167 Was it a lie?


    The next day rolled <b>in </b>and, as nned, everyone went to their meeting ce, which was the square of District 10. Students from the Summit Excellence Academy and also members of Penny’s fan club arrived on time.


    Not just the students, but some of the willing teachers decided to attend as well to keep everything in order and for the safety of their students. Some of the parents and guardians also <b>came </b><b>as </b>support <b>and </b>also for safety.


    Everything was going well, and it was almost perfect.


    The only jarring thing about all of this was… <b>this </b>banner.


    Penny stood in front of the huge banner with her face on it. Her face twisting in spite the more she looked at this banner.


    Who put a banner in here with her face on it?!


    “Oh, gosh…” she pinched the bridge of her nose, recalling she already asked Lily not to put any more banners or posters with her face. But s, some of them still brought packages with Penny’s stickers on them..


    The intention was good, but at the same time, embarrassing.


    *Hah.” She huffed and gazed up again. “Well, as long as the help is delivered. I guess this embarrassment is a small price to pay


    Another deep sigh escaped her, turning on her heel to help out in the square. But the moment. Penny turned, she stopped. Deep lines appeared between her <b>brows </b>as she slowly met a person’s figure standing at her side.


    ‘Grace?”


    Grace was standing in front of the banner and stared at it quietly. Her expression didn’t show any type of anything for anyone to read her thoughts..


    <i>‘</i><i>She </i><i>looks </i>so cute… ‘she thought. “Why is her picture a picture of herself eating, though?”


    Penny’s face twitched. “I know, right?”


    “Hmm?” Grace turned to the owner of the voice<b>, </b>tilting <b>her </b>head a little as she studied Penny’s face. She then gazed at the banner and back to her. Her eyes darted a couple of times before she pointed at the banner. “That’s you?”


    “He he…”


    “It doesn’t look like you, said Grace. “You’re much smaller in person.”


    Because that photo was zoomed in!


    Penny’s face died as heavy gray clouds formed over her little head. <i>Although </i>I’m <b>d </b>to meet <b>her</b>, Grace never failed to hit me where <i>it </i>hurts.”


    “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you sad,” Grace expressed sincerely. “Are you giving out relief


    10:04


    Roods?”


    “Over there”


    “Uh, yeah. My friends wanted to do something good, so they gathered together to start their good cause. It’s more than just relief goods, there were also toiletries and some necessity packages, Penny summarized. “You can go there if <b>you’d </b>like! Or maybe I’d just get it for <b>you</b>!” “It’s okay. There’s no need for that Grace just smiled. “Thanks, though”


    Penny wanted to insist, but knowing Grace’s pride, she ended up shutting her lips. Assessing this old friend of hers, a question rose in her mind.


    <i>Back </i>then, <i>Grace </i><i>didn’t </i>detall <i>a </i>lot of <i>her </i><i>personal </i><i>life</i><i>. </i><i>But </i>from <i>the </i><i>snippets </i>of <i>what </i><i>she </i>said, <i>I </i><i>knew </i><i>she </i>had a <i>terrible </i><i>childhood</i><i>,</i>‘ she reminded herself, but now, she couldn’t help but wonder If Grace even told her the truth.


    Was it a lie?


    Grace was just wearing casual clothes, as it was the weekend. However, one could see that her clothes were all well kept and seemed to be new. Her outdoor footwear was also clean, making it appear new. Not to mention, there weren’t any evident scars or bruises on her exposed skin.


    One look and Penny could tell Grace was well taken care of.


    <i>‘</i><i>So </i><i>why</i>?’ she wondered. <i>‘</i><i>Why </i>did <i>she </i><i>kill </i><i>her </i><i>father </i><i>and </i><i>live </i>on <i>the </i>wrong <i>path </i>since?”


    “It must be nice to be rich, hub?” Penny’s train of thoughts halted upon Grace’s remarks. “You can do these things to make yourself feel better.”


    Grace was staring at the square, watching many people from the neighborhood lining up for their turn. “They all look so damn happy, she sneered, running her tongue across her <b>inner </b>checks.


    Seeing this habit of hers, Penny drew back slightly away. <i>This </i>is the face <i>she </i>makes before she <i>attacks</i>! Is she gonna <i>pick </i><i>a </i><i>fight </i><i>with </i><i>innocent </i><i>neighbors</i>? Or is <i>she </i><i>angry </i><i>at </i><i>us</i><i>, </i><i>rich </i><i>people</i><i>?” </i>


    Even though Penny’s wealth hadn’tpounded, she knew she would be rich one day. It was


    best to manifest that early on.


    “Never mind. Grace sighed and turned to face Penny once more. “Anyway, keep up the good work.”


    Having said that, Grace strode off while swaying the stic bag in her hand. Penny kept her gaze on the girl’s back, her lips parting, but her voice was rolling back in her throat.


    Penny pressed her lips together, eyes fixated on Grace’s retreating figure. “I chose this area because she once told me there were times she starved out in the street of District 10, she whispered, frowning. “Or did I act too early?”


    <b>For </b>a moment, Penny <b>was </b>conflicted about what to do next. She chose this area because of Grace in particr. After all, Grace ended up in prison because of the sad reality of life and the Justice system. There were many more in prison who were actually innocent, locked behind


    213


    bars. Some were just too trapped in their situation thatmitting a crime was their only way out. Though not condoned, it was understandable.


    Grace fell on thetter. Although Grace never said it, Penny thought if Grace had been saved early, she wouldn’t have to go through what she went through.


    Penny nced at everyone in the square and, since they were busy, she quietly snuck away and followed Grace. Fortunately, Grace’s gait was slow. Hence, Penny was able to follow her tracks to a small alley–like, hiding behind the post when Grace stopped in front of a small house. “Huh?” Penny furrowed her brows when she saw the look on Grace’s face. “Why is she ”


    The rest of Penny’s words rolled back into her throat when someone came right up behind her. She jolted and almost bit her tongue as she looked back, only to see Hugo’s smiling face.


    “Second Brother?”


    “I saw you sneaking away. What are you doing here?” Hugo nced in the direction she was looking previously.


    Penny also turned, but Grace was go ? 2024 N?v/el/Dram/a.Org.


    gone.


    Thanks for 4k PS


    Comment 17


    A


    Post your firstment!