"Alright, everyone," Ms. Clayborne called as she closed the classroom door. "Back to your seats. We have a lot to go over today."
The students shuffled to their desks. Matthew slid into his seat beside the window, still watching Lenox as the others whispered around him.
"Since today's Friday," Ms. Clayborne continued, "I'll be giving you an outline for next week's third-quarter exams."
Matthew blinked. "Wait, it's the third quarter already?" he mumbled to himself.
She wrote the dates on the board. "Exams will be next week. Four subjects each, as usual. You need to pass all four to move on to the next quarter."
Matthew stared blankly at the whiteboard. "Right. Third quarter in February. Fourth quarter's in April. Then graduation's in May…" he trailed off, tapping his pen against the desk. "That means if I fail now, I'm doomed." His grades were not bad, but they weren't good either.
Matthew's focus in the past was just chasing Catherine around and helping Lenox accomplish whatever it was that he needed. He never cared about school, as he could practically still inherit his father's company even if his grades were low—or at least that's what he thought about in the past.
He was foolish, he thought inwardly.
Ms. Clayborne turned to the class again. "Also, for those of you who haven't started your college applications, you need to start now. I'll be available during lunch hours and after class if you want someone to review your applications. You can also speak to Mr. Grant in the counseling office."
Matthew sank lower in his seat.
"I'll even host a session next Monday," she added. "Bring your personal essays if you've started. If not, bring a draft of your top choices."
She scanned the room, her eyes landing on Matthew. "Matthew."
He straightened immediately. "Yes?"
"What's your first choice of university?"
He froze. His brain blanked for a second. He remembered clearly—back then, Lenox went to Harben University. One of the top three universities in the world. Basically, it's Harvard-level, just with a more ridiculous entrance requirement. Harben was his choice too... back then.
He mumbled, "Uh..."
"He wants to go to Harben," May blurted from the front row.
Ms. Clayborne raised a brow. "Harben?"
Matthew glanced sideways. Of course, May would say it—this wasn't exactly a secret, as everyone knew how Matthew wanted to go there because of Catherine. Harben was Catherine's first choice, too. He clenched his jaw. Inwardly, he muttered, "Of course I wanted to go to Harben. But I didn't qualify last time. Grades weren't enough."
However, Matthew was still able to get in because of his father's connections.
Then he looked at Catherine briefly. She also got into Harben in the past. But not because she was some genius. No. Matthew pulled strings behind the scenes. His family's company offered a scholarship, and he made sure her name was selected. Naturally, Catherine didn't know. She thought it was all because of her 'talent.'
Ms. Clayborne tapped her pen on her desk. "Matthew? Is that correct?"
Before he could answer, someone from the back spoke up. "He's dreaming again."
A few students snickered.
"Matthew going to Harben?" a guy added. "Come on. His grades aren't even close to Cathy's or Lenox's."
More laughter followed. Someone fake-coughed the word "delusional."
Matthew didn't respond. He looked down at his notebook. His fingers gripped the pen harder.
Lenox glanced at him but said nothing.
Catherine crossed her arms and stayed silent, too.
Matthew muttered under his breath, "This feels… too familiar."
He had nearly forgotten how everyone at this school used to mock him—how they laughed at the way he trailed after Catherine like a lost puppy. To them, he was nothing more than a pathetic, love-drunk fool.
"Well, Harben has the hardest entrance requirements," Ms. Clayborne said, adjusting her glasses. "You need a perfect GPA, strong extracurriculars, and a good business proposal. It's strictly a business school. They don't take just good students. They want visionaries."
Matthew nodded slowly. That was fine. This time around, he wasn't planning to go there, anyway.
Ms. Clayborne continued, "If you do decide to apply and need help with your proposal, you should speak to Dr. Muni. He's a specialist in business planning and strategy and of course, research. He's helped students get into top programs before."
Matthew's pen paused mid-scribble. That name—Dr. Muni.
He looked down at the page, not really seeing the lines. That name brought up too many things.
In his past life, he was the one who asked his father to introduce Lenox to Dr. Muni. A highly respected, no-nonsense professor from Lindberg University. He had a reputation for being strict and brilliant. Ruthless when necessary.
It was Dr. Muni who ended up dragging Lenox into the black market. It was he who introduced Lenox to half of the people that made his business empire take off.
Matthew mumbled to himself, "This can't happen again."
He gripped his pen tighter.
"Right, how about you, Lenox?" Ms. Clayborne turned to the silent boy. The teachers all knew what had happened with him and the bullies.
She regarded him with pity. After all, no one would've expected the kind, gentle Lenox to get mixed up with someone like Adam and his crowd. But there wasn't much she could say about it. After all, Lenox had only done it to protect his brother, Matthew.
"I—I think I am going to choose Harben as well."
"Well, you're at the top of the class, and if all goes well, you'll likely be the valedictorian too. Harben would be a great fit for you. You should consider reaching out to Dr. Muni as well." She then moved on, asking the others about their choices.
Hearing that, Matthew mumbled under his breath, "Of course. Top of the class." He glanced sideways.
Lenox had always been an excellent student. But wasn't that because Matthew acted as his shield in the past? He took the fall when things went wrong, smoothed out trouble before it reached Lenox, and made sure he never had to worry about anything outside academics. Matthew did everything to keep him comfortable.
Was it still going to happen this time?
He stared at the man sitting next to him.
Theodore Jones.
The boy flinched the moment Matthew's gaze landed on him.
Matthew clicked his tongue. "Stop it."
Theodore paled even more, clutching his pencil like it was going to save his life.
Matthew leaned slightly closer. "Teddy," he said, ignoring the way the boy froze at the nickname. "Do you want to study with me?"
Theodore blinked. "What?"
"You're good at memorizing useless stuff. I need that."
Theodore opened his mouth, then closed it again. "Uh…"
"Well?" Matthew pressed. "Yes or no?"
"I—uh—I guess?"
"Good." Matthew nodded, then looked back at the board like nothing happened. "Let's study together… alright?"