Queen of the Campus

18

The situation escalated rapidly. The other girls immediately started criticizing me, and some even started calling for the boys from their class. Realizing I was about to get beaten up again, I turned and ran.

"You hit someone and try to run away? Guys, after her!" They were about to chase after me when thankfully the PE teacher stopped them. I was about to retaliate—this unwarranted trouble was infuriating—when, turning around casually, I saw that pretty girl from the crooked path wiping away tears.

Oh no, oh no, I've offended the whole class! Look how popular that girl is, she's practically the class's national treasure! And yes, if I didn't have so many worries, seeing such a cute girl would definitely be a joy! That's the difference between boys and girls.

In the same class, if a girl is bullied, all the boys will be indignant. If it's a boy, sorry, I didn't see it.

But I still feel ashamed. After all, this girl is just an innocent little girl, and I took my anger out on her for no reason.

If I see her again, I must apologize.

I guess I won't see her again, right?

I didn't skip evening study hall anymore. Mainly because the dorms are closed during class, and if I secretly stayed there and got caught by the dorm supervisor, I'd be publicly criticized – it wasn't worth it. Besides, the teachers don't go to study hall anyway; they're just killing time.

I walked into the classroom and noticed the previously noisy environment suddenly became quiet. Some classmates were even giving me mocking looks. Okay, I knew it again; I'd become the laughingstock. Let them laugh, it won't hurt me. What angered me was that my seat was taken by a boy. Needless to say, he must have a crush on Molly. In middle or high school, boys were generally popular for a few reasons: handsome, good at sports, good at studying, humorous, or good at fighting. But the standard for girls was highly uniform: beauty. The prettier the girl, the more popular she was. So, no matter how handsome a boy was, the girls who liked him would be divided. But it's different with beautiful girls; even if there's no romantic relationship, they're pleasing to the eye, aren't they? So we don't need to look down on guys who follow girls around all day. If you met a girl you liked, you'd do the same.

But taking my seat is a bit much, isn't it? It really feels like he's cheating on me. Of course, Molly isn't my girlfriend, it's just an example. I slowly walked over, watching the two chatting and laughing, and I couldn't describe how I felt. She had an icy expression when she was with me, but she was so happy with others. I suddenly felt bored, abruptly turned around, and walked towards the boy's seat. Such a perfect couple, I'd better not bother them.

Molly seemed to notice the sudden silence in the class. She looked up and our eyes met. I forced a nonchalant smile, but I knew it looked really bad because the bruise on my face hadn't faded yet.

Coincidentally, the boy's seat was right in front of Tyler and behind Sophie, but I didn't feel awkward at all. What was there to be awkward about? We weren't even that close.

I don't usually touch other people's things, but throwing Molly's textbook away this afternoon was an accident. What was I doing? I was just about to borrow some paper and a pen when I noticed Sophie suddenly saying something to the boy next to me, and then that boy went to Sophie's seat. For the first time, Sophie and I were deskmates. I could feel the surprise of the whole class; I could even imagine Tyler behind me fuming!

But I didn't want to talk to her anymore. It wasn't being coy; I genuinely didn't want to. Now I finally understand that besides not underestimating yourself, you also need to have self-awareness. I was just about to lie down on the desk to relieve my aches and pains when Sophie wouldn't let me. "What happened today? How did you offend Ricky and the others?"

I didn't expect Sophie to even know Ricky. Should I say she has a wide social circle, or should I say... What does it have to do with me? I simply pretended not to hear and lay down on the desk. Seeing that I didn't speak, Sophie pinched my bare arm with her small hand, though not as hard as Molly's.

"What's wrong?" I asked calmly.

Sophie paused, then said, "Why are you so petty? Can you really take a girl's words seriously?"

I sneered inwardly. Why do guys have to be so loyal, while girls can be so heartless? Screw it. "If you have something to say, say it. If not, go back to your seat. I don't want your chivalrous friend to get someone to teach me a lesson again."

Sophie's face paled slightly. She probably hadn't expected my cold attitude. If it were Molly, she would have been furious, but Sophie quickly regained her composure. "I'm just concerned about you. I don't want you to get hurt. I really treat you like a younger brother."

Fine, I didn't want to be petty. "It's okay, it's none of your business."

"But Ricky and his g**g are people you can't afford to mess with. Should I talk to them?"

"They're the ones who hit me, I don't even know them." Besides, even though I'm weak now, I'm not planning to just let it go. Call me petty, call me not manly, why should I back down when someone provokes me?

I really can't do that right now.

"Who have you offended lately? Let me analyze it for you." It seems Sophie isn't planning to study this class. Actually, she spends her self-study time reading extracurricular books. Sometimes you have to admit, there are people in this world who are not only beautiful, but also rich and incredibly smart. While your parents are praising your good grades, their parents might be laughing their heads off! Our children are miles ahead of you, so don't brag about it.