Chapter 3: Lunch

Jade’s POV

After the morning class, it was finally time for lunch.

Kroook. Oh, I’m feeling so hungry. Studying is tiring to the body and mind. After all, studying is really not my field of expertise, both in this world and in my world. 

I realized that I am in a different world, and that is why I am unfamiliar with everybody around me. What I loved about this body is that she’s naturally intelligent. I don’t even need to look at the questions and think of the answer. Although I am now in this body, my hands moved on its own as if it had its own mind. That is to say, I don’t need to review for tests and I still can pass them with flying colors. 

I stretched my neck and arms, feeling the stiffness that had set in from sitting for half a day. 

“You haven’t eaten the food Aunt told me to give you.” 

I forgot that someone was beside me. Then that means, I won’t be eating with the other students in the cafeteria. Ah, the peace that money brings!

All the other students inside went to the cafeteria and only the two of us were here. I don’t have any complaints about that. What more, he’s a gorgeous guy. 

“Thank you! But where is yours?” 

Ah, right. I should act more reserved from now on. Jade, you are now a daughter of a wealthy family, so avoid acting like a ruffian, okay? 

After internally scolding myself, I cleared my throat and tried to sound more formal. The original owner of this body probably doesn't act the way I am acting right now. 

“What about yours?” 

I was surprised how my voice sounded detached, as if I used to be that kind of person. But I didn’t show it on my face. I noticed how he was slightly taken aback as he looked at me with raised eyebrows. It was only for a moment as he turned his back to me and pulled out his own lunchbox from his bag. 

I had no idea that rich people also bring their own lunchbox sometimes. I had the impression that they were the type of people who would take out their phones and call someone to bring them food with the best quality. I thought that only not-so-rich people bring their own food. 

As I opened my lunchbox, it wasn’t like any ordinary lunchbox at all. It was only called that but in reality, it looked like my mother ordered a dish from an expensive restaurant and packed it in another container. 

Just look at this fresh lettuce – it looks really healthy to eat. Even the aroma of the soup inside the cup is enough to entice my appetite. This looks like a full course meal and not a simple lunchbox. 

“Let’s dig in.”

“Okay.” 

Man of few words. I think my energy will be wasted if I try to talk with this guy about trivial things. Just think of it: I tell him about almost anything and then he will nod his head and that’s all. Ah, how I missed talking with a few friends in school while we laughed so hard. 

I ignored him and focused on eating instead. Only the sound of the utensils against the lunchbox echoed in the room. 

While we were busily eating our food, I heard someone enter the room. I raised my head and immediately saw Rosine smiling at me. I furrowed my eyebrows. 

‘What are you on again?’ 

She trotted towards us with her tray of food in her hands. It looks like she plans on eating with us. Just when I thought I could eat peacefully. 

What is with this girl? I keep feeling that she is trying so hard to become either my or Jean’s acquaintance. Really? Earlier, she accused me of pushing her on the floor. So now, what is she planning to do? Accuse me of poisoning her food? Haha. 

No matter how much I look at her, I could feel deep inside that I am very familiar with her. I just couldn’t remember where, when and how I met her. 

“Hi Jean, hi Heather. Can I eat with the two of you?” 

“Oh… sure.” 

Although reluctant, I allowed her to eat with us. Jean doesn’t mind either – or maybe, he doesn’t care at all. He didn’t even look at her even once and just kept on eating. It was a little awkward. 

Rosine moved the table in front so it was facing us, then placed her food tray on it. After she sat down on the chair facing us, she was also at a loss at what to talk about. 

'This is why it's hard to befriend those out of your league.'

Silence descended upon the three of us and no one talked for the duration we ate our lunch. Since we were the only ones here, the silence was rather awkward. 

The more I looked at Rosine, the more I felt the urge that I knew her all too well. I started to scrutinize her from head to toe. I didn’t have time to do that earlier as I was too preoccupied by the fact that she tried to blame me for falling down herself. 

When my classmates were talking, I overheard that Rosine came from a poor family that couldn’t even afford to buy their own house. Even so, her skin was fair and white like a young lady. Her hands were smooth rather than rough and dull. Looking at her face, it was void of any freckles and pimples. Her eyes were two black orbs, complementing her white skin. 

Under her long blonde hair, I noticed her necklace with a purple swan pendant. It looks like the Swarovski swan necklace I saw in a drama once, only it was purple. It really suits her. 

My gaze was fixed on her necklace and I couldn’t seem to turn away from it. It was that kind of feeling where I was drawn to something and it keeps pulling me in like a magnet. 

“Heather. Heather? Heather!” 

“... Huh?”

I heard Jean yelling my name, loud in my ears. I turned my heat at him, pulling me out from staring at the blank space in front of me. I looked again in front just to find that Rosine was nowhere to be found. 

‘Where did she go?’ 

As if noticing my confusion, Jean spoke beside me. 

“I told her to get lost.” 

“.. What?” 

“I said, I told her to go away. Didn’t you hear it?” 

“Oh….” 

Maybe, no. I seemed to spaced out at that moment. What just happened? I was staring at the purple pendant of her necklace and everything seemed to have blurred around me. This is so strange. 

I recalled what had happened from the very beginning of this day. First, I realized that I had been transmigrated into this world. Next, I woke up in a very different body, just like any transmigration stories. And then, I went to the school with this hottie sitting beside me. Lastly, their names and mine were weirdly stuck in my mind. 

I know it was crazy to say that I transmigrated into this word and that this happened. But what if…? 

I stared at Jean, right straight into his eyes. He had straight, chestnut hair and a decently pointed nose. The most striking part of his face was his golden eyes. Even if I were to comb the whole world, I wouldn’t be able to find such a striking pair of golden eyes shining brightly in the sun. When one looks at it, it feels like you’re looking at a real piece of gold. 

At that moment, a splitting headache came over me. I held my head with my two hands and tightly closed my eyes as I bit my lips. 

"Ahhhhh! Ugh! Ack! It hurts!"

"Heather, are you alright?"

"… Ah!"

Jean looked at me worriedly and held both of my shoulders. The pain was overwhelming and it was intensifying more with each passing second. 

Just like when I was reading the book last night, darkness started to crept around me and sucked me in. But before I finally closed my eyes, I saw his golden eyes locked onto mine, dazzling in my darkening world.