Chapter 21: 16.𝐀 𝐓𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭

"I have got your projects and unexpectedly everyone submitted them on time. Your results are displayed on the notice board" Mrs Grace announced before leaving the classroom

All the students packed their bags ready to leave. I have fashion history next to the subject I am not a fan of . History has never been my thing It doesn't matter if it's about humans or their fashion

I do enjoy CAD and accessorizing classes but this won't do . But I have to pass my midterms so there's no choice left

"Ms. Miller!" Mrs Grace calls out my name and the whole class attention is diverted towards me. I stand near my desk without moving "yes?"

"Meet me in the office right now" she orders

What is it now?

I quickly grab my bag and dash out without thinking about anything else. Whenever Mrs. Grace has called me it hasn't been good at all

I enter the office , Zuri is already present there and talking with Mrs. Grace

She notices me and passes me a smile

Mrs. Grace is seated in front of us with our project on her desk . I look at Zuri but she doesn't seem nervous at all "It's mentioned you took help from Mr. Carter?" Mrs Grace asks with a stern voice

I nod in response

She stares at me through her glasses and she does something unexpected.

She smiles

She fucking smiles at me

Wow this is the first time I ever saw her smile

"Nice move! I am impressed, I didn't expect you guys to bring him and mentor your project" and now she is even appreciating us? Miracles do happen I guess

"Your group scored the Highest keep this up for your midterms too" she continues "Thank you" I say smiling at her genuinely

"You can leave now"

Zuri and I exist the office together. She wraps her hand around my arm "congratulations!"

"I can't believe she said that . My heart is still pounding" I say keeping my hand on my racing heart. I thought she was gonna reject our work once again "Hey! It's over now . Cheer up!" Zuri encourages

"Stella!" I hear a familiar voice

Cami is running towards me followed by Max and Julian. She opens her arms and grabs me in a tight hug , Zuri moves away from us , "do you know we scored the highest" she beams

Among all of us Cami seems to be the happiest whereas I am still processing that we passed and with the highest score. These grades will help us in our finals so they are important but now it's over I can take a breath and focus on my project for NYX

"She knows Cami , leave her" Max says . Cami realizes that she has been holding onto me really tight and steps back "Shouldn't we celebrate?" Julian asks

"Yeah I am up for it" Max joins

"Shouldn't we ask Liam to join us too? He helped you guys" Zuri suggests but Julian didn't like it "Is it necessary for him to join?" Julian says making a face

"Yes it is Julian" Max says

Everyone goes silent and doesn't speak but stares at me. I turn towards Zuri only to find her also looking at me with the same gaze as others "what?-" and i realize what they want me to do "Nope I ain't doing it" I back off

Cami holds my arm lightly and requests "come on! You should please" I slowly pull my arm away from her and shake my head denying it. "You know him , you should ask him" I say to Zuri

"You are the one who took help from him not me" Zuri replies

"Stella we all saw you were close with him the other day, please. And we are doing it to show our gratitude towards him" Cami pleases again but she doesn't know that we aren't close and that all was an accident

A very embarrassing accident

Max also joins Camilia and requests me to ask Liam whether he is free or not . I couldn't deny and agree yet again, they always trap me into these things "okay but what are we doing?"

"Let's treat him to lunch" Zuri suggests

Julian scoffs at her "lunch? Literally?"

"Well he brought you guys breakfast and helped you all to complete your project so lunch will do . We used to do that to our seniors too" Zuri explains the whole thing. Cami and Max agree to it but I don't know what to say on this

"Which country's culture are we following right now?" Julian comments

"You were the one who was eating EVERYTHING that Liam bought at least a lunch is good or do you want to pay him ?" Max snaps at Julian's behavior

Sometimes he's all careless or all grumpy and the grumpy part is especially towards Liam only . What grudge is he holding against him?

"Okay so lunch it is. But where?" I ask

"You know a new restaurant opened nearby well not that near but it's close we can go there for lunch. Ask him if he's available after 3, our classes will be finished by then" Cami replies checking about the restaurant on her phone

"I will text him" I announce

"No, call him!" Cami says , but I am gonna text him only , I don't think I can call him

Hi

I stop typing further as I notice Cami trying to peek in my phone. I pull it against my chest blocking her view "Just a 'hey' won't work come straight to the point!" Cami orders

Julian excuses himself saying he has a class to attend. Max and Cami are free but I am not "I will ask him, I have class right now i should go" I try to slip off but Cami catches me "Will you actually?"

"I will text you his response" I dash towards the classroom where my next class is held. The room is almost empty as many avoid fashion history , but I notice Julian sitting in the 4th row scrolling on his phone. I go and sit beside him as I don't know anyone personally here. He notices my presence but goes back to his phone

My phone vibrates with an notification it's from him

Liam: hey

How is it going?

I am good

I messaged to ask if you are free after 3pm today?

Liam: yeah I am why?

well could you come and visit me at the campus?

Liam: okay will be there by 3

He didn't ask anything or the reason why I called him. I should have told him first but if has already agreed then its good

I text everyone that he's coming. Max has made a reservation for lunch . Honestly I don't understand the concept of treating him to lunch but it's what Zuri suggested so I can't say much. We will be meeting after a week, I did see him a few days ago but shouldn't count it

By this time Julian also gets the text and glares at me "what?" I ask getting irritated , he doesn't reply

Soon the professor enters the room and starts the lecture. The disappointed look on his face after seeing very few students present is kinda making me feel sad but it's the students choice

"Today instead of learning about fashion decades ago let's recall some of the most popular names currently . Who's your inspiration?" Professor husting asks

Before i could reply to his question Julian speaks "Emily Carter" his voice loud and clear to the whole room . Professor nods at his answer, so he likes her but not his son huh

Few other students also take names of popular fashion designers in the world

"Have you all heard about Louis Martin?" He asks

Whisper breaks among the room and they are clearly  audible "I see you all know"

"Louis Martin from Spain who was talk of the world in early 2000's . He flew to Paris and left his impression there and shifted to Australia and became one of the most influential people in the world of fashion. Every person in the country wanted to afford a clothing piece designed by him, but this all came crashing down in the year 2010 when an article broke out claiming he Plagiarized his designs "

One of the student raises her hand and speaks "but wasn't his allegations proven false?"

The professor nods "yes, but it took 2 years to prove it and it was already too late" few students raise their hands to ask more but the professor Hunter doesn't allow them "But we are not discussing about his downfall ,we will talk about his style" Professor says and plays the presentation showing Louis Martin's designs

"Do you know he committed suicide after the allegations?" A student behind me says

"Damn really? But they were just rumors why he-" the other one speaks but the first one stops her "No there were many other charges on him and everyone was boycotting him it wasn't just about plagiarism"

"He was really lucky though look at his design and the amount of people loved him" the other student says

"Lucky? Give me a break. He lost everything in a snap and even gave up his life I don't think this temporary fame was any luck to him" the third one says

Julian slams his hand on the table making me flinch and the students almost were caught off guard due to his actions "can you guys gossip somewhere else?" Julian orders, the 3 students get up from their seats and shift to the other side

What's up with this guy now?

-ˋˏ✄┈┈

"Ready for it?" Adam  burst into the shed . He is already dressed in his racing suit, he's way too excited for this then me.

I wear my other glove and secure my biking gears "yeah let's do it"

I was about to go when I see my phone lighting up due to notification. I go towards the stand where it's placed and it flashes the name freckles before I could click my phone shutdowns

I quickly remove my gloves to check what happened but my phone is already dead

Shit

"Adam!" I yell his name . He comes running back inside "what?"

"I need to use your charger" I say. He frowns at me "why do you need it?"

"My phone died and I need to check something"

He points towards the socket near the couch which had a charger attached "make it quick" he exits the room

I plug the charger in and leave it.

I thought about visiting Stella yesterday but couldn't because of the meeting about the after party venue . I had a day off today and Adam pulled me saying 'we can't go to the event so let's race here' now we are at his uncle's racing track

The phone is at 5% right now enough to text her back . We haven't talked since I visited her dorm

Freckles: Hi

Just a hi?

hey

How is it going?

Freckles: I am good actually I messaged to ask if you are free after 3pm?

Ofcourse I am

Yeah I am why?

Freckles:Well could you visit me at the campus?

And I am smiling a little more than usual

I check the time it's 1 right now. I think 2 hours are enough

Okay will be there by 3

I don't know why she's asking but I don't think I am at a loss here and it's worth it

My attention diverts hearing a knock "your smile says you are happy so why don't you come out and hit the track!" Adam yells

I put my phone back on charging. And come out of the shed grabbing my gloves and wearing them

The is huge, this track is used for training the main track is at the front which we aren't allowed to use until we are professional

We are professional at racing

Just not in the name of law

Our bikes are already parked at the starting line . And Adam has already chosen his , he noticed my presence and wears his helmet.

I take my help and get on my bike

The lights will be green soon

Adam turns towards me I couldn't see due to the screen but I know he is smiling "wanna bet on something?" He asks

"Not in the mood" I say and race off leaving him behind. He didn't notice the lights turning green.

Adam might be at least 100 meters away from me. I can decrease my speed but it won't be a good idea . Adam is specialized at speed and I hate to admit it he's better than me at it but I know techniques

In a blink of an eye he's already racing ahead of me . He shouts as he passes by me.

I also increased my speed but I couldn't reach him yet and he is still yelling joy he's 3 laps ahead of me only 9 more laps left for him whereas I need to complete 12

We are at our full speed right now and none of us wanna slow down . 3 more laps to go

We are just a few meters away from the apex curve, Adam has already decreased his speed to take the turn smoothly but I am already ahead and slowing myself won't help in this situation

By now Adam might have realized what is happening. His screams have already stopped.

I am already at the defense line and I can take over Adam if everything goes in control or else I am gonna crash into the corner

I press the break hard and late than usual keeping it uptight a bit longer, that's when I realised my bike has already bent sideways as I turn at the apex point and release the break trying to balance back straight but the bike is heavier than me and it takes a lot of strength to lift it back.

Luckily I raced out of the point safely without any damages but I think the bike had faced a tough turn and completed my laps before him

I stop after the finish line and remove my helmet trying to breath. My hair have already become wet , sweat dripping from them.

Adam doesn't finish his race and stops the bike before crossing the finishing line . He throws off his helmet and gloves on the ground and pushes me hard twice "what was that!" He yells at me

"I just wanted to try it"

He scoffs "and if that trial failed I will be the one to face your family. So don't do that again"

"Life is worth a risk" I say , He takes a deep breath and mutters "what am I gonna do with this one"

We both were discussing the turn when we heard a clapping sound. I turned around to see where it was coming from . Jeff walks towards us still clapping, he stops at a distance "well done"

A black suit, perfectly styled hair and an expensive watch on his wrist. That devilsh smirk on his lips, blue eyes are supposed to be peaceful but his eyes radiate nothing but darkness. His tall frame making his shadow fall over me. He is slightly taller and a bit other than me, in his mind 20s or something

"What are you doing here?" I ask

He puts his hands in his pocket and steps forward "you weren't responding so I had to pay you a visit and I must say I am quite amazed by your moves. You never tried it at the events, you knew would bring you more profit"

"I already told you I am not interested in going back" I take a step forward towards him . Adam comes and stands beside me . Jeff looks at Adam and then at me , he looks away and chuckles "I knew you would say that but you should have thought about this before racing at my event"

I know he would say this "Don't forget Jeff we don't have any contract. I did it for fun and I had enough , I started it and I ended it" I snap at him but he isn't bothered a bit

"Okay but you could at least come and race once a week. We are at a loss after our best racers went missing" he says referring to us "Not interested" I walk away and Adam follows me

"Liam!" Jeff calls out . I stop my steps , Jeff walks towards me and slips a card in my hand "you might need my help soon" he states

I look at the card, it's his business card and frown. What does he mean by that "what do you mean?" Adam asks the same thing as me

"You are being watched. Be careful" Jeff completes before I could ask further he walks away . I can stop him but it won't be of use, he won't speak until and unless I bring him something beneficial . And he won't let go of the matter of me and Adam leaving the race

"Did he say that to mess with you?" Adam questions , I shake my head denying "he doesn't speak unless it means something"

We both enter the shed , I grab my phone and check the time

It's already half past two

I gotta hurry

── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──── ⋅ ⋅ ── ✩ ── ⋅ ⋅ ──

Author's Note

Okay I don't know anything about racing and stuff whatever I wrote is from Google so ignore the details

Dw Liam and Stella will meet in the next chapter. And it will be something 😌

I will post spoilers on my Instagram (authorvenus)

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter

Remember to vote and comment 🤍

-have a nice day