The next day, in class, when Dylan had stepped out to buy food from the cafeteria, Ellie immediately called Lena, Maya, and Amy to sit with her inside the classroom.
"Hey, did you guys notice? Dylan sneaked into the room last night," Ellie said.
"Yeah, I did, and I think he was standing next to me, watching us," replied Lena, who happened to be sleeping near the closet.
"But why didn't he touch any of us?" Maya asked.
"That's the thing. Is he shy or something?" Ellie asked.
"I didn't notice anything last night," Amy answered.
"That's because you were sleeping on the bed in the farthest corner," Lena countered.
"Could it be that because he didn't end up touching us, that's why he couldn't sleep and went for a walk in the park? What should we do? Should we be more aggressive?" Ellie asked.
"Hmm... let's try again tonight," Lena replied.
"He wouldn't be meeting another girl at the park, would he?" Amy asked.
Ellie, Lena, and Maya immediately turned to look at Amy seriously, which made Amy a little self-conscious, even though her face remained expressionless.
"That's true... there's a possibility... his nose was bleeding when he came back," Ellie said, thinking.
"Oh no, is there someone else besides the four of us? Did he forget we're pregnant with his kids?" Maya said, annoyed.
"Don't accuse him right away. We need to investigate. This isn't the first time Dylan has gone out at night. Maybe he really has a lot on his mind, so he can't sleep. He's the type who never talks about things, not even to his siblings," Lena said.
"Sorry, I started thinking all sorts of things because I read too many novels," Amy said.
"We shouldn't ignore it, but Dylan is a guy, too... plus he's handsome and cool now... and hot. Just look at school, lots of girls are checking him out. Good thing one of us is always with him," Ellie murmured.
"Hmm, that's true, and ever since he's always with us, no other guys have approached us either," Maya said.
"Of course. Now he's above average compared to most guys. Everyone's clearly intimidated... but we still have to be careful," Lena replied.
"Okay, tonight I'll sleep outside. I want to sleep with him," Amy said with enthusiasm, despite her expressionless face.
"Huh?" Ellie, Maya, and Lena looked at Amy with shocked faces, then they thought about it.
"Alright, tonight is Amy's turn then," Lena said, giving in and shrugging her shoulders.
"Okay, agreed," Maya added.
"But if you're going to do that, please do it in the bathroom. Don't let Aaron, Fiona, and Iris hear, okay?" Ellie replied.
"Yeah, I get it. I just want to sleep in his arms," Amy said with an expressionless face.
"If he wants more, are you okay with that?" Maya asked.
"Of course," Amy answered enthusiastically, lifting her head, though her face remained expressionless.
"See, you want it too. You're hopeless," Lena replied, raising both hands behind her head.
"Uuuh... yeah," Amy replied, looking down.
Meanwhile, Dylan, who was leaning against the wall beside the door, holding a plastic bag of food for everyone, instantly blushed and covered his face with his hand.
"CATS, why are you tapping into their conversation?" Dylan asked in his head.
[I'm not tapping it. It's the effect of the brooches they're wearing.]
"Ugh... so that's it. I heard everything," Dylan said.
[It's alright, sir. They're thinking in your best interest.]
"Huh... I'm being suspected of meeting another girl in the park. How is that in my best interest?" Dylan asked.
[They believe they can't satisfy you, so you're looking elsewhere.]
"There's no way that's true! How ridiculous," Dylan countered.
"Driiiing," Dylan's smartphone suddenly rang. He looked at his smartphone; it was Aaron calling him.
"Hello," Dylan greeted.
"Bro, I need your help," Aaron said.
"Huh... what kind of help?" Dylan asked.
"My friend is always being bullied at school... sorry, but I had to fight just now... but it's fine, the bully has been taken to the teacher's office, but I can't leave my friend. I'm planning to take him home to our place. Is that okay?" Aaron answered.
"Hmm... yeah, that's fine. I'll pick up Fiona and Iris later, and then I'll head to the bookstore for work," Dylan said.
"Okay, thanks, bro," Aaron replied.
The call ended. "Phew, always something," Dylan muttered in his head. Then Dylan turned toward the door, intending to go inside, but "WAAAAAA," he was startled to see Ellie, Lena, Maya, and Amy's heads stacked like a totem pole, peering out from behind the door.
"What the heck are you guys doing? You scared me," Dylan said, holding his chest.
"Was that Aaron on the phone?" Maya asked.
"Yeah, he's bringing a friend home later," Dylan replied.
"Oh, that's all. Did you buy what we asked for?" Lena asked.
"Here. Come on, let's go inside and eat," Dylan replied, lifting the bag.
Suddenly, Amy stepped out, hooked her arm through Dylan's until her whole body was pressed against his arm, and whispered.
"I'm sleeping on the sofa with you tonight," she said with an expressionless face.
"Yeah, yeah, I know. Now let go, there are people around," Dylan replied.
"Huh... you already knew?" Ellie, Maya, Lena, and Amy asked in unison.
"Oh, no, I meant I already knew someone would definitely be sleeping with me tonight because Aaron is bringing his friend home, hahaha," Dylan evaded.
"Oh, okay," the four replied, though they looked unconvinced.
After that, they all went inside and sat down. Dylan handed over the plastic bag, and the four girls started taking out their respective meals.
"CATS, can I rebuild Grandpa's old house?" Dylan asked.
[You may, sir, as long as you don't touch the basement.]
"Yeah, I know. The basement entrance is in my room, which used to be Grandpa's room. Now they're sleeping there, and it's a bit of a hassle if I need to do something like last night. They get suspicious and start thinking all sorts of things," Dylan said.
[I understand. Actually, it's all up to you, sir.]
"Okay, I'll go to Mr. George's place later and ask for his help. Maybe he knows someone who's looking for small construction work," Dylan said.
[Agreed, sir.]
"Tap," suddenly someone touched Dylan's shoulder. He turned to see Connor standing next to him, who then greeted the four girls in front of him. Then Connor turned to look at Dylan.
"Hey, you know Charles? He's been pulled out of school because of his parents' request, and once he graduates, he's being shipped overseas and can't come back until he repents," said Connor, who enjoyed gossiping.
"Huh... seriously?" Dylan asked, surprised.
"Yeah, he had the nerve to scam his uncle and blew all that money in just two days. Can you imagine, what did he even spend that much money on?" Connor replied, shrugging his shoulders.
"Just let him be," Dylan replied, annoyed to hear it.
Connor noticed the new wristwatch on Dylan's arm and lifted it, then he examined it.
"Wow... this is expensive, right?" Connor asked.
"Yep, I guess so," Dylan answered proudly.
Suddenly, he felt sharp, painful gazes directed at him. He turned to see Ellie, Maya, Amy, and Lena staring at him with faces full of suspicion, as if asking, "Where did you get that watch?"
"Um... found it in the park last night, haha," Dylan replied, laughing.
[They won't believe you, sir.]
"Shut up," Dylan replied in his head.