Seth tossed his words at Lillian Grey, which made the girl choke on her drink.

She coughed out loud.

Observing the way Lillian Grey reacted shockingly, Seth didn't bother to stress it anymore. He gave her some time to relax.

Lillian fake laughed humorously trying to appeal to Seth.

'd.a.m.n this man always catches her on crucial times.'

Lillian Grey knew it already that she exposed herself with the drink.

'How did he find it, though?' - Lillian thought.

"Thinking how did I found it, huh?" Seth asked as if he read her mind crystal clear.

Lillian felt her heart stop at that moment. Just how much this man can read her, for a second, Lillian believed that Seth held superpowers.

Other than that, Lillian Grey couldn't figure out how she can get caught repeatedly by the same guy over and over again.

"Y- yes, No-" Lillian's uncertainly respond.

Without hesitating, Seth began to explain:

"I saw you and Mindy arriving late before Jamie's performance."

'c.r.a.p, he noticed me at that time already!'

Lillian Grey never spoke, but her mind-voice kept reflecting within.

"First, you left during Jamie's performance then I saw Giselle sneakily attempting to leave the place as well. However, she left during the break times. So, I saw her too."

Seth paused to take a sip of his drink. He then resumed talking.

"I thought it was just a coincidence but-"

His gaze fell upon Lillian Grey inwardly smirking, yet on the outside, it meant as if he suspected her.

'He knew it was me, who dragged Giselle.' - the mind-voice didn't have to think twice and instantly remarked.

"Lillian Grey, Giselle, the only two students who disappeared for hours. Do you think we need the FBI to investigate it?"

"Even a kid can grasp who went around!"

'Duh, I didn't say we needed the FBI to find, also what the h.e.l.l?'

'Is this some kind off kidnap case?'

'Don't tell me that Seth, actually thought I kidnapped Giselle!'

'I mean it was my idea, but she came voluntarily, No one forced her to meet me.'

Lillian's gaze lowered and fixed on the muddy ground.

It is then Seth observed her. He noticed a few almost healed blisters on her forehead, her lips appeared dry, and a tear displayed at the corners of the mouth.

'Did she got injured somewhere or-?' - just as Seth's mind tried to guess, it struck him like a clap of thunder.

"Lillian?" Seth calls her.

The dormant girl who kept a stoic face not to let Seth further investigate her or the place they went; Lillian never wanted anyone to know where she took Giselle. Swearing within herself to never get discovered, Lillian looked up to attend Seth's beckoning.

She didn't like the way Seth stared at her, as if she still has secrets to unveil. Lillian dare not to even breathe freely. Restraining herself, she faked a curious expression on her face.

What came next was something that threw her soul out of her body.

"Did you and Mike fight?"

"That guy's injuries, is it possible that it was you who did that to him?"

Seth wasn't sure and only thought the possibility. The reason behind his open, straight question is to confirm or even find some clue to prove his theory.

On the other hand, Lillian reacted on her pure instinct by replying,

"N- no, definitely not me."

Instead of maintaining her composure, she revealed herself with her response.

Seth knew right away that his suspicion might be correct, though he doesn't have any evidence to prove it as a fact. However, the way Lillian jarred with her reaction suggested Seth not to go in detail.

He only gave her an 'Ok' and took another sip.

Lillian too didn't delve too much upon it and stopped talking. The only problem right now is her talking, and she chose to seal her mouth shut-in.

Neither of them chose to stay silent and enjoyed their drink or at least quenched their thirst. Lillian never once faced Seth and kept her gaze down while Seth's mind rambled with tons of questions. He couldn't ignore the fact that Lillian behaved and gave special attention to Giselle.

Naturally, Seth would feel for Giselle's happiness since he was like her back in his childhood days; getting bullied, being judged and beaten up by other kids.

Although his time was worst, and he knew it. He didn't have a person like Lillian Grey to stand up for him back in the days. Seth became a lonely child, and instead of getting depressed, he transformed all of his emotions into studying and focusing on trivial stuff like graduating first cla.s.s, finding his pa.s.sion and making his dream into a reality.

As soon as he stopped trying to socialize and prove himself, his perspective became apparent. He didn't pay attention to those who call him by names. Instead, his actions spoke for itself, being a successful student, and scoring centuries.

Now being a high-school teacher, nurturing the kids at their tender age, he feels responsible as an adult, despite his strict demeanor, he tries to focus on students and never judge them discreetly.

The princ.i.p.al, the staff, and even the kids knew Seth doesn't like to bias. It is also one of the reasons why sometimes the students prefer to open up to him, trusting his words.

...

When he heard about Giselle's story, he wished he could have been there for her sooner. However, when he learned that one of his students stood up for her and accepted her, his heart secretly felt glad for Giselle.

Soon, he recognized that student to be Lillian Grey.

From that day onwards, he focused on Lillian Grey and Giselle closer; like as if he wanted to protect them.

His closer watch slowly revealed that not only Lillian accepted her as a friend, but she was also beginning to treat Giselle differently.

Before Seth used to call out Lillian if he finds her distracted in his cla.s.s, but now, in recent days, he often noticed Lillian peek at Giselle. He overlooked it initially and never pointed her out in front of all because it would be embarra.s.sing for both Lillian as well as Giselle.

However, her distraction grew deeper, day by day. At one point, Seth noticed Lillian staring at Giselle with longing eyes.

It was during the trip announcement day, also the same day that Lillian got caught by Seth yet again.

Watching the two get close, Seth worried for Giselle more than Lillian Grey.

Maybe Lillian might send the wrong signal to Giselle and give her the hope. Kids like her and Seth often get misjudged by their respective genders.

'If a girl is a lesbian, then she will look at every girl only with s.e.xual desires, or if a guy is gay, then he would always see other men in such a mindset.'

...

Till now, Seth doesn't know Lillian's intention, so using this grand opportunity to test the girl, he quickly finished his drink in one gulp and placed the bottle aside.

"Lillian Grey, Can I ask you a question?" he urged.

"Uh?" Lillian disturbed from the sudden request. She looked up with a puzzled look at Seth.

She nodded, giving Seth a chance to examine the girl's motives.

"Do you like Giselle?"