Chapter10
1245 Words
Archer hurried into the corridor outside the classroom, taking three steps at a time. He asked, "Why are you here?" Jocelyn took a vial of medicine from behind her back. "The doctor said that this can be used to treat nosebleeds." Archer took it; it was a commonly used hemostatic d**g.
He knew, of course, that this medicine would not cure his condition.
However, he still smiled faintly. "Thank you."
"It's still early before class starts. Would you like to sit there with me?" Jocelyn indicated a flowerbed nearby.
"Of course," Archer said promptly.
The flowerbed was planted with calla lilies, hyacinths, wisteria, and other plants.
A vibrant display of colors competing for attention.
Several butterflies fluttered gracefully and lingered among the flowers.
Jocelyn smoothed her skirt and knelt beside the flowerbed.
"Did your parents enjoy the strawberry cake from yesterday?" Archer's heart clenched at the question.
He did not dare say that the delicate strawberry cake paled in comparison to Werner's enormous birthday cake.
His own experience of returning home had not been pleasant either.
A girl so naive and innocent must believe the world is full of beauty.
Therefore, he decided to fabricate a lie.
"Thank you for sharing your idea. My little brother really enjoyed the cake, eating with cream all over his face."
"Dad was also very pleased. He inquired about my studies, and upon learning that I had secured first place again, he gave me a big hug."
"Auntie prepared a large feast, continuously filled my plate with food, and praised me for being smart and sensible."
A gentle breeze carried the subtle fragrance of flowers.
Jocelyn hugged her knees, slightly lifted her head, and blinked her eyes as she listened quietly to Archer's story.
The sounds of balls being played with on the playground, noise from the school building, and birdsong in the woods all seemed to have disappeared.
The entire world consisted solely of the two of them and the abundance of flowers behind them.
The scene Archer described had appeared in his dreams countless times.
He believed he could tell it flawlessly, but his heart felt as if were being tightly gripped.
The forced smile on his lips was extremely stiff.
He had always been a good kid, so naturally, he was not good at lying.
Jocelyn suddenly said, "Archer, you are such a fool,"
"Why are you speaking to me in such a disrespectful manner?" Archer asked, clearly taken aback.
"You are not telling me the truth. Friends should always tell each other the truth," Jocelyn said, gently biting her lower lip.
"I'm sorry..." Archer apologized softly, his voice slightly hoarse.
The truth is often harsh.
He did not want to burden his friend with his sorrow.
"Archer, are you still feeling very sad?" Jocelyn asked in a soft voice.
Archer nodded and then shook his head.
"Then, after school at noon, I'll take you out for something delicious. Please wait for me here."
"Ah? Okay!" As class was about to begin, Jocelyn stood up, waved to Archer, and skipped away.
The vibrant peach blossom swayed gently in Archer's view.
In the blink of an eye, the girl vanished into the crowd.
Archer held the medicine tube in his hand, feeling its warm surface.
Back in the classroom, Charles immediately approached and asked, "Hey, who was that girl?"
Archer replied, "I told you last night that she's the girl I met under the ginkgo tree, but you didn't believe me then."
"I believe you now. It’s no surprise that you skipped class for her."
Charles deliberately raised his voice, saying, "Compared to that girl, Phoebe is truly quite ordinary."
Phoebe had been listening on their conversation.
She turned around and shot Charles a deadly glare.
She then stared intently at Archer, her emotions deeply complex.
She genuinely seemed a little jealous.
Archer was attractive, intellectually gifted, and kind.
A boy as good as this is hard to find, even with a lantern.
The school bell rang, signaling the start of Chinese class, which was taught by their teacher, Mr Tommy.
After the students stood and greeted him, he gestured for them to be seated.
"I have something to say before class begins. Archer resigned from his position as class monitor this morning, and I have approved his resignation."
The students immediately began to whispering among themselves.
"Did he really resign? No one in our class is more suitable to be class monitor than he is."
"Yes, Archer has done a great deal for everyone over the past two years."
"Speaking of which, he has always been the pride of our class."
Harry was deeply shocked; he had believed Archer's resignation was merely a joke.
It proved to be true.
Did the class monitor position he had desperately desired truly seem like a worthless piece of trash to him?
Mr. Tommy said emotionally, "Classmates, let's all applaud to thank Archer for his past contributions to the class."
Under his leadership, thunderous applause filled the classroom.
Archer glanced at the familiar faces, a wave of reluctance washing over him.
In three months, he would never see them again.
All of his classmates were kind, and he was grateful for their companionship throughout his youth.
The resignation of the class monitor and the appointment of the vice-monitor's were a natural outcome.
Harry got his wish and became class monitor, yet he was not happy at all.
He could only have what Archer did not want.
Jealousy distorted his character.
Archer had no time to pay attention to anyone else; he was focused on deciding what to eat for lunch.
School dismissed at noon and resumed at 2:30, with time allocated for lunch and a nap in between.
During this period, students were free to come and go without any curfews.
At last, noon arrived, and the bell rang to signal lunchtime.
Charles patted Archer on the shoulder and asked, "Hey, are we eating in the cafeteria again today?"
"I have something to attend to; please find someone else!" Archer leaned out of the window, looking at the flowerbed.
"What's wrong? Don't we usually have lunch together?" Charles asked, puzzled.
"I will explain later; I am leaving now." Archer quickly packed his bag and rushed out of the classroom.
Charles's eyes widened as he felt abandoned.
He was furious when he saw Archer by the flower bed, waiting for the girl with a peach blossom tucked behind her ear.
"He is utterly a heartless when it comes to matters involving girls!"
As soon as Archer saw Jocelyn, his smile widened, and he tentatively asked, "Which floor is your class on? You came down quite quickly."
"Fifth floor. I ran down because I wanted to see you," Jocelyn said, panting slightly.
A glint appeared in Archer's eyes.
Am I someone worth running to see?
“What would you like to eat? I can treat you to anything,” Archer said.
“Let’s have hot pot, there are plenty of dishes to choose from.”
When food was mentioned, Jocelyn looked as if her mouth were watering.
“Having hot pot for lunch, aren’t you worried about smelling like it afterward?”
“Eat whatever you want; there’s no need to worry so much?”
This girl is so carefree that being with her lifts your spirits considerably.
She is stunning, yet she refuses to be a silent beauty.
She walks with a bouncy step, chattering away.
Like a joyful little butterfly.
- Writer
