It was maddening, really. She needed a reason to justify her reservations about him, something to cling to in order to maintain her emotional distance. It was as if he possessed an effortless charm that disarmed her defenses.
===================================
Bright could have simply walked away after the ceremony, leaving Emma to navigate the halls of their high school alone. There was no obligation for him to be kind or considerate towards her.
After all, what advantage could he possibly gain from associating with an ordinary girl like her?
Emma reluctantly admitted that in the past, gentlemen had often approached her due to her academic prowess.
But with Bright's own impressive abilities, there was no need for him to be captivated by her.
Furthermore, Emma couldn't help but notice that her appearance was rather plain compared to the other young ladies.
"Emma, your shawl is missing," Bright remarked, scratching his head absentmindedly.
"Huh?" Emma responded, once again with a single, foolish syllable.
Amidst the bustling crowd of students retrieving their belongings, Bright had already taken his own and managed to find Emma's bag and parasol as well.
"I couldn't find your shawl. It must have been taken by some random young rascals," Bright explained apologetically.
"Oh," Emma responded, realizing that her modest shawl, purchased from the market, was now missing. She silently added to herself, "Not a great loss."
"I'm sorry," Bright continued, expressing his remorse.
"It's quite all right," Emma replied, hoping to quickly distance herself from Bright's presence. She decided to head to class without further delay.
"By the way, which class are you in?" Bright asked.
"Class B," Emma responded, hoping to end the conversation swiftly.
"I'm in Class A. Our classes are adjacent. Shall we walk to class together?"
As Emma made her way towards her classroom, her internal struggle intensified, her mind continually returning to Bright's kindness.
She had anticipated him to be just another high-achieving student with an air of arrogance, but his genuine concern and friendly demeanor had caught her off guard.
It was maddening, really. She needed a reason to justify her reservations about him, something to cling to in order to maintain her emotional distance.
With each step towards her classroom, Emma searched her mind for any flaw, any hint of insincerity, but all she could recall were his warm smile and easygoing nature.
It was as if he possessed an effortless charm that disarmed her defenses.
As she entered the classroom, Emma couldn't shake the nagging feeling that her initial judgment of Bright might have been completely off the mark.
She knew she needed to find some fault or reason to dislike him to regain her equilibrium, but so far, all she had discovered was a young man who was genuinely nice.
"Oh, dear...," Emma whispered quietly to herself. For some reason, she felt that Bright was a dangerous person.
***
Inside the classroom, students chatted and settled into their seats as they prepared for the school day ahead.
Mrs. Johnson, their homeroom teacher, a kind and experienced educator, stood at the front of the class with a warm smile.
"Now, class," Mrs. Johnson began, "today is the day we elect our class president. Who among you would like to volunteer for this important role?"
Emma's hand shot up enthusiastically, her determination evident. "I'd like to volunteer as class president!"
The room briefly fell into silence as everyone turned to see if there were any other volunteers, but none seemed eager to challenge Emma's confidence.
Mrs. Johnson nodded with a supportive smile. "Thank you, Emma. Your enthusiasm is admirable. Now, let's see if anyone would like to run for the other positions."
A few more students raised their hands, expressing interest in the roles of deputy chairman, treasurer, and secretary.
Mrs. Johnson efficiently organized the election process, and before long, the administrative positions were filled, and the classroom was ready to begin the day's activities.
In Class B, the atmosphere started to change as students seized the opportunity to introduce themselves and engage in friendly conversations.
They exchanged names, shared their hobbies, and began forming tentative friendships. What was once unfamiliar quickly transformed into a sense of camaraderie and unity within the class, all under Emma's watchful eye.
From the adjacent classroom, faint sounds could be heard, indicating that Class A had yet to finalize their class structure.
The bustling sounds suggested a lively discussion was taking place. Curiosity sparked among some of the students from Class B, who couldn't resist the temptation to peek through the window closest to their classroom.
"Hey, look! Bright is their class president!" exclaimed one of the curious onlookers with excitement.
A playful voice chimed in, "Well, it's no surprise. With Bright as their class president, I bet everyone is scrambling to be the deputy, treasurer, and secretary. It must be a crowded affair, like a cooking demonstration!"
Laughter filled the air as the students exchanged lighthearted banter. There was a tinge of envy in their jesting remarks, perhaps fueled by the admiration Bright seemed to evoke.
"Jealous, eh?" remarked one of the students with a mischievous smile.
Another student joined in, his tone tinged with sarcasm, "Oh, please! We aren't as handsome as Bright, ask the girls."
The playful banter continued as they teased each other good-naturedly, each proclaiming their own opinion on attractiveness and playfully jesting at one another's expense.
In the end, amidst the laughter and friendly exchanges, it was evident that Bright's charm had captured the attention and admiration of many, even among his peers in Class B.
***
On the following day, Emma and Bright found themselves fully immersed in their roles as class presidents in the 19th century.
Their daily tasks included managing the class register, collecting tuition fees, and organizing seating arrangements.
However, their focus had now shifted to preparing for the upcoming grand soirée, a mere two weeks away.
Emma tackled her responsibilities with dedication and precision. She meticulously planned every aspect of the event, from brainstorming creative arts and crafts activities to coordinating with teachers and students to showcase their talents.
Her attention to detail ensured that all necessary preparations were in order, and she was determined to make the soirée a memorable and enjoyable experience for everyone in the class.
Bright, on the other hand, embraced his role with his natural charisma and outgoing personality. He took the lead in mobilizing their classmates' participation, using his enthusiasm to ignite their excitement for the event.
Meanwhile Bright's ability to bring people together and foster a sense of camaraderie within the class was undeniable, and it played a crucial role in preparing for the upcoming soirée. Either Emma and Bright worked tirelessly to ensure their success.
As the days rolled on, Class B kept hustling for their upcoming soirée. Emma, the go-getter, was all about fundraising.
But, oh boy, Theodore, her deputy, seemed to have "chill" as his middle name. His jokes were legendary, but productivity? Not so much. Emma couldn't help but roll her eyes at times.
Now, Amelia, the class treasurer, she was a different story. Efficient, on point with the cash flow, and probably the reason they weren't bankrupt yet. Rosalind, her partner in crime and deputy treasurer, was her trusty sidekick.
With this quirky mix of personalities, they navigated the wild world of event planning, one fundraising scheme and one eye-roll at a time.
In the midst of their preparations, Henry, a lively member of the class, suddenly interrupted their discussion.
"You won't believe it! Class A already has the funds for their soirée!" Henry exclaimed.
"What? How is that possible? It's only been a few days!" Amelia expressed her disbelief.
"Apparently, Bright took it upon himself to support the funding. He said he would cover all the costs. Damn, that guy is ridiculously rich!" Henry chuckled, shaking his head in amazement.
"Eh, Henry, since when did being a class secretary involve spying on the neighboring class's soirée plans?" Rosalind retorted. "Focus on your own tasks! What's with all the snooping?"
"Oh, I just happened to overhear the discussion while passing by their classroom. Easy-peasy! I guess I could be a spy for Class A. They're planning some ballet drama or something like that," Henry blabbered on.
While Emma continued to dedicate her efforts to raising funds, she couldn't help but feel frustrated that Class A had already decided on a concept for their soirée.
Determined to outshine their neighboring class, Emma slammed her hand on the desk in exasperation.
"We can do better than them!" she exclaimed, her determination unwavering. "We can sell used trinkets, old novelties, and vintage garments. It can generate significant income for our event."
Henry chuckled in response, teasingly remarking, "Oh, Madame Chief, always full of ideas! I'll start writing the announcement now. Tomorrow, we'll inform the students to bring any items that can be sold. If they can be sold, they will be sold!"
Amidst the banter, Rosalind grumbled, "At least Henry is still better than Theodore. At least he's willing to work. Theodore is just useless."
With renewed determination and a clear plan in mind, Class B embarked on their fundraising efforts, determined to surpass their neighboring class and create a memorable soirée.
***