Chapter 3The Replacement Upgrade

Chloe said she would talk to me properly at school tomorrow.

I was a little nervous.

But the next day, I went to find her as requested.

Chloe was sitting on her brother’s desk, legs crossed.

Asher was frowning, clearly annoyed by her.

"Asher, you better not look at me like that, or don't blame me if I don't help you later..."

Before she finished, she waved at me excitedly.

I walked over, my face a bit hot.

Chloe said:

"You cried in bed again last night, didn't you?"

Hesitantly, I nodded.

Chloe said:

"Why cry over two rotten pickles? If I can hook them today, someone else can hook them tomorrow. If I were you, I wouldn't want either of them."

I felt she made sense, but I stayed silent.

Chloe’s eyes darted around mischievously.

Suddenly, she reached out and lifted her brother’s chin. Asher frowned deeper, raising a hand to swat hers away.

But Chloe spoke first.

"Since you’re lonely, I got you a new playmate."

"I'm giving my brother to you to play with. How about it? I guarantee, he's better than those two put together."

My eyes went wide.

Chloe was so generous!

I finally knew why Mason and Carter liked her.

Pretty, cute, and generous. If I were a boy, I’d like Chloe too.

She was actually giving me her brother!

Asher froze too. His hand paused in mid-air, and then his face got redder and redder.

"Chloe! Stop messing around!"

"Can I?"

Asher and I spoke at the same time. The air went quiet.

Chloe held back a laugh, walked over, and pinched my cheek.

"Of course you can. Right, bro?"

I heard Asher’s shout earlier. He sounded fierce. I was a little scared.

"Maybe not? Is your brother unwilling?"

Under Chloe’s teasing gaze, Asher’s face burned.

Then, he coughed lightly.

"Willing."

Chloe leaned on my shoulder, shaking with laughter.

I thought she smelled nice, and her laugh was cute.

But her brother’s face seemed to get darker.

After school, Mason and Carter ran off again.

I silently packed my bag, but a shadow suddenly appeared in front of me.

I looked up. Asher was standing quietly beside me.

"Packed?"

I nodded. He picked up my backpack and slung it over his own shoulder.

Asher was taller than Mason and Carter, his shoulders broader. My small backpack hanging off his side looked kind of cute.

I followed silently behind him. We walked in single file, not speaking.

Passing the snack stand at the back gate, looking at the hot pear tea, I licked my lips.

"Want some?"

I suspected Asher had eyes in the back of his head.

He turned back and bought a cup.

Holding the warm pear tea, I peeked at Asher.

He wasn't that scary.

He even bought me tea. He was a good person.

After that, whatever my eyes landed on, Asher bought.

By the end, my hands were full.

Suddenly, my hands were empty. Asher took more than half the stuff.

"What do you want to eat most?"

I pointed at the candy apple. He put it in my hand.

"Okay. Finish that, then eat the second one."

Just like that, I walked home with a round belly.

Asher handed me my backpack. I felt a little embarrassed.

"I'll pick you up tomorrow."

With that sentence, he left.

Mason pushed open the door from my house, looking a bit grim.

"Why are you back so late? I went to pick you up but didn't see anyone. You didn't take our shortcut?"

Because I was eating too much, Asher was afraid I wouldn't have enough time, so we took the longer route.

I nodded. Mason sighed.

"I'll keep you company tomorrow. I didn't know Carter ran off today too."

I didn't speak.