Miss Ashlyn Is Not Simple

At noon, the scorching sun baked the air, as if trying to evaporate everything. The stifling heat made breathing feel heavy. The leaves of a certain tree, once vibrant green two months ago, now drooped listlessly, the tail end of summer showing signs of exhaustion and struggle.

"Ashlyn, did you sleep through two chemistry classes?" Angeline Talley sat at her desk, looking up at the girl in front of her. Her brows furrowed slightly, her tone neither harsh nor overly soft.

"Yeah." Ashlyn didn't even lift her eyes.

She admitted it so casually.

Angeline felt a pang of frustration and took a closer look at Ashlyn.

The girl stood by the desk, her delicate features half-lowered, her expression calm. The light blue school uniform she wore made her appear quiet and well-behaved.

After a moment, Angeline spoke earnestly, "You're a senior now. Take responsibility for yourself. Pay attention in class."

"Yeah."

It was unclear if she was listening, but her attitude was polite.

Angeline didn't say more, only whispering, "Go back. Try to score higher on the next test."

Ashlyn glanced up, nodded casually, and slowly walked out.

In the hallway, many students stood with books in hand, heads bowed as they studied.

Ashlyn walked in through the front door of the classroom, her eyes flickering slightly.

At the back door.

"Hey, Ivy, slow down."

Ivy stopped, glaring at the girl following her, her tone domineering. "If you can't keep up, then get lost!"

"I..." The girl's face flushed red with embarrassment.

Before she could speak, Ivy shook her off and tossed a bag of trash onto a nearby table.

Ashlyn strolled by, her gaze falling on the trash bag on the table, a cold glint appearing in her eyes.

Ivy turned her head, saw Ashlyn, and gave her a disdainful glance before storming past.

"Take it away." Ashlyn's voice was calm and quiet.

As she spoke, her eyes remained fixed on the table, her expression cool and detached.

Ivy, closest to her, acted as if she hadn't heard and kept walking.

Ashlyn tilted her head slightly, glancing at Ivy Greene.

Ivy stopped in her tracks, sensing an inexplicable aura.

She turned, met Ashlyn's gaze, and suddenly felt a pang of unease.

The next moment, Ivy looked again. Ashlyn stood there quietly, her usual aloofness intact, but there was also a sense of composure. The intimidating aura from before had vanished.

"Are you talking to me?" Ivy's voice carried her usual disdain, as if she thought she'd misheard.

Ashlyn's demeanor didn't change, her expression calm.

As if hearing something amusing, Ivy laughed, pointing at Ashlyn and then herself. "Me? You want me to take it away?"

Their exchange had a tense edge, drawing the attention of the entire class.

Ivy, who always acted like she owned the place, was at it again, bullying someone.

Ashlyn's eyelids lifted slightly, a hint of interest flickering in her eyes.

The corner of her mouth twitched, a trace of mockery playing on her lips.

When Ivy saw her smiling, she flew into a rage. She sneered, "You're laughing—ah!"

Before she could finish, Ivy's neck was suddenly forced down.

Her face slammed into the table, her nose right next to the bag of trash.

The scene elicited gasps from those around.

Holy crap!

It was a good show to see!

"Ashlyn! What are you doing?" Ivy's neck hurt as she tried to push herself up from the corner of the table.

Ashlyn held her down with one hand, using only a fraction of her strength.

The corner of her mouth lifted slightly, her tone casual. "Beating you up."

Ivy was furious, flailing her arms but unable to get up.

"Let me go!"

She hadn't expected Ashlyn to actually lay a hand on her. Ashlyn, who always seemed distant and quiet, was now daring to confront her.

"Let go!" Ivy's face turned pale, but she was still pinned firmly.

The smell of fruit peels and used tissues from the trash bag wafted into her nose, nauseating and unbearable.

Ashlyn showed no reaction, casually lifting her foot and pulling over a nearby chair.

She placed one foot on it, glancing at Ivy's gritted teeth with amusement. "When you've had your fill of the smell, I'll let you go."

Around them, whispers broke out.

"Damn, Ashlyn doesn't seem like the type to... start a fight," someone muttered, bewildered.

"I... I thought so too."

"Wait, is that really Ashlyn?"

"She always seems so quiet and well-behaved."

To these people, Ashlyn's striking appearance was the only thing that stood out. Otherwise, she seemed cold and had poor grades.

Ivy had always been the bully, picking on anyone she pleased, unable to tolerate anyone challenging her authority.

Yet now, she was pinned down by Ashlyn, her face turning green.

"Ivy's getting what's coming to her!"

"Totally."

Ashlyn stood where she was, completely ignoring the chatter around her.

"Ashlyn, you'd better let me go! Don't say I didn't warn you!"

With so many people watching, Ivy felt utterly humiliated, her teeth clenched in anger.

Ashlyn remained calm, asking leisurely, "Had enough of the smell?"

"You!"

At the front door, a girl returning from the bathroom froze at the sight, her eyes wide with shock.

Was that Ashlyn, standing with one foot on the chair, dealing with Ivy?

Her deskmate?

Someone nudged her, whispering, "Jamie, is Ashlyn really like this...?"

"I... don't know," Jamie Page stammered.

Even though they were deskmates, she wasn't close to Ashlyn.

But Ashlyn always seemed so well-behaved.

A crowd had gathered, even drawing attention from other classes.

Ashlyn's arm grew tired, and she let go without haste, glancing indifferently at Ivy.

The moment she was released, Ivy didn't even think to rub her neck. Instead, her face twisted with fury as she raised her arm, aiming for Ashlyn.

Ashlyn showed no reaction, casually picking up a book and throwing it.

"Ah!"

Ivy's hand was hit by the thick book, her arm throbbing in pain.

"Get lost." Ashlyn's eyes lifted slightly, her tone indifferent.