Chase Rivers‘ flight arrived early. The advisor announced it in the group chat.
He seemed to have heard the rumors and
<
added:
“There will be a class meeting this afternoon
to introduce Chase Rivers.”
“We have a strict school policy.”
“We don’t tolerate bullying or exclusion.”
After the announcement, one of Noah’s friends created a group chat and added me. “Ethan, Chase Rivers is here, get ready!” “Why not confess during the class meeting?” “I heard he’s super ugly, just bear with it, hahaha.”
It was clearly a group formed to watch the drama unfold. Noah’s friends had their own circle; they’d never included me before.
This was the first time. It was all gossip and jokes.
A few hours later, Lily posted on her social
Г
media:
[Class meeting, wish me luck!]
She tagged me. Everyone who’d played the
game commented:
[Good luck!]
[Good luck!]
The post attracted many people who didn’t
know what was happening.
[What’s going on?]
[What did I miss…?]
She likely thought that with so much
attention, I couldn’t back out.
Everyone looked forward to the meeting.
Before class, someone spotted the advisor.
“The advisor is here!”
“With a guy behind him.”
“He’s wearing black, tall… and, um…”
<
One of Noah’s friends called out to me.
“Chase Rivers is here, go!”
He shouted. I flinched, looking back. Noah sat
in the back, watching me with an amused
smirk. His lips moved, seemingly saying, “You
can still back out, Ethan.”
In that moment, Lily pushed me. I stumbled
forward, crashing into the guy just entering
the room.
He wore a black coat, tall and imposing, with a scent of pine. He seemed strangely familiar.
I heard the advisor’s voice.
“This is our new student, Chase Rivers.” Chapter 2
