Anning silently took her seat beside Baizhi, and opens her book to distract herself from the noise surrounding her.
What jealousy? Baizhi is her friend and may be best at most. What else !
To start a conversation Baizhi greets her, " Morning, Anning. "
Anning replied, " Morning. "
Baizhi again asked," Ain't you excited about the trip?"
Anning again replied," Mn. "
Baizhi - in her mind - " Are you sure?"
Anning," Mn. "
Baizhi startled asked her in surprise, " What?"
Anning answered," What's with Sizi? Why was she here ?"
Baizhi stared at her, internally face palming.
This is the first sentence, she is asking me until now.
Baizhi, " Oh, I was asking her if she is ok? She is a bit low today. "
Anning, " Yeah. I have also seen her today. What does she said ?"
Baizhi narrowed her eyes first , before answering, " She is ok. Nothing of the sort. "
She again asked , " When did you saw her? "
Anning blinked and said, " In the assembly ground."
Baizhi, " Maybe it's her personal matter. ...
... sigh, let's not talk about it. You say, are you excited for the trip ?"
Anning again answered her repeated question, " Yeah, I am. "
Weren't you the one worried about her, she thought at the same time.
Baizhi opened her mouth to say something again, but professor Lin was already entering the classroom. They all stood up to greet him.
" Sit down class. " Professor Lin said from the platform while unpacking his stuff.
He soon started his lecture, gaining everyone's attention.
To be honest, most of the girl students attend his class just to see him. But he doesn't know about this.
From the last benches, some students were gossiping --- obviously about him --- but he misunderstood it as chatting and made one of these stand up.
The one to stand was a girl, who was barely able to hide her smile from appearing.
Professor Lin said, " What were you chatting about? What did I just taught in the class ?"
The girl looked at her friends for help, but they were also clueless.
Smiling, the girl said in a honeytone voice to amend for her mistake, " Sorry sir. I was wrong. "
Professor Lin's face remained impassive if not turning colder , and scolded her, " If you are in the class, then pay attention here-- "
The girl quickly interjected, proving herself, " I am paying attention to you, sir. "
Professor Lin pressed his thin lips and admonished, " Oh, so that's why you are not able to answer? ---- Stop smiling when you are made to stand up. This is a punishment not reward. Go stand outside the class. "
The girl went out the class, dejected.
After that , the class went smoothly.
Anning and Baizhi weren't meeting each other's eyes from their last conversation through the entire class duration.
Professor Lin went out the class, after giving them assignment.
All the students prepared for their next class.
Anning and Baizhi exited the class together, but the air surrounding them was somewhat stiffening.
Sizi noticed it and to make things worse , she went for them, forgetting her own misery in an obvious behaviour of schadenfraude.
She said to them innocently, " Anning, Baizhi, you both are going on the trip too, right ? Actually among my friends, only I am eligible..... so can you take care of me at that time, please?"
Baizhi said to her, smiling ," Don't worry. I will keep you company. "
Anning eyed her but said nothing, straight forwardly ignoring them and going ahead.
Sizi, thinking she had made her upset, went for her hurriedly trying to match her pace while shouting, " Ai , ai , Anning. "
Behind her, Baizhi narrowed her eyes at her and also went for the class.
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