Take Me Away novel Chapter 30

The sun drooped from its throne, casting colors in its departure. Clouds soaked in wine, like cotton absorbing blood from a wound, plunging the world in an eerie and mysterious glow.

"You all may be excused!"

the general drillmaster announced to the freshmen of D University. Loud exclamations of elation accompanied by groans of exasperation boomed across the stadium.

"After such grueling hours that we endured, finally, we're free!"

"I'm too exhausted to even open my eyes. My whole body is protesting with every move I make."

"The training just started and you're already complaining. How will you even survive the whole month?"

In the midst of the crowd stood Fiona, cracking her neck and wincing from its stiffness as she approached the canteen along with the rest of her peers. She caught Spencer out of the corner of her eye. The drillmasters seemed to have gathered and were in the middle of a heated discussion.

"Fiona! What are you looking at? Let's go. We'll miss dinner if we dally much longer." Sophia linked their arms together and dragged her forward.

"Alright." Fiona smiled and moved forward with Sophia.

"Hey, Fiona!"

Fiona turned and saw Ryan approaching her with a few bags in his hands.

"Hi, Ryan!" Sophia greeted him.

Ryan paused, catching his breath and said, "I brought supper for the four of you. I didn't know your preferences, so I bought everything I think you would like."

"Thank you, Ryan." Ella relieved him of his burden and gave him a smile.

"Your efforts are admirable." Pursing her lips, Leona offered a shy smile.

"Thank you for putting us in consideration, Ryan," Sophia said. "Are you trying to earn our favor, Ryan? Your actions may lead us to think that you're trying to impress one of us. Will this be a regular occurrence?" Smiling slyly, she settled her glance to her friend, Fiona.

"You're holding me too high, I am not that considerate. Consider this event as a one-time-thing," Ryan jokingly replied.

"Many thanks, Ryan." Shyly, Fiona nodded her head in thanks.

Ryan's eyes softened as his gaze fell upon Fiona. "Are you weary?" he gently asked.

"I am not." Fiona shook her head.

"How come you only ask her, Ryan? Do you not care whether I'm weary or not?" Sophia asked, her voice teasing as a smirk played on her lips.

"You seem more alive than drained."

They were immersed in their conversation as the drillmasters rushed towards the canteen except for Eric and Spencer, who walked leisurely.

"Can I give my greetings to Fiona, Spencer?" Eric asked.

"Oh? What is it you wish to say to her? Are you well-acquainted with each other?" he replied.

"Do you have a reason as to why you pretend that you are a stranger to her when you want to be her drillmaster?" Eric murmured.

Spencer's eyes darkened slightly.

"Seems like I would not be greeting Fiona today," Eric sighed. He rubbed his nose exasperatedly.

"Our drillmaster must hold a high position," Sophia said seriously as she glared at Spencer. "No one disciplined him even when he was unexplainably rude and unruly."

"I agree with Sophia," Ella nodded. "If he wasn't so handsome, I would have mauled that arrogant, self-centered and vigorous man. He didn't even give us his name."

Listening to their conversation, Ryan turned to look at Spencer. Intimidation and dominance filled the air as they sized up each other. One was gentle, the other fierce.

Silence reigned over Fiona. Her anxiousness growing every second as she hoped Spencer wouldn't call her name.

Slowly, Spencer inched closer to Fiona and her group. Every step shortened the distance separating them.

Ella noticed him first. Raising her hand to wave at him, she said, "Hello, Mr. Cheng!"

Fiona flinched, replacing her bouts of anxiety to annoyance.

Spencer stopped his approach when he heard the greeting. He ran his gaze through the girls and then stared at Ryan. He nodded and walked away.

Sophia let out a giggle as they passed the by. "He is so cool," she said. Fiona rolled her eyes secretly.

'He is a monster!' she thought to herself.

Suddenly,

Ryan's phone rang. He excused himself and looked away as he answered the call. "Hello? Hmm...I see. All right. I'm on my way."

"What's up?" Sophia asked.

Ryan explained briefly, "I have to leave. The members of the student council are rehearsing with vigor for the upcoming celebration that will be held in two weeks. We will give you our sincerest welcome then."

"Are we able to participate in the said event? I have quite a talent for dancing," Ella said with her eyebrows raised. "I can do classical, folk and jazz."

"You are most certainly welcome to participate," Ryan warmly replied. "The more participants, the more festive the celebration will be."

"Do you have any special talent worth mentioning, Ryan? A lot of girls gush over you. You are quite the ladies' man! You must live up to your name! I bet you'll ensnare a lot of hearts as you present to the stage," Sophia said.

"I don't think I'm as good as they say I am." Ryan chuckled. "It seems that I'll cut our time short. I must leave now." As he bade goodbye, he glanced at Fiona and said, "Please eat your dinner and get proper rest tonight."

Fiona agreed with a nod. Timidly, she glanced up as his eyes and he smiled. She felt her blood rush to her cheeks. She felt like a flower, blooming and nourished at the mere sight of him.

Leona observed their interaction with a bitter heart and bile in her mouth.

As the four girls retired to their dormitory for the night, all fell victim to their exhaustion and fell onto their beds.

A chime resounded in the room.

Fiona reached over to the phone to look over the message. It read, "Room 201, Building 8. Come here now." It was from Spencer!