Chapter 1
Chapter 31
“Give me an eye–opener! Seriously? I doubt you’ve ever come across anyone like me. That’s some audacity.” Reed, usually the bold one, found Mia to have a whole new level of arrogance.
“I can’t be bothered with your chatter. The reality is right here. Believe it or not, it’s up to you.” Mia dismissed him, uninterested in engaging in pointless talk.
Of course, he wasn’t about to let her outshine him. Pissed off, he chucked his water bottle and confronted her. “You wanna run three more laps with me?”
Mia couldn’t care less and slipped into a nearby seat. In her eyes, running with him was too dull.
But he persisted, blocking her line of sight and asking, “Scared? Worried your cheating skills won’t cut it anymore?”
Seeing Mia’s indifference, he pressed on, “Aren’t you afraid of another slap in the face? It’ll be even more embarrassing than now.
“Cut the crap! Are you chicken?” Reed was hell–bent on revenge.
Their commotion drew the attention of onlookers, who turned their gaze toward the duo.
“Fine, but just running laps is too bland. There has to be a winner and a loser,” Mia glanced at him and suggested.
“Sure, if I lose, I’ll do 50 push–ups. And if you lose?” Reed threw the challenge at her.
“50 isn’t enough, let’s make it a hundred,” Mia said, looking disdainful.
“Deal. And you?” Reed bit the bullet and agreed.
“I’ll do the same,” Mia said, locking eyes with him without flinching.
“This was your idea, so don’t accuse me of bullying later,” he said with a smirk..
“Enough talk; let’s go, Mia said and then walked towards the sports field.
Reed followed suit. “Ryan, announce the start for us.”
“Sure.
Mr. Swift, puzzled by their return to the sports field, stated, “Those who’ve finished running don’t need to run again.”
“They want to have a little competition,” Ryan explained.
Hearing that, Mr. Swift nodded with interest, focusing on Mia and Reed. “A girl and a guy competing. this should be interesting”
“Run three laps around the field,” Ryan instructed the two.
“Ready… set… go!”
As soon as Ryan’s words fell, Reed shot out like an arrow. Mia hadn’t expected him to be this serious, and a sly smile played on her lips.
Reed ran ahead quickly. As long as Mia didn’t catch up, he would definitely win.
He led the first lap, but she closed the distance.
“Reed, pick up the pace. I’m about to catch up!” Mia purposely stayed behind, creating invisible psychological pressure.
Upon hearing her voice, Reed indeed felt a jolt. “How did she catch up? It couldn’t be possible, right? In an instant, his mind was flooded with disbelief.
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As they got to a curve, Reed wanted to use his peripheral vision to check Mia’s position and prepare to block her path.
“What are you looking at?” Mia’s voice echoed in his ear.
What Wasn’t she behind him? When did she run up beside him?
Reed’s heart jumped to his throat. “Mia…”
“No need to be surprised. Save some energy for the push–ups later.” Mia looked relaxed as she overtook him, staying slightly ahead and making him both angry and unable to catch up.
When the race concluded, under the watchful eyes of Mr. Swift and the others. Reed lost to Mia. It was even more
the running assing than before. Now, everyone in Team One knew that Reed lost to Mia in
“She actually beat him! That’s incredible!”
“Mia is really something. I noticed it back in the cafeteria.”
“After being put in her place last time and now losing to Mia, Reed is becoming more and more useless. He should stop showing off in front of her from now on!”
“Shh, keep it down! If Reed catches wind of this, it won’t end well for you.”
“Reed, ignore their chatter. You’ve already run five laps today, and your stamina’s taken a hit. Losing is part of the game.” Ryan approached him, handing him water and offering some solace.
“Part of the game, my ass! Just because others aren’t on my level doesn’t make losing okay. I admit it, but I don’t like it. Reed fumed.
Right then, Mia strolled up to him and said, “Take a breather: have some water. When you’re ready, we can talk consequences.”
Reed shot her a resentful look. “No need for fake concern. It’s just a hundred push–ups. 1, Reed Brown, am not afraid!
You just keep count. Don’t accuse me of slacking off,” Reed told Ryan, staring behind Mia.
With that, he assumed the push–up position.
“One, two…
99, 100. Ryan then quickly helped Reed up.
As Reed got to his feet, his arms trembled. He scanned the area for Mia but couldn’t find her. He asked. “Where’s Min?”
“She was just here. How did she disappear?” Ryan’s attention had been on Reed, oblivious to when Mia had left.
“Let’s find her. Reed suggested.
“What are you all staring at? Scatter!” Ryan scolded the onlookers.
In reality, when Reed hit 20 push–ups. Mr. Swift had already announced that they were free to leave. However, Reed’s punishment for the bet with Mia drew a crowd, and they missed the dispersal
announcement.
Meanwhile, Mia had left for the classroom right after Mr. Swift’s announcement. She wasn’t interested in Reed’s punishment.
Assisted by Ryan. Reed returned to the classroom. He saw Mia leisurely reading and approached her. “Mia, I’ve done a hundred push–ups. You win today. We’ll settle the score in the next training session.”
After saying that, with Ryan’s support, Reed dragged his exhausted body back to his seat to rest.
Chapter 31
That afternoon, the news of Mia defeating Reed spread across the departments. She became known as the top student in Empford, the school’s campus belle.
A few days later, on a day off, Brandon’s car slowly pulled into the Wilson residence.
“Mr. Hall, why didn’t you give me a heads–up before coming over? I would’ve welcomed you properly.” Simba, in the living room, quickly stood up upon seeing Brandon enter.
“Mr. Wilson, I’m not here for business today,” said Brandon as he sat down on the sofa.
“Oh? Then who are you here for?” Simba looked at him in confusion.
“He’s here to see me. Mia’s figure suddenly appeared on the staircase.
Simba understood instantly. “Ah, you two have plans.”
“Dad, Mr. Hall invited me to an exhibition. We’ll be leaving now unless there’s anything urgent. Mia explained Brandon’s visit in one sentence.
“No problem, go ahead. Take your time coming back,” Simba said, smiling warmly.
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