Anna Hawthorne rolled her eyes discreetly and looked up impatiently.
Call, call, call—what was this, summoning ghosts?
When she saw who it was, though, her expression froze for a moment.Then, just as quickly, she smoothed her features into that practiced sweet smile.
"Ethan, William — what brings you here?"
The two standing outside the window were none other than Ethan James and William Moore.
"We just stopped by the campus store," William said kindly. "Got you a few snacks and milk in case you got hungry."
As he spoke, he passed a small bag of cookies, bread, and milk through the window to her.
Anna accepted it without hesitation, tucking it neatly into her desk drawer as if it were her due.
Ethan, meanwhile, glanced around the classroom."By the way, where's Autumn? I didn't see her. She didn't come home last night, and I don't know if she's had breakfast. Maybe you can share some with her later."
Anna's fingers tightened around the bread package until the plastic crackled under her grip.
Her smile stiffened. "Ethan, didn't Autumn tell you? She transferred to the science track."
Ethan's face darkened instantly."What did you say?!"
"It's true," Anna continued, feigning concern. "Everyone in class is talking about it. She went to Class A with Summer Moore."
With each word she spoke, Ethan's expression grew colder.
"She dared to transfer without telling me?" he said through gritted teeth."She actually made a decision like that on her own now?"
His anger flared hotter with every thought.Did Autumn think their careful planning and analysis for her college path meant nothing?Was this how she repaid their "guidance"?
Ungrateful. Absolutely ungrateful.
"When she gets home," Ethan muttered, jaw tight, "I'll make sure to ask her personally what she was thinking."
William, in contrast, didn't seem particularly bothered.Whether Autumn stayed in liberal arts or moved to science didn't really affect him.
What did concern him, though, was practical — if Autumn wasn't around anymore, who would fill her role?Who would handle the notes, errands, and daily favors for Anna and that temperamental "young master" Ethan?
It's not like Anna could bring food and copy notes for Ethan every day.Ethan James, the walking storm cloud of their class — who could possibly please him?
William turned to Anna with an easy smile. "Will you be all right on your own in the liberal arts class? Do you want me to help you transfer to Science Class A too?"
He said it so casually, as if transferring between tracks were as simple as ordering lunch.
Anna blinked in shock — she hadn't expected gentle William to be just as domineering as Ethan.
She waved both hands quickly. "No, no! That's okay!"
Sure, Ethan could be a pain to deal with, but now that Autumn was gone, this might actually work in her favor.At least when the "brothers" came to check on her, they wouldn't automatically think of Autumn first.
She smiled bashfully. "I know my limits. I'm a girl — liberal arts suits me fine. I could aim for a civil service exam later, maybe a teaching post. Besides, I skipped a grade, and I'd just fall behind in science. I really wouldn't do well there."
William chuckled softly and reached out to pat her head. "All right, as long as our Anna's happy."
Ethan's expression hardened further at that."So even you understand what's good for you," he said sharply. "Why can't Autumn get it through her head?"
He gave a bitter little laugh."Fine. Let her suffer for a while. When she's had enough, she'll realize we were right all along."
Anna bit her lip, pretending to worry. "But, Ethan… how did Autumn even get into Class A? I mean, transferring to the science track is one thing, but Class A? That's supposed to be for top students only."
She lowered her voice, feigning concern. "If she gets kicked out later, wouldn't that be humiliating?"
Her tone was gentle, but deep down, her heart was full of cold mockery.How had Autumn pulled it off? Surely not through actual ability…
Ethan scoffed."How else could she have done it? She's the daughter of the school director — the James family's precious princess. Of course she used her connections."
Anna let out a little sigh of relief and patted her chest dramatically."Oh, that makes sense! Then I guess she won't be kicked out, right?"
Autumn James, she thought to herself, you may be proud of that title now, but I'll make sure one day you lose even that name.
William smiled faintly, his voice low and magnetic."Not necessarily. Their homeroom teacher also teaches our physics class — Mr. West. He only cares about scores, nothing else."
"If she can't keep up, he won't hesitate to kick her out."
Anna widened her eyes in mock horror."Oh no, then she'd better work hard! It'd be terrible if she got expelled!"
Her exaggerated reaction made both boys chuckle.
Yes — this kind of lively, sweet, and playful girl suited Ethan far more.Not like Autumn, who always wore that cold, expressionless face like everyone owed her money.
What Ethan had forgotten, though, was that Autumn used to smile too — she used to laugh and act coquettish.Until their constant criticism and cutting words had crushed that brightness out of her.
Meanwhile, in the Advanced Science Class A,
Summer Moore burst through the door with excitement, pulling Autumn by the hand.Standing at the front of the classroom, she clapped her hands loudly.
"Everyone, quiet down! Look what treasure I brought you today!"
"Hehehe, new classmate! Aren't you excited?!"
There weren't many girls in the science track to begin with, and Summer was well-liked not only for her grades but also her sweet looks and friendly nature.She had the perfect "good girl" aura — rare in this department.
But Autumn James was different.
Her features were exquisitely delicate — the kind that instantly drew every gaze in the room and made hearts skip.She was beautiful in a way that felt almost untouchable.
As soon as she stepped inside, eyes followed her from every corner.When Summer announced that she was joining their class, the excitement doubled.
"She doesn't have a seat yet, right? She can sit next to me!" one tall, broad-shouldered boy with a buzzcut called out.
His tablemate, a chubby boy with glasses, immediately protested."Hey, what's that supposed to mean? Am I invisible or something?!" Then he turned toward the podium and shouted, "New student, sit next to me! My seat's free too!"
Autumn couldn't help but laugh softly at their antics.
That smile — soft, bright, melting like snow under spring sunlight — made the whole class go silent for a beat.
Even a boy in the back row, who had just been about to step outside, paused mid-step.He lowered himself back into his seat, his gaze lingering on her with quiet curiosity.
Summer, amused, waited for the laughter to die down before speaking again."All right, all right, settle down! Mr. West said Autumn will sit next to Yanshu for now!"
At that name, the classroom suddenly fell silent.
Even the boy in the back glanced toward the far corner by the window.
"Mr. West said that?" someone whispered under their breath.
Autumn found the reaction a little funny.
She had expected skepticism about her transfer — suspicion about her ability or her reason for joining the elite class — but instead, the shock was all about sitting next to this "Yanshu."
Who was this person?
The name sounded strangely familiar… someone she might've known in her past life?
Summer didn't answer the murmured question.She simply led Autumn toward a tall, thin student hunched over his desk. His hair covered half his face, hiding his features completely. His posture was timid, almost withdrawn.
Summer smiled gently."Is that okay, Yanshu?"