Anna Hawthorne rolled her eyes subtly and impatiently lifted her head.
Calling out, calling out—like she was summoning a spirit.
When she saw who it was, Anna froze for a moment.
Then she quickly composed herself, restoring her sweet smile.
"Ethan, what are you doing here?"
The visitors were Ethan James and Daniel Grant.
"We just went to the convenience store and brought you some things, didn't want you to go hungry."
As he spoke, Daniel passed cookies, bread, and milk through the window into Anna's hands.
Anna accepted them as if it were completely natural and put them on her desk.
"By the way, where's Autumn? I didn't see her. She didn't come home last night, and I don't know if she had breakfast today. Can you split some for her later?" Ethan looked around but didn't see Autumn James anywhere.
Anna's fingers tightened around the bread, the packaging crinkling loudly.
She forced a smile. "Ethan, Autumn didn't tell you? She's transferring to the Science class."
Ethan's heart skipped a heavy beat. "What?!"
"Yes, everyone in our class has been talking about it. She seems to have gone with Summer Lin to A Class."
As Anna's words fell one by one, Ethan's expression darkened.
"How dare she?!" Ethan ground his teeth.
Now she even dares to make such a big decision on her own?
What did Autumn James think of them? All the advice they gave her for choosing her subjects—was that meaningless to her?!
Heartless, utterly heartless!
When she gets home, he'll make sure to ask her properly!
Compared to Ethan's reaction, Daniel remained calm.
After all, it didn't matter much to him where Autumn James went. But if she left, who would take her place to take care of Anna and that little terror, Liam Carter?
They couldn't let Anna bring Liam's lunch and take notes every day, could they? Liam Carter didn't deserve it.
"Anna, are you okay being alone in the liberal arts class? Do you want me to transfer you to Science A Class too?" Daniel asked gently.
Talking about transferring classes sounded as casual as eating or drinking.
Anna was startled. She hadn't expected Daniel to be so gentle in appearance yet so commanding in personality.
Quickly she shook her head. "No, no need."
Although dealing with Liam Carter, that annoying little troublemaker, could be irritating, if she were in a class with Autumn James, it wasn't all bad. At least when the brothers come to see her, they wouldn't think of Autumn James at the same time.
She smiled shyly. "I know my limits. I'm just a girl, learning liberal arts is enough. Later I can take the civil service exam if I want. I skipped a grade to get here. Science isn't for me—I wouldn't understand it anyway."
Daniel affectionately patted Anna's head. "Okay, Anna, whatever makes you happy."
Ethan grew even more frustrated. "Even you understand reason, why can't Autumn James?!"
He scoffed coldly. "Fine, let her suffer a little. Then she'll realize we were only looking out for her."
Thinking about Autumn transferring to Science A Class made Anna feel uneasy.
"But… Autumn, how did she get into A Class? I understand switching to Science, but A Class… not just anyone can get in."
"What if she goes and gets kicked out? That'd be so embarrassing." Anna frowned as she worried about Autumn James, though secretly she mocked her. She couldn't imagine how Autumn had managed to get in—it couldn't just be skill, right?
Ethan's anger subsided a little.
He sneered, "How else? She's the daughter of a school director—the young lady of the James family. That's how she got in."
Anna patted her chest, relieved. "Oh, that's why. Then she definitely won't get kicked out!"
Autumn James… the school director's daughter, her status comes in handy. One day, I'll make sure even that is gone!
Daniel chuckled softly, his voice warm and magnetic. "Not necessarily. Their homeroom teacher is the same one who taught us physics—an old man who only cares about scores."
"If her grades aren't good, he might actually kick her out."
Anna's eyes widened in horror. "Then Autumn better work hard! Getting kicked out would be disastrous!"
The two brothers laughed at Anna's cute panic.
Only someone this lively could be Ethan's little sister. Autumn James, with her usual stern face, seemed to make everyone feel indebted to her.
But Ethan forgot—Autumn used to smile, used to be sweet.
It was their repeated blows and constant ridicule that gradually made her insecure.
Science A Class, 11th Grade
Summer Lin excitedly led Autumn James by the hand into the classroom.
She stood on the podium.
"Everyone, quiet down! Look at the treasure I brought for you!!"
"Hehe, a new classmate!! Aren't you excited?!!"
Science classes didn't have many girls. Summer was popular not only because she scored well but also because of her cute, obedient-looking appearance.
This level of girl was already impressive in Science Class.
Autumn James, with her delicate features, immediately drew everyone's attention, stunning anyone who looked at her.
So as soon as she entered, many eyes glued to her.
Hearing Summer introduce her, the excitement only grew.
"The new student doesn't have a seat yet, sit next to me! There's an empty seat!" said a tall, kind-looking boy with a buzz cut.
His deskmate, a slightly chubby boy wearing glasses, was not pleased.
"What's your problem, Wang Weimin? Am I not human?!" Then he shouted at the podium, "New student can sit next to me too! I have an empty seat!"
Autumn James laughed at the two boys.
Her smile was like melting snow in the mountains, her eyes curved and captivating.
A boy in the back, wearing his school jacket casually, with slightly long bangs, paused mid-step as he was about to leave. He sat down and watched Autumn with interest.
Summer was also amused but didn't forget to let Autumn introduce herself.
After Autumn finished her introduction, Summer continued: "Everyone, quiet down. Teacher White said, let Autumn sit next to Vlad Bundy first!"
Immediately, the lively class fell silent.
Even the free-spirited student in the back glanced at the person sitting by the window in the corner.
"Did Old White say that?" someone asked in the quiet room.
Autumn James found it funny.
She had come to Science A Class with nothing, and no one doubted her identity or ability. It was just that sitting next to Vlad Bundy seemed unbelievable to everyone.
Who was Vlad Bundy, really?
The name sounded somewhat familiar—maybe someone she knew in a previous life?
Summer didn't answer the question.
She just led Autumn to a tall, skinny boy with a hunched back, hair covering his face, appearing timid and shy.
"Is this okay, Vlad?"