Brian Carter was holding a can in one hand, his other hand resting on her shoulder. It looked like he was putting his arm around her, but in reality, he was pushing her all the way out the door. Ryan Bennett was quickly pushed out by him, and then she watched helplessly as this jerk blocked her at the doorway, lowered his eyes to look at her, and said, “Now turn around and go home immediately, turn off the lights, get in bed, and try to dream about me tonight.”

At the end, he even curled his lips and added, “Good night.”

-

Ryan Bennett went home, took a shower, and tossed and turned in bed for a long time.

She was still annoyed, so she opened the chat window with “Brian the Dog”.

She sent a whole set of violent emoji stickers to vent her anger.

-[Hit you]

-[Hammer your head]

-[Carrying a 10-meter broadsword, slashing all the way]

-[Ah-da]

……

Finally, imitating Brian Carter, she coldly typed: Good night.

After sending it, she quickly fell asleep.

She was someone who rarely carried emotions overnight; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to maintain such a long friendship with someone like Brian Carter.

When she woke up, she was back to normal as if nothing had happened.

When the “South Alley Squad” sent a group message in the morning asking if everyone wanted to go to Brian Carter’s house to watch a movie together, she replied “okay” while biting into a youtiao.

The place where they lived was called “South Alley.”

South Alley was the name of the street at the entrance of their neighborhood.

There weren’t many people in the group.

The main reason it was called the “South Alley Squad” was because Ryan Bennett had once suggested that using the neighborhood’s name sounded too much like an ordinary residents’ group and didn’t have any presence, but using the street name sounded like a real street gang.

—This childish comment from Ryan Bennett back in elementary school was approved at the time, and the name had never been changed, lasting until now.

“Mom, I’m going to Brian Carter’s house in a bit,” Ryan Bennett said. “We’re having an event today.”

Grace Bennett and Uncle Harris were sitting across from her having breakfast.

Grace Bennett knew that these kids were close, so she didn’t say much, only asked, “Brian Carter is back?”

The three of them sat together.

Ryan Bennett sounded a bit more mature than usual: “Yeah, he came back last night.”

David Harris also said politely, “Perfect, I just bought a watermelon yesterday. Take it with you and share it with everyone.”

Ryan Bennett took a sip of soy milk, finished eating, and got ready to pack up: “Thank you, Uncle Harris.”

But before she could leave, Grace Bennett didn’t forget to give her something even heavier than the watermelon.

“Your holiday homework,” Grace Bennett hurriedly gathered up the homework from Ryan Bennett’s room, “Take it with you and do it when you have time, so you don’t play too late and forget today’s assignments.”

Ryan Bennett looked at the stack of homework that had tormented her for days.

She dragged her feet and said, “Isn’t this a bit much?”

“What’s wrong with it?”

“If I bring homework over,” Ryan Bennett could already imagine how Brian Carter would mock her, “it’ll be so embarrassing.”

Ryan Bennett tried to persuade Grace Bennett: “Think about it, it’s like bringing your parents along when you go out to play. It’s just not right.”

The only response she got

was Grace Bennett slamming the door shut with a decisive “bang.”

-

For this impromptu little gathering, Ryan Bennett was the first to arrive.

She lived closest to Brian Carter.

A few minutes later.

Brian Carter opened the door for her, looking like he’d just woken up.

His hair was a bit messy, but in a way that looked like he’d deliberately tousled it.

The air conditioning was set very low, and a chill rushed out.

He glanced down at the things in her hands, took the watermelon from her, and before he could say anything, Ryan Bennett beat him to it: “See this stack of homework? That’s how much I love studying.”

“Even when I go out to have fun, I never forget to study.”

“……”

Brian Carter let out an “oh.”

“Today I’m going to do twenty pages while hanging out,” Ryan Bennett held up the stack of homework, trying to look as calm as possible, “That’s my attitude toward learning.”

“Not bad.”

When Ryan Bennett heard this, she instinctively felt it wasn’t that simple.

Sure enough, Brian Carter’s next sentence was: “After all, you barely made it into No. 2 High, so you should show some attitude.”

You think—

You scored ninety points above the cutoff.

You think you’re so great?

Ryan Bennett thought through gritted teeth.

Of course, she couldn’t actually say any of that.

……

Because being ninety points above the cutoff really was pretty awesome.

“You’re great, you’re so amazing,” Ryan Bennett muttered under her breath as she followed him inside, complaining, “…so why did you even apply to No. 2 High?”

Everyone arrived soon after.

There were five people at this gathering, and they quickly filled up the big sofa in the center.

Jack Reed was the first to come in. He actually wasn’t big at all—on the contrary, he was quite thin. He had single eyelids and looked like a healthy, energetic teenager.

Everyone usually called each other “bro.” As soon as Jack Reed came in, he greeted “Mr. Brian,” then turned and said, “Mr. Summer.”

“Doing homework, Mr. Summer? That’s not your style.”

“I think this pile of snacks is more your thing.”

“……”

What do you mean, “more my thing”?

That pile of snacks was hers—she’d just forgotten to take them last time.