Mr. James led him through the campus, and it was only then that he realized the stark difference between this ce and the small school back in his hometown. The academic buildings were beautiful, the trees lining the pathways were tall and straight, and there were plenty of students out on the sports fields taking their PE ss.
Mr. James took him to a lecture hall and handed him a new textbook. Seeing Abner''s face, he couldn''t help but remind him, "Shirley mentioned you''re only sixteen. Now that you''re transferring to my ss today, I have to warn you, no puppy love, alright?"
Abner was taken aback, noticing the smile on his face, "What, don''t know how popr your face is gonna be around here?"
He genuinely had no idea, bing visibly nervous, "Mr. James, please don''t tease me."
James said no more and led him to the ssroom. The ss went silent for a moment before whispers filled the room. Anyone who''s been to high school knows, a new transfer student always creates a stir. Abner simply turned, wrote his name on the board, and took a seat at the back by the window. The sound of reading resumed in the ssroom. Looking at his brand-new textbook and inhaling its scent, his anxious heart finally calmed down.
Shirley wouldn''t send him away again, would she? He gripped his pen tightly, determined to excel, to be top of his ss.
Shirley had just finished a ss at Solstice College. She had the next two days off. As she was leaving the campus, she bumped into Jessica. Jessica was wearing a miniskirt, chatting about thetest perfume "My brother brought it back from abroad. Smells good, right? Pretty niche. I didn''t expect him, of all people, to have such good taste."
Someone asked, "Did Mark break up with his girlfriend? Jessica, if you snag him, you won''t even have to worry about job hunting after graduation. I heard his family''spany is huge. He was driving a Porsche to ss in his freshman year."Belongs ? to N?velDrama.Org.
A sh of pride crossed Jessica''s eyes, but then she saw Shirley. Others didn''t recognize Shirley. As Mark''s girlfriend, she had always kept a low profile. Jessica internally rolled her eyes but managed a sweet, "Hey, senior."
Shirley nodded slightly and left without saying much more. The girl standing next to Jessica scoffed, "Who does she think she is, acting all high and mighty?"
Jessica, unting her freshly manicured nails, said, "That''s my brother''s ex, still clinging to him annoyingly."
"Jessica, just push a little harder. Once you''re with Mark, make him treat our dorm to dinner."
"Sure thing. It''s just the cost of a meal. My brother won''t mind."
Shirley had walked quite a distance but still felt a pang in her heart. She stopped, took a deep breath, and checked her phone. Her mom had sent her a message. Shirley, I''ll talk to your dad. Whatever you decide, I support you. I know you''re sensible.[]
Her eyes welled up, and she quickly replied.
Thanks, Mom.
Looking up, she saw Mark approaching, surrounded by a
crowd. Mark was popr in school,ing from a wealthy family, and was known for treating people to meats, making him quite likable. Everyone started teasing as they saw her.
"Mark, your girlfriend''s here."
"Bro, your girl."
Mark''s face soured as he approached Shirley, his brows furrowed, "What are you doing here? Shirley, I told you we''re done."
Shirley felt another sting in her heart, her tone stiff, "I''m not here for you."
Mark, slightly smug at first, frowned deeper at her response, "Really? You don''t want to get back together? I talked to Mr. Davis, he said you shoulde to me. Just apologize, and we can be together again."
Shirley couldn''t stand listening any longer and turned to leave, but he grabbed her wrist.
"Shirley, a lot of people are after me
We''ve
schoown each other since high
school and I really liked you. But
your attitude towards Jessica was out of line. Just change."
Shirley jerked her hand away, her expression cold.
"No need. I don''t want to get back together."