Chapter 98 - Extortion

"Are you going to post it publicly?" I asked, curious.

Zoe pouted with a scowl on her face. "You kidding me? Posting it publicly, they would just deny it. They'll use their money and connections and the whole matter will close, just like that." She snapped her fingers, accompanied by the dramatic motion of her head.

"Then what are you going to do with it?"

She gave me a rascal smile and pretended to look at her nails. "You know . . . I'm low on money these days."

I grinned. "You're going to extort them money? Aren't you afraid?"

"What's there to be afraid? I've already packed my things and stayed in the dorms." Her deep blue eyes glint with ferociousness. "I'm soooo going to extort them money that I'll be living in luxuries for years!"

I laughed. "And they're just going to let you?"

"Of course they will! Their image is more important than their life. If they can settle their problems with money, to them, it's not even a problem at all!"

I giggled.

"When did you two get close?"

Holley and Sophia approached us –– all smiles.

Argh! It's still early in the morning!

I glared at them, hoping it would scare them away.

"Leanna, why do you look so mean?" Holley stood in front of us, oblivious to my glares.

I sensed all eyes zoomed on us. The students were taking turns glancing in our direction. Their expression said, why would the famous Holley Goldwood speak to a nobody and the black sheep of the Collin's?

I looked at Holley with a blank face and with a sarcastic voice, said, "I thought if I look hostile, you won't approach me." I tilted my head and smiled. "And yet, here you are."

Sharp gasps buzz in wild frenzy. They were probably thinking I lost my mind for making an enemy out of THE Holley Goldwood.

Holley portrayed a pained expression as she replied in an aggrieved voice, "Why do you hate me so much?"

The crowds shoot dagger glares in my direction.

Great! So much for being low key.

"I don't hate you," I said, "In fact, I don't care about you at all."

Some students clamped their hands on their mouth, suppressing their snickers. Holley's face burned red, and her lips opened stunned.

And of course, Sophia came into the rescue. "Leanna, you don't have to be so mean. We just wanted to be your friend," she said, face so innocent it was almost a sin.

. . .

. . .

Moments passed that I didn't answer. Eyes never swayed on the stage, treating the people in front of me as nothing but annoying farts.

Sophia was a little embarrassed and cleared her throat. "Leanna, I said, you don't have to be so mean. We just wanted to be your friend," she repeated, voice clear and sharper than before.

My browse crumpled. "No need to repeat yourself, I ignored you just fine the first time."

Pffttt!!

The other students couldn't hold it anymore and choked in their peals of laughters.

Sophia's face was so red, and I bit back my laughter when she still maintained her angelic smile even though her expression was about to burst from anger.

Zoe took a step forward. "Sophia, why don't you and Holley stroll back to where you came from and leave us alone? We don't have the energy to pretend to like you today."