Chapter 4: Shadows of the Past

Chapter 4: Shadows of the Past

Elena Rivers, standing by the window and flipping through her music sheets, subtly lifted her gaze. For a brief moment, a rare smile curved her lips, almost imperceptible. Although she usually disliked interacting with the other girls at Sakura Academy and preferred solitude, she found that this new transfer student might not be so bad after all.

That first night at her new school, Lydia Moore was quite busy. By the time she finished showering, folding her clothes, and tidying up her bed and desk, it was already 11:30 PM. By her usual routine, she would have been deep in sleep by now.

Once everything was done, Lydia stretched luxuriously and admired her freshly arranged new home. The light green bedspread, the frog-shaped lamp, and the green toiletries all created a refreshing ambiance in the hot summer night, reminding her of the pale green memories of her northern hometown.

"Still awake?" Lydia asked quietly, glancing at Elena Rivers, who was still engrossed in her beige notebook. She was concerned about disturbing her, but it was already quite late.

Elena Rivers didn't respond, her eyes transparent and distant.

With no answer forthcoming, Lydia decided to keep quiet. She changed into a comfortable cotton nightdress and was about to climb into bed when the dormitory door suddenly swung open. In walked a girl with waist-length, golden-brown curls. She stared at Lydia and asked pointedly, "Who's Lydia Moore?"

Wow, what a stunning and stylish girl! Her outfit, though simple in black and white, was highlighted with trendy accessories and makeup, giving her an eye-catching, fashionable look. How did such a beautiful girl know her?

Seeing no one answer, Judy's gaze shifted from the silent Elena Rivers to Lydia Moore. As she took in Lydia's appearance, she was momentarily stunned before sneering disdainfully. "You're Lydia Moore, the transfer student?" She couldn't believe Aaron King would be involved with someone so plain and awkward. But at least she could relax knowing Aaron King would never be interested in someone so ordinary and undeveloped.

"Um!" Lydia snapped out of her daze and greeted her with a warm smile. "Hi, nice to meet you." She genuinely hoped to make friends with this beautiful girl.

"Don't bother. I'm not interested in getting to know you," Judy snapped, striding up to Lydia. "How do you know Aaron King?" Judy's irritation was evident. Aaron King had called her earlier that day, which had excited her. Although she knew Aaron King wouldn't be interested in any girl he had dismissed before, the fact that he had called her just to have her help a transfer student named Lydia Moore annoyed her.

"Aaron King?" Lydia puzzled for a moment, shaking her head. It seemed she had never heard of him.

Seeing that Lydia genuinely didn't understand, Judy rolled her eyes and yelled, "Aaron King!" This girl seemed both clueless and slow. Judy's perfectly made-up face twitched in annoyance.

"Why are you yelling?" Lydia winced as she covered her ears. "Aaron King? Is he the guy from this afternoon?" She remembered hearing that name from the middle-aged man earlier. Understanding dawned on her, and she laughed with newfound clarity. "I see now. You must be his girlfriend, and he asked you to bring my luggage up, didn't he? So, you're just here to find fault with me? But now you see..." Lydia spun around, "a plain girl like me who looks like a dime-a-dozen, how could I possibly be connected with him?"

She downplayed herself, feeling that she was here to achieve her own goals and didn't want to get tangled up in unnecessary conflicts at Sakura Academy.

"Also, thank you for bringing my luggage up. I appreciate it." Lydia reached out to shake Judy's hand. After Judy rejected her, Lydia just smiled and put her hand back at her side.

"Are you stupid?" Judy rolled her eyes repeatedly, clearly irritated. Lydia's reaction seemed to either be an elaborate ploy or simply an innocent misunderstanding. Judy shoved her away in frustration and turned on her heel, leaving without another word.

To Lydia's surprise, her simple and unassuming demeanor seemed to have made even the haughty Judy speechless. Elena Rivers, who had been contemplating whether to help, quietly chuckled to herself. It appeared that students at Sakura Academy were not just about looks but had some substance as well. Lydia Moore was not as simple as she seemed.

The summer night at Sakura Academy was tranquil, like a scene from a fairytale.

The sky was a deep, vivid blue, and the intense sunlight bathed every corner of the academy. Wildflowers bloomed vibrantly along the roadside, like colorful patches on a vast green carpet. On her way to school, Lydia Moore picked a handful of small daisies from the grass and tucked them into her book. She remembered a boy who once coldly mentioned his favorite flower was a daisy. As she thought about it, her heart was filled with a sense of happiness, and she felt energized.

With determination, Lydia Moore encouraged herself silently, quickening her pace. She believed that with continuous effort, her dreams would surely come true.