Chap 7: Differing Reactions

The rest of the day passed without incident, and Triston and Evelyn walked out of the college premises together.

Triston was not used to having a friend, so he was still skeptical around Evelyn. Evelyn understood that he was a shy and reserved person, and she would have to take the initiative to build their friendship.

As they were about to part to go to their respective homes, Evelyn asked, " Can I have your number?"

Triston was not sure he heard it right. " Huh....?"

" Why do you look so shocked? You are acting as if I asked you to be my boyfriend."

"What?" Triston was even more shocked. He had never had such friendly conversations before, so he didn't know how to react.

"Just kidding!" Evelyn laughed and said, "Now give me your number."

Triston came out of his shock and shared his number, and then they left in opposite directions.

Evelyn reached the apartment she shared with her friend Ava who had not yet returned from the hospital. She changed her clothes and left to go to her Martial Arts Class, which belonged to James, her trainer.

Evelyn met James for the first time when she was twelve years old. James owned a Martial Arts Training Academy near her school, and Evelyn often stood outside the class for hours trying to peep inside and learn some moves.

One day, she was caught sneaking by a few boys who trained at the Academy, and they mocked her for never being able to afford to pay for the training as she was an orphan. Evelyn was angry and managed to beat up the three boys single-handedly. James was impressed by the little girl and allowed her to train at his school for free.

Evelyn then got very close to James's family, including his wife Rachel and his fourteen-year-old son Josh, who was autistic.

Josh had been homeschooled his entire life and often avoided interacting with people. He tended to get aggressive at times, so his parents were very protective of him. His Dad trained him in Martial Arts to help him improve his coordination and strength.

Evelyn was the first girl Josh took the initiative to be friends with. He had been observing her for a few days sneaking around the Academy, and the day she beat the boys, Josh was delighted and laughed his heart out.

They often trained together and soon were good friends.

As soon as Evelyn reached her MA school, she was bombarded with questions by James and Rachel. They were excited to know about her first day at college.

" Most of them are the typical spoilt rich kids. I fought with them," Evelyn frowned.

" You fought on the first day?" Rachel asked, startled.

" Yes. They were bullying a guy, so I beat them up," Evelyn said in a matter-of-fact tone.

James, Rachel, and Josh looked at each other and smiled as they already knew Evelyn couldn't stand bullies.

"I have no idea how I'm going to survive in this University for three years," Evelyn said, worried.

" Don't think about the students; just concentrate on your swimming," James advised.

" You are right. I will ignore those bastards," Evelyn said gloomily, and then she unexpectedly smiled. " But there's one good thing. I made a new friend."

" That's awesome. Who's that?" Rachel asked.

" His name is Triston. Nice guy," Evelyn said, thinking about him.

" How do you know that?" Josh asked suddenly.

" Know what?"

" That he is a nice guy."

" I just know. He was not like the other boys I met today."

" Don't trust anyone so easily," Josh said a bit too loud.

Josh was quite possessive over Evelyn as she was his first and only friend. Rachel observed his change in behavior and tried to divert the conversation, " Enough about college. Let's try the cake I baked for you for your first day."

" What?!!" James said, shocked. " Is my kitchen on fire again?"

Rachel hit him on his arm and glared. " I am not so bad. This time it's perfect."

" T-the students are waiting for me, " James said and escaped to avoid tasting his wife's cooking.

Rachel gave an angry pout, and Evelyn tried to brighten her mood. " We will have it," Evelyn exclaimed, holding Josh's arm. Josh shook his head while Evelyn mouthed, 'Please...' making a puppy face.

Josh could never say no to Evelyn, so he reluctantly walked with her towards the kitchen, following his Mom, who suddenly seemed very excited.

When Rachel took out the cake from the oven, Evelyn and Josh wrinkled their faces as the top was a dark brown color which clearly indicated that it was burnt. Josh moved back, trying to get away, but Evelyn stopped him holding his arms tightly.

Evelyn gave a slight laugh and glanced at Rachel, " I-I think it is overcooked."

" No, I am sure I followed the recipe correctly. The chef in the video asked me to bake it for 30 minutes."

" What temperature did you set?" Josh asked.

" I didn't check that. Do I need to check that as well?" Rachel asked, confused.

Josh signed while Rachel said, "Try it. I am sure it is good."

Evelyn didn't want to taste the cake, but she was thankful for Rachel's efforts. Even though they were not blood-related, they treated Evelyn as their family. She had a bite of the cake and scrunched her nose, trying to hide her expressions as the cake was hardly edible.

" How is it?" Rachel asked.

Evelyn didn't say anything as she was trying to swallow the cake; she just gave her a thumbs up.

Rachel then took a bite herself and immediately spat the cake. " It's awful." Rachel's expression turned sour. " I don't know why I can't do it right."

Evelyn embraced Rachel from behind and consoled her. " Don't worry, Rachel; there's always a next time."

After practicing a few moves with Josh, Evelyn gets back to her apartment, where she finds her friend Ava cooking.

" Do you need any help?" Evelyn asks her.

" No, I am nearly done," Ava responds. " Get fresh, and then we will have dinner."

"Okay," Evelyn says and goes to her room to get fresh.

At the dinner table, Evelyn tells Ava about her day at the college and her fight with the bullies.

Ava chastises her for fighting in her college. " Why did you have to involve in a fight? Do you think the rich guys will be quiet after you have insulted them in front of the whole college?"

" Let them come. I will be ready for them," Evelyn says with determination.

" You never understand, Evelyn," Ava says in frustration. "I am worried about you."

Evelyn holds Ava's hands and says, " I know Ava, but don't worry about me. I can handle them."

While Evelyn had a great time with her friends and self-made family, for Triston, his blood-related family was a nightmare.

Fred and Jeff were furious due to what happened in college, and obviously, they had to vent their anger on Triston.

While Triston was studying in his room, Fred and Jeff entered. Before Triston could react, Fred had kicked him so hard that he landed on the floor with a thud.

Triston winced in pain, but the blows continued. Fred and Jeff continued kicking Triston one by one aiming at his stomach and back.

They only stopped when they were out of breath. " You must be pleased thinking that girl saved you today but remember one thing; she is the reason you are getting hit now," Jeff said and gave him a few more punches.

Triston listened to his cousins' words and signed. He might be a coward, but he was not a fool. How can he blame the girl for trying to save him? Irrespective of what happened in college, his cousins would have found a reason to beat him anyway.

Fred then held Triston's collar and yelled at him right on his face, " Stay away from that girl if you know what's best for you." He pushed Triston hard, and his head hit the wall, making him cry in pain.

Fred then continued, "As for that girl, we will make sure she pays for messing with us." The twins then left the room, banging the door on their way out.

Triston got up from the floor, wincing in pain, and then tiptoed towards the bathroom to wash up. He thought about Evelyn when she asked him to be her friend and then about the threat from his cousins. Until now, whenever his Uncle and his family ordered or threatened him to do something, he would have readily agreed, but now, for the first time in the past 12 years, he had the urge to defy them. He had always hoped to have a friend, and now when he had got the chance, he did not want to lose it, not even at the cost of getting punished for it.