After the class, Jennifer was about to leave when Darius approached her. "Do you have a partner for the group project?" He asked. "No. Not yet." Jennifer spoke. She added the 'yet' word deliberately because she didn't want to sound as helpless and dejected as she felt. "Would you like to be my partner?" Darius asked. "Yeah." Jennifer replied. "Meet you in the palace royale at 5:00 p.m. this weekend." Jennifer said. "Whoa! The palace royale is expensive. My broke ass wouldn't be able to afford an entry, let alone book a table." Darius couldn't bear to look at Jennifer in her eyes. Jennifer could make out the red blush flowing from his neck to his cheeks.
From what she had heard about him, was a child, studying in the school only because his parents had agreed to work as full-time servants for Mr. Smith's mansion. Darius hadn't even given his final exam before his parents dragged him here and since he had no option he started here, victim to be bullied by all the rich students who treated him like an outcast. Jennifer had seen him many times being beaten up by Adrian or running errands for Kurt.
"Oh, Don't be embarrassed. My father is the owner of the palace royale. They will give you entry and treat you properly." Jennifer said warmly. She couldn't see anybody in trouble. Darius also smiled. Then they both walked out of the class together. Darius was barely out of the class when Kurt blocked their way. He grabbed Darius by his collar.
"I told you to get my stuff from my car. Where is it?" Kurt spatted the words on face. "You forgot to give me the keys to your car." Darius said with helplessness in his eyes. He looked as if he could pee in his pants any moment now. Jennifer was furious. "Kurt behave yourself." Jennifer intervened as she freed Darius collar from Kurt and then straightened it. Darius lowered Jennifer's hand. Kurt threw his keys towards Darius. "Go get it, help." he sneered. Jennifer watched Darius as he stumbled through the school corridor to the parking lot and got him his headphones.
After Darius handed over the headphones to Kurt, one of Kurt's friend pushed him and Darius fell on the floor. Jennifer was furious beyond control. She turned around and slapped Kurt for his misbehavior. The whole corridor was stunned to silence. No one moved. Kurt was about to retaliate when he suddenly stopped. His anger changed into fear and he left by saying, "You'll pay for this."
Jennifer turned around to see who was there but she couldn't see anyone. "I really appreciate what you did right now but his enmity is something only a fool will look forward to. Nevertheless, Thank you for saving me." Darius told Jennifer. "I stand up for the right." Jennifer replied back. "That's very brave of you." Darius complimented her. Then, They both said their goodbye and walked away to the cafeteria for lunch. the rest of the day, only thing on Jennifer's mind was that Winston and Abby weren't seen anywhere.
"Guess, they didn't come to school today." She deduced as she settled on a chair in a corner of the cafeteria for lunch. She sat all alone. Usually, the chairs would be filled by them. Jennifer was on the verge of crying again. She tried really hard to focus on her studying, to actually lead a normal life but everything reminded her of Winston and Abby and what they had done to her. So, when the school ended it was more of a relief for her. Even the next day was uneventful, except that Kurt had invited Jennifer to one of his massive parties he named as a 'peace offering'. Winston or Abby were still not seen in the school for the whole week.
Jennifer was looking forward to meeting Darius on the weekend. After Winston and Abby, he was the only living soul that had a conversation with her. Soon, the weekend came. Jennifer left to the palace Royale in a black Mercedes McLaren. The car was her father's gift to her when she had turned thirteen. Obviously, a driver drove it but she could go wherever she wanted in it. Jennifer dressed herself in a black tank top and blue pencil jeans paired up with a beanie on top of her head. When Jennifer reached the restaurant, she found Darius waiting for her outside.
"Let's go!" Jennifer strode inside with Darius behind her. They both settled down in a private corner. It was quiet so concentration would be better. As they talked about the project, trying to decide the best suitable way of completing it, Jennifer's mind was bubbling with questions. Why had Kurt invited her? So finally she spoke, "This doesn't need to come off as rude but I was wondering if you could tell me why Kurt has invited me to his party. I mean your parents work there. Who must know it better, if not you."
For a split second all emotions on Darius face were washed off by fear but the very next moment he said, "You are caught between the newly found rivalry between Adrian and Kurt." This sentence seemed odd. What had Adrian done? Why was he rival of Kurt? What did Darius mean by she was caught between them? "Please elaborate." Jennifer pursed her lips into a straight line. She often did this when she was in confusion. "I just know that Kurt thinks you are some kind of weakness of Adrian that he can exploit. Whatever I told you right now, I overheard it when he was talking on phone with someone. I am not sure if I interpreted it correctly but judging from the tone of his talking and the subject of conversation, I feel he was talking about you." Darius said. "Please don't tell him I told you this." Darius begged. "Stay assured. I will not say a word about it."