Chapter 15

Each class at school lasted for 45 minutes. When the bell rang, signaling the end of the lesson, Madelyn walked to the back of the classroom. She quietly picked up Forrest's desk and put his scattered books neatly back into his drawer. Her classmates were surprised and whispered to each other in astonishment.

"No way! Madelyn, who always acts high and mighty, is actually picking up books for Forrest? Has something happened to her?"

"I can't believe my eyes! Madelyn, who never talks to anyone, is now helping Forrest? Am I seeing things?"

Someone discreetly took a photo of Madelyn's unexpected act of kindness and anonymously shared it on the school forum.

Ignoring the buzz around her, Madelyn focused on tidying Forrest's desk. 'Sure, I'm kind. Way too kind to get bothered by his temper,' she muttered to herself.

Meanwhile, in the grimy alley behind the school, Timothy and Adrian were chatting about their plans for the night. Adrian was on his phone when he noticed a hot discussion topic pop up.

[Shocker of the Century! Madelyn actually...]

Adrian clicked on the link once he saw Madelyn's name without finish reading it. A photo of Madelyn picking up books appeared.

"Holy smokes! Look, Forry, check this out! Madelyn is picking up your books again!"

Timothy couldn't believe it. "Seriously? Let me see that!"

Forrest's eyebrows raised ever so slightly as he looked at the photo Adrian shoved his way.

In the photo, Madelyn crouched on the floor with her skirt spread out. The camera captured her beautiful side view, with sunlight streaming in from the window. Her eyelashes looked soft like feathers as she gazed downward. Holding some books in one hand, she picked up another with her other hand.

Madelyn's serene vibe in the photo surprised Forrest and his friends.

...

Madelyn decided to skip the cafeteria at lunchtime. She preferred bringing her own lunch because she was picky about what she ate and didn't like the cafeteria food. Alone in the classroom, she enjoyed the caramelized pork that Rosario had made for her while trying to finish her test paper from the last exam.

An hour later, the other students returned from their lunch break, and Madelyn was still struggling with the last math problem. The noise of their chattering and footsteps grew louder as they approached the classroom. They seemed surprised by something.

"It's Forrest. He isn't coming back to settle the score with Madelyn, is he?"

"Probably. Let's go and watch. I've never liked that bitch. Can't believe she got accepted into this school."

"People like her bring nothing but trouble. Her father almost ruined my dad's life over some land issue. The Jent family always plays dirty. I wish for their downfall!"

"You better watch your mouth. The Jents are powerful in Ventropolis, and crossing them is dangerous. Don't let anger get you into trouble."

Madelyn's classmates would never talk about these things in front of Madelyn. And indeed, many of them had parents whose businesses had suffered because of the Jent family's shady dealings.

Madelyn had just begun writing a formula for the major math problem when Forrest approached her. In the next instant, he swept his hand across the desk, scattering her books to the floor. She looked up into Forrest's angry face and asked calmly, "Can I help you?"

"Who gave you permission to touch my stuff? Looking for trouble?" He sneered as he glared at Madelyn.

'So, just because I picked up his books, he's treating me this way?'

Madelyn had only done so because she had accidentally taken his seat and he had gotten upset. To make amends, she tidied up his things, thinking it would be a quiet way to apologize. However, she never expected such a hostile reaction from Forrest.

A crowd of students from both her class and the neighboring class had gathered to watch what was happening.

Madelyn turned back to her test paper, twirling her pen. She spoke, "You messed with my books too, so we're even. Plus, it's my cleaning duty today. If you don't like it, I won't touch your stuff next time."

Frustrated, Forrest shoved his hands into his pockets and kicked Madelyn's desk. "What are you up to, Madelyn? Who are you trying to impress?"

Madelyn looked puzzled by his questions and began picking up the books and packing them into her bag.

"Impress? Nobody here seems worth it. Since my good deeds annoy you, I'll stay away from you. You can have the classroom to yourself; I'll go to the library. In three weeks, there'll be another class reshuffle after the final exams. I'll do my best to stay out of your sight."

With that, Madelyn walked out of the classroom just as the bell rang for the next class. As she headed out through the back door, she ran into the English teacher coming in.

"Madelyn Jent, where are you headed during class time?"

Madelyn remained silent.

"Whoa, Forry," Timothy said, "Madelyn doesn't seem to give a damn about you."

Adrian chimed in, "It's really surprising. She's second from the bottom of the class, and she's thinking of changing classes? Why doesn't she just drop out?"

Forrest's fist slammed onto Madelyn's desk with a loud crash. 'Hmph! She should count herself lucky that she left quickly, or I might have broken my rule of not beating a woman.'