Afternoon PE Class The doctor had advised Wen to avoid intense physical activities, so she had already submitted a medical exemption to the school, which meant she didn’t have to attend gym class. The September sun was still scorching, casting a warm, golden hue over the field as students ran around, their movements swift and energetic. Wen sat alone in the bleachers, her skin looking even fairer under the sunlight. She had no intention of joining the others, preferring the solitude and coolness of the metal bleachers, which offered a small relief from the heat. As she sat, her gaze wandered across the bustling field, watching her classmates practicing their routines. The laughter and shouting of students filled the air, but Wen remained detached, her attention focused on the book in

