CHAPTER 7

Rhianne had a busy morning that day. They had two long quizzes that morning, one group activity, and individual research activity that she needed to pass before the day ends. After finishing their group activity, Rhianne rushed to the library to find the books she needed for references and finish her report papers on time. But unfortunately for her, the library is currently full of students.

After looking at the books she needed, Rhianne scanned the whole library again trying to find a vacant seat. While quietly looking around the library, a cheerful voice called her name.

"Rhianne, here! We have a vacant seat here for you!"

That cheerful voice is loud enough to attract every students' attention towards them. Some of the students glared at the man who calls her and he made a quiet apology to them. When she turned her head, she saw an energetic young man waving his hand in the air to catch her attention. Keith is sitting beside that young man and he is trying to put a distance between them. He is probably ashamed of that young man's action just now.

Rhianne quickly approached them so the young man would stop attracting more attention from the other students. Rhianne sits on a vacant chair in front of them. The first thing she noticed was Keith's frown on his face.

"What's wrong, Mr. Protagonist? Having a bad day?" She asked.

"Rhianne, help me to convince him!" The young man said. "Keith is trying to ignore me now! He is so heartless!"

"...So you are the culprit." Rhianne said.

This young man sitting beside Keith is one of his classmates. His name was Hansel Verdel. He is also the same man who accused her brother as a bastard who is tricking young ladies like her. Last year, he kept on hanging around Keith until they became friends without them knowing. He is also an energetic and talkative guy, a different contrast to Keith's calm personality.

"Rhianne, convince Keith in my place." Hansel said again. "Please! You are my only hope, Rhianne!"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"Listen to me first. One of our seniors reserved a bar owned by their family for our gathering this year. He decided to have a welcome party for the new students in our department. But Keith does not want to attend that gathering!"

"And? What's wrong with that?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. Rhianne, are you not aware of Keith's popularity in our school? He is a well-known student now in our department! I think he also has a small fan club!"

"Of course, I know all of it. Mr. Protagonist is simply amazing, right?"

Keith, who is listening to them, looked at Hansel first before he stares at Rhianne's smiling face.

"I did not call you to praise him." complained Hansel. "What I want you to do is to convince him to come to our gathering this weekend!"

"But why are you trying to convince him anyway?" Rhianne asked again.

"Well, you see. Many of our freshmen have a crush on him. If the students will know that the famous Keith Lancester will attend the gathering, then more students in our department will also go to attend the gathering. The more, the merrier. Right?"

It is true that Keith is attracting the attention of the students in their school, especially girls from a different departments. Unlike the shy and timid boy she had met before, Keith slowly transformed into a confident and attractive young man. Aside from his family background and school achievements, his heterochromia eyes are really eye-catching which attracted the students' attention, whether it is boys or girls.

"Wow. You are really amazing, Mr. Protagonist. Even your presence can now affect a simple gathering." Rhianne said in full amazement and clapped her hands.

"...Just ignore him. He is just spouting nonsense."

"..."

"Hansel is not currently sane because he failed two of our major exams last week."

"Ouch. What kind of friend are you?!" Hansel said and acted as if Keith's words really hurt his heart. "And I failed my exams because just I forgot to answer the essay question at the back of our test papers!"

"By the way, why are you here?" Keith asked Rhianne while completely ignoring Hansel's presence. Then he looks at the thick book she placed on the table. "Your professor gave you another research paper this week?"

"That's right. And I need to finish this research paper today."

"Do you need my help? I have free time today."

"No, it's okay. I just need to find a good reference then I will write it on my research paper."

"I see."

"Since you have free time, why don't you help me-"

"What's your name again?" Keith asked.

"Hansel Verdel." He answered absentmindedly.

"Since you are not Rhianne Cartel, then I will have no spare time for you." Keith brutally said before looking at Rhianne.

"..."

"Oh wait!" Rhianne exclaimed before getting her wallet inside her bag. "Here's your change. You forgot to get it earlier. Thanks for your treat, Keith."

Rhianne gave an exact amount of three dollars and fifty-six cents on Keith's hand. He then looked at her with a raised brow. Even Hansel looked at Rhianne as if she is a rare species.

"What?" Rhianne asked.

"I just discovered that you are so conscientious, Rhianne." Hansel said. "You even gave the exact amount of Keith's money change."

"And what's wrong with that? It was Keith's money so I naturally need to return it to him."

Earlier, Keith joined Rhianne during lunch. After eating, they had a little game of paper-rock-scissors and Keith lost the game. As a punishment, he needed to buy a chocolate bar for Rhianne. But while paying, a student approached Keith saying their teacher was looking for him. So after saying goodbye to Rhianne, he quickly left the cafeteria without getting his change at the counter.

But Rhianne gets his money and she is now giving it back to Keith.

"That chocolate tasted so good! Maybe that's the reason why it is more expensive than the last chocolate you gave to me yesterday."

"..."

Rhianne came from a rich family. Hansel also heard that she is the treasured daughter of the Cartel family. And yet she is really concerned about the price of the chocolate she ate earlier. If she really likes it, Rhianne can afford to buy tons of chocolates. If possible, she can also buy the factory that produces those chocolates.

"If we will compute it, I need to spend two dollars so I can eat that chocolate every day."

"How come you are so good at counting money but your grades in math subjects are not excellent?" Keith asked. His eyes are still looking at the bills and coins on his hands.

"Mr. Protagonist, my mathematical ability is only applicable in time reading and counting money. Any computation which also has those symbols and letters is not a part of my capability anymore."

"...Sure. Whatever you say." Keith said.

"By the way, Rhianne. Can I give your number to one of my classmates?" Hansel asked all of a sudden.

"My number?"

"He is trying to ask it from me."

"But why?"

"I don't know. Maybe he got a crush on you." Hansel shrugged.

Aside from Keith, Rhianne is also quite popular in their school. It is because she is included in the list of beautiful students in their school forum. It all started when a student took a picture of Rhianne during their school festival while she was wearing a fairy costume and post it on their school forum. From that point, she became one of the popular girls on their campus.

"No." Keith answered.

"Ah?"

"Do not just give her number to strangers that easily."

"What stranger? He's the dude sitting next to you in our class."

Naturally, Keith knew that guy. He is also one of the best students in their class. Keith threw a glare in his friend's direction. Hansel had an innocent smile. But Keith knew better that he is thinking of something ridiculous again.

"I can give Rhianne's number as long as she gives me her permission, right? And besides, Rhianne is still single." Hansel said before giving Keith a meaningful glance.

'This girl is not your girlfriend yet.'

Keith pursed his lips and avoid Hansel's eyes.

"You are just trying to create trouble for me. Do not just casually give my number to anyone, got it?" Rhianne said with a frown. "Or else, I will give your embarrassing photos to Charlene."

Charlene is the girl that Hansel is trying to pursue right now. She is one of Rhianne's juniors in their department.

"No, not that! Fine, fine. I will listen to you. Geez." Hansel quickly surrendered. "I am telling you, Rhianne. Just accept Keith as your boyfriend and all of this trouble will instantly disappear."

"...Now stop talking. You are distracting me from answering my research papers."

After that, Rhianne lowered her head and did not look at them again. She buried her head on the thick book in front of her. Hansel gave his friend an eye signal which Keith replied with a kick on his leg under the table. Though Rhianne tried to avoid Hansel's words, her reddening cheeks were difficult to hide. Seeing this, a small smile bloomed on Keith's thin lips.