“So, this is your school? It’s actually pretty nice.” Joyce didn’t even mention how small it was.
Aveline had been to Joyce’s school before, and the difference between the two was like night and day.
Perhaps the distinct architectural style intrigued Joyce, for her curious gaze carried no hint of disdain.
Then Joyce’s excitement took over. “Wow, this is Aveline’s teaching building! A blue building, how interesting.”
“Wow, this is Aveline’s hallway.”
“Wow, Aveline’s desk!”
Aveline’s face darkened. “You don’t need to ‘wow’ at the desk.”
“But it’s different from ours! Let me help you tidy it,” Joyce said with enthusiasm.
“Wow, this is a Clothville textbook!”
“If you ‘wow’ one more time, I might just pack a few extra workbooks for you to take back to New York.”
“Aveline, how could you treat your adorable little sister so cruelly?”
The classroom was empty except for the two of them. Aveline, as always, indulged in playful banter with Joyce, her lips curling into a rare smile. Being with Joyce made her happiest.
“Aveline, you guys still use chalk here? Let me draw a big pig head for you.” Joyce’s school mostly used multimedia and oil-based pens, so chalk was a novelty to her.
Joyce grabbed a piece of chalk and effortlessly sketched a pig’s head on the blackboard with her excellent drawing skills.
“You little troublemaker! Wipe it off!”
“No way! Aveline is a big pig head. La la la…” Joyce darted around like a mischievous monkey, while Aveline rubbed her temples, regretting asking her for help in the first place.
When the other students returned, they saw Aveline chasing Joyce down the hallway with a chalk eraser.
“Haha, Aveline, you can’t catch me! Come on, try!”
“If my ankle weren’t sore today, I’d teach you a lesson! You’re asking for it again, aren’t you?”
This lively side of Aveline was something her classmates had never seen before. They were stunned.
Aveline had always been beautiful, but there was a lack of liveliness about her-like a goddess standing aloof, untouched by the mundane world.
But here, the sisterly duo was mesmerizing. One cold and composed, the other warm and vibrant-they complemented each other perfectly.
Liora’s gaze fell on Joyce, the girl with dimples when she smiled. This had to be the sister Aveline once mentioned.
Aveline never displayed such expressions around others, which showed how much she genuinely cared for this little sister.
Liora also had dimples, and Aveline once commented on how similar she and her sister looked.
If only she hadn’t treated Aveline so poorly back then. Perhaps they’d still be friends. But Liora knew she had been the one to ruin their friendship.
When the rest of the students returned, Aveline’s demeanor shifted back to her usual coldness. “Joyce, stop messing around. Clean up your things, and let’s go.”
Seeing Aveline’s serious face, Joyce didn’t dare to argue. “Alright, alright.”
The desk was quickly tidied, and someone else would handle the transfer paperwork later.
Aveline had spent over two months in this classroom, but she held no deep attachment to it. She’d only ever made one genuine friend here, and even that person was now erased from her heart.
“Aveline, you’re leaving?”
“We’ll miss you so much! Come back and visit us often, okay?”
The speakers were the very same people who had gossiped about her before. Now that they knew Aveline’s true identity, they were eager to curry favor.
Aveline ignored them entirely. Their fake kindness wasn’t worth her time.
Even the boys in the class, who had approached her with ulterior motives, seemed more genuine than these girls.
Joyce, however, was her usual self, effortlessly charming. “My sister’s always been this cold. Don’t take it personally.”
“Are you two twins? You don’t look alike at all,” someone asked boldly.
“Of course not! I look like Mommy, and she takes after Daddy. That way they both get fair representation!”
Joyce’s easygoing personality quickly won everyone over. In fact, Joyce had just as many admirers back in New York as Aveline did.
“Aveline, I need to talk to you,” a voice said suddenly.
Amidst the clamor surrounding Joyce, Liora quietly approached Aveline.
Aveline regarded her coolly, unsure of what she wanted. “Go ahead.”
“Aveline, I’m sorry. I failed our friendship. I owe you an apology.”
Aveline couldn’t tell if Liora’s apology was sincere or if it was prompted by fear of retribution now that she knew Aveline’s background.
“It’s all in the past. You’ve suffered more than enough.” Aveline’s tone was icy.
“My cousin’s behavior had nothing to do with me. I didn’t know she’d treat you that way. If I had, I would’ve stopped her,” Liora stammered nervously.
So it was just about avoiding blame. Friendship? From start to finish, Aveline had been the only one treating her as a friend.
Aveline picked up her books. “I don’t blame you.” With that, she walked away without a second glance. For those who weren’t sincere, she wouldn’t waste her time.
“Aveline…” Liora’s heart ached with an inexplicable sadness. She felt as though she had truly wronged her.
“Let’s go, Joyce.” Aveline approached her sister, who was now surrounded by her new “friends.”
Joyce waved cheerfully. “Goodbye, everyone! See you again someday!”
“Miss Joyce, can I have your number?”
Joyce smiled playfully. “Next time we meet, I’ll give it to you.”
Her smile was enough to captivate nearly every boy in the classroom. They wouldn’t have the chance to meet her again, but her response left them hopeful.
Aveline admired her sister’s way with people. Joyce was like the eye of a storm, naturally drawing everyone in.
As they left the classroom, Aveline sighed. “I feel like you’re the one who went to school here, and I’m just the one tagging along to grab books.”
In just a few minutes, Joyce had charmed everyone. That kind of talent was beyond Aveline.
“That’s because you’re too cold, Aveline! If you smiled more, I guarantee the whole school would want to be your friend.”
“Forget it. I’m used to being alone. I don’t need friends.”
She’d tried making friends before, but it always ended in disappointment.
“Aveline, you can’t let one failure make you give up on people. Some of them seemed nice.”
“Seemed nice. Don’t assume everyone in the world is kind.” Aveline was wary of everyone. Her sister’s complete lack of caution, on the other hand, could be just as dangerous.
As the two sisters chatted, a voice interrupted them.
“Aveline, I need to talk to you.”
It was Dorian, who had been pursuing her for over two months.
Joyce immediately grinned, her expression full of mischief. “I’ll go over there and keep an eye out for Orion, just in case.”