Take Me Away

'Ryan, so that's his name.'

Leona repeated the name in her mind.

"Ryan, what happened? She was saved by you? Tell me, please!" Sophia pleaded.

"Come on!" Ryan pinched Sophia's nose playfully. "I'll tell you later after I help Fiona unpack."

"Alright. Let's help her," said Sophia, sticking her tongue out at Ryan.

"Thank you." Fiona made sure to show them her gratitude.

"Hey, hey," Luke whispered as he gathered the boys. "Look at the four girls in the dormitory. Fiona is an absolute goddess. Sophia is super cute. Leona looks lovely. Ella is smoking hot. They're all so beautiful!" "That's right." Warren nodded and turned to Ryan. "You know three of them, right? Who do you want the most? Let us know so we can pursue the others."

Ryan laughed. "Come on! You make me feel like I'm an emperor who's going to select a concubine." He glanced longingly at Fiona. 'Even if I have someone I want, will she want me?' "Which one do you like?"

Ryan's thoughts were interrupted by Warren's probing. He flashed him a bright smile. "You didn't know?"

The other three boys exchanged a knowing smile.

Fiona had just finished unpacking her stuff. She wiped the sweat on her face and said, "Thank you all for your help today. I'll treat you to dinner some other day."

"Why another day? Why not today?" Sophia said and jumped up. "We're so lucky to have met each other! Why not have dinner together today? Let's bring Leona and Ella so we can all bond." Hearing Sophia's words, the boys nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, Fiona's phone rang.

She took it out from her pocket and saw Spencer's name on the screen.

"Hello?" Fiona ran to the balcony as she answered the phone. She did not notice Ryan's eyes following her.

"What are you doing? It took you so long to answer the phone!" Spencer's annoyed voice filled the other end.

"I'm unpacking," Fiona whispered.

"Have you moved to the dorm?"

"Yes."

Spencer was quiet for a few seconds. "I'm calling to tell you that I can't go back this weekend," he stated.

Fiona was thrilled.

"I see," she said over the phone.

"Don't get carried away. I'll see you soon. "I'll teach you a lesson by then," he threatened.

Fiona rolled her eyes. 'He's bluffing,' she told herself.

"Are you going to have dinner with us or not, Fiona? We're waiting for you," Sophia called out from inside the dorm. "I have to hang up now!" Fiona hurriedly told Spencer. Before he could say something, she hung up.

"Hey! Fiona! I will go to Damn it!" Spencer threw his phone away when he realized the call was disconnected.

"Leona, you didn't respond when I asked you to have lunch with me this noon. Now that the boys are here, you're willing to join us. What do you mean?"

Ella's sarcastic voice welcomed Fiona as she stepped into the dorm.

"What do you mean, Ella? Don't think that you can bully Leona as you like. I won't let you get away with this," said Sophia, stepping in front of Leona. "What did I do? Am I not allowed to speak anymore?" Ella placed one hand on her waist.

"Oh my God," Sam murmured. "Girls are so troublesome."

"Shut up!" Warren patted Sam.

Fiona stood in front of them to interrupt. "Why are you all still here? Aren't you going to have dinner?"

Ryan smiled. "Are you coming with us, Fiona?"

"Sure." Fiona smiled softly, suppressing the discomfort in her heart. 'The girls don't seem easy-going.'

With a triumphant smile, Sophia grabbed Fiona's arm. "Alright, let's go! Are you coming with us, Ella?" she offered.

"Yes!" Ella nodded. They packed up their things

and walked towards a restaurant near the school.

"Sophia, tell us about you and Ryan," Sam said during dinner. "How come we've never heard of you?"

"My parents have been friends with Ryan's parents for many years," Sophia replied as she picked up a mouthful of food. "I haven't been to M City in the last three years. That's why you don't know me." "How did you get admitted to D University?" Ryan looked at Sophia intently. "I thought your father didn't allow you to leave N City."

Sophia gave him a sly smile. "I'm my parents' only child. My father always wants me to stay in N City. But I managed to run away from home."

"Aren't you afraid that your father will ask you to return?" asked Luke.

Ryan chuckled. "Oh, Sophia can deal with her father. Believe me."

"What does your family do, Sophia?"

"They are businessmen. We have a few small businesses." Sophia bit the tip of her chopsticks. "Fiona, you are so pretty. You look like a fairy. What does your family do? I guess you are from a well-off family." Ryan turned to look at her with curiosity and affection in his eyes.

With a faint smile, Fiona said, "My family is just ordinary. I'm not a fairy, Sophia. You are flattering me."

'An ordinary family?' Leona thought.

'She got out of a luxurious car at the entrance.'

"Leona, what does your family do?" Sophia asked again.

Leona raised her head and blushed. "I'm from the countryside."

"The scene there must be very charming. Maybe we can visit your home someday," Ryan said with a smile.

"Alright. Soon." Leona nodded, he heart full of gratitude for Ryan.

Ella raised her eyebrows and looked around. "You've asked everyone already. Can I answer too?"

"Go ahead!" Sam responded with a smile.

"My family is a family of scholars," Ella said proudly. "My father is in the Education Bureau of M City."

"Oh God!" Warren reacted exaggeratingly. "I failed in three subjects the last semester. Can you help me with that?"

The others burst into laughter.

"In your dreams!" Sam teased.

"Fiona, have some shrimps." As they busily chatted and laughed, Ryan was stealthily picking up some food for Fiona. Fiona bit her lips shyly and raised her head.

"Thank you, Ryan," she said softly.

Ryan's heart melted at the sight of Fiona's smile. He gulped and remarked, "You don't have to be polite with me."

Fiona blushed. "Hey, what are you talking about?"

Sophia suddenly chimed in. "There's something fishy between the two of you."

"Stop it, Sophia!" Ryan's face was also a little red.

"Just eat your food." "Fine!" Sophia pouted.

After dinner, they walked towards the university. Fiona walked slowly.

With one hand in the pocket, Ryan followed her pace.

Fiona raised her head and looked at Ryan who was staring at her. They smiled at each other without any words, but their eyes showed a deep understanding between them.

"It's said that it's easiest to make friends at the dinner table," Sam stated. "See, now we know each other better."

"That's right," Luke agreed. "Maybe we should all go singing tonight while everyone's in high spirits. What do you think?"

"Stop making a fuss!" Warren patted Luke's shoulder. "It's the first day at school for these girls. Don't make them break the rules!"

"Exactly!" Sophia said. "We'll start military training the day after tomorrow! We need to rest well."

"Ah, the thought of military training gives me a headache!" Ella frowned and rubber her temple. "A month of military training! What should I do if my skin gets sunburn?" "This is the first test for you from the university!" Sam clicked his tongue. "Come on, ladies!"

The boys dropped the girls off at the dormitory gate.

As they said their goodbyes, Sophia stood beside Ryan and whispered in his ear, "Do you have a crush on Fiona?"

Ryan raised his brows. "You've grown up, Sophia. That's very insightful of you."

Sophia rolled her eyes. "Don't worry about it. I'll help you get her!

Just tell me how I can help."

Ryan laughed. Sophia's face turned serious. "Please tell my father that you'll look after me here in D University so that he won't take me back."

Ryan paused for a while. "No problem," he finally agreed.

"Great. That's done!" Sophia patted Ryan's back and ran to the dormitory building. "Fiona, wait for me!" she called out.

As the girls ran away, Ryan's eyes remained affix on Fiona's slender figure.

'Fiona, even Sophia can see that I like you. Why can't you?' he thought, his heart sinking.D☐☐☐☐☐