Autumn James smiled and patted Summer Lin on the head. "It's fine. I can handle it myself."
Summer frowned slightly. "Are you sure? I heard the students in the Humanities A-Class aren't exactly… friendly."
Before Autumn could answer, Summer clapped her hands decisively."Ryan Wang, Ben Lee—come help move Autumn's things from the Humanities Class!"
Ryan and Ben, who had been joking around earlier, quickly agreed with bright grins."Got it!"
And so, the small group—pushing an empty desk—marched in grand fashion toward the Humanities A-Class.
The Humanities A-Class was on the fourth floor, while the Science A-Class was on the first.Their lively presence on the stairs caught plenty of attention.
Students standing in the hallway turned curiously to watch the little procession, wondering where they were headed—Until they stopped right outside the Humanities A-Class door.
Summer led the way. She knocked politely before stepping in.Everyone's eyes turned toward her. She briefly explained their purpose and then waved to the others.
Ryan and Ben immediately got to work—moving the empty desk in and swapping it for Autumn's old one.
They were just about to finish when a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Wait!! What do you think you're doing?"It was Chris Zhao, the Humanities A-Class monitor.
Summer blinked, confused."I already explained—we're here to move Autumn James's things. She's officially transferred to our class. Naturally, her books have to go too."
Her words fell like a pebble into still water—rippling instantly into waves of whispers.
"No way, so the rumors are true?""She really transferred to the Science Class?""And not just any—Science A-Class!""The Science A-Class monitor is here herself; it has to be true.""Wow, what did Autumn do to deserve that?"
Another student snorted, shaking his head."I heard the Science A-Class is super tight-knit. For an outsider like her… good luck fitting in."
Chris Zhao frowned. "We haven't received any notice about this."
He at least seemed somewhat reasonable.
Autumn stepped forward, speaking evenly."Mr. Lin will notify you soon. Class is about to start, and I don't want to waste your time or disrupt both classes."
Chris adjusted his glasses, hesitating.It wasn't really a big deal—one empty desk wouldn't even be noticed by most teachers.
He was just about to agree when a syrupy, delicate voice piped up from behind.
"Autumn… you're really leaving us for the Science Class?"
Anna Hawthorne's tone was soft and fragile, but her words were laced with feigned sadness."Congratulations, of course! But if you're leaving, what about our Humanities Class?When the teacher checks attendance later, we'll be one short—and Chris will get blamed! He's always been such a responsible monitor. You wouldn't want to cause trouble for him, would you?"
Her sweet, pitiful tone carried perfectly across the room.
She knew Autumn had successfully transferred to the Science A-Class, but there was no way she'd let her go smoothly. Not without stirring up a little trouble first.
Her performance worked—murmurs spread quickly.
"She's right, if the teacher finds out, Chris might get in trouble.""Yeah, she just barges in with the Science kids, and we're supposed to believe she's really transferring?"
Hearing everyone's chatter, Chris's momentary hesitation hardened into resistance.Anna's words made sense—if something went wrong, he'd be the one held accountable.
So he grabbed the desk firmly."Until the teacher gets here, no one's leaving!"
Autumn couldn't help but laugh—a sharp, incredulous sound.Since when had Chris Zhao turned into such a stubborn fool?
Summer rolled her eyes, exchanging a knowing glance with Ben.Without a word, Ben loosened his grip on the desk, leaving the full weight in Chris's hands.
With a dull thud, the desk dropped safely to the ground.
Laughter rippled quietly through the onlookers.A full-grown man, unable to lift a small student desk—it was almost comical.
Anna's eyes glinted with amusement and disdain as she watched the scene unfold, her gaze eventually landing on Autumn.Oh, Autumn James. Blame your oh-so-righteous class monitor, not me.
Summer stepped forward, blocking Anna's line of sight.
Everyone knew Anna Hawthorne—the so-called prodigy who had skipped two grades.She was supposed to be middle-school age, yet here she sat in a senior class.Summer had once been curious about her—wanted to see what made her so special.
But now?Disappointment.
She looked like a spoiled child—immature and manipulative.How on earth had she skipped grades with that brain?
"Little sister," Summer said coolly, "you really shouldn't talk nonsense. Everyone here knows I'm the Science A-Class monitor. If you've got a problem, come find me later, alright?"
Anna froze—completely unprepared for the confrontation.The sudden shift in attention made her panic. She took a few steps back, her eyes shimmering with fake tears.
She looked pitifully at Autumn."Autumn… you're just going to let her talk to me like that?"
Autumn had been trying to keep quiet—but patience wasn't exactly her strongest trait anymore.Ever since dying once, her temper had a hair-trigger.
If someone provoked her, she hit back—verbally or otherwise.
And now Anna had stepped right into her line of fire.
"What did she say to you?" Autumn asked calmly, folding her arms across her chest and leaning against the hallway railing.
The sunlight reflected off her blue-and-white school uniform, outlining her sharp silhouette.Her high ponytail swayed lightly behind her—confident, strong, effortlessly striking.
"She didn't curse at you. She didn't hit you. She just stated a fact. What exactly are you so upset about?"
Her words were direct—no hesitation, no false politeness.Her steady gaze made Anna's breath hitch.
Wait—wasn't Autumn supposed to act flustered and apologetic by now?Why wasn't she backing down?
Before Anna could figure out what was happening, her peripheral vision caught a familiar figure approaching from the end of the hall.
Instantly, her demeanor flipped.She dropped her head, voice trembling as she whispered pitifully,"I'm sorry, Autumn. I was wrong. Summer didn't say anything bad, and I shouldn't have spoken that way or stopped you from moving your things."
Autumn blinked. What's this little actress up to now?
Everyone else looked equally baffled.Sure, Anna was always known for her sweet, delicate manner—but this sudden turnaround? Something felt… off.
Just then, a cold voice rang out behind her.
"Autumn James, what are you doing this time?"
A tall figure stepped between Anna and Autumn—shielding Anna with a protective arm.