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"Friendship is a gift given by God; Joining the two by a long cord."

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Coming out of the mall, the weather has changed so fast. The day had turned into the night by its dark look, with stormy rains and cold winds steadily blowing everywhere. Evangeline found herself to be the only one not carrying an umbrella. Nobody bothered to accompany her. Not even her younger brother could be seen anywhere as he should have been her savior. She was distressed and confused about her state.

Evangeline's P.O.V.

I am really feeling cold being a bit feverish from home still, I was the crazy one to opt for shopping at such a time. And if I step out of this place I will be fully wet... What should I do now? I am in true need of help. I shouldn't have forgotten my umbrella today but nobody could have made a forecast it from the way the weather had appeared before I entered this place. I need to stop being so careless.

Suddenly I felt someone's hand on my shoulder making me immediately turn around to see a tall boy with emerald green eyes who was offering me his umbrella. His strong hands handed it to me while I gently took it and looked at the umbrella. When I looked at the direction where the boy was, I couldn't see him. He had suddenly vanished into thin air. I couldn't even thank him.

End of Evangeline's P.O.V.

She slowly walked home and felt someone's eyes on her but wasn't sure. She turned back but could see none. She decided to forget about it and continue walking.

The next day at school

The class teacher entered and all the students suddenly became quite. But Evangeline unaware of the teacher's presence was still talking. The teacher started yelling and then Evangeline got into trouble. The teacher decided to change her place. When Evangeline looked at her new partner she was shell shocked. He was the same boy she had met the day before.

The boy introduced himself with a beaming smile on his smoothly carved face seeing her confused expression.

"Hi, I am Ryder." He spoke.

She introduced herself as well, " Hi, I am Evangeline... Nice to meet you. I really appreciate your help. Take this back."

Evangeline's P.O.V.

I returned his umbrella and saw that teacher was looking angrily at us so I turned my attention towards my book.

Suddenly, I found that I had forgotten my pen. Well, I have definitely become forgetful than last year it seems. I asked Ryder for help and he did help me willingly with a smile. He was not so serious for studies is what I noticed but I remembered seeing him before. I don't know where.

Then suddenly I heard the bell ringing and the next lecture had begun.

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Question of the chapter:

Which quality do you like the most about your best friend?

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"Hope - enough to brighten a whole darkroom. "

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Andrea was pissed off as she didn't know what she should. From two months, she had stopped drawing and now was unable to find any inspiration. She was walking in the ground as she had a P.T. lecture but she was not interested in any exercises. Even their teacher has allowed them to play in the ground.

She had no friends as she was a transfer student. So, she wasn't interested in playing as well. She continued walking until she saw something. All were gathered and seeing a girl being bullied. And that girl's name was Celia.

She was in danger while being left utterly confused. She didn't want to see those evil faces hitting her again. While praying God to please send someone to help her she felt really, really scared.

The three rich girls were standing around her had smirks evident on their faces. They were the school bullies. Nobody dared to stand up against them. They always got success in suppressing the ones who stood against them.

In the meantime, children from Block-A had reached for their games period. Evangeline and Ryder saw Celia being tortured and ran to her help while they found no support from the other spectators who were much busier in watching the drama unfold rather than lending a hand to help.

Evangeline: Why are you three against one? Hey, want some help? (She asked smoothly in front of the predators waiting for their prey)

Celia: Yeah, indeed.

First girl bully: It's none of your business. (She shouted)

Second bully: Stay out of this you girl.

Ryder: I am going to call the principal if you three do not vanish from here in a minute.

Hearing the principal's name, the three ran away as fast as they could and people started evacuating the place seeing that the drama was now over. Evangeline lent a hand to Celia to get up.

Andrea saw this whole thing unfold in front of her eyes and drew Evangeline and Ryder taking a stand for Celia against the three bullying girls in her sketchbook.

Later that day

In the science lab, Evangeline and Andrea became lab partners and Evangeline had forgotten her science book being rather engrossed in her thoughts. Andrea had left in a hurry with her sketchbook still in the classroom which was soon seen by Evangeline. She took the book and started viewing the sketches and beautiful paintings.