Chapter 22
Friendships develop
Without considering or thinking at all, Betty agreed to be Marianne's friend. Brittany Brooke watched over Marianne. Meanwhile,as Lisa minded her business, she found Battlax Saint and Miranda Saint, who insulted her again. Cassie Shrout (a member of the Black Beginners)languished from all the yelling and headed to the Kitchen to get something to eat and drink. As for Billy, he confronted Lincoln and asked him to stop his siblings from yelling at Lisa. Lincoln understands Billy's concern for Lisa but he pretended to refuse to listen to him. Then, Lincoln went and reprimanded Battlax Saint and Miranda Saint since he didn't want their insults to escalate. Ryder can see how kind hearted Lincoln is, but his lank ego makes him look more of a villian than a hero,a perfect contrast to his personality. Both Ryder Linct and Lincoln Saint are rivals, both determined to becoming Ultimate heroes.
Betty, caught in the unexpected warmth of Marianne's offer, agreed without a second thought. A genuine smile, something rarely seen on her face, flickered to life, a tiny bloom against the storm clouds of her usual reserve. Brittany, observing from a short distance, offered a subtle nod of approval, her gaze lingering on Betty with a protective softness. Lisa, meanwhile, found herself once again the target of Battlax and Miranda's sharp tongues. The familiar sting of their words, laced with cruel amusement, pricked at her defenses. The air around them seemed to grow heavy with their animosity, a stark contrast to the otherwise cheerful hum of the gathering. Cassie, overwhelmed by the escalating tensions and the sheer volume of noise, sought refuge in the relative calm of the kitchen, the promise of a cool drink and a sugary treat a welcome distraction from the fray.
Billy, his protective instincts fully engaged, approached Lincoln Saint. The younger Saint was leaning against a wall, a picture of nonchalant grace, but Billy saw the subtle tension in his shoulders. "You need to get your siblings to stop yelling at Lisa," Billy stated, his voice firm but not aggressive, the words carefully chosen to convey concern rather than accusation. Lincoln, though acknowledging Billy's concern for his friend with a slight tilt of his head, feigned disinterest. "They're just having a discussion," he countered, his eyes betraying a hint of amusement at the situation, yet a flicker of his inherent sense of justice compelled him to intervene. He straightened, his movements fluid and deliberate, and strode over to Battlax and Miranda, his voice carrying a controlled sternness that cut through their bickering. "Enough," he commanded, his gaze unwavering, pinning them both. "Your words are escalating, and I will not have it." Ryder, watching his rival from across the room, recognized the underlying kindness in Lincoln's actions, even as his proud demeanor masked it. The dynamic between the two young men was a complex dance of ambition and integrity, each a contender for the Ultimate Hero title, yet vastly different in their approach. Lincoln’s innate sense of fairness, though often buried beneath layers of arrogance, was a stark contrast to the villainous facade he so effortlessly projected, a puzzle that fascinated Ryder.