Take Me Away

Fiona stepped out of Building 8 and considered her next move. After a while, she decided to call Wayne.

"Hello, Fiona," Eric greeted as he saw Fiona hanging up the phone and walked up to her. "Are you sure you want to go back to your dorm room? Why not stay?"

Fiona looked flushed. She didn't know how to explain herself. "Eric, we're in the university, not the base..."

"Got it." Eric leaned towards Fiona. "You don't want outsiders to know your relationship with Spencer, do you?"

Fiona forced a smile. "Well, I'm leaving," she said.

"Okay. Take care."

"I will." Fiona nodded and left hurriedly.

The next morning, the loud chattering of freshmen filled the playground of the D University. A large group of girls outside were looking at the area where the art school freshmen were. Spencer, who was guiding them, looked at the girls staring at them and asked, "What are those girls looking at?"

"They're looking at you," Sophia answered..

The girls around her erupted in laughter.

"What are you laughing at? I'm being serious!" Sophia said, raising her eyebrows.

"Why are they looking at me? I'm not a panda or something," Spencer retorted.

"Because you're handsome!" one of the girls said, causing a burst of laughter. "Am I handsome?" he asked the girls.

"Yes!" the girls answered in unison.

"What about you? What do you think?" Suddenly, Spencer stepped in front of Fiona and looked at her intently. "Why didn't you answer my question? Am I handsome?"

Fiona felt her cold temper subside at the sight of Spencer's warm smile. She forced a smile, took a deep breath, and said, "Yes."

Spencer nodded with satisfaction and straightened up. "I admit that I'm good-looking. But being handsome can only take me so far! I can't make a living out of it. A person must act according to their ability and perseverance to protect their country. Everyone should do the same. Therefore..."

"Therefore what?"

Spencer took out his phone and dialed a number. "Get rid of the crowd outside the playground," he said through the phone. "No one is allowed to gather there." "Well done, Mr. Cheng!" "Mr. Cheng,

who were you calling?"

"Mr. Cheng,

can you make small talk with us?"

Spencer frowned. "Hey, you three! Get out!" he demanded.

The three girls looked shocked. They did not expect to be called out. Their bodies shrank as they walked out of the group in shame. Then, in a softer yet firm voice, Spencer said, "Run twenty laps around the playground."

"What?"

"Mr. Cheng..."

"You have three seconds to do as I say." Spencer started counting. "One, two..."

Before he could say three, the girls panicked and started doing as they were told.

"They deserve it! They badmouthed Fiona yesterday." Sophia smiled coldly.

Fiona recognized the three girls. They were the ones who spoke ill of her the day before. Was Spencer giving them a hard time for her sake? She shook her head. She knew that wasn't possible.

"I'll punish them who talk a lot." Spencer squinted threateningly at the girls as they ran laps. "Everyone else can rest."

Cheers burst out from the company. The all sat on the ground as Spencer stayed in his excusive tent.

Sophia was starting to feel bored as she browsed the school forum. Suddenly, she saw a familiar face. "Fiona!" she called out.

"What?"

The others all stepped forward to take a look. The top story was entitled "The story between a freshman and a drillmaster."

The post contained a few photos, but it had garnered thousands of comments.

A photo showed Fiona and Eric standing in front of Building 8, talking and laughing.

"It's really Fiona!"

"I saw this drillmaster before!"

"Do you know him, Fiona?"

Fiona's brain buzzed. She could feel everyone's curious glare on her skin. She wondered why anyone would take photos of her.

"What were you doing here?" Spencer heard all the chatter about Fiona. He walked up to the group huddled together and ordered Sophia to show him her cell phone.

Sophia looked hesitantly at Fiona. Before she could decide if she would hand it over, Spencer grabbed it impatiently. When he saw what everyone was look at, his face darkened. What made him angry was not the photos, but the comments.

"Please give me the girl's name and phone number."

"This is the first time I've seen someone look gorgeous in a military uniform. What a goddess!"

"Which school is she from?"

"I will court her!"

All the comments were about Fiona. Men were thirsting over her and her contact information.

He glared at Fiona and called Eric angrily.

"Yes, sir!" Eric ran to him cheerfully and asked, "What's up?"

Spencer then showed the phone to Eric. For a brief moment, he looked stunned, but his lips quickly curled into a smile. "Who's so boring to take those photos?"

"Why are you laughing?" Spencer patted Eric's shoulder. "This is not funny at all!"

"Sir, do you really know Fiona?" someone asked suddenly.

Eric looked at Spencer and Fiona before agreeing. "Yes, I do. Why would I be talking to her if I didn't?"

Fiona pressed her lips and lowered her head.

"What's the relationship between you two? You look so intimate."

"I don't think it's appropriate to say that we are intimate. She's like my sister." Seeing the stern look on Spencer's face, Eric thought he'd better run away as soon as possible. "Quit guessing, will you?" He turned to look at Fiona.

Fiona nodded slightly. She thought explaining would only make things more complicated. It was better to remain silent.

"Stop spreading rumors. If I hear this again, I won't be this nice!" Eric raised his eyebrows. "And make sure this post gets buried!"

Then he left in a hurry.

Spencer chose not to be bothered by Eric. He fiddled with Sophia's phone before he stared talking to Fiona. "You may know Eric here, but you don't get any special privileges. Don't be too arrogant! Complete every task of the training. Understand?"

"Yes, sir." Fiona nodded dispassionately.

"All right." Spencer then handed the phone to Sophia.

Looking at her phone, Sophia said in confusion, "What's wrong? The post's missing."

"I don't see it either." The others looked confused as well.

"I hacked the post," Spencer said.

"Mr. Cheng, you're getting more and more handsome!"

"How overbearing!"

"Wow! That's awesome!"

Biting her lips, Fiona realized that Spencer could also be kind.

After a whole day of being on their feet, they were finally allowed to leave the playground. Everyone screamed in excitement.

Sophia grabbed Fiona's arm and asked, "Why didn't you tell us that you know the drillmaster?"

"Exactly," Ella followed. "We're roommates! Why didn't you tell us?"

Fiona sighed, "Actually, we aren't that close. We just know of each other."

Leona followed them in silence with a skeptical look in her eyes.

"What did you talk about yesterday?" Sophia asked with a teasing smile.

Hesitating, Fiona answered, "It was just small talk. He asked me if I was tired. I left quickly. I just didn't expect someone would take those photos."

The girls chuckled. With an understanding smile, Sophia said, "A lot of people are asking about you, Fiona. So many guys want to reach you. How exciting!"

Fiona pursed her lips. She was completely unamused. Fortunately, Spencer had hacked the website.

Inside D University's auditorium

Ryan was watching the rehearsal of the new program on stage. Suddenly, his phone buzzed with a new message.

It was from Sam.

The text read, "Fiona is popular now. Here are the screenshots I took from a post on the school forum. The post is no longer available."

Ryan was a little confused. He scrolled to see the photo attachments and was surprised to see photos of Fiona and Eric. There were also comments from strangers asking for her information. His heart suddenly tightened.

He knew she was a special girl since the first time he had laid his eyes on her. But he did not want too many people to notice her. He thought that he and Fiona just needed more time, but it looked like he needed to do something now.

"Ryan? Ryan?" Someone beside him called out to him and waved his hand.

"What?" Ryan came back to his senses.

"I was just asking if we should stop the rehearsals for today. It's already half past seven."

Ryan nodded and said, "Okay, let's call it a day. You tell them. I just have something to do."

"Okay."

Ryan ran out of the auditorium. The cold September air welcomed him as soon as he stepped out. His heart thumped. He'd never been so nervous yet so determined before.

"Are you free now, Fiona? I'll wait for you downstairs in your dormitory building. I have something to tell you."

Fiona stared at Ryan's message before getting up to change into a simple dress. When she reached the gate of dormitory, she saw a figure running towards her.

"Hi, Fiona!" Panting, Ryan ran to Fiona's side. His breath was very uneven.

"Why were you running? Is there anything urgent I have to know?" Fiona asked worriedly.

Ryan struggled to catch his breath. With his hands on his knees and his body hunched over, he raised his head to stare into Fiona's eyes. "I have something to tell you," he repeated in between breaths.0000☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐