Chapter 31 Chapter 31
Angelina's POV
The first day back from outdoor education, I was bombarded with test notifications. My phone buzzed with reminders about midterm exam week from the school app; every class had teachers emphasizing their respective exam schedules; even during lunch, everyone was discussing "Have you started studying?"...
Just as I was scrolling through my phone checking the exam schedule, my desk mate Logan leaned over and lowered his voice:
"Hey, Aria, what are you planning to do about midterms? Our GPAs are both at rock bottom anyway—why don't we just give up?"
I knew what Logan was thinking. Since both our grades had always been at the bottom of the class, why not just skip studying this time and let it all fall apart?
I casually asked, "How much do midterms count toward our final grade?"
Logan thought for a moment: "Should be 30%, right? Plus homework, quizzes and stuff..."
"Oh." I acknowledged.
I mentally calculated—since I'd been reborn, I should change something. I looked at him and said:
"Well, I'm planning to get all A's this time."
Logan froze for a moment, not comprehending. He thought I was joking, and said with slight disappointment:
"Oh, okay... so you're not gonna slack off with me anymore..."
Two seconds later, his eyes suddenly widened:
"Wait, WHAT?! You said you're going to get what?!"
His voice suddenly rose, almost shouting.
I nearly laughed out loud. His shocked expression looked like I'd just said I was going to fly to the moon. All A's? Me? The person who'd never passed a single class?
"Mr. Pierce!"
Ms. Wilson's voice came from the podium, interrupting our conversation. She stopped her board work, turned to look at us, her brow slightly furrowed:
"Is there something you'd like to share with the class?"
Logan's face instantly turned red: "No, Ms. Wilson, I'm sorry, I just—"
"Then please keep your voice down. This is the third time this week."
Ms. Wilson's tone was stern but not harsh. She glanced at Logan and continued:
"Lunch detention, today. We'll talk about classroom behavior."
Logan deflated, lowering his head: "Yes, ma'am..."
Ms. Wilson nodded and turned back to continue teaching.
I sneaked a glance at Logan. He was lying pitifully on his desk.
I scribbled a few words on the edge of my notebook and pushed it over: Told you so.
Logan looked at it and rolled his eyes at me.
Finally, the dismissal bell rang.
Today Mia had to go to math lab for tutoring, so I waited for her in the library. By the time she came out of the tutoring center, it was almost four o'clock.
We walked toward the parking lot together.
"Ugh, Logan is such a jerk!" Mia complained as we walked. "He said he'd go to Starbucks with us to do homework, but the moment school let out he drove off in his stupid Tesla! And he posted an Instagram story saying he was going to a yacht party—what's there to brag about!"
I glanced at the phone she held up. On the screen was Logan's story: a photo of a yacht with the caption "weekend vibes 🛥️💰"
Of course I knew Logan's family background. His dad was in investment in Silicon Valley, knew all those rich kids. That crowd was always organizing parties—either skiing in Tahoe or yacht parties in San Francisco Bay.
"He's always like this," I shrugged. "With his GPA, missing some homework time won't make a difference anyway."
Mia rolled her eyes: "I just feel bad for you. You're here waiting for me, and he just took off the moment his rich friends called."
"It's fine," I smiled. "I didn't want to go to some yacht party anyway."
We reached the bus stop at the parking lot. Mia's mom was waiting in a Honda Civic by the curb.
"See you tomorrow!" Mia waved at me and opened the car door.
"Bye!"
After watching their car drive away, I put on my earbuds and started walking home.
Just as I reached my front door, Mom came out to greet me, took my backpack, looked me up and down, and said with a smile:
"Baby went away for a week of outdoor education—how come you didn't get any tan at all! Did you use up all the sunscreen?"
Seeing Mom's mood, she seemed happy.
Before I could respond, my second brother Leo's voice came from upstairs:
"Yeah, yeah, we get it Mom. Your favorite child is back."
My eldest brother Ethan also emerged from the kitchen, still holding a dish towel, and asked gently:
"Hey, how was the trip? Did you have fun?"
"Pretty good," I replied softly, walking into the house.
Perhaps because I'd lacked family affection in my previous life, whenever I saw my family now, I felt especially warm. This feeling was wonderful.
"Hahaha..."
Dad's hearty laughter came from the living room—he seemed to be chatting with someone, appearing in high spirits.
Mom set my backpack on the bench by the door and explained softly as we walked:
"Your dad got a promotion today. He's been on cloud nine all afternoon, even opened a bottle of wine. Says we can pay off the debt faster now."
I understood what debt she meant. Although that money shouldn't have been our family's responsibility, Dad had been scammed by his former business partner, and legally, Dad had joint liability for debts incurred under the company's name.
I nodded and walked toward the living room.
But when I saw the cold, handsome young man sitting across from Dad in the living room—
I froze. How could it be him?
Mom noticed my expression and explained in a low voice:
"This is Graham. There's been some trouble with rogues in the area, and the packs are coordinating patrols. Alpha Marcus arranged for him to stay with us as part of the temporary alliance. It's... complicated, but your father agreed it's necessary. He'll be in the guest room for two nights."
Hearing Mom's words, I didn't respond.
The shock on my face only deepened.
What I cared about wasn't that—it was—
This person who was supposed to stay at my house for two days, the alliance member arranged by Alpha Marcus...
How could it be...
The leader of Evergreen Pack, Caelan Thorne!?