New Life : A Second Chance

Chapter 76 - Observing Beatrice

**Back to present**

Thinking about the rather quiet and 'keep-to-herself-most-of-the-time' classmate, Sam looked at Beatrice who was waiting for his response to her question.

"Siblings?" he repeated, then replied, "I have three brothers and one sister."

"Wow!" Beatrice exclaimed, surprised, "How old are they?"

"12"

"Which one?"

"All of them," he replied seriously.

"You have quadruplet siblings?!" Beatrice gasped and was completely amazed. His parents had him one year after having four at once? How on Earth did his parents handle it?

Sam didn't answer as he looked at her, then at the others in the class. Something then clicked in her mind and she frowned.

"You're talking about the other Elite Five, aren't you?"

Sam tilted his head and Beatrice could feel her eye twitch. How could he lie to her like that?

"I didn't lie," Sam said quietly with conviction to her unspoken words as he looked at the Elite Five, "They are my siblings, just of a different mother and father. We have a bond that is as strong, if not stronger, than blood."

Beatrice was silent at that as she observed his serious face and she felt a bit ashamed. It was true. How could she simplify such a relationship between them? Just because they were not blood-related, did not mean that they couldn't see or regard each other as siblings.

"I'm sorry," Beatrice said.

Sam replied, "There's nothing to be sorry about. It's a common misconception."

"Still, I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions and assumed you were lying," explained Beatrice.

Sam was pleasantly surprised. He found out something about Beatrice from this. He had known she was a very 'straight' person - that is, following things by the book and tended to do things extremely formal-like. She was also a person who was open to her own mistakes and willing to own up to them. His respect and admiration for her grew.

"It's okay," Sam said, "I am truly lucky to have them. Otherwise, I'd be pretty lonely. What about you? Any siblings?"

"No," Beatrice replied softly, "But I do have a cousin-sister that I'm very close to. I wish she was my real sister so that we can be together more."

"Oh?"

"Yeah," Beatrice said with a smile on her face. Beatrice rarely smiled and when she did, it transformed her rather strict looking face into something softer.

"Tell me about her," Sam encouraged, wanting to know more about this person that could make Beatrice give that expression. She seemed like she was willing to share but still shrank back to her shell after that initial start.

"Her name is Betty and she was actually named after me," Beatrice said, "But my Aunt didn't want it to be exact. So we practically grew up together since our mothers are so close. If it wasn't for Betty, I guess I would be quite anti-social."

Beatrice stopped for a while and appreciated that Sam did not snicker or something like that. She knew that she was actually quite a hermit and didn't mix around but she never quite saw herself as being 'anti-social'. It was more like because she never found anyone who she really liked to mix with. All the topics or things they talked about were alien to her. What latest idol? What trendy music? What fashion?

Until now.

Well, other than the rather childish antics Kyle would often get up to, things were rather surreal in Sage Class. People actually understood her and were actually interested in the things she was passionate about. She also found their own re

Beatrice pondered on that, "Yes, you could say that. She's bright and cheery while I am dark and moody."

"I think the term is 'serious and contemplative', Beatrice"

"She's not booksmart like me, but she's really smart about people. She is the one who would always warn me about people and to be wary of certain things. She's always protecting me," Beatrice said with a smile.

"There was one time that she stood up to this guy that I had befriended. He was actually befriending me to do his homework and at that time, I was too young and stupid to realise. I thought I was helping him study but instead, was giving him all the answers."

Beatrice chuckled at the memory and Sam was surprised at that. He had NEVER heard her laugh before.

"Imagine this tiny 6-year-old kid, shouting and scolding a 10-year-old boy. He couldn't even retaliate because she was so small and he had an image as the 'good boy' to uphold. It was then that I realised how naive I am and how even a 6-year-old knew better. I found it was better to just be by myself rather than get so embroiled in the drama of Life and People," Beatrice confessed.

She was surprised herself for saying the last bit but somehow, it came out before she could stop it. She was then so embarrassed that she coughed and got up quickly, smoothing her skirt.

"I think we should get about preparing the questions for the interview," Beatrice said and went to get some pen and paper.

Sam just watched her go, silently observing and making mental notes.