The students in Science Class A were clearly friendly. When Autumn James gave her somewhat "casual" answer, no one seemed bothered.
"I'll ask around next time," she added lightly, "but yeah, I think they're better at track events. I mean, they train for running every day, right?"
"In that case, I'd better avoid signing up for sprints."
"Ha! As if we could even compete with anyone who's not a sports major."
Someone tossed that out, and the whole class burst into laughter.
"So what? You've got to have confidence! What if we actually win?"
The warmth of their laughter made Autumn's lips curve unconsciously.
There had been similar discussions back in her old Liberal Arts Class A, but back then, she always pretended to read quietly instead of joining in.
"Hey, are you signing up for the twenty-person, twenty-one-legged race?" Summer Lin asked, holding the registration form that White Miller had handed her.
At the mention of a group event, everyone perked up with excitement.
"Of course! That's the fun part. Last year our class got jump rope—it was so boring."
"Same here! We got 'pass the flower while drumming,' ugh. I've always wanted to try the twenty-one-legged one!"
Summer laughed along with them, then turned to Autumn. "What about you, Autumn? Are you signing up?"
Autumn shook her head with a polite smile. "I'll pass. I've never been in a team event before—I'd probably drag everyone down."
Summer frowned. "Don't say that! The whole point of the sports festival is to have fun. Everyone's happiness matters more than winning!"
"Come on, sign up with me! Please?"
Autumn hesitated.
In her previous life, she had also wanted to join class events, thinking it would bring her closer to her classmates.
But after only a few practices, she realized something was wrong—she kept making mistakes in the most unexpected places, ruining the rhythm for everyone.
It wasn't until much later that she overheard Anna Hawthorne gossiping with someone—she had been sabotaging Autumn from behind the scenes all along.
Even though she was in a new class now, those mocking words still echoed in her mind.
Autumn opened her mouth to refuse, but Summer clasped her hand and began to act pitiful.
"Come on, go with me, please? Everyone else has their desk mate, but I'm all alone. I'll have no partner during training!"
Seeing Autumn's resolve waver, Summer immediately took the chance and wrote both of their names down on the team event sheet.
Autumn looked around the room at the kind, encouraging faces.Maybe… this time would be different.
Satisfied, Summer filled in their names and grinned widely.
Then she stood up and shouted, "Anyone else want to sign up? Team or individual events, come quick!"
Her voice drew attention—but not from someone wanting to sign up.
A student walked over and stopped in front of Autumn.
"Autumn James, someone's looking for you outside."
Autumn lifted her head, following the student's gaze toward the classroom door.
There stood a familiar figure—sharp-featured, tall, his expression cold as ever.
What was he doing here?
Ethan James stood at the doorway, his head pounding slightly. He didn't even know why he had come, but something in him insisted he had to see her—had to ask where she'd been last night.
He needed an answer.
Everyone else had also recognized him—the pride of Senior Science Class A.
But Ethan James looking for Autumn? That was unexpected.
They all turned to stare at her.
Autumn held his gaze for a moment, her expression calm and unreadable, then stood up and walked to the door.
"What do you want?"
Standing just a few feet apart, hands tucked into her pockets, Autumn looked at him evenly.
"Why didn't you come home last night? Do you have any idea I—"
Ethan's voice rose sharply but then faltered.
No, he couldn't say he'd waited for her all night. If Autumn knew that, she'd definitely get smug about it.
He was here to question her—to warn her.
"You what?" Autumn raised an eyebrow, genuinely confused.
"Nothing," he snapped. "Why didn't you come home? Anna said she saw you at Elite Pavilion last night. Who was that friend of yours with the premium membership card?"
"Seriously, Autumn, can't you have a little self-respect? You let some guy lure you away with just a stupid membership card? Have you really become that cheap?"
Ethan's tone was cutting, his words thoughtless.
In the past, Autumn would've been crushed by them.
Now, she simply let out a quiet, mocking laugh. Her eyes were icy, her voice calm. "You mean my membership card?"
Ethan froze.
A cool gust of wind brushed past, clearing his foggy head.
"I… I only took it because you weren't using it. It would've gone to waste. Lin Yan just won his match—we were throwing a small celebration. What's wrong with that?"
He deliberately mentioned Lin Yan, knowing full well what that name meant to her.
If he said it was for Lin Yan, surely she wouldn't make a fuss. After all, Lin Yan was the one she'd liked since childhood.
Autumn smiled faintly, but her eyes were sharp as glass. "Yes, there's a problem."
"Taking something without asking is stealing, no matter who it's for or what it's used for."
Then she gave him a cold, disdainful glance.
"And stealing doesn't suddenly become noble just because you have an excuse."
"You probably spent quite a bit last night, didn't you? Transfer the money to me in cash, and I'll pretend it never happened."
Ethan's breathing grew heavier. He couldn't believe the little sister he'd spoiled all his life was now arguing with him over money.
"You—!"
"Fine!" he snapped. "I'll send it to you later. I don't have my phone with me right now."
His face darkened with anger and humiliation.
Completely thrown off, he no longer remembered why he had come in the first place.
Holding his temper, he glared at her like a parent lecturing a rebellious child.
"I don't care what you were doing last night. But by six o'clock this evening, I'd better see you at home."
"A girl should at least know what self-respect means."
The words were soft, but every syllable carried cutting disdain.