~ Los Angeles, the Cliffside Vi ~


    May 31


    7:47 AM


    On the training ground…


    Most of the kids from the Cliffside Vi are out, doing their morning exercise. Few of them are running, and others are doing various exercises or sparring.


    "Again!" Aiden instructed Corey while observing his movements as Corey kicked the training dummy.


    "Shift your bnce to the back and rotate your hips faster. Poweres from the core, and your leg is only following the momentum…"


    Aiden gave an approving nod at Corey''s kick that followed.


    "Good. Remember that feeling and do it again."


    "How many times?" Corey asked with a grin which showed that he is pleased with the praise he got from Aiden.


    "Until you are confident that you can do it without thinking how you are doing it."


    Corey pressed his lips into a line and assumed an attack stance before his hips rotated and his leg hit the training dummy. Again, and again, and again…


    Merve watched Corey and smiled.


    It''s two weeks since the prom and the two of them are spending a lot of time together.


    After lunch at the Long family vi, Hande provided information that Samantha Long is collecting private information about youngsters in her circle, like something that could be used for matchmaking. Upon closer inspection, they found that it also contains data about who is close to whom, the nature of rtionships between people, and various misdeeds performed by each person apanied by dates, notes, and photos. Sarah said how that looks more like a ckmailing book than a matchmaking one and she advised Corey to use it to his advantage.


    Corey didn''t like the idea of ckmailing, but then he realized that Sarah would probably not advise him to do such a thing. "How can I use this?"


    "Charlie said in front of influential people that you are ted to be his recement. You will need people who are loyal. You can''t force people to be loyal, but you can make them feel indebted, and that is a start." Sarah saw that Corey is confused, so she exined: "Approach these people, especially the ones which have their dirt exposed. Tell them that you bumped into this by ident and that you are giving them a heads-up how Samantha has this on them… And you are not asking anything in return."


    Merve liked this. "They will be wary of Samantha, and some might confront her about this. At the same time, everyone will feel indebted to Corey that he warned them…"


    Over thest two weeks, Merve and Corey visited a number of people from Samantha''s <em>''ckmailing scrapbook''</em> (how they call it), and it happened just as Sarah predicted.


    At first, the person in question denied it, saying that it''s a lie, and they parted ways as that person thanked Corey with "If you need anything, give me a call…"


    In terms of school, Corey has no more sses. The only thing left is the graduation ceremony, and Corey is officially done with high school. He spoke with Charlie about his summer and college ns and Charlie was not happy about it.


    First, Corey requested to spend his summer at the Cliffside Vi in order to train. Charlie has no problem with Corey training, but does he need to stay there? Only when Aiden and Sarah confirmed that it''s not a problem, Charlie rxed about it.


    Second, Corey said that he wants to continue his education online, how Merve and the others are doing. Charlie was against it. "You already got eptance letters from several Ivy League colleges. If you want to focus on your studies, you should be on campus. It will also provide you with opportunities to build yourwork…"


    Corey was exasperated. Going to sses in person is one thing, but staying on campus…? And most of those are out of state! When will he see Merve? That was out of the question! Corey then said that he will take a year off from school to what Charlie blew a fuse.


    "You are doing this for Merve, aren''t you?" Charlie asked angrily. "It makes me wonder if she a good or a bad influence?"


    "I wouldn''t be here if not for her. I am trying my best for her!" Corey''s anger matched Charlie''s. How dares he use Merve of being a bad influence? Merve in his life is the best thing ever and the only good thing about that argument was that Merve was not present to hear Charlie''s hurtful words.


    "If you want to be your best, then focus on your studies. Learn things, meet people, be strong, for her."


    "I don''t need to be three time zones away from her in order to aplish that!" Corey responded.


    Emma had to interfere. They were getting out of hand. "Charlie honey… why don''t we let Coreye up with a detailed n of how he can aplish things? We can review it and then talk about it. Most of the kids at the Cliffside Vi never stepped in any ssroom and they are doing great…"


    Emma is more flexible in terms of education than Charlie. Charlie did everything by the books, while Emma worked and studied at the same time, so she knows that going to school does not need to be the ssical whole day on-campus experience.


    That discussion left several things hanging in the air, with Corey promising that by July 1st he will present a detailed n of his training and education until graduation.


    Corey is at the Cliffside Vi for three days, and after two days in separate rooms, Corey and Merve asked for an apartment. Last night was their first night together, in their apartment, and Merve could not be happier about it.


    "Earth to Merve…"


    Masika''s voice pulled Merve out of her thoughts and based on Masika''s expression, Merve realized that she missed something.


    "What?"


    Masika stifled augh. "I was saying… This is training and if you are going to get lost in a daze while watching your boyfriend, he is more of a distraction than motivation. Do you want to be a bodyguard, or not?"


    Merve blinked and saw that she is standing in front of a pullup bar. She was doing pullups and then she heard Aiden talking to Corey and she got distracted. How many pullups did she do? Merve has no idea. Ah, now she needs to start all over.


    "How do you focus on training when Zack is around?" Merve asked helplessly.


    "Uhm… I don''t know." Masika admitted. "It can be hard sometimes, but we are training together for three years so… maybe I''m used to…" Masika froze when she heard Zack''s grunt from behind her.


    "You are used to me? Already?" Zack clicked his tongue and shook his head in disapproval.


    Merve giggled when she saw Masika''s flustered expression.


    Masika moved toward Zack and hugged his sweaty arm. Usually, she would enjoy the firmness of his muscles, but now she is in trouble and needs to stay focused. "I was saying that I''m used to training with you. Whenever my will wavers, I remember your sharp gaze and handsome features as you aim the knife at the target, and I want to perform better… And your perfect stance…"


    A small smile crept on Zack''s lips as he listened to Masika''s clumsy exnation and he had no intention of interrupting her bber.


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