William often found himself staring at the back of Ellie's head, occasionally making eye contact with her when she looked back to check her homework.
He casually averted his gaze, continuing to be lost in thought after she turned back.
William's presence in class was still often absent.
The two were like intersecting parallel lines, briefly intersecting before drifting further and further apart.
Further and further.
Whether intersecting or parallel, both were imperfect relationships, both leaving a sense of regret.
Some might wish to be the intersecting lines, for even though they separate after a brief intersection, they at least had a moment of closeness.
Others might prefer to be parallel lines, always maintaining a constant distance, but never intersecting.
March 16th, Monday.
William arrived late and was caught by Mr. Anderson waiting at the door.
With his arms folded, he looked at William and said, "Do you remember there's a flag-raising ceremony? Would you like to check the time?"
"It's seven oh three."
"Even a second over, you're late," Mr. Anderson said, pushing his glasses up, and continued, "And you're not wearing a uniform."
"I washed it."
Mr. Anderson glanced at him and said, "Who are you trying to fool? Why don't you wash yourself in the washing machine, see if it spins some sense into you."
William remained silent.
Mr. Anderson glanced at his watch; it was almost time for him to speak. He said to William, "I'll let it slide this time, wear your uniform next time."
"Okay."
It was again the most painful moment for students when Mr. Anderson took to the stage to speak.
Mr. Anderson spoke passionately on the podium, while the students below were dozing off.
Daniel yawned, rubbed his eyes, and said, "I wasn't sleepy, but as soon as Mr. Anderson started speaking, the sleepiness hit."
Hao Ming looked back at him and said, "Pig."
Daniel couldn't hold on any longer, resting his head against Hao Ming's back and falling asleep.
Hao Ming felt the weight behind him, glanced back at Daniel who was leaning on him, didn't say anything, and just stood up straight.
In a daze, Daniel seemed to hear Mr. Anderson say, "There were many students who violated school discipline last week, the most egregious being William from class seventeen, you're too audacious."
Daniel's sleepiness dissipated.
Mr. Anderson continued, "Tomorrow we will have our first monthly exam, and before that, we must commend a dark horse who emerged, also from class seventeen, Ellie, as the outstanding student representative to speak."
Ellie was dressed in a proper school uniform, her hair neatly tied into a high ponytail. The bulky uniform did not make her look oversized at all. It was the most ordinary style, yet it inexplicably made her look very well-behaved, with clear almond eyes, rosy lips, and a small, delicate nose.
She stepped onto the stage and said, "I am Ellie from class seventeen, and I am honored to speak as the student representative this time..."
Although the content was very dry, the girl's voice was soft and gentle, making people not feel restless at all. Many people began to look up.
Many recognized her as the fairy in the white dress who held the sign at the sports meeting.
"Damn, she's good at studies and looks good too, how can we compete?"
"I think I've seen this name before."
"It comes back to me, isn't this the one who came out of nowhere and ranked second in the school? Our class's eternal second place was directly pushed down."
Many people inquired about Ellie at the last sports meeting, but after finding out she seemed to have a special relationship with William, most gave up.
William listened to her every word.
She was not at all nervous, her pronunciation was very clear, and she spoke very logically.
She was excellent, pure, like a proud little rose, passionate and beautiful.
Tuesday brought the first monthly exam of the sixth month.
By Thursday, the results were out. Ellie got the second place in the school again. She flipped down the report card and only saw two distinct words behind William's name: Absent.
He didn't come to the exam.
She glanced at the seat behind her.
It was empty again.
"Ellie, as expected, you got the first place again, congratulations," Theodore said to Ellie.
Ellie said, "Thank you."
Theodore caught sight of Adrian's score and was stunned for a few seconds.
She turned her head and scolded Adrian, "Are you a dog, Adrian? Did you study secretly? How did you suddenly improve so much? You directly got ten more points than last time."
"Sitting next to Ellie, it's hard not to improve," Adrian said. Sitting with Ellie, he was full of motivation to study every day.
Seeing someone better than you working harder, what reason is there not to study?
Theodore said, "I'll reserve Ellie's seatmate for next time in advance."
Adrian smiled at her and said, "Your reservation is useless, it depends on Ellie's will."
"We'll see."
When William passed by, he saw Ellie talking with the girl in front and her deskmate. He quickly retracted his gaze and returned to his seat.
In chemistry class.
Mr. Enrico praised Ellie, saying, "Ellie has made great progress, I am very pleased, it's worth praising, it seems my personal charm is useful."
Ellie smiled at him upon hearing this.
William looked out the window, not knowing why the classes he could pay attention to before suddenly seemed very boring.
He looked at the person sitting in front, perhaps it was interesting before because the person sitting next to him was her.
...
In the evening.
Ellie took out the birthday gift she had intended to give William before.
It was material she had been squatting for a long time to buy online.
Maybe that gift is no longer suitable to give.
She took out her newly bought birthday gift.
Knowing that William plays games, she specifically took time to go to the store to buy him a keyboard. She didn't understand these things, researched online in advance, and then went to buy it.
She just didn't know when to give him this gift.
Ellie wanted to send a message to Daniel, she thought for a long time and didn't know what to ask.
In the end, she put down her phone.
She put both gifts back into the cabinet.
On the bookshelf, there were still basic questions she bought for him.
But they might not be needed anymore.
...
On Friday.
William skipped class again.
Ellie was sitting and doing her homework when she saw Daniel coming over.
Daniel said to Ellie, "I don't know what's going on with William lately, he doesn't let us follow him either."
Ellie lowered her eyes upon hearing this and didn't speak.
"William listens to you the most. If you two make up, Ellie, you must tell him, he's been getting hurt a lot lately and always doesn't eat."
Ellie wanted to say they didn't get angry, but she agreed, "Okay."
Daniel grinned at her and said, "Then Ellie must tell William in the future."
"Okay," Ellie heard the word "future," not knowing if she would have that future.