Chap 5: His saving Grace

12 years later...

Triston was now 18, and he was in college. He was doing his course in Business Management, and unfortunately for him, his cousins were in the same college.

Malcolm never wanted to send Triston to school or college, but the Cliff family was well known. The media keenly observed them so he could never openly abuse Triston.

The years of abuse had turned Triston into an empty shell. He had anxiety disorder and occasionally suffered from panic attacks. He had no friends whatsoever, and he preferred to be alone as it was better than being abused physically and verbally. His cousins and his friends bullied him throughout his school life, and home was even worse.

The only person who cared for Triston was Reese, whose restaurant was now quite popular. Reese had married a pretty lady Samantha who was working as a chef in his restaurant. Both Reese and Samantha managed the restaurant so well it was always filled with customers who were happy with their food and the service.

Triston was a brilliant boy who was very good in his academics. He loved gadgets a lot, but his cousins had taken away all of them. As Triston grew older, Reese bought a laptop for him. Triston couldn't take it home, so he had kept it at Reese's place.

After his school, he would visit Reese and work on his laptop, and over the years, he had mastered his computer skills. By 18, he was an expert ethical hacker who took various jobs online and earned pretty well.

Physically, Triston had grown up into a tall boy of about six feet, and he had a lean build, not too thin but just about right. He was a good-looking guy with short light brown hair and hazel-colored eyes, nearly matching his hair color.

Even though Triston had a strong physique, he never could muster up the courage to stand up for himself because mentally, he was too scared and weak. He liked to be invisible, so he was usually dressed in dark black jeans, a white t-shirt, and a grey hoodie. He always wore zero power eyeglasses so that he could hide the pain in his eyes.

Even when he started college, the bullying didn't stop. Triston never went a single day without being hit, insulted, or being pushed around. The professors didn't bother to interfere as Malcolm was the primary trustee of the school now, so no one dared to question his sons.

Two months passed, and Triston wished he could have attended another college where he did not have to see his cousins. The abuse and the humiliation here had increased compared to his school days.

Today was the day Triston had to submit his project on E-commerce, and he hoped that he would be successful in doing it this time. He had completed his project a long time back, but the first one was snatched away by Fred and the second by Jeff. Triston's Professor was very angry with him and warned him that he would fail the subject if he didn't submit it today.

As Triston reached his college, he went straight to his locker. The word 'WIMP' was written across his locker in red, but he ignored it and took out his books. While he was leaving the locker room, he was pushed to the wall by Brad, his cousin's friend. Triston winced in pain but did not make any sound. Luckily, Brad saw his girlfriend, so he went after her leaving Triston alone.

Triston brushed off his jacket and went to attend his economy class. He sat at the end of the class next to the window. His cousins had not yet arrived as they usually woke up late. Everyone in the class ignored him and started talking among themselves. Triston could hear them talking about a new student who was supposed to join their class today and had received a scholarship through the college swimming program.

The chattering of the students stopped when the Professor entered the class. He was around 50 years old who went on with the class without bothering whether the students were paying attention.

Once the first period was over, the students started rushing out, and Triston patiently waited and left only after the last student was out of the class. He had this period off, so he decided to go to the Professor's office to submit his project.

The admin and the teacher's office building was near the entrance gate. While Triston was nearing the admin building, someone stuck his foot out in front of him. He collapsed to the ground, his books flying everywhere.

Triston looked up to see his cousins Fred and Jeff standing in front, smirking at him.

The twins looked the same; both were tall with light blond hair; the only difference was their eye color; one was dark brown while the other was grey. They were of the same height as Triston but compared to him, they were bulkier as they spent most of their time in the gym with their protein shakes.

Triston gathered his books when Fred bent down and picked up the project file.

" What's this?" He checked the file and said, " Look, bro, he was going to submit his E-commerce assignment."

Triston stood up and begged, " Please...Please give it back. I need to submit it today."

"Ohh, is it? Fine! Come and take it from me," says Fred.

Triston approached him and was about to take the file when Fred threw it towards his brother.

Triston gave a pleading look to Jeff. " Why are you troubling our dear cousin bro, that's not fair, " said Jeff in a sweet tone. He extended his hand as if giving the file to Triston.

Triston was about to take it from him, but Jeff threw it again to one of his friends, and everyone laughed. This went on a few times, and how much ever Triston tried, they didn't give back the file.

By now, many students had gathered around to see what was going on. Few students giggled and mocked him while a few just stood there enjoying the show. Even one or two Professors approached them to see what the commotion was about, but as soon as they saw it was the Cliff twins, they ignored everyone and went back to their respective offices.

Triston was used to this by now, as for the past 12 years, no one had ever stood up for him, and even he never dared to stand up for himself. The initial years he had tried, but whenever he did, the punishment was worse, so gradually, he learned to endure.

The twins and his friends were having a great time toying with Triston. They pushed, kicked, and punched Triston, and he was lying on the floor in pain, but he still cried and begged them to give back his file.

Jeff was holding the file now, and he waved it towards Triston and mocked, " If you are a man, try and get this file from me."

As Jeff mocked Triston, everyone burst into laughter. While Jeff and Fred were busy laughing and giving fist bumps to each other, the file was snatched away from Jeff's hand.

" What the hell," sneered Jeff. He thought it was Triston and raised his hand to punch him but suddenly stopped when he saw a girl holding his file and laughing loudly.

Everyone, including Triston, were shocked and blankly stared at the girl.

She was tall, around 5'9". She was wearing tight black jeans, a black crop top, and a leather jacket. She had icy-blue eyes and straight dark brown hair which reached an inch below her shoulder.

After a few seconds, the girl controlled her laughter and said, "It's funny."

Jeff was confused. " What do you mean?"

"It's funny that you and your cronies together are bullying one single guy, and instead of questioning yourself, you are asking him whether he is a man, " she said, pointing towards Triston.

Jeff was baffled. No one had dared to insult him like that. He was lost for words when the girl went towards Triston and helped him get up.

Even Triston was shocked to see someone was helping him.

Jeff then composes himself and shrieks, "Don't interfere between our matters. You are a girl, so I am speaking calmly to you."

"You don't have to do that. Show me what you got."

Jeff was pissed. "Give me that file and get out of here while I'm being nice," he said, gritting his teeth.

The girl ignored Jeff and looked at Triston. She pointed towards the file and asked, " Does this belong to you?"

Triston nodded, and she handed him the file. She then faced Jeff and repeated the exact words he had said to Triston a few minutes back. " Now, if you are a man, try and get this file from him."

Triston was scared when Jeff charged at him like an angry bull. Triston closed his eyes, waiting for the impact, but it never came. He heard a scream and opened his eyes. He was dumbfounded to see the girl had held Jeff's hand and squeezed it behind his back. She then pushed him forcefully. Jeff stumbled and was caught by his friend Brad.

For a few seconds, everyone was stunned.

Fred was red with anger. He gave a death glare to the girl and shouted, " You bitch!"

Fred moved forward to punch her, but she curled her hand into a fist and aimed at him, and hit the bridge of his nose. Fred shrieked in pain and touched his nose, and saw it was bleeding.

Now two guys attacked her simultaneously. One was thrown backward by a kick to the chest, while the other fell to the ground by a punch to the face.

Brad slowly crept at her from the back, but the girl was alert. She hit him on the stomach with her elbow, and he screamed and cried like a baby, holding his stomach.

Everyone was stunned. A thin-looking girl had easily tackled five sturdy boys within a few minutes.

Triston looked at the girl in awe. He had never expected someone would stand up for him, let alone a stranger.

The boys were now contemplating their next move. They didn't want to be humiliated by a girl. She appeared to be an experienced fighter because her movements were very crisp. She aimed at the spots which hurt at a single hit.

The twins couldn't face the humiliation anymore.

Jeff stared at the new girl in frustration and said, " Who the hell are you to come to our college and act like you own the place? Who allowed you into the college premises?"

The girl shrugged casually. " I am a new student of this college."

She then held Triston's hand, smiled at him, and said, " Come on, let's go."

Triston couldn't say anything and allowed her to drag him along. She stopped when she heard Fred grin and tell his friends, " She's scared; that's why she ran off without even telling her name."

She turned around and directly looked at Fred. " My name is Evelyn Grace. I am a first-year student of Business Management. You can come for me anytime; I will be ready for you," saying this, she left with Triston while Fred and the others stood there with their mouths agape.