This is quite amateurish.
Even Sam, who had seen his fair share of foolish novels, had to admit that such tactics were quite low-level.
He became alert to the possibility of something happening when he saw the text message. And this time, it was obviously another impending fact.
So, when Asher appeared in the restroom, Sam was already on high alert. Pretending not to notice, he watched as Asher tossed counterfeit drugs into his urinal.
The motive behind Asher’s action was clear: he wanted Sam to leave Angel’s side.
In most high schools, drug use is strictly prohibited. Being caught means immediate expulsion, no questions asked.
So, Sam quickly figured out Asher’s plan, but something didn’t add up.
If things went as planned in the text message, Sam would be kicked out of school quickly. Why so smoothly?
Could mere testimonies from three “witnesses” be enough to convict Sam of drug use at school? This was about drugs, not cigarettes.
Sam soon realized the truth. They dared to hatch such a flawed plan, undoubtedly under Brody’s direction.
It seemed that the plan wasn’t solely Asher’s doing; Brody was involved too. Brody could use his family’s influence to pressure the school into expelling Sam swiftly.
The sunlight fell on Sam’s face, his expression calm, but a storm was brewing inside him, a nameless flame burning fiercely.
There are always such people, relying on their family’s power, who disregard others’ efforts and lives, easily destroying everything without a hint of guilt.
They fail to realize the catastrophe that expulsion could mean for an ordinary student. As long as their goals are achieved, they don’t care about the consequences for others. They’re utterly disgusting.
This was why Sam didn’t report Asher on the spot. He was acutely aware that the threat posed by the female leads was not just from them but also from other factors, like their so-called admirers. To deal with these things, mere courage and persistence were not enough.
And what would be the outcome if he reported Asher?
At best, Asher might end up in jail, but if Brody decided to bail him out, Asher could be out soon, harboring even greater resentment towards Sam.
So, Sam preferred to bet on a possibility.
Aside from the restroom incident, the day went relatively normal.
Angel seemed unaware of what had happened, not messaging or approaching Sam.
…
“What? How many days has it been since you last went to the internet café to play games with me? Is our friendship really going to break apart?”
At the end of the school day, Louis was shocked to learn that Sam was heading to the study room again.
Sam shrugged helplessly. “The test is coming up; I have no choice. I’ll join you for games after the exams are over.”
Louis looked at the young man with a mournful expression. “Why does that sound like something a dreg would say to deceive a girl?”
Sam sighed. “Can’t help it. I’ve always been a quiet and good guy, but my handsome looks always lead to misunderstandings of being a player. It’s not your misunderstanding; it’s something I have to endure.”
Louis looked at Sam with distaste. “You better head to your study session fast. I feel like I’m going to throw up my lunch.”
Sam left the classroom. He arrived early at the study room, so he was the only one there.
But as soon as Sam opened his book, the study room door opened again. A familiar girl appeared at the entrance. Her cold demeanor seemed to falter slightly upon seeing Sam.
Sam was used to it; she would probably move to another place to study upon seeing him. But this time was different.
Sophie hesitated for a moment, then walked towards Sam instead of leaving. Familiarly, she sat across from him.
Sam didn’t look up, not wanting to give the impression he was trying to express admiration, as she wouldn’t initiate a conversation anyway…
“Sam.”
Unexpectedly, she spoke up. Sam was stunned. What’s going on? Was today all about a reversal?
“Is something wrong?” Sam asked calmly, looking at her.
Sophie turned her cheek away, not looking at him directly.
But it was evident that she seemed somewhat embarrassed. Despite her hidden emotions, they were not completely absent.
“About last time, I’m sorry,” she said, her expression still arrogant, almost as if she was blaming Sam. It was quite strange.
Sam was amused by her expression: “You’ve already apologized.”
Sophie huffed: “I’m not talking about the convenience store incident. I mean last time in the study room, when you were taken away by someone.”
Sam looked at her curiously: “Why are you apologizing? It wasn’t you who took me away.”
Sophie’s eyes dropped slightly, seemingly helpless, and she sighed. Then she bowed her head and opened her book.
“It’s nothing, just that watching you being taken away for some trouble, regardless of whether I’m a stranger or not, felt like I was standing by doing nothing. Maybe I should have helped you by informing a teacher or calling the police or something…”
Sophie sighed internally. If it weren’t for Sophia insisting she apologize for the last incident, she wouldn’t have wanted to say anything…
Sam realized what Sophia meant, but he just shook his head.
“There’s no need. After all, it’s none of your business. You’re just a girl, and if this brings trouble, it’s not worth it.”
Sophia was taken aback. Had she not expected Sam to think similarly to her?
She couldn’t help but lift her head awkwardly to look at Sam.
“Do you really think so?”
Sam smiled as he gazed at the beautiful yet aloof girl.
“From your perspective, I do think so, but I don’t appreciate your approach.”
“Ugh… what a letdown.”
Sophia felt a slight disappointment.
He’s just another person who talks big but doesn’t understand the real struggle, posing as a paragon of justice, when in reality he’s like someone out of his depth.
Sam calmly turned a page in his book.
“There’s no such thing as absolute right. Perhaps you made that choice because of your experiences, and I don’t blame you. The outcome didn’t disadvantage me. But what if I had been at a loss, or even encountered serious danger after leaving?”
Sophie lowered her head, her long hair covering her profile, her tone deliberately cold.
“That’s none of my business.”
Sam nodded, “Indeed, it doesn’t concern you, nor does it concern anyone else. Only I, in that moment, would have desperately wished for someone to lend a hand, to help me stop it all.”
This statement made Sophie, who was looking down, suddenly widen her eyes.
Not because the statement was particularly impressive.
But because it instantly reminded her of many things, even of herself in the not-so-distant past, hugging her knees.
That cold, dark atmosphere seemed to engulf her in an instant.
Almost instantly, Sophie felt suffocated, that familiar anger and fear seemed to invade her body. Her hand gripping the pen suddenly tightened.
Sam noticed something was off.
He slightly furrowed his brows, about to speak.
“Creak.”
Unexpectedly, the door of the study room suddenly opened at this moment.
Sam instinctively turned his head.
Only to see familiar faces at the door, notably Asher and others who had tried to cause trouble for him earlier today.
