Friday.
William heard the bell for class and glanced at the empty seat beside him again.
Hiss.
Something was off today.
The bell had rung.
Little prude hadn't arrived yet.
By the end of the third period, William's side was still empty.
William looked up at the teacher at the podium and sent a message to Ellie.
[William]: Did you sleep in? Little prude.
All morning, his messages sent were like stones sinking into the sea.
It was really strange.
...
"Ellie, do you want to eat something now?"
Ellie shook her head and said, "I'm going to the bathroom."
"I'll help you there."
Ellie shook her head: "No need."
She was wearing a loose patient gown, which made her face look even smaller, and her usually rosy lips were pale at the moment.
Ellie went to the bathroom, supporting herself against the wall. Although her stomach was empty, she still couldn't help but dry heave. After vomiting for a while, even the acid from her stomach came up, and she felt bitter in her mouth.
Jennifer stood at the bathroom door, her heart clenched as she listened to the sounds inside. She wanted to go in several times but didn't dare.
Ellie opened the door, her face was already pale, and now it was even paler. Jennifer helped her to the bed to rest.
Jennifer said, "Ellie, mom made soup for you. Really not having a bit?"
Ellie shook her head: "Leave it there, I want to rest."
Jennifer didn't dare to disturb her anymore, turned off the light, closed the door to the ward, and then left.
Ellie felt the discomfort in her stomach hadn't dissipated. She lay there with her eyes open, staring at the ceiling, just like the countless times she had undergone chemotherapy before.
The birds outside the window were chirping, and a few rays of sunlight shone through the curtains.
Ellie saw the light, reached out her hand, and the light hit her slender, white fingers.
She pulled back the covers, got out of bed, and fully opened the curtains.
Her ward was on the third floor, and there was a tall tree outside the window with a nest at the top. The sounds she had just heard came from the top of the tree.
She didn't know how long she stood in front of the window before she closed the curtains again.
The room returned to darkness, and Ellie lay on the hospital bed, falling asleep at some point.
...
William took out his phone and opened the chat interface again, seeing his chat history with Ellie still stuck on the message he had sent in the morning.
He closed his phone again.
She must have asked for leave and not come.
Daniel also noticed that Ellie wasn't there. He looked back at the empty seat and asked William, "William, did Ellie ask for leave today? It's already the afternoon, and she hasn't come."
"I don't know."
For some reason, Daniel felt that William's expression was a bit sour.
Had someone upset William? Why did he look so displeased?
As Daniel was wondering, Aria in front said, "Maybe she asked for leave to tutor. Didn't Ellie tutor a few weeks ago?"
"Ellie's grades are so good, and she still tutors? Is there any way left for us?"
Aria said, "Hahaha, but Ellie is indeed good at studying and loves to learn. She's also a nice person."
"And she's beautiful and gentle," Daniel added.
William lowered his head and listened to every word of their conversation.
He opened the chat box again as if bewitched.
Ellie still hadn't replied to the message.
William got the book back from Mr. Anderson, only to listen to another round of nagging.
Mr. Anderson remembered checking Ellie's grades yesterday and said to William, "Return the book to Ellie when you go back. If I catch you reading in class again, I'll have you sweeping the floor outside for a month."
William said, "Okay, I understand."
After school in the afternoon.
The school was deserted.
William was about to go downstairs with a broom when Daniel and Hao Ming immediately followed with brooms.
Daniel said, "I'll sweep the floor with you, William."
William didn't say anything and let the two follow behind him.
The scrapes on Daniel's arms and legs had scabbed over, and they still hurt a bit when he moved. Hao Ming and Daniel's sweeping style changed as they swept.
"Take my stick, Mason."
"Forget it, I'll hit you to death."
"White Crane Spreads Wings."
"Dragon Swings Tail."
Although Daniel's movements were a bit limited, it didn't prevent him from chasing Hao Ming with a broom.
William looked at the two people and couldn't bear to watch.
Because Hao Ming and Daniel were roughhousing, the just-swept leaves were scattered again.
Daniel complained to William, "William, I'm still injured. He bullies me, and he just hit me with a broom."
William looked at the pile of leaves that had just been swept and scattered again and said, "If you two keep making a fuss, get lost."
Daniel immediately picked up the broom and swept the floor obediently.
After sweeping, the sunset had dyed half the sky red.
Daniel handed his phone to Hao Ming and said, "Take a picture of me, capturing my handsome back."
Hao Ming: "..."
He looked at Daniel posing and took a few pictures.
Daniel looked at the phone and said, "What are you taking? It doesn't capture a thousandth of my handsomeness." After speaking, he handed the phone to Hao Ming again and said, "Take it again for me."
Hao Ming was speechless: "I won't take it anymore."
"Just take one more for me."
In the end, Daniel reluctantly let Hao Ming take several photos for him.
William looked at the pink sky and then took out his phone, taking a few pictures.
[William]: You didn't even say a word when you asked for leave, not cool, little classmate. I have to sweep the floor by myself today.
After sending the message, he turned off his phone, put it back in his pocket, and said to the two, "Let's go."
"Alright, William."
...
In the bookstore.
Landon sat at the table closest to the door, looking up every time someone entered. He waited in the bookstore until the sunset and it got dark, but he didn't see the girl from last time.
He had finished reading the book the girl was reading last time, and he fantasized about their meeting this time.
He would say to her, "What a coincidence, running into you again."
What would her reaction be, saying, "What a coincidence," or shyly smiling at him.
He looked at his watch; it was already past seven. The girl probably wouldn't come this time.
His mind recalled the first time he saw her, the girl was like the purest white jasmine, and even her eyes were very clear.
He regretted not going up to get her contact information last time.
...
William was petting the cat and said, "You say, it's not like little prude to tutor for a whole day, right?"
Coco rubbed his palm, seemingly responding to his words.
William picked it up and said, "You think so too, don't you?"