Chapter 441
Three days before the SATS, Larkridge High School dismissed all students. Aria went to the campus to pick up her sister Lily.
Sophomores and juniors got out half a day early, while the seniors were the last to leave.
When Aria arrived, she happened to run into Zoe and Silvia, who were there to pick up Nathan.
Zoe’s face instantly lit up with joy when she saw her. “Aria, you’re here too!”
Silvia greeted her with a bright smile. “Hey, Aria.”
Aria gave a slight nod and, without lingering, headed straight for Class One.
Zoe felt a pang of sadness at being treated like a stranger by Aria, but at the same time, she couldn’t help feeling a bit relieved.
‘As long as Aria is doing well now, that’s all that matters,‘ Zoe thought, a bittersweet sense of relief washing over her.
She turned to Silvia and said, “Let’s go pick up Nathan.”
82%
At that moment, in Class One’s classroom, the teacher Valerie had just finished the class meeting. She earnestly instructed, “For the next three days, complete one practice test per day. I’ll post the answer explanations in the group chat at 9 p.m. each night. Be extremely careful with your diet, minimize going out, and avoid questionable foods.”
It was their last class. The students sat quietly, eyes brimming with reluctant tears, not ready to say goodbye
Valerie felt a lump in her throat as she fanned herself with a textbook. Trying to sound cheerful, she said, “Hold it together, everyone. We’ve still got prom coming up. It’s not like you’ll never see each other again.”
The class extrovert chimed in cheerfully, “Exactly! If you ever miss the classroom vibe, no big deal–you can always just come back and repeat senior year!”
Hearing this, several classmates nearby playfully kicked him and laughed, “Don’t jinx us! Like hell any of us are repeating this year. If you want to, you’re on your own!”
The playful banter instantly lightened the mood again.
Aria found herself smiling unconsciously as she watched the carefree grins on the students‘ faces, their youthful energy proving contagious.
The parents waiting in the hallway were also caught up in the emotion. The more emotional ones discreetly wiped away tears, murmuring, “After four grueling years, it’s finally coming to an end. I just hope our kids all get the results they deserve.”
Some parents cheered. “They sure will.”
With graduation approaching, most students had cleared out their books and belongings, leaving only a few things behind.
With a final “Class dismissed” from Valerie, parents streamed into the classroom to help their children pack up.
Spotting Aria, Nathan froze mid–step-“Aria” on his lips–but she walked right past him without a glance, heading straight for Lily.
“Aria,” Lily called out–the very term Nathan had wanted to say.
Aria’s lips curved into a smile as she gently ruffled Lily’s hair, then picked up one of the stacks of books. “Let’s head home,” she said.
Lily nodded. “Yeah! Let’s go home!”
Their interaction was natural, and Aria no longer wore her usual aloof expression.
1/2
Chapter 441
Zoe’s heart clenched, tears nearly spilling over.
‘So Aria can smile after all. She isn’t heartless,’ Zoe thought to herself.
But she never smiled at them.
Given how small the classroom was, Aria spotted Zoe at once. Their eyes met–a flash of grief in Zoe’s gaze–but Aría quickly looked away and, without another glance, walked out of the classroom with Lily by her side.
Silvia gently held Zoe’s hand. “Mom…”
It wasn’t the right time. Zoe swallowed hard, fighting back her tears, and managed a gentle smile. “I’m okay, sweetheart.”
She knew there was no going back.
They and Aria would forever remain strangers.
Nathan’s eyes also stung with unshed tears, but he kept his composure. He picked up his books and said, “Let’s go.”
The day before the SATs, Lily was studying in her room when she got a message and got up to find Aria.
“Hey Aria, my deskmate’s really nervous about the test and wants to go over some questions. I’ll pop out to help her–back before dinner.”
Aria said, “Why not have her come over to our place?”
Lily hesitated, looking conflicted. “She’s too nervous and shy to come over,” she explained. “Don’t worry, Ari You can track my location, so I won’t get lost. I’ll be back before dinner.”
Aria had no choice but to agree. “Alright, stay safe.”
With Lily checking in every hour, Aria felt much more at ease.
At 5 p.m., Aria texted Lily: [Time to head home now.]
Half an hour passed, but there was still no reply from Lily.
Aria immediately called Lily, but the call wouldn’t go through.
