Chapter 9 : Seeing Bella Again
While Zebadiah bit his teeth bitterly, Nash rolled his eyes with his arms crossed over his chest.
Zebadiah couldn't pin such a thing on Nash since he didn't even notice when his belt was unbuckled and trousers loosened from his waist.
Everyone in class was whispering and in anger, Zebadiah stormed out of the class with his lackeys.
Bella looked at Zebadiah for a moment before shifting her attention to Nash. She shook her head and walked back to her chair.
Nash's face turned solemn after seeing the look on Bella's face.
He knew that Bella was kind hearted and no matter whether a person was good or bad, she believed no one deserves to be maltreated.
Hers was an ideology that Nash couldn't even understand where it stemmed from.
However, deep down, she was happy that Nash was able to stand up for himself against the arrogant bully of the class.
In the previous life, Nash had a crush on Bella, not only because she was beautiful but she was also kind and caring.
Nash couldn't tell Bella he liked her because it was complicated. Bella Codrin was not only pretty, she was also a top student from a wealthy family. Nash, on the other hand, did not have much for himself to offer compared to this.
The difference in their worlds was much and he understands quite early that it was already a complex situation to be in.
Nash continued to discourage himself from doing, having given up that Bella wouldn't accept him and even if she did, her family wouldn't.
However, the young man mustered the courage during their graduation to do so. At that point, he told himself that he had nothing to lose. If Bella did not accept his confession, then he was not going to see her again anyway.
What Nash had thought was a smooth plan where he had nothing to lose ended up being what cost him his life.
Nash had mustered the courage to speak with Bella. It had bend more difficult than it seemed but he pulled through. After speaking, Bella did not give him an answer.
She had not expected them to have a talk about that sort of topic and so asked to be allowed to think about it.
Nash's heart pounded fast in his chest. He didn't know if Bella was just being modest so she doesn't hurt his feelings or she was truly going to think about it.
Either way, her response felt better than hearing a blatant "No" or "I'm not interested", or even the more dreaded "Eww! You're not my type".
Bella did however leave him with a gift. A gift that turned his head, leaving him confused.
Bella left a kiss on his cheek, making Nash shine beet root red with shyness.
Nash didn't know what message Bella was trying to pass but he sure took it as a positive sign.
Unfortunately, someone else did not.
All the while, Zebadiah was watching all of this play out.
He was angry, seeing Nash talking to the school beauty.
He endured, aiming to give Nash the beating of his life when he was done fooling himself with Bella.
Zebadiah tried his best to contain his anger and not react, until he saw Bella peck Nash on the cheek.
He lost it. Seeing Nash behaved sheepishly afterward made him angrier.
He couldn't contain it anymore and he stormed out.
Zebadiah thought about what he had witnessed and couldn't quell his anger.
Unable to handle the rejection from Bella and the false assumption he had that Bella had chosen Nash—whom he rated as beneath him—over him who was son of the affluent Gates family, Zebadiah sprung into action.
He ended up hatching a diabolical plan, one that was beyond everything he was know for so far in the entire school.
It was on that day that Zebadiah got into a truck and ran Nash over, killing him out of sheer jealousy.
******
Nash thought he would not feel the same way anymore but seeing Bella today in class, his heart started to pound a bit faster than usual.
He still had feelings for her from his previous life which has rolled over into this one.
He smiled, feeling happy to see her again and having another opportunity to make things right.
He recalled the kiss she gave him on the cheek and now, Nash chose to think that it was a good sign. Perhaps, she liked him too or was at least open to the idea of giving him a chance.
The day went by swiftly as they had their series of class for that morning and soon, it was time for their dismissal
Nash linked up with William as the both of them went to the cafeteria to buy something before leaving for their dormitory.
"Danny said they will be stuck in the lab for a bit longer though," Nash said to William.
William nodded. "Yeah, I think I remember him mentioning that earlier today."
******
They got home and ate, had their bath and rested.
After that, William went about his business while Nash did the one thing he can do at this moment—logging into Apex Online.
He reappeared inside Apex Online and headed straight for the [Animal Farm] to clear it some more times.
This time around, Nash was going to clear that dungeon for the sake of making money, not just solely experience.
He arrived at the grassland and was shocked that many players were already there.
Nash smacked his forehead and hissed. "Tch! Many players have discovered this place already."
"Who is a healer class and wants to join my team?" a random player asked.
"We just need one more person, even better if you are a warrior class," another replay added.
"Get out, noob! We need only level 2 players on the team."
"You are a mage, right?"
"Yes. Can I join your team?"
"Yes. Sure."
"Berserkers and warrior in front. Healers at the rear. Come on, let's do this!"
This location of the novice dungeon was now crowded with players, aiming to also make money and gather experience just like Nash.