At that moment, Ethan had just tossed his backpack onto his seat, ready to slip out and play some pool. But before he even reached the classroom door, a sweet yet icy voice called out from behind, making him jump. A chill ran down his spine.

  Oh, if it is not our dear class prefect! To what do I owe the pleasure? Ethan turned around with a big, ingratiating smile.

  The one who had stopped him was none other than Emily Carter, the class prefect of his senior year, Class 7. Now, Ethan was usually the kind of guy who feared nothing鈥攏ot teachers, not rules. Even when the homeroom teacher lectured him, he would just let it go in one ear and out the other. But for some reason, he had a bit of a soft spot for this girl.

  Well, fear was not exactly the right word. The truth was, he had had a crush on Emily since freshman year. But he also knew they were worlds apart. Like attracts like, and Emily was always surrounded by the top students of their grade鈥攚hile Ethan? Well, calling him a struggling student was putting it nicely. Realistically, he was just another academic underachiever.

  Even though he knew they had no real connection, Ethan always treated Emily with a rare kind of politeness. If it had been anyone else talking to him like this, he would have dragged them into a corner and taught them a lesson with a swift kick.

  Ethan, it is bad enough that you are late all the time. But you have barely been in class for a minute, and you are already trying to leave? Emily said coldly, her expression unreadable.

  Miss Prefect, please do not slander me like that. I only skip class five times a week at most! And besides, I was just heading to the restroom鈥擨 swear! The excuse rolled off Ethan鈥檚 tongue effortlessly. But the second he said it, he regretted it. He had used the exact same excuse yesterday to sneak past her.

  Emily raised an eyebrow, then suddenly smirked. She saw right through him. The restroom? You sure have an overactive bladder. Yesterday morning, you said the same thing. And you were gone the whole day. I was starting to think you had fallen in and drowned.

  Uh鈥 ah, let us talk about yesterday later. First, I really need to go now! Ethan started, but he was mostly just looking for an escape. He had plans to play pool with Liam Walker from Class 8, and if the homeroom teacher showed up before he left, he would be trapped.

  Stop right there! Emily commanded. She did not particularly like slackers like Ethan, but as the class prefect, she felt it was her duty to set him straight. Ethan, we only have a few months left before the college entrance exams. Do you really think you will get into a university if you keep this up?

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  If a pig can get into university, then maybe I have a chance. Ethan sighed dramatically. College? That felt as impossible as reaching up and grabbing the moon. The only class he could somewhat understand was English; everything else鈥攑hysics, chemistry鈥攎ight as well have been a foreign language.

  Are you calling me a pig? Emily鈥檚 face darkened.

  Uh鈥攏o, no, I would never! Ethan quickly corrected himself. He realized his words could be misinterpreted. Someone as smart as Emily would definitely get into a top university. Meanwhile, he had basically just said that if she could do it, even a pig could. No wonder she was upset. Flashing an awkward smile, he added, You know I am terrible at writing. My essays are full of grammatical errors鈥攎y teacher even said my work should be classified as a foreign language!

  Emily鈥檚 expression softened a little. She knew Ethan was not completely hopeless鈥攈e was lazy, sure, and always skipping class, but deep down, he was not a bad guy. He joked around a lot, but he was not the type to be outright disrespectful.

  Ethan, I know you are just trying to ditch class. You do not need to come up with all these ridiculous excuses. Do you think I am an idiot? Emily crossed her arms. One day, your grandpa is in the hospital. The next day, your grandpa passed away. The day after that, you are attending his funeral. Then suddenly, you are celebrating his birthday? What is this, time travel? Or have you been reading too many supernatural novels?

  Ethan smirked. Emily, you know what kind of guy I am. I cannot even understand freshman-level courses, and you want me to study? Study what?

  Honestly, he did not even know why he was explaining himself to her. Maybe it was just because Emily was the one asking. As he looked at her鈥攂eautiful, smart, and stubborn鈥攁 thought crossed his mind. If only she were this persistent about something else鈥 Ethan let his imagination run wild for a moment.

  That does not mean you should give up! Three months is not a lot of time, but it is not nothing either. If you put in some effort, I am sure you could at least get into a decent college, Emily urged. Have you not heard the saying? 鈥榃ith enough determination, even an iron rod can be ground into a needle.鈥

  Ethan scoffed. Yeah? Well, an iron rod might turn into a needle, but a wooden stick? That is just going to end up as a toothpick. Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, the material just is not right.

  You鈥! Emily clenched her fists in frustration. Ethan might not be book-smart, but when it came to talking back, he was a damn genius.

  At that moment, a voice cut in. Emily, why are you even wasting your breath on him? If he wants to throw his life away, let him. Keeping him in class just disrupts the rest of us.

  Ethan turned to see Ryan Sterling, the class president, striding over with a smug look.

  Emily frowned slightly. She did not like the condescending way Ryan spoke about Ethan.

  Ethan, on the other hand, simply smirked. You know what? Ryan has got a point. Me staying in class would just bring down everyone else鈥檚 productivity. Before anyone could stop him, he turned and bolted out the door.

  Ethan! Emily bit her lip, frustrated. She shot Ryan a glare. I was trying to convince him to study. You just ruined it.

  Ryan chuckled. Emily, you are too naive. Ethan is who he is. If he wanted to study, he would have done it by now. We are not the same as him. It is better if you just ignore guys like that.

  Do not call me Emily in front of everyone, she replied, a little annoyed but not truly angry. Deep down, she did not completely disagree with Ryan. He was handsome, smart, and one of the top students鈥攁 lot of girls admired him. She did not have time to think about things like relationships, but if she did, Ryan would not be a bad choice.

  Ryan caught the subtle shift in her tone and smiled to himself. He was not particularly interested in Ethan one way or another鈥攈e just did not like seeing Emily waste so much attention on some nobody.