Present Day
"I couldn't believe she was a daughter from a well known family. I thought she was just an imposter back then." Jon confessed to Carl.
"Yeah, despite of the warnings. You wouldn't believe me. I am grateful by the way to you about standing up to Gina. I also realized that Lorelai was not acting for the greater good either." Carl replied.
"I am skeptical whether Lorelai would keep her word about Gina and her group. What matters is we don't allow them to trample us down. That's the reason why we joined this competition." Jon said, determined.
After the two exchanged words the emcee suddenly announced, "With a score of 9.0/10 we have a winner. Lorelai Vermillion!"
Jon, Carl, Galvin and Athena were in silence. They didn't expect that the score was close. Lorelai bowed down to the audience and the judges and left to her seat. She wore a smile on her face as she proceeded.
Despite the cheers for her, Lorelai's victory was not sweet, it was bitter. She was annoyed that a commoner like Jon was able to catch up to her. She could always object with but the judges had decided not to. What mattered was that she won.
Gina's group was defeated in the preliminaries and she herself in the semifinals. She was humiliated with their loss and watched Jon's group with disdain. To them, Jon did not deserve to be second in place to Lorelai.
"What now?" Aaron asked Gina.
Gina ground her teeth with anger while keeping her composure. If not for Lorelai, Jon's group wouldn't be a problem for their plans. Now, many would try to resist them in the academy. People would think that they were not invincible at all and they could not let such a thing pass.
"We can talk about it tomorrow!" Gina said in anger and left the arena first, followed by her group.
Lorelai approached Jon, proud. She gave Jon a smirk and then spoke, "You already know the consequences of losing. As much I would hate to admit, you are not a slouch. It's impressive that you caught up. See you tomorrow in the academy!"
As Lorelai faced away, Jon called her and said, "You won fare and square. I am ready for the consequences whatever it is. Just promise the security and safety of my friends from the likes of Gina..."
Before Jon could finish Lorelai interrupted. "You cannot save everyone in the academy. For your friends, I cannot assure their safety all the time. Better teach them how to stand for themselves. Even you would agree with my words. Babysitting your friends won't help them in the future!"
Jon was speechless with Lorelai's words. He knew that she was right and should take care of himself first, focus on self improvement and not allow his friends to drag him down.
Lorelai left Jon's group after the announcement of to call the winners to the stage. Jon followed her and she stood beside her as the second place.
After the announcement of the winners and the closing ceremony, Jon and Lorelai went their own separate ways. Jon decided to celebrate with his friends to a barbecue restaurant. Hearing this, Galvin raced first while the rest followed.
"Walk faster guys, the one who arrives late will pay the bill!" Galvin said as he walks ahead from the group.
"Shouldn't it be the one who arrives first who would pay?" Athena asked which caused Galvin to stumble.
Jon and the others laughed with Galvin's reaction. They caught up with him and they continued on their way.
Meanwhile, Lorelai was inside her car on her way to Casa de Azul. It served as her temporary home while attending the Academy. Inside was Dumont, her guard, and Ronald, her driver.
While they were passing by the 8th Avenue road, a group of thugs were waiting for them. They were wearing bonnets, masks and covers to their faces. Their presence on the road made Ronald stop the car.
"Ronald, why are we stopping?" Lorelai asked her driver.
"Unknown thugs, milady. They are up to no good." The Ronald locked the car's doors and tried to get away by shifting the gear in reverse.
Ronald took an alternate path to the mansion and went to a longer route in the highway. He believed that they could get away from any pursuers.
Lorelai grabbed her phone from her purse and called her father. After several rings her father answered the call.
"What is it sweetheart? It's rare for you to call at this time of the night."
"Father, someone's following us!" Lorelai said urgently. She looked behind the back window of the car and saw four bikers and a car.
All of a sudden, the signal disappeared and the call was cut. She returned her phone. Dumont beside her prepared his weapon. He knew that their pursuers were after Lorelai. Whoever they were he cannot allow them to lay their hands on her.
With Ronald's masterful driving, they were able to lose their pursuers. Lorelai felt relief and sighed and tried to call her father again. However, no one answered which frustrated her.
All of a sudden, the car suddenly hit a road trap and it swerved. Ronald tried to control the car but was unable to do so and they hit a wall near the sidewalk. The reinforced chassis of the car helped everyone to survive the impact. However, Ronald, their driver, was knocked unconscious.
Lorelai opened the door of the car. The pursuers were still not on sight. Dumont, the bodyguard took the initiative and grabbed Lorelai's hand as he saw her.
"Dumont!" Lorelai shouted, recovering from the impact.
"We don't have much time, milady!" Dumont said and dragged Lorelai to look for a place to hide. Seeing a motorcycle, Dumont did not waste time. "Milady, we have to escape!"
"What about Ronald?" Lorelai protested worried about the driver.
"Your safety is our priority. If they get their hands on you, your father would be devastated!" Dumont insisted.
Lorelai nodded and rode the motorcycle with Dumont and fled the scene. The pursuers arrived soon after in the site of the car crash. The pursuers saw Ronald on the ground leaning the wall. Gunshots suddenly echoed.
"No!" Lorelai screamed hearing the gunshots from afar.
"We don't have time for that, milady! I am sure your father will make sure those thugs will be dealt with. They won't get away with what they did to Ronald!" Dumont said as he drove the motorcycle to Casa de Azul.