Chapter 7

January 9, 2012, 6:15 a.m. Monday

Grey and Lailah that morning were cheerful like nothing has happened, as they waited for the school bus to arrive and pick them up, Maeve Thatcher came along and greeted the two they responded with a casual smile like they always do, but unlike before Maeve notice a slight change as it there was no joy in their smiles and they were just acting and the sincerity was no longer there

Lailah sat on the third bus sea arrangement, which has a double seating

capacity on the left side of the school bus, while Grey sat at his usual place and which was at the back, before Maeve usually sit with a few of the school social elite but this time she asked Lailah if she can sit next to her, Lailah hesitated for a moment, unsure of how to respond. However, seeing Maeve's genuine smile, she scooted over to make room for her friend. As they settled into their seats, Lailah couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement about the unexpected change in their seating arrangement.

Maeve ask Lailah what was going on, curious about the reason behind the sudden change. Lailah hesitated for a moment, contemplating whether or not to share her thoughts with Maeve. Finally, she decided to open up and confide in her friend, hoping that Maeve would understand and keep this a secret, she told her this was her way of saying, "You are my new trusted friend," she was shocked and hugged Lailah, and in a low, sad tone, she told her young friend she was sorry,

the bus was slowly moving, when one of the so-called social elite stood up and walked toward Maeve and tap her on her shoulder and told her to seat next to them, and not waste time with that particular weird kid, Maeve look at the other girl and mention she was doing fine where she is currently seating, even saying it would be fair to the rest of the students, they should just let the other seat where ever they want, as long as they are comfortable. Maeve firmly believed in inclusivity and treating everyone with respect, regardless of their social status or perceived differences. She hoped that her words would encourage a more accepting and compassionate environment among her peers.

This annoyed the girl who thought she was a friend, but with Maeve Thatcher's answer, they saw she was not cut out to be in their circle, with a vile and prideful smirk she when back to her seat and began to taunt Maeve for insulting her that way, revealing her true colours as someone who lacked empathy and understanding. Maeve, however, remained composed and refused to engage in the negativity, knowing that her actions spoke louder than any hurtful words thrown her way.

Lailah was happy even for a short time seeing that her new friend would say these words toward the so-called social elite of their school that was rumoured that Maeve was part of, Maeve assured her she didn't join any group she was just famous in social media for a few weeks but seeing how they treat other students on the school she didn't want to be associated to them anymore, so the moment she was team up with her older brother she saw the opportunity to finally step out from their group's shadow,

after a few minutes, the School Bus finally stopped at the school open yard, where two other School buses were already parked. Being in a city that was filled with families working at the military weapons factory and warehouse, the school was expanded to accommodate more than seven hundred students, the military leaders funded this task two years ago as numerous anonymous rich donors gave donations,

allowing for the construction of additional classrooms and facilities. The school's expansion was crucial to meeting the growing educational needs of the community, ensuring that all children had access to quality education. As the students disembarked from the bus, they eagerly made their way towards the bustling schoolyard, excited for another day of learning in their expanded and well-equipped school.

with this, the ego that bosted the so-called social elite was secured as they sped that their families were the ones who secretly donated, but the reality was far from the truth, a certain amount of restrain was given by those students whose families were really the ones who made the generous donations, these were the same families who gain prominence by secretly maintaining a close tie with Chevalier,

they followed the footsteps of their ancestors who take honour and righteousness as wealth rather than material, during class Grey was sitting at his seat at the back as he was staring at the window looking out toward their city, as soon as the recess bell sounded, three students from the other lower grade and class came to see Grey, the entire class was a shock to see those three gathered in one place and was standing next to Grey who was still in a seated posture,

These three were notoriously known for being reverse bullies; picking a fight with anyone who was weaker was a mistake. If they were within the area while the act was happening, they would meet a swift and aggressive response from these three.

Their reputation for instigating conflicts with bullies to protect the weak was their sole mission now, and even if they got physically beaten down, their strong resolve to never back down caused apprehension among those who crossed their path. Knowing Grey was protecting them,

However, their confrontational nature was for only those who were bullies, but in reality, they were just nerds who just got fed up getting tormented by school bullies in the past, and the day when Grey took firm action to save them while teaching them the rational reason why they were always getting picked on, they changed their perspective and became like this:

These three nerds were once called the Three Stooges because they were once the laughingstock of the school. but after the summer break, they came back differently after Grey invited them for a seven-day camping trip at the mountain.

Harvey Carter, age 16 years old, is five feet four, has black hair and blue eyes, and is slim at 80 lbs. He's madly in love with a particular game character. that he always plays. He is really into mythological stories and literature, and he collects medieval weapons. Harvey's passion for gaming and mythology often sets him apart from his peers, making him feel like an outsider. However, his unique interests and knowledge make him a valuable asset to the group of friends. Despite his slim build, Harvey surprises others with his agility and quick thinking during their adventurous camping trip.

Andrew Blair, age 16 years old, five foot two, black hair, brown eyes, chubby with glasses, 180 lb. likes reading books, cooking, and building DIY robots. He often spends his free time experimenting with different recipes and creating unique dishes. Andrew is also an avid reader and enjoys diving into various genres, from science fiction to historical novels. Additionally, he loves the challenge of building DIY robots and is constantly working on new projects in his spare time.

Emma Collins, age 15 years old, five foot two, black long hair, green eyes, and a lean 120 lbs., has a hate crush on Andrew Blair, likes watching Korean TV sitcoms and anime, and is an avid cosplayer. She spends hours perfecting her costumes and attending conventions.

Their loyalty toward Grey was undeniable and unquestionable, seeing Grey as their hero and eye opener in the harshness of life. They admired Grey's determination and resilience, finding inspiration in his ability to overcome challenges. Grey's impact on their lives was profound, motivating them to push their own boundaries and strive for greatness.

and add their family wealth that would make any, so-called rich social media look like a pauper in front of these three very wealthy and influential families,

The Carter, family, which owns a multi-billion-dollar construction company with ten branches all over the planet, is known for their expertise in building large-scale infrastructure projects. Their reputation for delivering high-quality work on time and within budget has made them a sought-after choice for governments and private clients alike.

The Blair family, which owns a large manufacturing factory for heavy machinery, has been a prominent player in the industry for over three decades. With their state-of-the-art technology and commitment to innovation, they have consistently delivered high-quality products that have earned them a stellar reputation among their competitors and clients alike. Additionally, the Blair family's dedication to sustainability and environmental responsibility sets them apart from other manufacturers in the sector.

The Collins family, which owns a large pharmaceutical company, is known for their successful business ventures and philanthropic efforts. They have made significant contributions to medical research and development, aiming to improve healthcare worldwide.

These three were not just nerds, but they were secretly influential, rich, and truly firm believers in what Grey stands for, which is to be "strong and never yield to fear." Their influence extended far beyond their nerdy personas, reaching into the highest echelons of society. Their immense wealth allowed them to fund and support causes aligned with Grey's principles, secretly empowering others to embrace their strength and face their fears head-on. They were the reason their school was fully developed and funded.

They have been in constant communication with each other and made a clear vow to always be the shield for Grey. and after hearing the sad, heartbreaking news from their respective parents, the three came to ease their friend's weary heart. Grey now understood his Uncle's last words after leaving an assurance that he would call upon the entire clan and everybody who was connected to the Chevalier family.

Saving them before from local billies was not just a coincidence, but destiny. Hidden in plain sight was the bond between Grey and his friends, a bond that was forged through shared experiences and unwavering loyalty. As they stood together, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, they knew that their connection went beyond mere friendship; it was a testament to the strength of their chosen family.

Grey stood up and asked the three to join him at the back of the school cafeteria which is known to be the hangout area of school bullies, Maeve who was near Grey ask if she can join them thinking he might do something bad to vent out his anger and frustration, Grey smiled as she said yes she can join them, Grey formally introduce the three to Maeve, they already knew who she was being popular at school,

Emma Collins was the first one to shack her hand and ask if she were friend with Lailah, she smiled and said she was a new friend of

Lailah, while two of the social elite girls who were their classmates heard this and started laughing saying that Ms popular has already fallen from grace, and already befriended a ten-year-old geek, Grey heard this and was upset and wanted to correct their manners when Emma Collins turned around and just walk toward the two who were gossiping behind their back,

Emma Collins was the first one to openly accept her and ask if she befriended Lailah; too she smiled and said she was a new friend of Lailah, while two of the social elite girls who were their classmates heard this and started laughing, saying that Ms. Popular has already fallen from grace, and already befriended a ten-year-old geek. Grey heard this; he was upset and wanted to correct their manners when Emma Collins turned around and just walked toward the two who were gossiping behind their backs.

Emma Collins was now different. Unlike a year ago, she would just lay low, look down at the floor, and accept all of their insults. As soon as she was standing near them in arm's reach, Emma just grabbed both of their hair and bashed their heads together like hand-held cymbals, causing them to yelp in pain. The other students watched in shock as Emma stood tall, no longer tolerating their mean-spirited behaviour. From that day forward, nobody dared to gossip about Lailah or anyone else in her presence again.

Emma went back to where Grey was sitting as they left for the school cafeteria. The two still in pain called the rest of their group and mentioned what just happened. One of the girls in question was one of the five bullies' cousins whom Grey beat up at the library street alley on January 8, Saturday morning.

January 9, 2012, 12:15 a.m. Monday