Chapter 3

Julianne was leaning against the old tree outside the school gate, her backpack slung over one shoulder. She stood out immediately in the crowd.

The moment she spotted me, she straightened and walked over.

"Hey, Julie," I greeted.

Without hesitation, she took my backpack from me and slung it over her own shoulder, saying, "It's all taken care of."

I blinked. "Taken care of? What is?"

"Your new school." She smiled. "It's a private school. A lot better than this place."

She paused, then glanced at me with a faint smile. "The principal has been trying to recruit me for ages. I never bothered because it seemed like too much of a hassle."

Her smile faded slightly.

"But nobody gets to bully my brother."

I looked at her. The setting sun washed her face in a warm, golden glow, softening the edges of her features.

For the first time, I found myself looking forward to what came next.

Now all that was left was for Ms. Bennett to hand me my withdrawal papers herself.

On the morning of the third day, I was packing the last few books into my bag when the classroom door suddenly flew open, causing everyone to jump.

Ms. Bennett stood in the doorway for a moment before striding straight toward my desk, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.

"Adrian."

She slammed the documents in her hand onto my desk. Papers scattered across the desk as the folder slid to the floor, revealing the expulsion notice inside.

"Pack your things and get out of my classroom!"

My eyes dropped to the document in front of me.

The expulsion notice was printed in stark black ink on plain white paper, with the school's official red stamp across the bottom.

It said, "Adrian Cole, due to cheating on an examination, refusing to acknowledge your misconduct, and displaying an unacceptable attitude, the school has decided to expel you."

The classroom fell completely silent.

Someone sucked in a breath.

"Oh, my God. They actually expelled him."

"That's harsh."

"He had it coming. What good was arguing with the teacher going to do?"

Ms. Bennett swept her gaze across the room and snapped, "What are you all staring at? Get back to studying!"

Then her eyes settled on me, filled with contempt.

"What more do you have to say, Adrian? Weren't you so defiant? Didn't you refuse to write your self-criticism?"

She gave me a cold smile. "Happy now?"

I said nothing.

I'd been expecting this. I had already packed everything I needed the day before. My textbooks and notebooks were neatly stacked inside my backpack. Only one book remained on my desk now.

Apparently, my calm reaction wasn't what Ms. Bennett wanted. She frowned.

"What are you waiting for? Hurry up and leave! Don't waste everyone else's time!"

I slung my backpack over my shoulder and stood.

My chair scraped softly against the floor.

That was when I noticed someone standing in the classroom doorway. Sunlight streamed down the hallway behind her, casting her figure in a warm, golden glow.

Every head in the room turned at the same time I noticed her.

It was my sister.

Julianne walked toward us at an unhurried pace, her backpack slung over one shoulder and one hand casually tucked into her pocket.

"Oh, Julianne!" Ms. Bennett's eyes lit up immediately as she hurried over to her. "Why do you have your backpack with you? Are you heading somewhere?"

She smiled eagerly. "You should've let me know! I could've arranged everything for you."

Julianne didn't even look at her.

Her gaze swept across the room before settling directly on me.

"I'm waiting for someone."

Ms. Bennett froze. "Waiting for someone? Who? Just tell me. I'll go get them for you."

Then, with a concerned smile, she added, "You should get back to class. The college entrance exam is coming up. You can't afford to waste time."

As she spoke, she reached for Julianne's arm.

"Come on. I'll walk you back."

Julianne didn't move.

The smile on Ms. Bennett's face grew stiff. "Julianne?"

Julianne finally lowered her head and looked at Ms. Bennett.

"The person I'm waiting for is in your classroom."

Ms. Bennett's expression changed instantly. She turned and scanned the room, her eyes finally landing on me.

"You… you're waiting for Adrian?"

Julianne didn't answer. Instead, she walked into the classroom and stopped in front of me.

"Ready to go?" she asked.

I nodded.

She reached for my backpack, took it from my shoulders, and casually slung it over her own.

"Let's go."

Ms. Bennett finally understood what was happening. She stepped in front of Julianne, still struggling to believe what she was hearing.

"Julianne, what exactly are you saying?"

Julianne's expression hardened. Her voice was flat and ice-cold when she finally answered, "My brother is leaving. And so am I."