Stay Around You Now And Forever novel (Hunter Jackson) novel Chapter 203

There was basically no suspense for the contest next morning. Rufus brought his usual skills into play without making a mistake. Since no team would be eliminated in this contest, no one had paid much attention to it, as long as they could perform well like they used to. It all depended on both Joe and Sally's performance in the afternoon now. For them, completing the complicated picture with sixty grids was not an easy task. Yet, if they were able to complete it smoothly, there was definitely no problem for them to be shortlisted into the top five. It was just that when Rufus returned after finishing the competition and everybody rested in the classroom, the atmosphere of the whole team was absolutely dreadful.

"Why did he quit all of a sudden? What's going on? Is he being kidnapped?” Lois was baffled by Aryan's decision to leave their team at the point when they were about to make into the top five. His leaving had cast a tremendous disaster on top of them. Even if Sally and Joe could complete their part later in the afternoon and make into the top five, they were destined to lose without a lead drawer for tomorrow's final. "How come? Emi, are you sure it's really him who says that? Have you called him?”

"I have, but he didn't pick up. But someone's seen him in the morning and he looks fine.” Emily's words consoled them but also pushed them to the edge of despair at the same time. "So, it really is Aryan who wants to quit. But why during this crucial moment?” Sally was upset and Lois was looking despondent. Yet Terry closed the window and glanced at them, and he said, "Those people are gone.”

"Who?” The people were startled and did not get what he meant. "Someone's been watching us since last night. Rufus was also being watched when he went to the competition this morning.”

"What?” Rufus was horrified and he immediately glimpsed through the window. They were at the first floor and the window was facing the laboratory building behind. One avenue and two small pathways persisted between the two buildings. It was noon and everybody had gone to rest. Only a few students passed through occasionally and nothing seemed aberrant. "I saw someone spying on us when I sent you back to your room last night.” Terry pursed his lips. "Now I get it. You ask me and Sally to stay together no matter how because you're scared someone would harm us?” Joe pondered and instantly felt intimidated. "But why didn't you stay with us afterwards?”

"I notice they had no intention to make any move after that. They've been solely watching us for the whole morning.”

"And why is that?” Joe was confused. If they did not intend to make a move, what was the purpose of watching them? Wasn't that just energy-consuming? "Yet it's pointless to watch us now. Without Aryan, even if we do make into the top five, we don't have the capability to make into the top three.” Lois lied on the desk and she was so dispirited that she could not raise her head. Not to mention Aryan was so famous that whenever people thought of September Drawing Club, their captain Emily Gale was not the first thing that came into their mind but Aryan Nicholson, the talented drawer.

As long as Aryan did not show up during tomorrow's final, the judges would probably know that Aryan had left their club. What value did this club have when the most famous Aryan was gone? Their score would certainly be low at this point. And how could they find another lead drawer during this crucial moment? Although Joe could become the lead drawer, there was a huge gap between him and Aryan in terms of professionalism. Drawing was only a hobby for Joe as his main career concerned computer technicality. He was no match against Aryan as they did not belong to the same level. Sally also lied on the desk with a despondent look. "What should we do?”

"Although Aryan is not here, at least your safety is guaranteed, right?” Emily smiled and gave her calf a kick. "Be more positive.” Yet Sally was still keeping a long face. How could she be positive? Everybody had lost their hope when Aryan quitted. Since those who wanted to harm them could have a rest now, their safety was indeed guaranteed. Yet they really needed Aryan. Sally sobbed in her heart.

Time passed by slowly. After having lunch and resting for a while, Lois then led Joe and Sally to the registration counter again. This time, the whole team set off together and Emily led the others to the hall. Everybody cared strongly about the last game before being shortlisted into the top five. No matter how tomorrow's situation would be, they had to make into the top five first at least. "It's Aryan!” Sally suddenly exclaimed and pointed at the entrance of the hall.

"Gosh! Why is he with Nina's team?” Lois could not believe her eyes. Joe was in a daze too. They had imagined every single possibility of his reason of leaving, yet none of it was what they saw before their eyes. "Could it be he has joined Nina's team?”

"This is too much!” Rufus' eyes flamed and he strode to him. Aryan seemed to not notice them. He only noticed Rufus when he faced him. "Aryan Nicholson, why did you do this?” He grabbed his collar with his eyes red due to rage. "What benefit did this woman give you? How dare you follow them?” They were classmates and they had behaved like strangers to each other from the start until they joined Emily's team. Eventually, they got along like brothers. He had treated Aryan as his brother, but what about Aryan? If they were brothers, why did he betray them at this point of time?

"What are you doing?” Sarah pulled a long face after a moment of shock. "What are ya'all doing? Hurry up and pull him away!” Their teammates only reacted then and they quickly rushed forward, dragging Rufus away to the outside. "No!” Emily came with the whole team. Terry stepped forward and his stern expression had frightened their opponents, making them release Rufus. Rufus still wanted to rush forward yet he was held back by Terry. "Calm down!” Emily shot him a glare.

Rufus was red in the eye yet he finally calmed himself down. He only scowled at Aryan with rage and disappointment. Sally almost cried too. She never expected him to follow Nina. "This…this is going too far!” She could not say any more words to scold him. Her voice turned coarse when she spoke. She choked and could say nothing more. Lois held her and was speechless against Aryan. A clever fowl picks its own habitat. Who could have accused Aryan for being wrong? For his capability, he might have more space for improvement when he joined Nina's team.

After all, their club was only established less than a month ago. Even if there was a huge potential, they still appeared as a small team. Yet it was different for Nina's team as her team had matured enough to be compared to a big art studio. Who could accuse Aryan for choosing a better environment and a better team? Emily peered at Aryan and asked with a straight face, "You've really made your decision?”