The Princess and the Pauper (Arabella and Romeo) novel Chapter 573

Arabella spotted someone trying to chat her up. She glanced over and saw a fellow freshman in uniform, looking a bit nervous.

"Sorry, I can't help ya."

Upon hearing Arabella's response, the guy’s cheeks turned even redder. He muttered, “My bad” and scurried off, leaving his buddies in stitches.

A while later, another guy came up to her and asked Arabella for her contact info. Instead of handing it over, she told him to hit the books. This had the three girls around her cracking up.

On their way back to the dorm, a steady stream of guys tried to pick them up, with Arabella getting the most attention.

During the break time, Joyce slipped away for a bit. When she came back, her eyes were red-rimmed.

"What's up?" Mya was the first to notice her condition, draping an arm over Joyce's shoulder and asked, "Weren't you just going to the loo? Why are you crying?"

Mya's question only made Joyce’s eyes redder, and she was too choked up to speak.

Arabella looked at Joyce and offered to help, “Need a hand?”

Joyce shook her head.

"Alright, everyone up!"

Just then, Jerome blew his whistle, signaling the end of the break time.

Mya whispered to Joyce, “You alright? Do you need to take a sick leave?”

Joyce shook her head again.

The after-school activities resumed as usual. By sunset, everyone was too exhausted to move properly.

Arabella, Kelly, and Mya occasionally checked on Joyce, noticing that she seemed distracted and down as if she had taken a big hit.

The instructor Roger from the next class couldn't help but laugh because his class was training better than theirs.

Roger blew a whistle and shouted, "Noreen, step out and teach the class next door how it is done. Give Instructor Jerome a break."