Brian Clark got a lower bunk.

　　The first day was a mix of chaos and excitement, and on every youthful face was written a longing for the future. The dormitory housed eight people; under the urging of their parents, most of the girls introduced themselves simply and reservedly, stating their names.

　　“This girl has such fair skin, she’s really pretty.” Someone complimented Brian Clark. The dorm still carried a lingering dampness after the rain, no longer the rush of a downpour, but the smell hung in the air, making everything feel damp.

　　When someone praised her, Brian Clark just pressed her lips together and smiled silently.

　　This season, the mosquitoes were vicious. The mothers helped their daughters hang up mosquito nets and make their beds, not forgetting to remind them with smiling faces, “Get along well with your classmates, don’t get into conflicts! You’re all high schoolers now, you’ve grown up.”

　　Grandma held Brian Clark’s hand, rubbing it constantly, softly reminding her of all sorts of little things, and Brian Clark just kept nodding gently.

　　“About the military training, make sure to tell the teacher, don’t push yourself, okay?” Grandma patted her hand, still looking a bit worried.

　　Brian Clark said, “I know, I won’t forget.”

　　“That’s good, that’s good.” Grandma murmured twice.

　　At noon, the two families originally planned to eat at a small restaurant by the gate, but there were too many people. Jason Walker’s mother drove everyone a bit farther to eat, then brought the two girls back. After that, there wasn’t much for the parents to do.

　　Once the adults left, Jason Walker cheered excitedly, dragging Brian Clark all around the school to get familiar with the surroundings.

　　By evening self-study, unfamiliar faces started trickling into the classroom.

　　Some were lucky enough to be in the same class as their old middle school friends and were overjoyed. Others had come from small county towns, knowing no one, and tried to strike up conversations. Jason Walker glanced around, confirmed that aside from Brian Clark, she didn’t know anyone, and sat down in disappointment, but still kept peeking over the desk, scanning the back rows for any cute boys.

　　Brian Clark heard the girls already chatting about the TV dramas they’d watched over the summer, laughter ringing out. The classroom was noisy, and no one knew where the homeroom teacher was. Everyone was talking, letting loose.

　　Seats were unassigned. Jason Walker preferred hanging out with boys, so she headed straight for the back when she entered. The back rows were almost all boys. As Brian Clark walked over with her eyes downcast, the boys very obviously shushed her.

　　She didn’t say anything, just flipped through her book. A boy behind her gently poked her back, and Brian Clark just turned halfway around. With that, the boy got a good look at her face.

　　“Hey, what’s your name? I’m Ryan Miller.” The boy introduced himself confidently.

　　Jason Walker had already turned around, and burst out laughing, her face full of gossip.

　　Brian Clark blushed slightly. “I’m Brian Clark.”

　　“Your name is really unique,” Ryan Miller started chatting, “Is it the ‘渡’ with the three water dots? That’s a coincidence, all the characters in my name have the three water dots too.”

　　Jason Walker couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “Student Miller, you really can talk. You don’t let any ‘three water dots’ go. Are you missing water in your five elements?”

　　Ryan Miller replied seriously, “What, are you missing water too?”

　　“I’m not missing water. My mom says I’m missing brains.” Jason Walker joked about herself without hesitation. Sure enough, the boys in the back burst out laughing, and just like that, she was chatting away with them in no time.

　　In the end, Jason Walker simply turned her whole body to face the back. She was naturally outgoing with everyone.

　　Brian Clark was the kind of girl who was always shy. She didn’t like to talk and could never blend in as easily as Jason Walker. She preferred to quietly observe everyone from the sidelines, but ironically, she didn’t want anyone to pay attention to her.

　　The classroom was still noisy, but Brian Clark felt very quiet inside.

　　She watched Jason Walker chatting away with the boys, didn’t disturb her, and took out a plastic shopping bag from her desk drawer—the kind you get when you buy clothes. Strangely, after starting high school, no one liked carrying backpacks anymore; everyone preferred to carry a plastic bag with some scattered school supplies. After a while, some people wouldn’t even need the plastic bags.

　　Brian Clark took out a small pack of tissues, pulled out one, and put it in the pocket of her denim skirt.

　　There was no one in the hallway.

　　The classroom was brightly lit, filled with chattering first-year students. Every classroom was like this—lively and chaotic.

　　Brian Clark didn’t have Jason Walker’s habit of boldly peeking into other classrooms as she passed by. She had just reached the corner, about to go downstairs, when she almost bumped right into someone.

　　It wasn’t her fault; she wasn’t walking fast. The boy was taking the stairs two at a time, coming up quickly, and they met head-on.

　　Brian Clark took two steps back.

　　Almost at the same time, both of them said, “Sorry.” She looked up instinctively, her pupils trembling slightly.

　　The boy didn’t look at her at all, just apologized hurriedly and brushed past her.

　　It was him. There was no blood on his face; he looked completely clean.

　　Brian Clark couldn’t help but slowly turn her head, chin resting on her shoulder, carefully watching to see where that figure was headed.