be fine]

Kay had noticed the way Natasha was looking at Kyle. Not out of love or whatever, but there was a look of hesitation and admiration. Kyle had noticed it too but had merely pretended that he didn't.

However, since Kay had given the green light, Kyle turned towards Natasha with a smile, tilted his head and spread out his arms.

She grinned, sniffed and ran to hug him.

”Nooooo!!” Xing Han shouted nearby, ”I wanna join, too!”