New best friend

"If they still bother you, just text me. I'll come and save you," Kaiden said with a kind-hearted smile. Renae couldn't help but flush upon hearing Kaiden's words.

"Alright. What lesson do you have next?" Kaiden asked Renae, trying to change the subject.

"I have Mother Tongue," she replied with an unhappy expression. Renae really doesn't like learning chinese. "What band are you in?"

"2."

"Same here, let's go to class together," Renae said.

——Skip to after school——

Renae and Kaiden left the classroom together. Renae didn't realized that her bag wasn't zipped up fully and a book dropped out of her bag. Thankfully, the girl behind her picked it up and handed it over to Renae.

"Oh thank you! I didn't realize my bag wasn't closed," Renae replied.

"It's fine... Oh and my name is Cathy!" A bright smile was shown on Cathy's face.

"I'm Renae."

"By any chance-" Cathy was cut off by Kaiden.

"You guys talk, I'll leave first."

Renae said bye to him and turned back her attention back to Cathy.

"As I was saying, by any chance do you like books? I recognise the book that dropped out of your bag. I've read that before."

"Oh yes I do!" Renae replied with excitement. Cathy must be a book reader like her too!

They started conversing about books until it was time for Cathy to leave.

"Let's talk about books over lunch. Here's my number," Renae told her.

"Ok," she replied as Renae typed her number into her phone.

"I'll see you next time," Renae said while Cathy waved back.

Since it was the first day of school, the teacher was lenient and didn't give them any homework. Alas, Renae had a lot of time to read. After taking a shower and eating lunch, she immediately started reading. She sat by the window bay, her eyes slowly moving along as she read the book that had dropped out her bag earlier.

Renae didn't take long to finish the book. The ending was so overwhelming! She looked out the window and thought about the story. That's when she decided to share her excitement with Cathy. After all, she'd be able to relate since she also read that book.

Renae grabbed her phone from her study table and returned to the window bay.

"Hey, I finished the book!! Argh, the feels!!"

Cathy was quick to reply.

"Hahaha, I understand. I was like that when I finished it too! Honestly, I love this author so much!! She can convey each character's feeling so well... it almost like you're the character yourself! It's magical..."

Seeing the message, Renae's heart felt warm. She had finally found someone that shared the same passion as her — reading! They chatted for a long time about the book, from start to end, before moving on to book recommendations.

Even so, they had to end their conversation since it was dinner time. Renae walked to the dinning table, where her parents were already sitting.

"Mum, dad, eat," Renae said respectfully as she sat down. They nodded their heads and started their meals. "So how was school today?" Her mum asked, placing a chicken wing into her bowl. Renae smiled and replied, "It was fine. Do you guys know? Matthew's family returned for some time." "Oh! No, we didn't know... we need to have a gathering soon. It's been so long! I haven't seen Auntie Ann and Uncle Jeffery in such a long time!"

They talked their way through dinner. When they finished, the sky was already completely dark. After helping wash the dishes and wipe the dinning table, Renae returned to her room. What were Cathy's book recommendations again? I better check and note them down... Renae thought to herself, switching her phone on.

She read through the messages, her lips curving into a smile. Renae had a feeling this friendship wasn't going to be short-lived.

The next 3 days were as per usual, nothing special, just another normal day. It was until the 5th day of school did a huge commotion begin. Everyone was talking about this rich girl.

"The rich girl's back..."

"Ugh I don't like her. Look at her, she looks so proud. Just because she's rich doesn't mean she can get so whatever she wants."

Her name is Min. Her family apparently owns the school and many other well-known malls. The reason for why she was not here in school for the past 5 days is because she was still on a trip with her parents in England.

Min arrived in school with sunglasses on, wearing high heels, carrying a designer Gucci bag, and she wasn't even in the proper school attire! She stepped out of her own pink lp670-4 sv Lamborghini and walked towards Matthew who just got out of his car.

She stopped Matthew and introduced herself, "Hi, I'm Min. Let's us rich people be friends." She paused momentarily then continued to talk to Matthew. "Oh and we shouldn't be friends with peasants like her," she added, pointing at Renae.

He didn't even bother introducing himself. Matthew just glared at Min, a freezing cold look suffusing the depths of his eyes. But that didn't make Min leave, she still clung onto Matthew as if they were in a relationship.

Matthew then began to say, "Who I befriend is none of your business." Afterwards, he grabbed Renae's hand and walked into the school.

During lunch break, Min went into Matthew's class and asked him to accompany her for lunch. However, Matthew rejected her.

Kaiden and Renae so happened to be walking in the school corridor. "You see, that guy already stolen your little girlfriend of yours. She isn't suited to be a friend of yours or your girlfriend... but I am," she said proudly.

Matthew's reply was short. "Get lost." This reply still failed to make Min leave his side.

At this moment, Renae walked into the classroom and asked Matthew, "Hey, Kaiden and I are going to get a drink. You want to come along?"

Before Matthew could answer, Min said, "Like you said, you already have Kaiden. Why do you still need Matthew? Now run along. Matthew is mine!"