“It’s the time of the month. My stomach hurts so much. I’m afraid I can’t continue.” Vivian made a
pained expression as she spoke.
Several others immediately echoed. Nicole looked at their bad acting and sneered.
“You all seem really in pain. I have an idea. I have studied acupuncture , and I have a unique set of
skills to relieve menstrual pain. A few needles will do the trick.” Nicole suddenly took a box of shiny
silver needles out of nowhere.
These female classmates gasped in fear at seeing the needles and looked at Vivian.
Vivian gritted her teeth. She looked at Nicole and then sat up reluctantly. “It’s okay. We’re much better
now and can continue training again.” “You all do look better now. But don’t force yourself to train if the
cramp still lingers. I have really learned acupuncture.” Nicole looked at her classmates with concern.
Vivian immediately got to her feet and did some stretches. “My stomach doesn’t seem to hurt anymore.
So let’s keep training.”
Nicole looked at them and nodded with satisfaction.
Soon it was noon, and as soon as the bell rang, everyone collapsed to the ground.
“I can’t stand it anymore. I’m dying.”
“I’m starving. Get me a chicken thigh-no, two chicken thighs.”
“Everyone, the morning training session is over. After lunch, you all are to assemble on the sports field
on time because Ms. Emerson’s class is in the afternoon. We can continue training.” After Nicole’s
announcement, everyone was free to move. Lulu and June dragged their tired bodies and came up to
Nicole, not even having the strength to speak. They just gestured with their hands and then walked
toward the cafeteria.
Nicole looked at them, who had only trained for one session, and shook her head, wondering why they
were so weak. ‘This is far worse than the training in my group.
And it was just a warm-up, not yet a formal training.’ At noon, the cafeteria meal went fast, making the
cafeteria owner wonder what was going on. All students from Class B were having a meal at the
cafeteria and ate so much and so fast, like never before. After meals, they rested on the lawn but did
not see Vivian or others.
“Boss, where are Vivian and others?” Jack sat down beside Gary.
“Don’t worry about them. They must have gone into hiding.” Gary could guess it without much thinking.
As the training session in the morning was a bit too intense for Wayne, he thought of a little idea.
“Boss, since Vivian and all have slipped away, why don’t we-”
“Shut up. Don’t let me hear that again, or I’ll cut off your tongue,” Gary said.
Just then, he heard low discussion voices nearby as if quietly plotting something. Gary walked over and
patted them on the shoulder. “Why are you guys conspiring against Nicole? She is doing this for the
collective honor of our class.”
“We know you like Nicole. Isn’t it because of her that you’re willing to stay and train? But we don’t like
Nicole, and we don’t want to be tortured by her anymore.”
Having his motivation exposed , Gary was rooted to the spot for a second, now knowing how to
respond.
Just then, Nicole came over. “Let’s all assemble.”
She did a head count and found that not all of them were there. There was no sign of Vivian, either. “Do
a roll call.”
“One, two, three…”
“It doesn’t tally. Look over at the people on your left and right. If you find the persons next to you aren’t
the ones in the morning, call them out.”
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