That night at Vellmont Lodge became one of the few vibrant memories in Vivienne’s otherwise black-and-white life.
She never said yes, and she never said no, but Talia and Bianca seemed to have reached a tacit understanding. One felt she had gained a daughter, the other, an older sister.
The chirping of cicadas faded with the memories of high summer, and August officially came to a close.
September began with new student orientation.
The vast sports field was packed with a dense crowd of students.
On the speech platform, an upperclassman from the high school was delivering a passionate address. This was an old tradition at Crestline Academy; at every opening ceremony, the top representative from each grade level had to give a speech.
Vivienne, dressed in the St. Marwen Middle School uniform skirt, stood listlessly at the back of her class line.
Seriously, doesn't the school have an auditorium? Wouldn't it be better to sit through this meeting? Why did they have to endure this suffering?
“Next, let’s welcome the high school freshman representative, Alaric, to the stage.”
As soon as the principal finished speaking, the stands below erupted in thunderous applause.
Vivienne, who had been about to fall asleep on her feet, was jolted awake by the deafening clapping.
She was speechless.
Alaric wasn't even a new freshman, and he hadn't even taken the entrance exam. What right did he have to represent the high school's new students?
Vivienne let out a lazy yawn. If she remembered correctly, Cyril had taken the entrance exam normally. That two-faced jerk had even broken the high school's academic record. According to tradition, the freshman representative should have been Cyril.
So, Alaric truly was the golden boy.
“Oh my god! So that’s the heir to the Ravenshire family. He’s so handsome, I’m dying! And his voice is so nice too!”
“I heard that besides the young heir, the Ravenshire family’s illegitimate son who was on TV also enrolled. The Ravenshire family is so magnanimous.”
On the stage, Isabella was full of spirit and vigor, a stark contrast to Vivienne.
It was too hot. Vivienne showed a distinct lack of interest in everything happening around her.
Meanwhile, not far from her line, a few girls were gathered together, whispering and shooting hostile glances her way.
On stage, Isabella also knew how to play her cards right. After a few well-placed compliments, she delivered a polished conclusion, immediately winning over a lot of people.
After the lengthy opening ceremony, the school administration dropped another bombshell: starting this year, all grades would have to participate in a week-long wilderness orientation retreat before classes began. The announcement was met with a chorus of groans.
Vivienne’s mood soured even more. She despised physical activities.
“Dismissed!”
Vivienne followed the crowd listlessly, her mind filled with images of morning drills, squat jumps, and grueling formation practice, and worst of all, no sleeping in…

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