Lambert Sisters

Tuesday evening, in the middle of a lukewarm spring, Ivy Lambert finished her classes early and waited for her sister and friends in the school's student lounge.

West Castle high school has three large student lounges throughout the campus. Each is well equipped with arcades and table games, allowing students to relax during breaks and after classes.

Ivy patiently sat on the soft sofa in the corner of the place, near one of the large framed windows. She has her eyes fixed on her smartphone, disconnecting from her surrounding with wireless earphones blocking the chattering of the other students.

Still immersed, Ivy did not even notice the rogue group of youth gathering close to where she was until too late.

Soon enough, the band surrounds Ivy. The noisy bunch fooled around with each other, invading the young girl's space. Without regard to the time or place, boys and girls flirt together, making out with one another right in front of the young girl.

Things become uncomfortable for Ivy, disturbed by the improper behavior of her neighbors. She takes her bag and stands to leave.

But before she could step away, some of the boys from the bunch blocked her path.

"Where are you going, Miss brain freeze?" A young man asks mockingly, sluggishly seated on the sofa in front, with a girl in each arm. He seems to be their leader.

Ivy stays quiet and attempts to get away from the group. However, the boys extend their arms, preventing the passage to Ivy.

"What's the rush, Miss brain freeze?" The seated young man chuckles, inciting his friends to do the same.

"Hey, Talon! Why do you call her brain freeze?" One of the girls was curious.

"I heard from one of my girls that this chick often froze in place when you talk to her." He answers with a sneer.

"Hahaha! Brain freeze? That's so lame. Like some kind of retarded?" The frivolous girl starts laughing.

Ivy did not know them. They are not her current or past classmates, and she did not recognize any of them from around the campus. Yet they seemed to be aware of her old derogative nickname.

"I heard, during her first year of middle school, the teacher asked her to present herself. But this chick couldn't even speak properly, stuttering like a moron." Talon explains.

"But the worst part is, because my gal and her friends had a little fun back then, she ratted them to her big sister. And cause her sister was the school newscasting head, the bitch slandered my gal, getting them expelled." He follows and continues to tell Ivy's past rumors, mixing truths and lies.

Bombarded with laughter and mockeries, Ivy could barely hold back her tears. Even so, she tried her hardest not to cry in front of this unsympathetic group, still unable to leave.

____

The harassment continued for a long time as the group went after Ivy Lambert. The quieter she stayed, the more they pestered her.

Ivy seeks help with her surrounding, but none of the bystanders dares to intervene, even though they notice the scene. In the end, Ivy lost her will and just stood still.

"Look at this! She froze!" One of the girls points out, giggling uncontrollably.

Ivy was indeed immobile. Her mind was full of inconsistency, every word said to her distorted in a scramble of echoes. And the noisy ringing of her surrounding's laughter made her unable to piece together any of her shattered thoughts.

"Hahaha! Exactly how he described it," Talon laughs eerily while looking at the unmoving Ivy.

Trying to protect herself, Ivy folds back and covers her ears with her hand.

"What the heck?" "Is she crying?" "What a crybaby!"

Despite her vulnerable state, the mockery never stopped.

"What's wrong? Aren't you going to tattle on me to your sister?" Talon squats near Ivy to be on her level.

He forces her to look at him, pulling on her chin with his finger. "What a cute little slut!" He says lecherously. "How about you become one of my bitch?"

Ivy, defenseless, couldn't utter any word. She was overwhelmed by fear, despair, and disgust.

Fortunately, Lily Lambert and Eliana Carter finally arrive at the location.

Witnessing her little sister on the ground, surrounded by strangers, Lily runs with all her might, makes way among the rowdy group, and pushes Talon away to shield her little sister in her embrace.

"Hey, you!" One of the girls tries to interject.

"SCRAM!" Lily suddenly shouts in a loud and overwhelming voice, glaring menacingly. Her expression was full of anger, making her surroundings shrink in fear.

Talon alone still dared to address her. "We meet again!" He says while smirking in excitement.

Without letting go of her sister, Lily looks at the condescending young man and remembers him with Julie Morel when they met at Maxwell's private club.

Lily recalls that Julie left West Castle Highschool long ago, and this Talon has no connection to the campus.

"Did you miss me, Lambert?" Talon salaciously jests.

"Stop your charade! What do you want?" Lily responds with a glacial voice.

"No need to be so stiff! I was passing by when I saw your little sister. So I decided to say hello. After that, we had a passionate talk." He replies lasciviously, suggestively licking his lower lip.

"I'm warning you, leave my sister alone," Lily pierces Talon with murderous regards.

Slightly Intimidated by Lily's hostile attitude, Talon and his band finally decide to retreat. "I just came here to say my greeting today." He says while gesturing to order his followers to exit.

"But we will see each other more often from now on," He adds and disappears with his bands.

____

After the unpleasant encounter, Lily and Eliana sit down on the soft sofa, trying to comfort Ivy, completely catatonic in her older sister's arm.

Ivy's eyes were lifeless, and she stayed motionless. She reacted to neither Elina nor Lily's interactions, worrying the latter into desperation incessantly shaking and calling her little sister's name.

Looking at her panicked friend, Eliana softly grabs Lily's shoulder, "Lily?" She says in a worried tone.

"You should take her home for now. Let her rest first," Eliana gently suggests and helps her friend to stand.

"You are right," Lily responds softly, her mind still filled with trouble.

Carter accompanied the two sisters to the gates where their vehicle was already waiting. Without many words exchanged, they parted. The Lambert sisters went home, and Carter returned inside.

After meeting again, Eliana and Alex also went home. They board the hypercar and head to the hotel where they stay.

On transit, they continue their conversation.

"I wonder what this Talon comes to do in our school?" Alex wonders, fixing his eyes on the road with a pensive expression.

"Beats me!" Eliana casually answers, also puzzled by the strange young man's intention.

____

The next day, Lily Lambert didn't show up for classes. Maxwell and Carter look at each other and deduce it must concern the previous incident.

Ryan Doyle, always intrigued with the beauty's affairs, did not fail to notice her absence. In the middle of the lecture, concluding Lily Lambert, Doyle resolved to ask Maxwell about the blue-eyed beauty.

"Maxwell, did you hear some news about Lambert?" He inquires.

"Nope!" Alex replies calmly, shrugging his shoulder. Even though he knew something, Maxwell would never disclose anything.

Doyle looks at Carter to confirm the situation but receives no reaction from her aloof gray eyes.

"Maybe she is sick," Ryan says in disappointment. He spoke loud enough for the whole class and the teacher to hear.

Lambert is popular and well-liked among the students. It was a given that anyone would be concerned about her well-being.

Obtaining the audience's attention, Doyle continues his speech, "Shouldn't we visit her? Maybe we should bring her the notes for today's lessons. After all, we are in the last sprint of high school with the national exam approaching."

Underneath, he only looked for excuses to visit Lambert and to obtain some favor with her without appearing conspicuous.

Immediately unveiling his ploy, Maxwell makes an eye signal to Carter, who quickly understands.

Eliana speaks casually, "Don't worry, I'm taking note for her."

"You would? Then we're counting on you, Carter." The teacher sighs in relief, ending the discussion with Doyle's bitter smile.

____

On their way to the Lambert estate, Eliana and Alex have a small chat, anticipating what will happen.

"Have you talked with Lily since yesterday?" Alex asks Eliana while driving with one hand and holding Carter's hand with his other.

"We talked with text, but we barely exchanged," Eliana replies in a saddened voice.

"Though, we have agreed that I will visit her today," she continues.

"What about Ivy?" Alex asks again while turning the car to enter the Lambert property's front garden.

"Lily said Vy is better but is still unstable." She vaguely explains.

"Alright, here we are!" Alex pulls the handbrake up and exits the butterfly door of the car followed by Eliana.

After climbing a few marble steps, both enter the property. Inside, A group of maids welcomes and guides them to the reception room. An elegant space lit by an exquisite chandelier in the center.

Maxwell and Carter sit on a large sofa overlooking several arched openings where maids arrive to bring refreshments.

Not long after, Olivia Cameron comes to greet her daughter's classmates.

"Little Eli and Little Alex! Did you come to visit Lily?" Olivia exalts seeing the two in her home.

"Yes! We learned she was slightly ill, so we came to wish her well." Maxwell shows a basket of fruits and sweets.

"Oh! Then go right up, don't be shy," Oliva urges the two upstairs. And without regarding their hesitation pushes the two directly inside Lily's bedroom.

The room was a bit disorganized, with plush animals scattered unevenly around. Books and decorations were placed on the shelves without any specific arrangement. Yet, everything matched the aesthetic of the bedroom.

"Mother!? A-Alex!?" She stutters in disbelief.

Lily was caught off guard in the middle of changing to go meet her friends. She was half-naked, and her blossoming chest was fully exposed to the view of everyone present, including her crush.

Maxwell did not immediately avert his eyes, plainly admiring the jade-like color of her smooth skin and the soft curve of her silhouette. She was beautifully sculpted, like a goddess statue.

"Wait a minute, please," Lily rushes to cover herself, hardly maintaining her usual aloof expression.

"Okay, kids! I'll leave you among yourselves," Olivia giggles in amusement and leaves the room discreetly.

After a brief silence from embarrassment, Eliana breaks the ice.

"We brought you some sweets!" She signals Maxwell to hand the basket. "How are you feeling now?" She continues, sitting close to Lily on her bed.

"I'm feeling better. It was just a small cold." Lily smiles lightly, trying to ease her friends' worries.

"And Vy?" Eliana inquires hesitantly.

"Yesterday, she wept all night until collapsing on Mother's arms. And today, she cried to Mother that she wants to quit school." Lily explains her little sister's situation.

"How is she, right now?" Alex asks.

"She holed in her room and won't let anyone enter," Lily answers, looking dejected.

"Talon was after me. It was also like this before," Lily suddenly declares. "They are begrudging me, so they take it on Vy."

Maxwell stayed silent. He also often messes around with people, disconnecting from any affectionate attachment. But even so, the circumstances are different. And at this moment, genuine anger brews deep within him.

____ End of chapter 20 ___