Chapter 280 - Make Friends

"Gosh! What did he tell you? I understand his interest though, you're just so pretty." The slightly chubby one said and the others couldn't agree more.

They looked eager to hear what they talked about.

"Em… It's not like that really. I thought he was like that with all the new students, so I told him to look for a better prey that will fall into his…." She paused, looking so confused.

Does this even make sense on the first day?

She felt so awkward.

The girls were silent and she could tell she misunderstood Michael.

She realized why they suddenly went silent after hearing a familiar voice from behind.

Her back stiffened.

But the conversation came clearer and it had nothing to do with her.

Michael and his friend just walked by.

Phew!

The girls pulled her to sit on the staircase that leads people down the main class premises and it was now Belle knew they were good girls.

She just listened.

All their playfulness has vanished and with all seriousness, the assumed black American introduced herself as Nancy.

The Asian one Chloe, while the chubby one claimed she's Tracy.

"I'm Annabelle." She replied.

"Nice to meet you, Anna. We don't let our group to be penetrated, because it wasn't easy forming this pure one. 

You know…. While my face was something the students found funny, those who couldn't get racism off their mind attacked Chloe and Tracy.

We came together and now they only gossip in secret because we stood up for each other and now we are so independent and enjoy our studying and friendship.

When we encountered you earlier, we love the vibe emitting from you and actually think it will be good to become four, but still didn't want any toxicity among us, so we think to just observe you first.

Now, we don't have to have another private discussion, as it was obvious you're cool, so if you don't mind being a friend with us?" It was Nancy who did the talking.

The others nodded and Belle smiled at them, pulling her mind half away from her guilt towards Michael.

"I will love too. I think you guys are cool as well. I feel so comfortable with you." She said and they did their finger wiggle again.

This further made her smile brightly.

"Group hug?" Tracy suggested and Belle blushed hard as they reached their arms around each others' neck.

She was slow but they waited for her.

They pulled away and Chloe talked this time.

"Well, we're not being a bad influence, but still won't pretend it's fine to talk to Michael that way.

Maybe he made you feel uncomfortable by being so forward, but believe me. It was usually the other way around.

Girls throw themselves at him and he has his nice ways of rejecting their advance. He never took the initiative to approach someone's first, which is why we slipped out of the class earlier.

He's a good guy and not the lousy type. Play a lot, but draw lines.

I once had a big crush on him. You know, just attracted to his look and how he's so cheerful, but he seems to read me like a book.

Before I confessed, he told her won't get a girlfriend in 10 years.

I got more brave and told him I will wait, then he replied that he would add 990 years to his single life because of me.

I felt insulted and scared that if the conversation gets out, I'm done, but he smiled at me and told me he was not trying to be harsh, but just not interested in anyone and hadn't planned to.

I respected his wish and to make me feel better, he told me we could pretend the conversation never happened and we were free with each other like before.

He kept his word and within two days, I forgot it happened. He's not wayward and you're the first." Chloe explained.

Belle was silent.

Damn!

No wonder he suddenly looked so confused then. The look of, 'did someone badmouthed me to this girl?'

"Woah! You looked troubled. Were you that harsh on him? Did he openly ask you out? I won't blame you for misunderstanding then, since it's too early." Nancy said.

Belle felt so uncomfortable with this conversation. Now she understands that they are smart.

If they haven't agreed to be friends before this, she could swore she would get up and run away right now.

Yes! She felt bad, but the conversation was too mature for her to take in casually.

"You don't seem to want us to talk about this. Sorry if we are too nosy." Tracy said and Belle shook her head.

"Oh no! I just didn't know he's that clean. I will apologize to him later and no, he didn't ask me out.

He offered to carry my bag for me and show me around the school building, so I felt it was too intimate and came to that assumption." She said and the girls' jaw dropped.

Michael offered to carry the bag? Damn!

They didn't want to further freak her out by exaggerating and Nancy spoke up, "alright girl, let's go grab something to eat before the break passes. Belle said she would apologize, so let's treat it as a past topic." 

They all stood up and Belle's nerves started to relax. They are nonchalant towards the topic, but she knew they did it for her.

God! Imagining standing in front of him and apologizing is just grrrrrrr

Ha! What a first day!

...

"Oh! Want us to show you around first? Or we go eat?" Tracy asked and Belle quickly refused.

"I will let Michael do that. It's the excuse I have in my head to talk to him." She said and they agreed.

"Let's go eat then."

They got to the cafeteria and as said, Michael and his friend were sitting down, obviously not enjoying their meal, because they were sandwiched between 8 girls who were making conversation with them and laughing.

He was just shrugging and his lips will move once, clearly not interested in the conversation.

She didn't know she was staring until he looked up and their gaze met. Belle was caught red handed.

Michael looked away first.

His head was filled with the thought that Belle would fully believe she's a ladies' guy now, thanks to these girls.

His friend, Frank was strict as always. They didn't dare try to talk to him. He won't answer anyway.

Belle thought he looked away because he's pissed.

"Talking about girls getting all over him. Don't they have shame? Tsk." Chloe said, rolling her eyes.

They walked away to order their food, picking a tray and buying what they wish to eat before going to an empty seat.

Belle was so distracted.

Maybe because she was also attracted to him and just held back because she felt that it's too fast and surely not the best feeling to be harboured, as someone who's on her first day.

They began to eat, while Tracy spoke up. "So Belle, tell us about yourself. Where you came from, members of your family and so on. Anything you're comfortable to share."

"We're eating." Belle said, already panicking on the inside.

Leo was practically on the news a lot. His business kept blooming and even though he didn't ask for the attention, it came.

"Haha someone is playing by the rules. Who even makes such rules? Girl, stop with the formality and talk." Nancy rolled her eyes at her and Belle chuckled softly.

She could feel someone was looking at her every now and then, exactly from the direction he sat.

"Hey! Want to join our table over there?" Belle felt a hand tapped her shoulder and looked beside her.

Her new friends were already looking ready to cause trouble if the girl tries anything funny.

Belle's eyes followed the direction of the said table and it was Michael's own.

Michael seems to be against her approach, since he was burying his face in his palm.

"No." Belle replied.

"Oh common, we meant well." The girl said.

"She said NO." Tracy reminds the girl and she looks at them.

"I'm sorry." She said and left.

"What was that about?" Chloe and the other looked towards where the girl headed and all of them were looking at the 4 of them.

"Ha! Maybe she came on Michael's behalf. Future boyfriend loading." Nancy joked, while they did their fingers wiggling signature again.

Belle just eats silently.

…..

"She said 'no'" The girl said to the others.

"I told you not to go and meet her." Micheal groaned softly.

"You really like her?" Frank, who hadn't said anything since the girls joined them, asked.

"Yeah. I was just so attracted to her." Micheal replied.

"Aww."

"Oh my god! That was a straight confession."

"Damn! We can help you talk to her."

"This is the  first time I'm hearing this from you."

The girls gave their comments and Michael blushed hard, making his friend look surprised.

He also turned to look at Belle.

"Thanks guys, but I've got this. Don't scare her off. She just joined the school." Michael replied.