Chapter 22 — A New Friend

The next morning, uncle Felix stands at the gate of the Jiang estate, watching Skylar and Julian approach the waiting car. He hands them a key with a slight bow.

"Wishing you both a joyful life at school. Your room is 568, Block A."

Julian takes the key without a word and casually tosses it to Skylar.

"Here. You keep it."

Skylar catches it, arching an eyebrow: "Tch! Look at you, Mr. Ice Face. Thinkin' you're the center of the universe again. Honestly, I think 'Ice' suits you perfectly."

Julian freezes mid-step, then lets out a soft chuckle: "Call me whatever you want. It's just a name."

He still remembers that? — Skylar glances at him from the corner of her eye, but says nothing.

Twenty minutes later

Nathan's car rolls into the school parking lot. He lowers the window and waves.

"I'll be in the room next to yours. If anything comes up, just call. Now hurry along before the bell rings."

Skylar beams: "Got it! Thanks, Nathan!"

From a distance, a high-pitched scream slices through the morning air.

"HEYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!"

Skylar jumps in place. A blur of pink and motion rushes toward her—Sunny.

Skylar instinctively covers Sunny's mouth with one hand: "What the heck are you doing?!"

She gently pushes her away: "I'll swing by your dorm after class to grab my stuff, okay?"

Sunny nods slowly, face drooping: "Okaaay…"

Then she lunges again, clinging to Skylar's waist like a koala: "Huhuhu… You're abandoning me! I can't live without my daily chaos!"

Skylar pats her head gently: "Geez. Grown girls shouldn't cry like this."

Sunny pouts: "Let me live my drama!"

Julian sighs and starts nudging them both forward: "Alright, enough. Stop causing a scene. We're gonna be late."

"Yeah yeah," Skylar says, still half-hugging Sunny.

"Mm-hmm," Sunny grumbles, clutching Skylar tighter.

Later, in Biology class.

A tall woman with striking red glasses strides into the room: "Good morning, class. I'm Helena Strauss. You may call me Ms. Helena."

She opens a book and continues: "Turn to page six. Today's lesson is…"

The class responds in unison: "Yes, ma'am…"

The lesson breezes by. Ms. Helena closes her book with a snap.

"That's all for today. Remember to finish your assignments. There will be a quiz next class."

A collective groan spreads across the room.

Outside the windows, the hallway bustles with chatter. But in one quiet corner of the classroom, four students sit in an oddly muted pocket of space.

Sunny lies across her desk, drained of life: "Little Angel…"

"Hm?" Skylar doesn't look up from her worksheet.

Sunny suddenly springs up, eyes gleaming: "Guess what—"

She doesn't get to finish.

A voice slices through their conversation.

"Hello there! I'm Leo Dao! I'd like to join your group!"

Skylar doesn't even look up: "Sure… whatever."

Sunny shrugs: "Fine, I guess."

Skylar glances sideways: "But we should probably ask Ice."

"Ice?" Sunny frowns.

"I think she means Julian," Leo pipes up helpfully.

Sunny snorts: "Tch. I knew that, genius. No one asked you."

Leo stares at her: A brat, huh? — But somehow, she pulls it off.

Julian strolls over, books in hand: "Hmm? Did I hear my name?"

Skylar points at Leo: "Ask him."

Julian's relaxed expression hardens the moment he sees Leo.

"You again? What are you doing here?"

Leo gasps theatrically: "Excuse me?! We share the same class, the same dorm block, the same planet—and you're acting like I'm a stranger? You cold-hearted iceberg. Honestly, Skylar's nickname for you is spot on!"

Skylar's tone turns sharp: "We're not close enough for me to call him anything."

"Same difference," Julian mutters.

Leo glances around: "Why does this group feel so dead? Where's the energy?"

No one responds.

After a beat, Sunny says flatly: "Because you're here."

Leo points at himself, genuinely confused: "Me?!"

All three of them nod in perfect sync.

Leo blinks: "Alrighty then… How about we hit the cafeteria after next period?"

"Whatever," Skylar shrugs.

RINGGGGG!

"The bell!" Leo cries: "So we're on for lunch?"

"Sure sure," Sunny replies.

After the next class...

Sunny collapses on her desk, arms spread wide like a tragic anime heroine.

"I can't… go on… My life force is gone…"

Leo peers down at her: "Sooooo… now what?"

Skylar gives Sunny a little nod: "Same plan?"

Sunny instantly bolts upright, eyes shining: "Heck yeah!"