So, the stack of papers collected was uneven and rather shabby. Brian Clark sorted them by size, while Jason Walker complained as she helped, saying that Brian Clark was the kind of person who liked to do these thankless and ridiculously troublesome good deeds.

"I'm the Chinese class representative. It's my duty to organize my classmates' homework neatly for the teacher." When Brian Clark smiled, a row of tiny millet-like teeth would show, and her eyes would curve into crescents.

Jason Walker spoke with a worldly tone: "I suspect the Chinese teacher doesn't even look at them. It's just a formality. You're wasting your time."

Brian Clark replied softly, "I just do what I should. I don't think it's a waste."

"Stubborn." Jason Walker grinned mischievously and tapped her on the forehead.

When delivering the essays, as usual, they passed by Class One's door. In the hallway, Henry Webb was explaining a problem to Grace Bolton, one hand in his pocket, the other gesturing over Grace Bolton's materials. Whatever he did always seemed so casual. When Brian Clark saw him, her heart gave a slight tremble—she couldn't tell if it was happiness or nervousness.

A third of her energy was gone.

Brian Clark didn't know why, but her mind wandered to "The Storm Riders," her and Jason Walker's childhood favorite.

Henry Webb really had that Bu Jingyun vibe... In just a few seconds, Brian Clark had already played out a moving TV drama in her head.

No one noticed her, but her face turned red. She stole quick, cautious glances at those two model students, as if harboring some unspeakable secret.

When you're distracted, it's easy to mess up. All of Brian Clark's attention was on those two at the end of the hallway, so when a boy ran out from the back door and bumped into her, her stack of essays scattered all over the floor.

"I'm sorry, really sorry!" the boy apologized. Hearing the commotion, Grace Bolton looked over, quickly clipped her materials together, and ran over to help Brian Clark pick up the essays.

Brian Clark felt like she was burning up. She fumbled awkwardly, her body stiff and limbs uncoordinated, as if she was surrounded by someone's omnipresent gaze. But in reality, Henry Webb only glanced over indifferently, recognized Brian Clark, and lost interest. He turned his head and looked out the window.

A sudden autumn breeze made the half-yellow, half-green leaves on the branches tremble, ready to fall.

Henry Webb was lost in thought for a moment.

He left only his back to Brian Clark, who had already looked over. They didn't even make eye contact, and he didn't help either. Clearly, Henry Webb was quite self-centered. His speech at the opening ceremony wasn't because he cared about his classmates getting sunburned; he just thought the principal's speech was boring. He also knew the teacher's later criticism wouldn't be too harsh. After all, he was the top student in the school. As long as he didn't do anything outrageous or break the rules, no one would really hold it against him. He was pure when he wanted to be, but also very worldly-wise.

Brian Clark's eyes stung a little. She quietly thanked Grace Bolton, then silently looked away and almost ran down the stairs.

The wind was strong, instantly messing up her hair, but it couldn't blow away that deep sense of melancholy.

She was in the class next door to his, with no real connection.

Suddenly, Brian Clark really wished she could throw up on him again—then she could return his clothes one more time.

But that wouldn't be so great either. The girl hugged her stack of essays tightly, as if holding on to all her adolescent secrets.

On the way back, the hallway was empty. Brian Clark stared blankly at the spot where Henry Webb had stood. There was nothing there.

Her heart felt empty and lost.

At her seat, Jason Walker's eyes were shining like light bulbs, sparkling. Before Brian Clark could sit down, she impatiently pulled her over and said seriously, "Henry Webb smiled at me. You know Henry Webb from Class One, right? He likes me."

That's just how confident Jason Walker was.

Brian Clark felt her heart skip a beat. She tried to stay calm, but her pounding heart almost changed the sound of her voice.

Still, she did her best to act nonchalant, pretending to recall, and said, "The one who gave the speech at the opening ceremony?"

"Yeah! I just went to the bathroom, and guess what? Henry Webb happened to come out of the boys' bathroom and asked me for some tissue—said someone inside forgot to bring any," Jason Walker suddenly covered her face dramatically, shaking her head, "Oh, so embarrassing! Imagine a boy asking you for tissue at the bathroom door, how awkward! But Henry Webb is so handsome, even borrowing tissue is cool. My head was buzzing, of course I gave it to him. Then," she suddenly pinched Brian Clark's arm hard, her eyes wide, "he smiled at me! Wow, when Henry Webb smiles, my little heart can't take it. I can't, Brian Clark, quick, give me some heart medicine!"

Jason Walker was being extremely dramatic.

Brian Clark was shaken by her, her mind flashing: He never smiled at me.

But what does Henry Webb's smile look like?

As Brian Clark wondered, she lowered her gaze, but Jason Walker turned her face back up, grinning, "Best deskmate, I've decided—starting today, I'm going to pursue Henry Webb. He definitely has feelings for me."

Some girls are just confident, like Grace Bolton, because of her outstanding grades. And then there's Jason Walker, who has always been loud and bold, doing whatever she wants. Amid her tangled, weedy heartbeat, Brian Clark found her own voice:

"You—how are you going to pursue him?"