Capítulo 19: Chapter 19: A Test of Loyalty
Chapter 19: A Test of Loyalty
"Class monitor, please help her take down the curtains," the girl in the white dress spoke, her voice soft yet firm, carrying the authority to still the room. Her skin was as pale and delicate as polished jade, and her long, jet-black hair cascaded smoothly over her shoulders. Her eyes, dark and serene, were focused intently on the sheet music in front of her, fingers idly tracing the edge of the page.
It was Elena Rivers! A hushed murmur of surprise rippled through the class. Elena Rivers was known for her reticence, rarely involving herself in others' affairs, seemingly indifferent to everything around her. Yet today, she had openly stepped in to help a girl who had only transferred a month ago. What kind of magic did Lydia Moore possess?
Though Ava Blue was deeply unhappy about this turn of events, she bit her tongue, forced to swallow her anger now that Elena Rivers had intervened. The other students, sensing Ava's growing frustration, wisely returned to their desks, though secretly they were pleased to see the usually arrogant Ava Blue finally taken down a peg by the ever-calm Elena Rivers.
"Thank you," Lydia Moore turned to Elena Rivers with a grateful smile. Though Elena merely glanced at her with a brief flutter of her lashes, Lydia could tell that she was finally starting to accept her, beginning to see her as a friend. Otherwise, she wouldn't have stepped in to help just now. This realization lifted Lydia's spirits; it confirmed that by being kind and sincere, she could indeed foster the most precious of friendships.
Sunlight poured over the delicate glass flowerpot by Lydia's hand, illuminating the small, fragrant flowers within that exuded the scent of the ocean's deep blue waters—pure, bright, and untainted. It seemed to symbolize the blossoming of an unblemished and innocent friendship, bathed in the bright light of summer, calm and serene.
Morning sunlight streamed through the gaps in the tree branches and thin clouds, bathing the campus in golden light. By seven or eight in the morning, the sun was already a blazing red orb, making everything around it shimmer. The teaching buildings, the lake, and the ground below were all bathed in a brilliant white glow. On the rooftop of the seven-story multimedia building, the chiffon curtains, embroidered with light pink lilacs, swayed gently in the breeze, gathering sunlight as they fluttered.
Lydia Moore had spent nearly two hours the previous night meticulously washing the curtains clean. Now, she draped them carefully over the railing to dry, ensuring they were wrinkle-free. She wiped the sweat from her forehead with a tissue and let out a sigh of relief. Though the occasional breeze swept across the rooftop, the heat of the sun still made her sweat profusely. But looking at the pure, beautiful lilacs that now seemed to bloom anew under her care, and inhaling the light scent of soap mingled with mint, she felt that all her effort was worth it.
"What a beautiful summer," she whispered to herself. Perhaps she was a natural optimist, finding joy in the smallest things. Just a few simple acts or moments were enough to make her happy.
As the pale curtains fluttered in the breeze, a tall figure became visible through the gaps. He stood leaning against the wall, his eyes dark and brooding as he watched the girl with the green bucket, frowning in concentration. Impatiently, he crooked his finger at her, a slight smirk playing on his handsome lips.
Leaning against the opposite wall, hidden in the shadows, chewing gum, and with a diamond earring that sparkled a bright blue in his left ear—was that Aaron King? Lydia Moore's eyes widened in surprise. She thought the strong sunlight must be playing tricks on her, and she rubbed her eyes, hoping he would disappear. But when she looked again, he was still there, standing confidently and arrogantly, beckoning her over with a dismissive wave of his hand.
Lydia Moore's heart sank. She wished this was all just a mirage. She didn't want to know why he was suddenly there, but she couldn't help worrying that if someone else saw this, rumors would start spreading like wildfire. And when they did, the consequences would be disastrous. She had no desire to be associated with the school's most notorious "prince," Aaron King.
"Come here!" Aaron King barked, his voice tinged with frustration, as he grew more irritated with the sweltering heat and Lydia's refusal to move. Was she an idiot or just plain stupid? Standing there smiling under the hot sun as if she didn't have a care in the world. If it weren't for her, he wouldn't have to be here in this suffocating heat, where even breathing felt like an effort. He was beginning to regret his decision.
Reluctantly, Lydia Moore trudged over to him at a snail's pace. She tilted her head back to look up at Aaron King, who towered over her at what she estimated to be 184 centimeters. Her smile faltered slightly. "Are you here to see me? Is there something you need?" From the way things looked, it seemed like he was indeed there for her.
But this only made her more puzzled. They had only met a few times, and Aaron King, known for his high standards and constant entourage of beautiful women, was now seeking her out? Was there something he wanted from her? Or had he, after seeing so many tall, glamorous women, suddenly found the charm of a natural, unadorned girl like her appealing and unwittingly fallen for her, wanting her to be his girlfriend?
This absurd thought made Lydia Moore laugh quietly to herself. Had her time at Sakura made her start daydreaming like Ava Blue and Judy, filling her head with unrealistic fantasies? Still, the feeling was oddly special, and not entirely unpleasant.
Aaron King couldn't understand why she was standing there grinning like an idiot. He flicked her on the head with his finger, snapping her out of her thoughts. Then, glaring coldly at her, he said in a low voice, "Teach me how to bake a cake." The words came out of nowhere, his tone a bizarre mixture of demand and command, as if he were the master of the house, and Lydia Moore had no choice but to obey. He was certain she wouldn't refuse—after all, no one had ever turned him down before, and he didn't expect her to start now.
Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder