Stay Around You Now And Forever novel (Hunter Jackson) novel Chapter 204

Everyone's eyes fell on Aryan, including students who had passed by and the contestants from other team. After the live broadcast of the contest yesterday, anyone from Skyler and Bentson University who was interested in comics would know Aryan who was a legendary drawer. Now that Aryan did not be with those from September Drawing Club but joining Nina's studio instead, it was like kicking the soccer ball into one's own goalpost at the moment of scoring a goal. Yet when compared to September Drawing Club, Nina's studio was indeed more powerful and there was way more space for improvement. Therefore it was decent for a talented person to follow Nina.

Everyone had wanted to ask the same question as Emily did. They were staring at Aryan waiting for his final answer, yet he did not utter a word when he faced them. Instead, he suddenly extended his hand and put his arm around Nina's waist. What was his relationship with Nina? The answer was baffling but certain. They had been together and he had made it clear without speaking a word. Aryan did not care other's look and he walked to the spectator's site while holding Nina. Nina did not have to participate in today's coloring category but to only watch the contest. Both of them walked towards the spectator's site and sat down under pairs of surprised and even shocked eyes. Many workers of the studio were following behind them as if protecting the queen and her man. It was certainly unnecessary to give extra explanations seeing that.

Rufus and Sally were dispirited and Emily patted both of their shoulders after heaving a sigh. "Everybody has their own ambition. Don't think about it anymore. Calm down and focus on dealing with the contest afterwards.” She grabbed Sally's shoulder and said with a serious look, "You must stay calm. Don't think too much. There would always be a way, okay?” Sally clenched her fist, took a deep breath and nodded hard. "Alright. I'll not disappoint you, and I'll definitely not let others make fun of us!” She shot a fierce glare at Aryan who was at the spectator's site yet he did not give her a single glance.

Still biting her lip, she said with a straight face, "Our September Drawing Club would not be defeated that easily! We can certainly do it! So there's no point to be anxious, we need only to do our best.” Emily gave her a light push and said, "Go on, Joe's waiting for you.” Sally could only try her best to regain her composure and she followed Lois with Joe for registration.

Emily returned to the spectator's site and went to the right side as Nina's team was at the left. Terry sat beside her and both Lois and Rufus returned and sat at the same row. "Have the rules for tomorrow's contest been released?” Emily asked. "Not yet.” Lois replied with little grievance. "The rules for the contest this time are made a bit mysterious and I suspect they would be announced afterwards on scene.”

"It's okay. Everybody needs to abide to the same rules after all. There's no need to be scared.” She could not help but glance at the other side of the spectator's site once more. Aryan was watching the arena below with Nina. He looked no different than how he used to be. He was still expressionless and did not like to talk. He only nodded to show he was listening when Nina was analyzing the situation of the contest occasionally.

"If this is his choice, as a captain, you should actually give him blessing.” Terry lowered his head and looked at Emily. He never said these kinds of gentle and kind words before. Yet his words seemed to make sense this time. Emily smiled lightly and nodded. "Sure. I'll give him blessing.” She hoped she did not make the wrong judgment…

…

The competition in the afternoon was still fierce. Sally's emotion fluctuated a little at first but she started to get into her stride after half an hour. Sally and Joe had only managed to complete the sixty grids during the last minute and when they returned to the spectator's site, Sally's limbs were cold and sweat was all over her face and forehead. "I was really nervous!” She could finally heave a sigh of relief after all the panic. "The judges say they would announce the result sooner so we'll only leave after that.” Lois told them the information she got just now. Emily spoke when Sally and Joe sat down. "I'll get you some water.” And Terry followed her without speaking another word.

The wait was a bit long as time was still needed for discussion of the result. Therefore it was impossible to announce the result before spending twenty or thirty minutes. Some people had grown impatient with the wait and left. Emily and Terry met Nina who had just come out of the hall when they were carrying two bags of mineral water bottles during their return. "You guys could definitely make into the final and it's meaningless to wait inside.” Nina grabbed Aryan's arm and smiled, glancing at Emily.

"Is Miss Marsh that confident of our work?” Emily replied with a false smile. Nina spoke but she was looking at the boy beside her. "No. I'm confident of his skills.” How could they not pass the test as long as they completed it when it was Raphael's work? She had never seen any drawer that was more brilliant than him in the comic world. Now that he had returned to her side, September Drawing Club's success would only end this afternoon. "It's a group contest tomorrow. Do you have a lead drawer? Miss Gale. If you don't, I could lend you one.” She smiled but her words were sincere without a sense of mocking.

"You really want to lend me?” Emily indeed needed a lead drawer. "Sure, as long as Miss Gale is willing to trust me.”

"Then could you lend me Aryan? I'll return him to you after the contest finishes.” Emily replied with a serious look and did not seem to joke at all. Nina slightly pulled a long face and only said after a while, "He hasn't signed the contract with us yet, therefore he's not counted as one of us.” Therefore it was impossible for her to borrow Raphael and she did not go against her words. "I'm sorry, Miss Gale. Maybe you could pick another one?”

"It's okay. I still have something to deal with. Bye.” Emily glimpsed at Aryan. She suddenly gave him a bland smile and left. Nina was surprised that she could still have such a carefree smile yet she quickly disregarded it. Maybe the future boss lady of the Gale family did have an ace up her sleeve. As long as she was willing to spend money, she could appoint anyone to become the lead drawer. Yet their opponents in the contest this time were the university students of Bentson City and she could not lay her eyes on any of those immature, unknown drawers.

"Do I have to take part tomorrow?” Aryan asked her after Emily left. "No.” Nina gazed at the sky and her smile was full of confidence. As long as Raphael did not take part, she did not care about anyone from the team. "You need only to stay at the spectator's site and watch me conquering this whole thing carefully.”