Chapter 912 The High School Girlfriend
At exactly 5:15 pm, the dismissal bell rang throughout the school.
As soon as the first excited boy bolted out of the classroom and bounded across the playground like a wild horse, the teachers called it a day, feeling half-amused and half-exasperated. The quiet school instantly became lively and loud.
No matter the grade, the end of the school day was always the happiest moment for students.
At Capebatt High School, the buildings were separated by grade. The entire Harmony Building housed the sophomores, with twelve classes in total.
In Class 3, on the second floor, the scene was typical. Some students were packing their bags to head home, others were still taking notes, and a few were staying behind for their cleaning duties.
One exception was a girl in the fourth row and third seat from the back. She was fast asleep at her desk.
Her deskmate gave her a gentle nudge. “You fell asleep the second the teacher left. Emelie, why are you so tired? You should just go home and rest.”
In a drowsy, muffled voice, the girl replied, “I stayed up late doing homework last night… I won’t make it home. Just let me nap for ten more minutes…”
Her deskmate sighed and let her be. She grabbed her bag and left with the others.
However, outside in the hallway, a few students from other classes were peering through the windows. They pointed at Emelie while whispering among themselves.
“That’s her, the one sleeping. She’s Wesley’s girlfriend,” one student said.
“Seriously? They’re together?” the student beside him exclaimed.
The first student replied, “Of course. Why else would Wesley come to pick her up every day? Just wait for a bit, and you’ll see him.”
“I never would’ve guessed. How did they end up together?” a curious student added.
One knowledgeable student explained, “Who knows? But Wesley is in the student council, and he was in charge of welcoming the sophomores. Emelie was the representative of the sophomores, giving the speech at the ceremony, so they must’ve met there.
“Later, both
them went to that math and science competition in the neighboring city. Maybe after a few encounters, they hit it off. I mean, Emelie’s not only gorgeous but also brilliant. She even skipped a grade. Honestly, if I were Wesley, I’d like her too.”
“But aren’t their family backgrounds really different?” the curious student asked again.
“Come on, it’s way too early to talk about that. They’re not getting married yet,” the knowledgeable student replied.
“Well, now that Wesley is taken, I guess I’ll have to like William. But he’s always so cold. I really don’t want to,” one female student said.
“Oh, please! Don’t act like just because you like him, he’ll like you back. Oh my gosh, it’s William! What’s he doing here?” a student said in surprise.
They suddenly realized the very person they were gossiping about had walked right past them.
William, tall and slender, though still with a hint of youthful sharpness, already carried an air of cool indifference. His uniform a standard blue-and-white outfit looked crisp and clean. His deep, dark eyes held a calm and steady gaze.
Capebatt High was often referred to as a “wealthy school” as most students came from affluent families. The halls were full of young heirs and heiresses. There was a smaller group, like Emelie, that were there on merit.
Yet, even in this miniature version of high society, William stood above the rest. With a backpack on his shoulder, he walked by expressionlessly.
No one knew why he had wandered all the way from his building, which housed the seniors, to Harmony Building, which housed the sophomores. After all, no one dared to ask.
As he passed by the window of Class 3, his eyes flicked over, perhaps deliberately, perhaps not.
A girl was curled up on her desk, fast asleep. Her face was tucked into the crook of her arm. Only a small part of her face was visible, but even that was enough to showcase her beauty.
Her skin was as fair as moonlight. Even from afar, one could imagine the delicate fragrance that seemed to surround her.
Her face was flawless, untouched by the blemishes typical of adolescence. She had small ears and long, brown hair. She was feeling warm, so a fine layer of sweat had gathered on her forehead, making her look both endearing and fragile.
It was already autumn, the temperature hovering around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The school’s air conditioning had long since been turned off.
William lifted his gaze, briefly eyeing the large ceiling fan above.
In her sleepy haze, Emelie felt a soft, soothing breeze. She lazily cracked her eyes open, spotting the classroom fan spinning. Her eyelids fluttered once more before drifting shut again.
She was utterly exhausted and had slept for more than ten minutes. She had no idea when Wesley had arrived. Wesley bent down and leaned closer to her face. He was so near that he could see the soft, fine hairs on her cheeks. However, Emelie showed no sign of waking. small smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, but he didn’t wake her.
He took the seat front of hers and swiveled the chair to face her. Then, he casually picked up one of her books. The faint rustle of pages caused Emelie’s eyelashes to twitch.
Wesley noticed and spoke softly. “If you’re tired, just keep sleeping. When you wake up, I’ll take you home.”
“Mhm…” Emelie murmured before going back to sleep again.
Wesley observed the faint dark circles under her eyes, and his brow furrowed slightly.
Emelie had always been an exceptional student. Back when grade skipping was allowed, she went from eighth grade to being a sophomore after passing the exams.
However, once she advanced, the academic pressure of high school hit her hard. She also had dance classes and was frequently being selected for state competitions, leaving her constantly short on time. Early mornings and late nights became routine, leaving her perpetually sleep-deprived.
By the time Emelie finally stirred awake, the world outside had already grown dark. Only the fluorescent lights in the classroom illuminated the space.
She lifted her head and saw Wesley sitting across from her.
With a soft groan, she slumped back down, resting her chin on her arms. Her youthful features still hadn’t fully matured, so her face was chubby and her lips pouted ever so slightly.
“Always so sleepy,” he muttered as he set the book aside. A large window beside them allowed the last glimmers of twilight to spill in, casting a soft glow on his handsome face.
In Capebatt High School, two figures stood above the rest-Wesley and William. Their similar family backgrounds, striking looks, and commanding presence made them school legends. Both were known for their cool, distant personas.
But at that moment, Wesley wasn’t being distant. Whenever he spoke to Emelie, his voice softened.
“I told you to nap for half an hour after lunch at my place, but you didn’t,” he said.
Wesley’s father, Norman, was one of the school’s board members. He had donated enough money for the school to construct a building. Thus, Wesley having his own room for naps wasn’t exactly considered a privilege.
They ate lunch together in the school cafeteria every day.
“I napped at my desk,” Emelie mumbled.
“Napping at your desk doesn’t count. It just makes you more tired.” Wesley reached out, gently squeezing her
shoulder.
Emelie winced from the soreness.
Wesley gave her a look that clearly said, “Told you so.”
Then, he added, “And your shoulders and neck will get sore too.”
He made up his mind and said, “Tomorrow, go to my room. There are clean sheets in the cabinet. You can set up
the bed yourself.”
“I’d rather not. What if someone sees me? It’d be embarrassing,” she said.
Wesley paused to think. “Then I’ll rent a place for you outside the school. You can go there during lunch.”
“No, no,” Emelie groaned, growing exasperated.
She lightly kicked his spotless trousers under the desk. “Wesley, stop talking about already. You’re being so
naggy.”
Wesley was amused. “Yesterday, you said that I wasn’t paying enough attention to you, not even noticing your haircut. And now I’m being naggy? Eme, I think you’re being a little unreasonable.”
At this stage, Emelie hadn’t yet developed the calm, collected demeanor that she’d later be known for. Around
those she was close to, she still acted a little like a spoiled girl.
“So what if I am?” she said.