Chapter 9 NEW STUDENT

Three years had passed, and Lucian never stopped visiting Snow. While Marian, Cardo, and Greco went on their vacations, Lucian was always left behind. He used this time to train Snow, and with Fiona's help, he found a good veterinarian to take care of the dog.

As the new school term begin, the students were now in higher classes. Lucian, as usual, left the house early, knowing he had to walk to the junction after the house to catch the school bus. This had become his routine ever since Greco stopped him from riding with Cardo.

Cardo hadn't stopped lying and framing Lucian at home, which had cost Lucian many of the benefits he once enjoyed. But, Fiona remained his help in time of need, never stopping in her care for him.

When Lucian arrived at school, he walked into his classroom and saw Athena sitting all by herself. He tried to walk past her, but she called and grabbed his hand.

"Lucian, why have you been avoiding me?" Athena asked, her voice filled with hurt.

"I have to" Lucian said, his voice low. "It's the only way to avoid more punishment at home. Cardo can't see us talking."

"Are you afraid of him? Are you actually starting to proof the coward he used to call you?" Athena said, her words stinging.

Lucian yanked his hand away, anger flashing in his eyes. "Coward? You think I'm a coward? You don't have the slightest idea of what I endure at home or how Cardo twists everything against me. I heard he asked you out, so just stick with him" Lucian said, dropping his bag on the table before walking out of the classroom, leaving Athena feeling heartbroken and alone.

"But it's you that I love" Athena murmured to herself.

Just then, Daniel walked into the room. "Athena, it's time for the execs meeting. The school president is waiting" he said, glancing at her with concern as she quickly composed herself.

The students quickly settled down as they saw Mrs. Theresa enter the classroom.

"Good morning, students" Mrs. Theresa greeted warmly.

"Good morning, Mrs. Theresa" the students responded in unison.

"I'm pleased to announce that we have a new student joining your class" Mrs. Theresa said with a smile.

"A new student? But why is she joining now, Mrs. Theresa? We'll be writing our final exams soon, and it's already weekend" Athena asked curiously.

"Yes, I'm aware of that" Mrs. Theresa replied.

"Her previous school had some issues with the final examination board, which is why she's joining us now."

"Come in, Georgina" Mrs. Theresa said, and a girl walked in with a confident stride. She had a backpack slung over her shoulder, and she was dressed in a pink top paired with fitted black trousers that show her curves. Her long brown hair flowed down her back, with a few strands falling across her forehead.

"She's so beautiful, and her hair is incredibly long" Amanda whispered, her eyes filled with admiration.

"She's stunning. If she enters this year's beauty contest, Athena won't stand a chance" Hansel said, his gaze fixed on Georgina.

"You're right. She'll probably win the contest , the school president will come in second, and Athena might just manage third" Joan added, nodding in agreement.

"Oh, come on. Athena's prettier than Yolanda, even if she isn't as brilliant. That's why she's the school president" Amanda said, defending Athena.

Cardo couldn't take his eyes off the new girl, completely captivated by her beauty, while Athena filled with jealousy, reluctantly admitting that Georgina was indeed more beautiful. Lucian, on the other hand, remained unbothered, his focus entirely on studying ahead for the class, uninterested in the arrival of the new student.

"Hi, I'm Georgina Jenner" the new girl introduced herself.

"Welcome, Gina! You're stunning, and you have an angelic voice" Paulina said loudly. The rest of the class responded with acknowledging waves and smiles, while Athena offered a polite and forced smile.

"Take the empty seat next to Lucian" Mrs. Theresa instructed. "You two should get along well. Lucian is the second brightest student in the school, and I've heard impressive things about your academic achievements and scholarships from your previous school."

Cardo gave a scornful smile as Mrs. Theresa spoke.

"I guess Georgina has it all-beauty and brains" Amanda said, feeling impressed.

"Exactly. She and Lucian could be the prom king and queen after our final exams" Joan added.

"Thank you, Mrs. Theresa" Georgina said with a warm smile as she made her way to the empty seat next to Lucian. Mrs. Theresa then exited the room. "Hi" Georgina greeted as she sit beside Lucian.

"Hi, welcome" Lucian responded, glancing up briefly before returning to his studies.

"Oh, 'Rich Dad Poor Dad.' I've been looking for this book" Georgina said, noticing the book with Lucian.

"Interested in business?" Lucian asked.

"Absolutely" Georgina said, flashing a charming smile.

"I can lend it to you once I'm done, but it's from the library and needs to be returned" Lucian said.

"Don't worry, I'm a fast reader" Georgina assured him.

Athena had been watching the conversation closely and, seeing them chat so comfortably as if they known each other before, she turned away, her face filled with anger and jealousy.

"You should be my girlfriend, Athena. Lucian will never become friends with you" Cardo said confidently.

"I have no intention of being your girlfriend. Wake up from that fantasy" Athena shot back and roll her eyes.

"I always get what I want, and you have no choice if I want you. Our dads are business partners, I can make it happen if I talk to my dad " Cardo said.

"My dad cares about my opinion more than anyone else's" Athena said just as their general studies teacher entered the room.

During break time, Amanda and Joan approached Georgina as she enjoyed her snacks. Athena turned to watch them, while Paulina sit on her desk. Cardo and his rich friends were engrossed in a discussion about soccer.

"Where are you from, Georgina?" Joan asked, curious to know.

"Are your parents wealthy?" Amanda asking, making Georgina to hesitate.

"Why do you ask?" Georgina asked.

"Well, almost everyone here comes from a rich or wealthy family, except for me and a few others who are attending on scholarships" Amanda explained.

"I'm not from a wealthy family" Georgina said. Her response drew the attention of everyone in the room, especially Cardo and his friends, though they pretended not to be listening.

"I was raised by my mother, who sells snacks by the roadside in the countryside" Georgina said while Lucian listened attentively.

"Countryside? That's known as the dirtiest and poorest part of the country" Joan said.

"Yes, that's where I come from" Georgina said confidently.

"She might be beautiful, but where she came from is worst" Zachary, one of Cardo's friends said while Cardo scoffed.

"Let's hear what else the country bumpkin has to say" Gary said, as Athena and Paulina also listened carefully.

"How could someone so beautiful and talented come from such a place?" Amanda asked, looking surprised.

"It's not a story I enjoy sharing, but where I come from doesn't define me. I'm more interested in shaping my own future" Georgina said

That's a great attitude. It's nice meeting you, and I hope we can learn together and be friends" Joan said.

"Of course" Georgina said, smiling.

"And if you need someone to show you around the school, just let me know" Amanda said.

"And you should consider participating in the upcoming beauty contest" Joan suggested.

"I'm not interested in that. My focus is entirely on preparing for my exams" Georgina said, making Athena smile. Athena then stood up and walked over to Georgina, while Cardo frowned.

"Hi Georgina, I'm Athena" Athena introduced herself.

"Hi Athena" Georgina also greeted.

"(You understand Italian, rights?)" Athena asked.

"(Of course, I was born and raised here). Why do you ask?" Georgina said.

"Because you won't have much chance to learn about it since you're just joining the school" Athena explained.

"That's fine, thank you. You're really beautiful" Georgina said with a smile.

"Are you trying to flatter me? If I don't prepare properly, you could easily win this year's beauty contest" Athena said.

"Don't worry, I won't be participating in that. I'm not into those kinds of things, but I'll definitely support you" Georgina said, while Lucian continued reading.

"Athena, we should get going" Cardo called from his seat.

"What's the matter, Cardo?" Athena asked.

"You have science practical. You shouldn't be chatting with the new student" Cardo said.

"Jerk" Athena muttered under her breath.

"Is he your boyfriend?" Georgina asked, with the other girls listening in.

"No, not at all. We're just family friends" Athena said, clarifying the matter.

"But he seems to have a thing for you, Athena. You two would be a great match" Amanda said.

"And I think Lucian and Georgina would make a good pair..." Joan began, but was interrupted.

"Joan, I'm not interested in that" Lucian said with a stern look, while Georgina smiled.

"Just kidding. Don't take it personal, Mr. Cute" Joan said, causing Lucian to smile.

"I'll be heading out now. Lucian, I hope..." Athena started, but was interrupted.

"You should be in your practical class, Athena." Lucian said, then covered his face with the book in his hand, while Athena left with a sad expression.

As the day ended, students were leaving in their luxurious cars, while others waited for the school bus. Lucian, Amanda, and Georgina waited under the shade of a large tree, watching Athena get into her car.

"She must come from a wealthy family" Georgina said.

"Yeah, she does. Her father owns a private hospital" Amanda said.

Cardo and his rich friends walked out of the school with an air of pride, heading to their cars lined up in a row. Before getting into his own car, Cardo glanced back at Lucian and gave Georgina a wink before finally entering the vehicle.

"Who is he, and what was that wink about?" Georgina asked, feeling irritated.

"He's my stepbrother" Lucian said.

"Really? Why aren't you two going home together?" Georgina asked.

"Like you mentioned in class, it's a complicated story I don't enjoy sharing. And be careful about who you choose to be friends with, Gina" Lucian advised.

"You seem like a really nice person" Georgina said.

"He is. Lucian is both humble, kind and smart" Amanda said.

"If I have you two as friends, I don't need anyone else" Georgina said.

"The bus is here. Let's go" Lucian said, as they made their way towards it.

After a few minutes, Amanda got off the bus, saying goodbye to Lucian and Georgina.

"I thought you lived with Cardo. Why didn't you get off at his stop?" Georgina asked.

"I have a friend I need to visit" Lucian said.

"Hmm, must be a girlfriend" Georgina said with a playful smile.

"Actually, it's a boy" Lucian said, surprising Georgina.

"Don't tell me...wait! You gay?" Georgina started to ask, but Lucian interrupted.

"No, no, it's not like that. His name is Snow. He's a white German Shepherd" Lucian explained.

"Just a dog, wow" Georgina said.

"Yeah, an animal friend. I'm nearing my bus stop now, so I'll see you at school next week." Lucian said as he gather his things.

"Yeah, it was nice meeting you, Lucian" Georgina said.

"The pleasure was mine. Enjoy your weekend" Lucian said as he got off the bus.

After Georgina got off the bus, she walked through the neighborhood towards her home. As she walked, she noticed two guys her age following her. Picking up her pace, she tried to walk faster and evade them, but one of the guys sprinted after her, sliced open her backpack, and grabbed it before running off with it.

The two guys fled to an unfinished, abandoned building.

"(What's in the bag)?" Arturo asked.

"(Books and a bit of cash)" Lorenzo said.

"(She must be a student)" Arturo said. Just then, a guy and a girl join them. Lorenzo and Arturo immediately hid the bag from their view.

"(You don't need to hide it, Enzo. Did you steal from someone again)?" Karina asked.

"(There's just a bit of cash and some books)" Arturo said as he pulled the books from the bag.

"(I made enough money today, you should return it)" Christiano said.

"(I can't. What if she calls the police)?" Arturo said.

"(Where did you steal it from? I'll see if I can track down the girl)" Karina said, taking the bag from them.

Georgina walked into her house looking sad, and her mother greeted her.

"Gina, what's wrong? Did something happen at school? Don't you like it there?" Mrs. Jenner asked as they entered their modest home.

"School was fine, Mum. I made new friends-Lucian and Amanda. They were really nice" Georgina said as she take a seat.

"If everything was fine, why do you look so sad? Where's your backpack?" Mrs. Jenner asked.

"It was stolen by some guys on my way home. The book Lucian lent me was in there, and I need to return it after the weekend" Georgina explained.

"I warned you not to take that route, it's always so quiet and dangerous. You're a young lady, and I don't want you to face any trouble" Mrs. Jenner said.

"I know, Mum, but it's the quickest way home. I just hope Lucian won't be upset when he finds out the book is lost. It belongs to the school," Georgina said with a sigh.

"Don't worry about it too much. Go take a bath; dinner is almost ready," Mrs. Jenner said.