(Live with a system) Chapter 2
Riley’s heart pounded. She instinctively said in her mind, “I can’t…”
She was used to taking it in and she was afraid of irritating them.
The system’s voice was firm.“Host, I’m with you. Don’t be afraid. Take the first step,” Riley’s lips trembled. She took a deep breath, lifted her chin, and straightened her back. If the system said so, it had to be right.
Riley walked past Chase and Chloe without looking at them, her eyes still wet.
“Hey, Riley!”
Chase’s call startled her.
The system reminded her.“Host, keep going. Don’t look back.”
Riley kept this position until she reached the classroom. Her classmates‘ mocking stares fell upon her. Ignoring them, she down.
She opened her textbook, and a grub fell out. Before she could think, she cried out.
The boys around her burst into laughter. Chase came in, smirking.
Riley’s eyes welled up again.
Chloe spoke,“Riley is crying! You guys are terrible!”
The laughter grew louder. One boy sneered.“Chloe, you’re too kind. Riley bullied you, and you’re still defending her?”
Chase leaned back.“Chloe, don’t worry about her. Let’s take a seat.”
Chloe sat down with feigned helplessness.
Riley felt suffocated.
The system’s voice echoed, “Mission Two: Throw the grub back at the bullies.”
Riley trembled.“But it’s so disgusting…”
The system continued, “Do it. Don’t miss the opportunity.”
Riley gritted her teeth and flicked the grub toward the boys. It landed directly in the mouth of the one who was laughing the loudest!
He screamed even louder than Riley had. There was a moment of silence in the classroom and then a burst of laughter broke out. Even Riley couldn’t help but smile slightly.
The system’s voice softened.“Congratulations, Host. Mission Two completed.”
The boy spat out the grub, pointing at Riley.“Riley! You…”
Riley, eyes still red, stared back defiantly. Chase watched her, surprised. Had she gone crazy? She was actually fighting back?
Their teacher walked in. The boy pointed at Riley, shouting, “Mr. Henderson, Riley’s bullying
me!”
His friends chimed in.“Yeah, she threw a huge worm at us!”
They always did this- twisting the truth and blaming her.
P
15:14
(Live with a system) Chapter 2
“I didn’t! They started it…” Riley explained.
Mers
Mr. Henderson frowned.“This is ridiculous. Chase, you’re the monitor. Tell me what happened.” Chase raised an eyebrow.“I saw Riley throw the worm at them.”
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