Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 200

Chapter 200 Special Treatment 

“Could you pretend not to know me in public?” Ava asked quietly. 

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Laurent glanced at her cautious expression and sighed inwardly. “Alright,” he said. “I know how to handle myself–I won’t make things difficult for you.” 

“Let’s go.” She held onto his arm and asked, “Aren’t you from a different military branch? Are cross–branch deployments like this even allowed?” 

Laurent glanced at her hand, then answered, “Branches may be different, but at my level, I do have certain privileges. There are some interests involved that I can’t get into with you, but let’s just say… some people are very happy I’m staying here a little longer.” 

“I just don’t want this to mess up your service record,” she said with concern. 

He turned his head toward her. “It won’t. Military honors and merits are earned on the battlefield. Don’t overthink it.” 

They walked a short distance together. As they neared the main road, Ava quickly let 

arm. 

go 

of his 

“I’ll head that way,” she said, then jogged off, her ponytail swaying behind her. 

Laurent stood in place, watching her retreating figure. 

Ava reached the open area in front of the girls‘ dorms. Within minutes, students began emerging from their rooms. 

Zoey and Noelle spotted her right away and hurried over. 

“Ava, where are you staying?” Zoey asked, clearly concerned. “I just heard someone say one student got left out of the dorm assignments. I asked around and found out it was you.” 

Ava pointed behind her. “Over there–they ended up placing me in the officer dorms.” 

Noelle let out a surprised gasp. “Officer dorms? That’s gotta be way nicer than ours. Looks like you really lucked out!” 

Ava gave a small, helpless smile. What could she even say to that? She couldn’t tell them the truth. 

Nearby, a few girls were huddled together, whispering none too quietly. 

“Some people come in flaunting their connections. Why does she get to live in officer housing while we’re stuck in this dump?” 

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“Exactly. She doesn’t even look like anything special. Who knows what tricks she pulled to get special treatment from the military?” 

“Alright, enough. Didn’t they say it was just because there wasn’t a room left?” 

“Oh, come off it, Judy! You were saying the same thing earlier in the dorms. She clearly pulled strings, and now we’re not even allowed to talk about it? No way–I’m asking Ms. Levis why she gets to live in officer quarters.” 

Though no names were mentioned, it was obvious to anyone with half a brain that they were talking about Ava. 

She looked over and saw the one leading the gossip–a girl dressed in flashy clothes with bold makeup and hair twisted into dreadlocks. She stood with her arms crossed and a smug, provocative expression, staring straight at Ava. 

Noelle’s temper flared instantly. “If you’re so jealous, go get the leaders to put you in officer housing! Can’t pull it off? Then, shut your mouth and stop throwing shade.” 

“I wasn’t talking to you,” the dreadlocked girl shot back. “Why are you so triggered?” 

“Why you!” 

Noelle was just about to snap when Ava grabbed her hand. “Noelle. Don’t fight because of me.” 

Ava stepped forward, giving the instigator a once–over. “Listen, if you have something to say, say it to my face. If you think I got special treatment, go report it. Don’t stand there muttering behind my back. 

“If you’re really that upset, I’ll switch rooms with you. You can have the officer’s dorm. Just give me yours. Deal?” 

The dreadlocked girl sneered. “Oh, please. That’s just fake humility. You’re putting on a show.” 

“Fake?” Ava tilted her head slightly, her tone growing sharper. “You’re standing there spreading baseless rumors about me–and I’m the fake one? Did you get into Starry Heavens by running your mouth, or was there some merit involved?” 

She 

gave the girl a slow once–over. “Because the moment you opened your mouth, it seems your brain fell out.” 

“You calling me stupid?” The girl snapped, furious now, eyes wide with rage, like she was ready 

to bite. 

“I never called you stupid,” Ava said calmly. “I said if you’re upset, go report it. What part of that was unclear?” 

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Zoey and Noelle both burst into laughter, and the girls around them, who had gathered to watch, couldn’t help chuckling along. 

“You venomous-” 

“What’s all this noise?” Ms. Levis, one of the supervising instructors, had walked over just in time. She glanced around at the girls, her eyes landing on the one who looked ready to explode. 

“What’s going on here?” she asked sternly. 

“Ms. Levis, she accused me of spreading rumors! And she insulted me–said I had no brain!” The dreadlocked girl immediately pointed fingers. 

Ava turned to Ms. Levis, her expression calm and composed. 

“Ms. Levis, here’s what happened. Because I was assigned to the officer dorm, a few students felt it was unfair. 

“They started spreading rumors that I used connections to get special treatment–and tried to stir up resentment among the others.” 

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