Chapter 164: Secrets and Surprises

Chapter 164: Secrets and SurprisesColin walked alongside a group of students from Ridgewood Preparatory Academy, her steps steady and confident.

She held herself with a calm dignity, her posture straight, and her expression composed.

She wasn't the same as before, it was clear she wasn't someone who could be easily pushed around.

There was strength in her quiet demeanor, but it wasn't something harsh.

She was polite and poised, the kind of person who naturally commanded respect without needing to demand it.

"Hey, Sunshine!" Liam called, the boy with the soccer ball.

He jogged to her side, whistling in an exaggerated, playful way with a wide grin.

"We're all thinking of going bowling later. What do you say? You in?"

Behind him, his friends chuckled, nudging each other. The girls in the group exchanged glances, their expressions a mix of curiosity and mild annoyance.

Colin stopped, turning slightly toward Liam. Her face stayed calm, but her words were firm.

"Thank you for the invitation, Liam, but I can't. I need to get home early."

Liam tilted his head, his grin not faltering.

"Home early? Come on, Sunshine, live a little. You're not a grandma!"

Colin allowed a faint smile, but her tone didn't waver.

"I have things to do. I'm helping someone with tutoring tonight. Maybe next time."

The girls nodded as if that explanation made perfect sense, but Liam wasn't ready to give up. "Alright, alright," he said with a shrug, spinning the ball in his hands. "Then we'll just walk you to the bus stop. Wouldn't want anything to happen to our Sunshine."

The group chuckled again, gathering beside her. Colin didn't protest. She didn't mind the company, but the nickname was starting to grate on her nerves.

As they walked, the conversation shifted to middle school clubs.

"I think I'm joining the art club," Josh said, tossing his bag over his shoulder. "My brother said they've got some cool projects."

"Art club?" Liam scoffed, spinning the ball faster. "That's so boring. I'm aiming for something cool, like the beast masters club. You know, start early and maybe go pro one day."

He turned to Colin with a teasing smirk.

"Bet that's what the princess would pick, huh?"

Colin slowed down. Her composed facade cracked just slightly, a flicker of annoyance crossing her face. She turned to him, raising an eyebrow.

"And how would you know what I'd choose?"

Liam puffed out his chest, his grin growing wider.

"I've got my sources," he said, lowering his voice like it was some big secret.

"Creep much?" Emma, Colin's best friend, stepped in, her pigtails bouncing as she moved to stand protectively next to Colin. Her bright eyes narrowed at Liam.

"Why don't you mind your own business and stop being weird?"

"Being weird?" Liam laughed, brushing off the accusation with a wave of his hand. "Please. I'm just confident. I've got talent, and I'm thinking ahead. Beast mastering is where the real action is. Watch, I'll be the best in the whole school."

"Sure, Liam," Mina, one of the girls, said with a smirk. "You've been 'thinking ahead' about a lot of things, haven't you?"

The group burst into light laughter, and they finally reached the bus stop. Colin adjusted her bag, preparing to leave.

"You sure you can't come, Sunshine?" Josh asked hopefully.

"I really can't," Colin said, her voice dropping. "Maybe next time."

"Well," Liam said with a wink, "if you won't come, we'll just head to your place instead. Make it easier for you."

Colin stiffened, her calm demeanor faltering slightly.

"No!" she said, her tone firm. "I can't have visitors."

The boys groaned in exaggerated disappointment.

"Come on," Eli said. "We've been to everyone's house for study group except yours. What's the big secret?"

Colin's cheeks flushed faintly. She hadn't expected them to notice or care so much.

"It's not a big deal," she said quickly. "I just... can't."

The boys exchanged glances, then shrugged it off.

"Alright, Sunshine," Liam said with a smirk. "Go home safe."

The group began to disperse, but Liam lingered a moment longer, his smile following Colin

as he finally turned and walked away with the others.

Emma stayed behind, studying her friend with concern.

"You okay?" she asked softly. "They're just being dumb. Don't let it get to you."

Colin hesitated, biting her lip before gently taking Emma's wrist. Her touch was light, almost

shy.

"Do you... want to come with me?" she asked quietly. "Just you. But you have to promise to keep a secret."

Emma's eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"A secret? What secret?" She tilted her head, her pigtails bouncing slightly. "Colin, you're acting all mysterious. Did what they said actually bother you?"

Colin shook her head, her calm expression returning.

"No, it's not that. It's just... complicated." She paused, glancing away. "I trust you, Emma,

but you have to promise not to tell anyone."

Emma smiled reassuringly.

"Alright, I promise. So, what's the big deal?"

Before Colin could answer, a hand rested gently on her shoulder, making her freeze. The touch

was firm but gentle, and a familiar voice followed.

"It's okay, Colin," the voice said softly. "You don't have to hide your life from your friend."

Colin turned slowly, her breath catching as she looked up at the hooded figure standing

behind her.

"Eratz?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Colin froze for a heartbeat before her composure shattered entirely. Her eyes lit up with sheer

delight, and she gasped, her voice bursting with excitement.

"Eratz!" she cried, throwing herself at him without hesitation.

Eratz barely had time to steady himself as Colin leapt into his arms, wrapping herself around

him in a tight hug.

Her schoolbag dangled awkwardly from her side, but she didn't care. She clung to him with an unrestrained joy that made her seem much younger than her usual calm attitude.

"It's really you! You're back!" she exclaimed, her words coming out in a rush. "I can't believe you're here! It's been days, and it felt like forever, and I thought..."

Eratz laughed softly, his hands gently supporting her so she didn't slip.

"Easy, Colin, slow down," he said, though his smile was warm. "I missed you too. But it's

only been 4 days."

"I don't care!" Colin said, her voice muffled as she buried her face into his shoulder. "You were gone, and everything felt so... so quiet without you."

Eratz raised an eyebrow, surprised by her reaction.

"Quiet, huh? With aunt Cassie and Milo around?"

Colin pulled back slightly, her cheeks flushed from excitement.

"It was fine," Colin said quickly, "but Milo almost drove me crazy! He wouldn't stop asking questions about if there was milk vendors where you went, and he forced me to watch his children show because he isn't used to watch it alone. And... and everything feels different without you around. You said you'd be back for dinner! Mom and Dad were so worried!"

Eratz's grin stiffened as he gulped audibly. His brain felt like it had switched into overdrive, running through potential explanations for later.

"Uh... They... They were worried, huh?" he repeated. "Yeah, well, uh, you know, things... things came up. Training schedules, uh, got rearranged. It's all very complicated."

Colin tilted her head, her suspicious glare sharpening. Sёarᴄh the NôᴠelFirё.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

"Complicated?"

"Super complicated," Eratz said quickly, nodding. "You wouldn't believe the logistics of everything. Timetables, beasts, arena regulations... It's a lot."

Colin squinted at him, clearly unimpressed.

"... I thought you said a beast master don't do maths."

Eratz chuckled nervously.

"Anyway, I see you look different than last time 4 days ago, cute shoes, your everyday

haircut..."

Emma stood nearby, frozen in place. Her mouth hung open as she stared at Colin, completely

taken aback.

It was the first time she had ever seen her usually composed friend react so dramatically. It

was surreal.

"Uh... Colin?" Emma advanced hesitantly. "Who... who is this guy?"

Colin giggled and finally loosened her grip, though her fingers lingered near the fabric of his

hoodie.

Without thinking, she reached up and brushed the edge of it. Her playful tug was stronger than intended, and the hoodie slipped back, revealing Eratz's face.

The world seemed to freeze for Emma. The face beneath the hoodie was unmistakable, even

for someone who didn't follow beast battles closely.

It was a face splashed across screens, posters, and headlines all over the country.