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Carlisle paused, his gaze fixed intently on Sarah. She quickly lowered her head, visibly flustered.
“What does it have to do with me?” Carlisle shrugged, confused by her behavior. He whistled as he pushed his bike through the school gate, his indifference hanging in the air.
Sarah stood frozen in place, still processing his response. Sienna, ever observant, frowned and asked, “Sarah, don’t you think Carlisle seems different lately?”
Sarah scoffed, dismissing the change. “He’s just playing hard to get. If I ignore him for a day, he’ll come crawling back, begging for my attention!”
Her confidence was unshakable. How could Carlisle—someone who’d pursued her so persistently—suddenly give up?
Sienna, nodding sagely, added, “I knew it! You’re stunning, Sarah. How could he possibly give up so easily? He’s just switching tactics!”
Sarah smirked, walking away with her friend, her thoughts on how easily she could manipulate Carlisle into chasing her again.
Meanwhile, in the classroom, Carlisle entered to find Wanda deep in her revisions. If someone as talented as Wanda could focus so intently on her studies, he had no excuse not to do the same. With renewed determination, he returned to his seat and started memorizing vocabulary as the other students trickled in.
Sarah, glancing at Carlisle, couldn’t help but notice how diligently he was working. She felt a flicker of confusion. Was he really trying to get into Riverland University? His sudden dedication made her wonder. Yet, deep down, she remained certain: He wouldn’t stand a chance. No matter how hard he studied, the teacher would surely mock him when it came time to fill out the college applications.
Just then, the bell rang, signaling the start of class. Lucy entered, holding a mug in her hand. The class went silent, all attention on her.
“The next month is crucial for all of you. I plan to rearrange the seating to help everyone focus better,” Lucy announced. “I’ll pair those who are struggling with those who are doing well. That way, the weaker students will be able to learn from the stronger ones.”
Sean immediately slouched down in his seat, hoping Lucy wouldn’t notice him. He had planned to catch up on sleep during class, not to sit with someone who might force him to study.
“Sean, switch seats with Herman,” Lucy said, her voice stern.
Sean’s heart sank. Of course, he thought, it’s always me.
He glanced over at Herman Townsend, who sat near the center of the room. His deskmate was Abigail Stephenson, the class representative for languages. Carlisle immediately recognized Lucy’s strategy: She wanted Abigail to tutor Sean, who was struggling with language comprehension.
As Carlisle observed, he realized that the seat rearrangement was a subtle attempt to change the course of things, especially given the crucial month ahead. In his past life, this hadn’t happened—this shift in seating must have been caused by his rebirth.
“Ms. Turner, I don’t want to sit with Carlisle!” Herman protested, his voice laced with worry.
He had worked hard to improve his language scores and didn’t want to risk it all now. If he was paired with Carlisle, his efforts might be undone.
Lucy’s eyes hardened. “Would you rather sit by the podium?”
Herman quickly relented, mumbling in defeat as he reorganized his textbooks.
Sean slouched further, groaning. “My carefree days are over.”
Carlisle turned toward him. “It’s the last month. Study hard. With Abigail next to you, if you put in just a little more effort, your grades will definitely improve.”
Lucy continued rearranging the seating. “Sienna, switch seats with Quentin!”
Sienna immediately shot back, “I don’t want to sit with him.”
Her grades weren’t great, but she relied on Sarah for help. Sitting next to Quentin Blake, who was academically behind, was not part of her plan.
Quentin, a tall but rough-looking student, had an athletic build and was more known for his basketball skills than his studies. His deskmate, Timmy Leen, wasn’t any better academically.
Sienna didn’t like the idea of being paired with someone so… unrefined. Quentin’s arms were thicker than her thighs, and his sweaty smell didn’t help matters. But Lucy’s decision was final.
Lucy, ever practical, explained, “Sienna, your grades are decent except for physics, but Quentin’s strengths lie there. You two could help each other.”
Sienna shot a look of disdain at Quentin, her discomfort clear. “Ms. Turner, I don’t want to sit next to him. He’s… too much of a country bumpkin.”
Quentin, who had never been close to a pretty girl like Sienna, scratched his head awkwardly. “I… If you really don’t want to sit with me, I’ll talk to Ms. Turner after class.”
Sienna ignored him, determined to make her point clear. If I just ignore him, she’ll move him again.
The entire class period was consumed by the seat changes, with many students exchanging notes and books with their new deskmates.
Lucy was pleased with the results. Why didn’t I think of this earlier? she thought, watching her students settle into their new positions.
“Ms. Turner,” Carlisle suddenly raised his hand.
Lucy glanced at him, her eyes narrowing in disdain. “What is it, Carlisle?”
“I’d like to switch seats too,” he said, his tone earnest.
Lucy’s lips curled into a faint sneer. “Your grades are slipping in every subject. Where you sit won’t change that.”
The class erupted in laughter, and Carlisle’s shoulders slumped. Was Ms. Turner really that disappointed in him? His past behavior—focusing on distractions like the internet and his crush on Sarah—had led to his current position.
Lucy continued, her voice cold, “Look around. Who would be willing to sit next to you, aside from Sean?”
Carlisle felt a pang of embarrassment. It was true; few would volunteer to sit with someone like him.
But then, a soft voice broke the tension. “I will,” Wanda said gently.
The room fell silent. Wanda, the class monitor, was willing to sit with Carlisle? The top student and the lowest achiever—it seemed almost laughable.
Lucy looked at Wanda, stunned. “No, Wanda. You’re the only one who’s a true candidate for a prestigious university. I can’t allow him to drag you down.”
Wanda flushed red. “Carlisle has been studying hard recently. Please, give him a chance.”
The class held its breath. Could this really be happening?
Lucy hesitated, her stern demeanor softening just a little. “Fine. I’ll let you sit with him for three days. But if there’s even a hint that he’s holding you back, I’ll move him.”
Wanda nodded, and Carlisle, smiling faintly, moved to sit beside her, feeling the weight of the opportunity.
Wanda’s heart fluttered slightly as she sat next to him. She had never been deskmates with a boy before, especially not one like Carlisle.
The class continued with the seating changes. Lily Green, who had been sitting next to Wanda, shot Carlisle an angry glare as he took her spot. “This is just for three days, remember. We’ll switch back afterward!”
Carlisle nodded with a faint smile. “We’ll see.”
The seat changes were finally complete, and Carlisle, now seated in the first row by the window, couldn’t help but feel a little surge of excitement. He’d earned this chance, and he was determined not to waste it.
Meanwhile, Sarah, still seated at the back, watched him from across the room. She felt a sudden unease. Why hadn’t Carlisle asked to sit next to her? After all, he had an opportunity. She had already planned how she would politely refuse him.
As the first class ended, Lucy didn’t dismiss the class. Instead, she walked to the office and returned with a stack of college application forms.
“In this era, we’re filling out college preferences before taking the SATs. But we’re also starting a new system in some areas, where students take the exam first, then fill out their preferences.”
The weight of the upcoming decisions hung in the air as Lucy addressed the class.
