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The Statistics class at Brighton Wisdom School had just concluded. A general buzz of conversation immediately filled Gabriella's class as over a hundred students started packing up. Gabriella was slowly placing her textbook into her bag, but her attention was caught by the whispers nearby.
"Erica is in the hospital, did you hear?" one student murmured.
"The police are questioning Anitta and Harry, but they haven't given a straight answer yet," another added, leaning in conspiratorially.
A third student chimed in, with a sharp edge to her voice, "They even bullied our own scholarship student. They'd definitely do the same to others. They've got exactly what they deserved, honestly. I'm actually happy."
A small group of students murmured in agreement, "Me too."
"Maybe they'll just transfer schools," someone suggested. "I heard the principal is furious about the whole case. I overheard him talking to a professor—he's planning to dismiss Erica, Anitta, and Harry."
A faint, satisfied smile touched Gabriella's lips as she listened to the circulating gossip. The news was exactly what she wanted to hear. She zipped up her bag and walked out of the classroom.
As Gabriella walked down the path, a hand suddenly landed on her shoulder. She turned to find Lara standing there, offering an awkward, bright smile.
"Hi," Lara said, trying to sound casual. "Where are you going?"
Gabriella looked at her coolly. "Why are you asking?"
"To... uh... join you," Lara replied, her smile tightening.
Gabriella gave a faint smirk and removed Lara's hand from her shoulder. "Don't get too friendly with me. I don't like it."
Lara was momentarily stunned. But before either could speak again, a sudden announcement blared over the loudspeakers: "Every Commerce student should gather in the seminar hall."
Lara's enthusiasm immediately returned. She grabbed Gabriella's hand again. "But I like being friendly with you," she insisted with a smile. Before Gabriella could protest, Lara pulled her hand and led her forward. "Come on, let's go to the seminar hall!"
The Seminar Hall
Lara and Gabriella entered the seminar hall, which was already full of gathered students. Lara quickly found two free seats and led Gabriella over to them. As they sat down, Gabriella scanned the room and suddenly noticed Jake and Ronnie sitting a few rows ahead. Jake was seniors in their department, and he was already staring intently at Gabriella. Ronnie caught Lara's eye and waved; Lara happily waved back.
Gabriella didn't flinch, meeting Jake's stare head-on. Suddenly, Jake formed his hand into a kiss expression and mimed blowing a kiss to her. Gabriella's eyes widened. Jake winked and smiled, clearly amused.
Gabriella immediately turned away, muttering, "Pervert."
"What?" Lara whispered.
"Nothing," Gabriella snapped.
Lara followed her gaze to where Jake was still staring. "Are you talking about him?"
"No," Gabriella insisted.
"Oh," Lara whispered, "What's going on between you two?"
"Nothing!" Gabriella said firmly.
At that moment, the professor entered the hall, and the seminar began with a presentation. He paused his lecture at one point and asked a general question: "What is strategy? Tell me any general view, not just a business term."
Jake raised his hand, drawing all eyes to him. "Strategy," he announced, looking directly at Gabriella, "is the unique and best way we take to achieve a plan." He held her gaze. "For example, if someone is a burden to your plan—maybe an enemy—you change them to your side. That's a strategy move." He finished with a deliberate smirk.
The professor nodded. "You are right, but in business..." The class continued. Gabriella simply rolled her eyes at Jake's display.
A Strategy of Interference
When the class finally ended, Gabriella and Lara filed out with the crowd. Suddenly, Ronnie grabbed Lara's hand.
"Come with me, Lara."
"Why?" Lara asked, surprised.
Ronnie just pulled Lara away gently, and Gabriella watched, confused by the sudden separation. Before she could process it, a hand grabbed her own.
She was about to turn and shove the person away, but it was Jake. He flipped his hair with a confident flourish and said, "Hi."
Gabriella tried to yank her hand free, but he held her tightly, making escape impossible.
"What are you doing?" Gabriella demanded.
Ten steps away, Ronnie and Lara were watching. Lara looked ready to intervene, but Ronnie stopped her. "Give them a little privacy," he said, smiling innocently. Lara looked confused, but stayed put.
Gabriella looked at Jake with a cold expression. "Your strategy isn't working on me." She turned to walk away, but he held fast to her hand.
"Strategy? Hey, I didn't mean that for you," he insisted.
Suddenly, Gabriella spun him around and slammed him into a nearby pillar. She then grabbed him by the neck.
Lara gasped, moving to help her friend, but Ronnie again stopped her. "Wait, don't interfere with them," he said, and then, to her shock, he placed his head on her shoulder, hugging her from behind so she couldn't move. Lara could only watch, trapped.
Gabriella's eyes were fierce. "Don't laugh! Don't cross my path! Why do you always interfere with my plans? Ha! Because of Raina " She let out a short, cynical laugh.
Effortlessly, Jake removed her hand from his neck. He smirked. "No. Because I like to tease you." Gabriella's angry expression faltered.
Jake's tone suddenly shifted. "Why did you avenge Erica?"
Gabriella smiled thinly. "You know, right? Why are you asking me?" She turned and began to walk away.
"Gabby! Wait!" Jake called out.
Gabriella stopped, a surge of anger hitting her. "Don't call me that name!"
Jake walked closer to her. "Is that your name, right? Do you have another name besides that?" he said, a genuine smile replacing the smirk.
Gabriella smiled back, a challenge in her eyes. "Yes. Call me... An—" she stopped, a playful glint in her eyes. "Your plan is not working on me. I won't tell you who I am." She then raised her middle finger to him.
Jake looked genuinely shocked for a moment, then burst into a laugh.
Gabriella turned to leave, but Jake shouted louder so she could hear: "Are you coming to watch my basketball tournament this Saturday?"
Gabriella didn't look back, shouting, "No!"
Jake turned to Ronnie. "You have a girlfriend to watch your performance, but I'm not the luckiest one. She denied me," he said dramatically.
Gabriella froze. She thought for a moment: No. I can't leave Lara alone with that Ronnie.
She turned back, a slight smile on her face. "Of course I will come."
Jake's face lit up.
"Only to watch, though, not as your girlfriend," Gabriella clarified, before turning and walking away for good.
Lara quickly followed Gabriella, leaving Ronnie and Jake watching them go.
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