Chapter 9

Samuel Girard stared at the revised painting by Logan Thurman, his eyes filled with amazement. His excitement was impossible to hide. “It’s absolutely beautiful, perfectly crafted! This is exactly the finishing touch we needed!”

Xiao Zhou stood nearby, his eyes filled with admiration. He couldn’t help but ask, “Logan, did you study painting before? Your skills are incredible! You’re even better than the students in our art class!”

Logan Thurman covered his mouth and smiled, his tone humble and gentle. “Heh, not really. I learned everything on my own. I believe that no matter what color it is, white should be used as a backdrop. That way, the color itself becomes more vivid and has more depth.”

“Let’s use this painting!” Samuel Girard decided immediately, his face beaming with joy. He turned to the other student council members. “What do you think?”

“Agreed!” “It’s perfect! There’s nothing better than this!” Everyone nodded in agreement, their gazes toward Logan Thurman filled with admiration.

Samuel Girard turned to Logan Thurman, his tone somewhat pleading. “Logan, could you please paint an even larger picture on the wall right in front of the lobby? That way, it’ll help to enhance the overall atmosphere of the scene. Would you do that?”

Logan Thurman nodded with a smile, his eyes sincere. “I’m happy to help you guys. It’s no trouble at all. I’ll start preparing right now.”

Soon, the school’s event “My Youth, My Choice – True Feelings in a Fairy Tale World” was successfully held. The venue was beautifully decorated, with Logan Thurman’s themed painting attracting everyone’s attention. After the event, it became the topic of conversation among teachers and students. The most discussed topics were that stunning themed painting and Logan Thurman himself, the transfer student who created it.

As soon as the school bell rang, Julian Hamp stood waiting at the door of Samuel Gerard’s classroom. She wore a gentle smile on her face and held a cup of hot milk tea in her hands, waiting for Samuel Gerard to come out. Everyone in the school knew that Julian Hamp and Samuel Gerard had known each other since childhood. They were considered the perfect couple by everyone—the school belle and the school heartthrob, as if they were meant for each other by fate.

As for Elenice Walker, Julian Hamp had already forced Samuel Gerard to make it clear to everyone that she was his cousin and was only staying at the school for a temporary period. Julian Hamp wanted everyone to know that Samuel Gerard’s girlfriend would always be her alone, and nothing anyone else said could change that.

Samuel Girard stepped out of the classroom and saw Julian Hamp standing at the door. A hint of surprise appeared on his face as he said in a surprised tone, “What are you doing here?”

Julian Hamp stepped forward, handed him the hot milk tea, and asked with a pout, “What’s the matter? Am I not happy that I waited for you?”

“I’m not unhappy at all.” Samuel Girard took the milk tea, his tone still slightly surprised. “I’m just surprised. Didn’t I tell you not to wait for me at the classroom door?”

“What does it matter?” Julian Hamp frowned in displeasure, his tone slightly resentful. “Everyone knows about our relationship. What’s wrong with me waiting for my boyfriend?”

“I know everyone knows that,” Samuel Girard sighed, his tone somewhat resigned. “But we’re high school students now. Our main focus should be on studying. It’s not good to draw too much attention to ourselves.”

“Alright, alright, I understand. Please stop nagging.” Julian Hamp hurriedly interrupted him. If he continued talking, there would be no end to his preaching. “Your event was a huge success. I want to take you out to dinner to celebrate!”

“No need, thank you for your kindness.” Samuel Girard shook his head, his tone somewhat perfunctory. “I have matters to attend to, so I must go now.”

“No!” Julian Hamp became anxious instantly. He grabbed his hand, his eyes filled with displeasure. “School’s already over. What could possibly be important? Are you trying to ignore me on purpose?”

Samuel Girard had no choice but to give in to her. He said, “Alright, I really do have things to deal with. You go home first. I’ll meet you tonight, and we can eat together, okay?”

“Really?” Julian Hamp’s eyes lit up. The displeasure on his face disappeared instantly, replaced by anticipation. “Do you mean it?”

“I always keep my word,” Samuel Girard said with a forced smile. He gently pulled his hand away from hers. “Alright, I’m going now. Please don’t follow me.”

Watching Samuel Girard hurry away, Julian Hamp’s smile faded gradually. A sense of doubt and unease arose in his mind: “Why has he been avoiding me lately? Could there really be something he’s hiding from me?”

Curiosity and unease drove Julian Hamp. She followed him quietly, wanting to find out what Samuel Girard was up to and who he was going to meet.

Samuel Girard walked quickly toward the school’s grove. He stopped, looked around, then stood there patiently, with a barely noticeable hint of gentleness on his face.

Julian Hamp hid around the corner of the small grove, growing more and more puzzled: School was over now, everyone was in a hurry to get home. Who was he waiting for here?

Before long, a figure dressed in a white down jacket slowly approached. It was Logan Thurman. She went up to Samuel Girard, her face showing a hint of shy apology. “I’m really sorry to have kept you waiting. It took me a bit longer to pack my things.”

Samuel Girard immediately wore a gentle smile and spoke in a soft tone, “It’s okay. I just arrived too. There’s no need to rush.”

“Mm-hmm.” Logan Thurman lowered his head shyly and said in a soft voice, “I’m really sorry for making you wait for me every day. You could’ve come later; there’s no need to accommodate me like this.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Samuel Girard said with a smile, shaking his head. He gestured for her to come along. “Let’s go to that bookstore I usually go to. It’s quiet there, perfect for studying.”

“Mm-hmm.” Logan Thurman nodded with a smile. Just as he was about to leave with Samuel Girard, a furious shout came from behind him.

“Samuel Girard!” Julian Hamp could take it no longer. He rushed out from around the corner, his face pale with rage, his eyes blazing with fury as he stared intently at the two of them.

Samuel Girard was startled. Turning to see Julian Hamp, the kindness on his face vanished instantly. His tone became frantic and annoyed: “Julian? What are you doing here? Didn’t I tell you to go home?”

“Why can’t I be here?” Julian Hamp rushed forward, pointing at Logan Thurman. His voice was filled with accusation and resentment. “You told me to go home just so you could date her here? Who is this girl anyway? Why did you hide it from me?”

“You’re being unreasonable!” Samuel Girard was also angry. His brows were tightly furrowed, and his tone was icy. “I’ve already said I have things to do. Why won’t you believe me? Logan, let’s go. Ignore her.”

“Wait a moment.” Logan Thurman quickly grabbed Samuel Girard by the arm, wearing a gentle smile on his face. He turned to Julian Hamp and said softly, “Young man, you’ve misunderstood. There’s nothing between us. I think we should talk things out properly.”

“No need to explain!” Samuel Gillard said impatiently. “She’s just a girl from my neighbor’s house. That’s how she is. There’s no need to talk to her. Let’s go.”

“What did you say?” Upon hearing this, Julian Hamp’s eyes turned red instantly. Tears streamed down his face as he spoke, his voice filled with sadness and anger. “Samuel Girard, I finally see who you really are! You deceived and treated me badly just for her sake! But let me tell you clearly: I’ll never let any girl take you away from me!”

“You’re completely unreasonable!” Samuel Girard gritted his teeth in anger, pulling Logan Thurman away with him.

Logan Thurman gently broke free from his grip and stepped forward toward Julian Hamp. His tone remained gentle. “Please don’t be angry, classmate. I’m not who you think I am. My name is Logan Thurman. I’m a new student here. Since I just arrived, I’m having trouble keeping up with the lessons. That’s why the class president offered to help me with my studies. We’re really just classmates.”

“What did you say?” Julian Hamp was stunned. Tears still streaked his face, his eyes filled with surprise and confusion. For a moment, he even forgot he was angry. “He… he’s helping you with your homework?”