Chapter 65: Want to See a Show?

Chapter 65: Chapter 65: Want to See a Show?

Lily Golding looked at Zoe Sawyer, a little surprised. ’Isn’t this her friend? When did he become her *boy*friend?’

But recalling what Zoe had warned her about earlier, Lily, though a bit confused, didn’t say anything to expose the lie.

Shannon Shelby seemed very pleased with that answer. She put her arm around Lily Golding and led the way.

Zoe Sawyer and Heath Hale followed a short distance behind them. As they walked, Zoe quietly told Heath what she had discovered.

After hearing how Zoe had handled it, Heath patted her on the head. "You did the right thing. When you don’t know their motives, it’s best not to tip them off."

Taking everything right away would have completely revealed why they were here.

All in all, Heath approved of how Zoe had handled it this time.

It wasn’t often she received praise from Heath, so Zoe put her hands on her hips, looking smugly proud.

The sight made Heath chuckle.

Shannon, who had snuck a glance back, saw the two of them interacting. The last wisp of doubt in her mind vanished completely.

’Looks like they really are a couple.’

’Perfect. Now no one will try to take Lily from me. Soon, very soon, she’ll be able to... she’ll be able to have Lily Golding all to herself!’

At the thought of what the future held, Shannon’s breathing grew ragged with excitement, and her body began to tremble.

Lily Golding, whose arm was still linked with Shannon’s, noticed something was wrong. She stopped walking, her tone worried. "Shannon, are you okay?"

Zoe and Heath also noticed something was amiss. Just as they were about to walk over and see what was happening, they saw Shannon abruptly pull her arm away. She lowered her head. "Sorry, Lily. I just remembered something. I have to go back."

Without waiting for Lily’s reply, Shannon took off running in the direction of the dorms.

She then darted out another exit and ran down a secluded path that was rarely used.

She glanced around. No one else was there.

Then, the sharp CRACK of a slap echoed, and a bright red handprint bloomed on her cheek.

Shannon had slapped herself hard across the face. "Get a grip!" she muttered viciously.

She took a few more deep breaths, lowered her head, and plopped down on the ground, remaining silent for a long time.

It was half an hour later when she finally composed herself, put on her usual smile, and walked away.

Only after Shannon was completely gone did a figure holding a broom step out from behind a large tree.

If Lily Golding had been there, she would have instantly recognized the woman as Aunt Monroe, whom she had just met earlier that day.

At that moment, Aunt Monroe was not wearing the gentle smile the students were used to. Her face was stern as she stared at the dormitory building ahead.

Meanwhile, back where they were, Zoe, Heath, and Lily looked at each other, nonplussed.

"Shannon’s just like that," Lily explained to the other two, a bit embarrassed. "Sometimes we’ll be having a perfectly normal conversation, and she’ll suddenly say she has to leave. Then I won’t see her for days."

I didn’t get it at first, but after a while, I got used to it.

"She’s always like this? Are there any other issues with her emotional state?" Heath asked.

Lily thought for a moment, then said, looking troubled, "She’s actually a bit clingy. She’s always asking if I have other friends, or who I’ve been hanging out with lately."

"That possessive? You don’t think she’s a lesbian, do you?" Zoe asked, startled.

’Some people can be possessive of their friends, but Shannon is on another level.’

Lily immediately shook her head. "No. I suspected that before, too, but Shannon has a boyfriend. They have a great relationship. When she’s not with me, she’s glued to him."

"You’ve met him?" Heath continued to press.

"I have. When they’re together, they get completely lost in their own world. Sometimes they’ll even start making out like no one else is around." Lily looked embarrassed as she said this.

After all, she’d been forced to witness it on several occasions.

It was especially awkward when people around them would start giving them strange looks.

’That doesn’t sound like there’s anything wrong.’

She sounded like a normal roommate. But what kind of normal roommate secretly plants a bug?

"Lily, I don’t remember you having a habit of talking in your sleep. Why would she plant this under your bed?" Zoe looked puzzled. ’What is she trying to do?’

’Eavesdrop on her phone calls?’

’But that’s pointless.’

’If Lily wanted to, she could just go somewhere else to talk. The bug would be useless then, right?’

Heath thought of another possibility. He considered it for a moment, then asked, "Are you thinking about getting your Ph.D.? Or are there any major academic events coming up?"

Lily tilted her head in thought, then nodded. "There’s a national competition coming up. If you place, it’s a huge help, whether you want to fast-track into a Ph.D. program or get a job at the university after graduation. Shannon and I both entered."

After saying that, it suddenly dawned on Lily. "You think she’s using it to spy on me? To see if I’m secretly studying late at night?"

"I could just read on my phone without making a sound."

They had hit a dead end. None of them could come up with a reasonable explanation, so they decided to shelve the issue for the time being.

They decided not to dwell on it.

Just as Lily was about to lead them to the cafeteria, she suddenly froze in place and began to tremble.

The students nearby also quickened their pace, hastily vacating the area.

Students who had been laughing and joking just a moment before fell unnaturally silent, as if they had seen something terrifying.

Zoe and Heath, who were still in discussion, looked up, following Lily’s gaze.

The female ghost that had been causing Lily so much trouble was standing right there before them.

She was standing right under a streetlight.

Her body was somewhat transparent; you could even see the utility pole behind her.

Zoe took a step forward, pulling Lily behind her as she stared warily at the "female ghost."

’A haunting by a vengeful spirit?’

’She didn’t believe in that nonsense. Someone had to be behind this, playing ghost!’

"You two wait here. I’ll go check it out." Heath was thinking the exact same thing as Zoe.

After saying this, he closed the distance to the ghost in a few quick strides.

To the terrified yet admiring stares of the surrounding students, he balled his fist and threw a punch.

His fist passed right through the "ghost’s" body. The image flickered, re-formed for a moment, and then slowly dispersed before everyone’s eyes.

Heath’s nose twitched. He thought he caught a faint odor, something like a chemical.

Then, as if he’d realized something, Heath snapped his head up to look at the lightbulb overhead.

The faintly glowing bulb was clean and intact. Nothing looked out of the ordinary.

"Find anything?" Zoe asked, jogging over to him, her voice full of anticipation.

Heath looked at Zoe, a smile playing on his lips as he asked.

"Want to see a good show?"