Chad Sullivan and his group rode mountain motorcycles. He wore a black fitted outfit, his silver hair striking, a black diamond on his ear catching the light, and a pair of sports wristbands on his wrists, making him the most eye-catching presence.
Most of the participants inside were top students, and had never seen anyone with the swagger of this group, who looked just like delinquents.
They really seemed like they were here to cause trouble, so the security guards wouldn’t let them in.
Chad Sullivan hung his helmet on the bike and got off. There was a bit of a roguish air in his eyes and brows. “What, we’re not allowed in?”
The security guard could only say, “There’s a competition going on here.”
Inside, people started chattering noisily.
“Are they gangsters? What are they doing here?”
“Haha, there’s no way they’re here to compete.”
A bespectacled boy muttered, “If you want to show off, just drive a car. Why ride a motorcycle?”
By then, motorcycles were already common, but for teenagers barely in their teens, few could actually afford a car.
Another boy was a bit speechless. “You’ve studied yourself stupid, haven’t you? Don’t talk nonsense if you don’t know. That mountain motorcycle of his is worth as much as a supercar.”
The bespectacled boy clearly didn’t believe it, but quite a few people who heard this looked over.
Brian Foster hadn’t expected this dump to be so snobbish. He spat, about to curse, but Alan Bennett pulled him back. “Keep a low profile, don’t cause trouble today, don’t make Brother Chad unhappy.” Brian Foster immediately backed down.
Chad Sullivan lit a cigarette. “We’re here to see a friend. She’s competing.”
The security guard asked, “Who’s your friend?”
Chad Sullivan’s gaze passed through the glass doors and windows, landing on Ethan Carter.
She was already sitting in the corner, the closest spot to him.
It was the first time he’d seen Ethan Carter not wearing the No. 7 High School uniform.
Since it was cold in the morning, she wore a light yellow knitted sweater, with a small rose winding along the collar, green leaves twining around the branches. For some reason, it gave her a soft and fresh look.
She noticed him looking at her, froze for a moment, and quickly turned her head away, as if afraid to be associated with him.
He couldn’t help but smile.
Damn.
Seeing Chad Sullivan stay silent, the security guard was even less likely to let them in.
Some parents were allowed in, but as for Chad Sullivan and his group—smoking, dyed hair—they were clearly delinquents.
Anna Ward pushed through the crowd and ran out, telling the security guard, “Uncle, they’re my friends. Can you let them in?”
Brian Foster beamed, “Anna Ward, we’re here to cheer you on.”
Anna Ward couldn’t help glancing at Chad Sullivan, a hint of joy rising in her heart.
Chad Sullivan frowned slightly and said nothing.
The security guard hesitated. Anna Ward said, “I’m a former champion. Can’t my friends come in to cheer for me?”
There was a faint pride in her tone.
After discussing among themselves, the security guards finally nodded, then turned to Chad Sullivan and his group and said, “You can go in, but turn off your phones, no smoking, and no loud noises.”
Brian Foster was a bit speechless. Was this going in or going to jail?
The competition would last several hours, and they didn’t even understand it.
He was about to say, then let’s not go in, Brother Chad, let’s wait outside.
But then he saw Chad Sullivan stub out his cigarette on the fountain, toss it in the trash, stick his hands in his pockets, and walk right in.
He had a strong presence, and it was obvious he wasn’t a good guy. The good students inside all made way for him.
Brian Foster: “Huh? He’s really going in.”
Alan Bennett: “Chad Sullivan went in.”
Jack Miller took a while to react. “What’s so interesting about this?”
Even so, after smoking a cigarette, the group still followed him in.
Brian Foster couldn’t help but laugh. “These girls aren’t much to look at.”
Jack Miller burst out laughing. “Maybe their brains work well, but other parts don’t.”
Brian Foster laughed uncontrollably.
In Brian Foster’s mind, it was rare to find a top student who was also pretty, so by that standard, Anna Ward was definitely outstanding.
A faint smell of smoke drifted over. Ethan Carter paused, then turned her head.
Chad Sullivan sat down next to her, crossing his legs.
His jacket was unzipped, hands in his pockets, giving off a bit of an annoying, roguish vibe.
Ethan Carter was very uncomfortable sitting so close to him.
Chad Sullivan had a strong presence, and many people were looking their way. She could only pretend not to know him and lowered her head again.
She sat by the window, knees together, her book spread open on her lap. Sunlight streamed in, casting a pale golden glow.
“Hey, good student, you see someone you know and don’t even say hi? So cold, aren’t you?”
He was very close. Ethan Carter closed her book, and after a while, softly said, “We’re not close.”
He couldn’t help but laugh.
Chad Sullivan curved his lips. “Do you know my name?”
Ethan Carter pressed her lips together. “Chad Sullivan.”
Her voice was soft and gentle, like fingertips brushing over spring water.
He was stunned for a long time, then smiled. “Yeah.”
Honestly, it was ridiculous, but it felt like the gloom in his heart that had been there for so long suddenly just melted away.
At that moment, Brian Foster and the others came in, looking at Ethan Carter in surprise. “Hey, Ethan Carter, you’re competing too?”
Ethan Carter nodded.
Anna Ward followed, her gaze also landing on Ethan Carter. She didn’t know Ethan Carter, but when she saw her eyes, her own gaze flickered slightly. “You’re a junior at No. 7 High, right?”