Chapter 9
1351 Words
The second period in the morning concludes, followed by a twenty-minute break for morning exercises.
However, due to the students' excessive stress, the school has largely discontinued morning exercises, allowing them to use this time to relax.
Phoebe, sitting in the front row, turned around and asked with concern, "Archer, why did you cry in math class yesterday? Why didn't you attend class this afternoon?"
Archer replied vaguely, "I was in a bad mood, so I wanted to do something to lift my spirits!"
"You are the class monitor and the top student in the grade. You should serve as a positive example for your classmates. This is too much," Phoebe said angrily.
She couldn't understand why he behaved like a completely different person after just one sick day.
The Archer of the past would never have acted this way. Even when in a bad mood, he would at most take a practice test to challenge his brain cells.
Phoebe, as his close friend, was feared he might become decadent and indulgent, and felt somewhat disappointed in him.
Charles guessed that Archer was likely heartbroken over family matters, and fearing that Phoebe might say something too harsh, he interjected.
"Phoebe, don't worry about it. Archer skipped school yesterday, and had agreat time. He did things I wished to do but was too afraid to attempt." Phoebe rolled her eyes at Charles and said, "He's been corrupted by you."
Charles retorted indignantly, "What does that have to do with me? He said himself that he met a girl prettier than you yesterday, and they spent the entire day together." Archer hurried to cover Charles's mouth, but it was already too late.
How dare he blurt out the truth like that with such a big mouth?
"Archer, you're not learning the things; are you really trying to date like that?" Phoebe widened her beautiful phoenix eyes and asked sharply.
"No, no, I only met her yesterday," Archer insisted repeatedly.
Most students behave well in school. Although many hold beautiful dreams of love, few have the courage to pursue them.
Phoebe, the most beautiful girl in the school, is accustomed to receiving praise from everyone. Now, upon hearing that another girl is even prettier than she is, she feels somewhat resentful.
Charles, a typical straight man, dislikes Phoebe's haughty princess-like behavior and often deliberately provokes her.
The two argue in front of Archer.
"You chauvinistic man, you are destined to remain a bachelor for life."
"Don't assume you can speak nonsense simply because you are attractive. I would prefer to remain single rather than date you."
"Charles, go to hell!"
"The fortune teller said I am tough and will not die regardless of who else may perish."
Phoebe suddenly reached out and pinched Charles's arm sharply, causing him to wince in pain.
These girls are quite unreasonable; if they cannot win an argument, they resort to violence.
Archer watched the two playfully bickering, a deep sadness swelling in his heart.
They were such lovely classmates, but in three months, he would never see them again.
The most precious friendship will forever remain at eighteen.
After they both calmed down, Archer finally spoke, "Charles, you're a boy, so be more generous. Please be more considerate of Phoebe in the future."
Charles reached out and touched his forehead, "Are you out of your mind? I argue with her every day, and you have never said anything before."
"Phoebe, I apologize on his behalf. You know this guy is always very outspoken." A trace of sadness appeared in Archer's eyes.
"Archer, I also believe you are behaving oddly. Why are you suddenly being so polite?" Phoebe regarded him with suspicion.
Her earlier words still troubled her, and she pressed on, "Do you really know a girl prettier than me?"
"Well, whether a girl is pretty or not is subjective; I can't really say," Archer said vaguely.
"My bro is handsome and earns good grades, so his girlfriends are sure to be the prettiest. I don't think you have much of a chance," Charles said, adding fuel to the fire and deliberately provoking Phoebe.
Because Archer and Phoebe were close friends, rumors about them had been spreading throughout the class.
In fact, their relationship was entirely innocent, with no feelings beyond friendship.
However, with Charles stirring things up, Phoebe felt as if she had just been dumped.
To save face, she gave a disdainful smile and said, "I don't believe your nonsense. You're obviously only interested in my appearance and pretending to be hard to get." Phoebe was very confident in her appearance; she believed there was no girl on the entire East Campus who was prettier she was.
The boys were simply trying to ignite her competitive spirit with those words—a rather childish tactic.
"Phoebe, I suggest you be more discreet. There wall always be people who are better than you!" Archer was very confident in Jocelyn's appearance.
"Archer, are you secretly in love with me? You are intentionally trying to provoke me with those words. You two are putting on a performance." Phoebe stared at the two of them with an expression that seemed to say, "I know everything."
"Must you be so narcissistic? With my looks, plenty of girls at school have a crush on me," Archer joked, playing along with her words.
"Archer, aren't you worried about taking on more than you can chew?" A mocking voice sounded from the side.
Archer looked up and saw that the speaker was Harry.
He was the vice class monitor of Class 9 and was always oppressed by Archer, the class monitor, which he deeply resented.
At the same time, he had a crush on Phoebe, but she always treated Archer differently.
Harry would consistently find a way to provoke Archer.
In the past, Archer always tolerated it for the sake of class unity, but now he no longer wanted to and deliberately retorted.
"Didn't everyone vote for class monitor based on appearances? I am the head and you are the deputy." Phoebe and Charles erupted into laughter.
Archer was certainly more handsome than Harry, but when he said it himself, it still sounded somewhat like Versailles.
Harry retorted, unconvinced, "You became class monitor just because you got good grades; you're nothing but a bookworm. In terms of overall ability, can you compare yourself to me?"
"So, you want to be class monitor?" Archer gazed into his eyes.
"If it weren't for your knack for flattering the teacher, I would have been class monitor long ago," Harry said indignantly.
"If you want to be class monitor, please apply to Mr. Tommy. I'm not taking the position," Archer said calmly.
"Are you truly willing to give it up?" Harry did not believe him at all, thinking that Archer was teasing him.
In Archer's eyes, the class monitor position that Harry so desperately desired was no better than a dead rat.
"You're auite skilled at pretending," Harry sneered.
"Harry, what business is it of yours if we speak with Archer?" Phoebe said, displeasedly.
"Phoebe, are you being so kind to Archer because you're afraid that more attractive girl might take him away?" Charles teased once more.
"Have you lost your mind? Phoebe is the school’s beauty; which girl could be more beautiful than her?" Harry laughed even more exaggeratedly than before.
Just then, a classmate returned from the restroom and called out to Archer, "There's a girl looking for you outside." Upon hearing this, Archer gazed out the window, his breath catching in his throat.
The girl outside the window wore a pristine white blouse, a deep blue pleated skirt, and spotless canvas shoes. Most striking was the blooming peach blossom nestled behind her ear.
Her smile was more beautiful than the flower itself.
Archer suddenly stood up, pushed through the crowd, and hurried out.
The classroom descended into chaos.
"Who is that girl? She is so beautiful!"
"There truly is a girl in our school who is prettier than Phoebe!"
Phoebe watched Archer's retreating figure, her face filled with deep grievance.
Men can often be insensitive.
- Writer
