Chapter 2: Quite Arrogant

The pain in her arm and Ashlyn's words fueled Ivy's anger. She looked up, her eyes instinctively shrinking under Ashlyn's gaze, trembling inexplicably. She took a step back, her lips parting as her face twisted in frustration. Clenching her teeth, she picked up the bag of trash she had thrown and turned to leave.

"Clean it up," Ashlyn said, her posture unchanged, her tone calm but her eyes icy cold.

Ivy stopped, her fists tightening. Reluctantly, she turned back.

Ashlyn glanced at her, her delicate brows slightly raised, her expression indifferent. "One more time, and you'll be eating that trash."

That afternoon.

Math class dragged on for nearly two hours. After the teacher left the classroom, the students slumped over their desks, exhausted. Ashlyn wasn't as listless as the others, but she wasn't exactly in high spirits either. There was still one class left before school ended. She touched the phone in her pocket and glanced around the room.

Throughout the class, Jamie had been stealing glances at her, hesitating several times to speak but never actually saying anything. Ashlyn showed no reaction. She casually pulled out her phone, leaned lazily against the wall, and started playing a game.

Seeing her brazenly play her phone right under the surveillance camera, Jamie finally spoke up, hesitantly. "Uh, the camera's on."

Ashlyn's eyes remained half-lidded, focused on the game screen. After a couple of seconds, she finally realized Jamie was talking to her. Without changing her expression, she replied nonchalantly, "Got it. Thanks."

Jamie pursed her lips. She had never noticed before, but Ashlyn seemed different from usual. Quite arrogant.

After school, Ashlyn remained slumped in her seat, her eyelids drooping, looking utterly drained. She waited until most of the students had left before slowly getting up. The classroom of class 3 was on the second floor. Ashlyn took her time walking down to the first-floor stairwell.

Near the school gate, a group of people stood casually, their demeanor strikingly similar. Their tall figures and handsome features drew frequent glances from passing students. Ashlyn squinted slightly as she looked their way, then walked over without changing her expression or showing any intention of stopping.

Seeing this, Luke grabbed her arm, his tone annoyed. "You're going too far."

"What?" Ashlyn stopped, asking lazily.

"You're ignoring us, a bunch of good-looking guys standing here."

"Are you here for something?"

Luke West wasn't carrying a backpack, his uniform worn casually, an earring dangling from his ear. "Ashlyn, how can you not recognize us?" Jett chimed in, pretending to be hurt, then turned to Sam to complain. "Sam, say something to her."

Sam had been silent until now, a casual smile playing on his lips as he watched them. When he was finally mentioned, he cleared his throat and walked over to Ashlyn, raising his hand as if to make a point. "It really is heartbreaking."

Ashlyn glanced down, her expression unimpressed. "Move your hand."

"So touchy," Sam said, pulling his hand back with a hint of embarrassment. The next moment, he casually took Ashlyn's backpack from her shoulder and slung it over his own. "Let's go."

Sam led the way, and the others followed. Suddenly remembering something, Luke leaned closer to Ashlyn. "Ashlyn, I heard something happened in your class at noon."

"Yeah."

"Did someone give you trouble?"

Ashlyn thought for a moment, then replied casually, "Not really."

"The rumors are pretty wild. They're saying someone threw trash on the school belle's desk and verbally provoked her." Luke took the earring out of his ear, finding it all amusing.

Ashlyn glanced at him, her tone cool. "Call me school belle again, and see what happens."

Luke chuckled awkwardly. "It's just a joke."

"It's such a small thing, Ashlyn, but everyone knew about it in less than two hours," Luke said, exaggerating a bit.

Sam stopped walking, studying Ashlyn closely. She was beautiful—the kind of beauty that left people in awe no matter how many times they saw her. Her hair was tied up in a high ponytail, and she wore her uniform neatly, the zipper pulled all the way up. She looked quiet and well-behaved, yet there was an unmistakable air of detachment about her.

When Sam stopped, the others followed suit. Jett grinned. "Is he captivated by Ashlyn's beauty again?"

At that, even Luke burst out laughing. Ashlyn frowned slightly, giving Sam a cool glance.

Ignoring Jett's teasing, Sam stroked his chin and smiled casually. "Well, Ashlyn, there's a reason they call you the school belle. It's well-deserved. It's just that you look so innocent."

"Is that why you're staring at me so shamelessly?" Ashlyn tilted her head, glancing at Sam, who was as carefree as ever. Her tone was calm as she started walking forward.

Sam didn't mind Ashlyn's tone and followed her. Jett, overhearing their conversation, widened his eyes in disbelief and leaned toward Luke. "Ashlyn looks innocent? That face is the definition of a femme fatale."

"She seems pretty innocent, doesn't she?" Luke said offhandedly.

The next day, Ashlyn didn't go to school. She went out and didn't return until five in the afternoon. It was almost dinner time, but instead of heading home, she went to a restaurant near Vista Apartments.

It was October, and the sky was growing dark. The restaurant was packed with dinner patrons, but Ashlyn managed to snag a table as soon as she arrived.

"Hello, just one?" a female server asked politely, dressed in a formal uniform with light makeup on her face.

Ashlyn nodded slightly.

"This way, please," the server said, bowing slightly and gesturing for Ashlyn to follow.

Ashlyn was about to follow when an unfamiliar voice stopped her.

"Wait."

Ashlyn paused and turned around, her expression unchanged. The server, noticing the delay, also stopped and looked back.

The person who had spoken seemed surprised to see Ashlyn here, her expression changing slightly. "It's you?"