Chapter 25 

The pretzel rolls in the lunchbox couldn’t have been made by Jasmine as she didn’t have the culinary skills needed. It was probably Cheryl’s attempt at an apology, but being too proud to admit it, she left a misleading note instead. 

Classic Cheryl. 

Nathan shook his head and stood up with the lunchbox. Under the curious eyes of the entire class, he walked straight over to her. 

“Cheryl, thanks for the thought, but I’ve already had breakfast.” He set the lunchbox down and walked away without another word. 

The class erupted in whispers. 

Cheryl, the top beauty in their class, bringing breakfast for Nathan was already headline- worthy gossip. But Nathan rejected it? That sent shockwaves through the classroom. 

Cheryl stared at the lunchbox Nathan had left behind, momentarily stunned. Her eyes quickly 

reddened. 

In all her life, when had she ever been turned down like this? Especially by Nathan, the same boy who once revolved around her. 

Before buying Nathan breakfast, Cheryl had mentally prepared herself. She told herself that even if he didn’t eat the pretzels, she wouldn’t let it bother her. She’d stay calm and composed. 

But when the moment came, and Nathan’s rejection was so firm and unyielding, Cheryl couldn’t help it. Two teardrops silently rolled down her cheeks. 

Most people didn’t look their best when they cried, but Cheryl was an exception. She was one of those rare few who looked even more delicate and beautiful with tears in her eyes. 

At that moment, she was the picture of heartache. Her tear–streaked face was enough to stir sympathy in anyone watching. Even Oscar felt a pang of guilt and wondered if Nathan had gone too far. 

Still, Oscar would never criticize Nathan. He knew where his loyalties lay. 

But Justin, on the other hand, wasn’t so forgiving. Watching his beloved school belle in tears, rage surged through him. 

He couldn’t believe Nathan dared to make Cheryl cry. 

This wouldn’t do. 

With a loud smack, Justin slammed his hand on his desk and shot up, storming over to Nathan in a fury. 

“Nathan, what’s the meaning of this? Cheryl was kind enough to bring you breakfast, and your refuse to eat it? As class president, I’m ordering you to apologize to Cheryl immediately!” he demanded. 

The sudden outburst startled the entire class. 

Nathan didn’t even bother to stand. He just looked at Justin as if he were watching a clown perform. 

“Justin, buddy, whether I eat or not is my decision. What does that have to do with you: Should I call you a busybody or a suck–up?” Nathan’s tone was dismissive, but the words hit hard. 

Nathan had never had much respect for 

tin. Just because he was class president, Justin acted like he had real authority, always strutting around like some big shot. Anyone who didn’t know better might’ve thought he had a government job. 

“You… How vulgar!” Justin trembled with anger. 

“Cheryl cried because of you, didn’t she? As class president, isn’t it my responsibility to handle this?” 

The more Justin talked, the funnier it became to Nathan. 

So, he laughed. It was not just a chuckle but a full–on laugh that showed off his bright white/ teeth. 

Several classmates joined in, snickering at Justin 

Justin had never been popular. He was the kind of guy who tattled to the teachers to curry favor, earning him the reputation of being a spy for Layla, their strict homeroom teacher. His classmates‘ disdainful laughter only deepened his humiliation. 

And that was the breaking point for Justin. 

Unable to handle the mockery, he began rolling up his sleeves, looking like he was ready to fight Nathan. 

Oscar’s brows furrowed as he prepared to step in. Despite being laid–back with Nathan, Oscar wasn’t someone to mess with. 

Back in middle school, when two bullies tried to shake Nathan down for protection money, Oscar grabbed a brick and nearly flattened them. 

But Nathan stopped him. “Oscar, don’t bother. He’s not serious.” 

The school had a zero–tolerance policy for fighting, and with just 20 days until the college entrance exams, getting into a brawl now could mean expulsion. They couldn’t afford the consequences. 

Besides, with his two–lifetimes of experience, Nathan knew Justin wasn’t really going to throw punches. If he was serious, he wouldn’t be rolling up his sleeves like he was preparing for some dramatic showdown. 

What did he think this was? A video game? 

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