The moment the exam ended, Riley grabbed her bunny and got ready to leave.
"Riley, wait for me—I'm coming with you," Rylie called out.
Riley blinked and nodded.
Just then, a collective gasp swept through the lecture hall.
Both of them looked up.
The campus heartthrob had arrived.
Evan walked in, holding a single red rose, his expression gentle and composed as he made a beeline for Felicia.
Felicia lowered her head, cheeks flushed, looking shy and delicate.
"Felicia," Evan said softly, offering her the rose, "this is for you. You're just like this flower—beautiful, fragrant, impossible to resist."
"Pfft—"
Riley spat out a mouthful of water.
Then she burst into laughter. "Haha, that's so cheesy!"
She couldn't hold it in.
What kind of cringey pickup line was that?!
She nearly broke character.
Evan's face darkened. He turned and glared at her. "What are you laughing at? Don't tell me you're jealous."
Riley blinked innocently.
She really just… couldn't help it.
Before she could say anything, Rylie jumped in.
"What's your problem? Why are you being so aggressive? Riley didn't do it on purpose. Maybe if you weren't actually that cheesy, no one would laugh. Flirting in a lecture hall—what, you think this is some kind of lounge?"
Rylie didn't hold back.
Not even a little.
Felicia and Evan both looked furious.
Felicia quickly accepted the flower and tugged at Evan's sleeve. "Evan, there's no need to argue with them. Let's just go."
Evan immediately softened.
Felicia is such as kind and gentle soul.
He turned back with a warm smile. "Alright. Let's go."
Felicia nodded, then looked at Riley with a hesitant, apologetic expression.
"Riley, I'm sorry… I have something to do today, so I can't carry your bags for you. When you get home, please don't tell Dad and Mom… I'll definitely help you tomorrow."
She looked on the verge of tears, as if Riley refusing would break her heart.
Wow.
She really is born to be an actress.
Riley clicked her tongue inwardly.
Sure enough, the moment Evan heard that, his temper flared.
"Why bring it up at all? Does she not have hands of her own?" he snapped. Then, turning to Felicia, he added, "And don't help her carry things anymore. Who does she think she is—a princess?"
With that, he stormed out first.
Felicia lingered for a moment, looking conflicted, before following after him—her expression pitiful, as if she had just been wrong.
As though Riley had bullied her.
Rylie was fuming.
"What is that supposed to mean?! You carried your own bags, okay? Who asked her to help? What's with the act?"
But the more Rylie complained, the more people around them whispered and pointed.
Frustrated, she grabbed Riley and dragged her out.
Riley's lips curled in amusement.
Aside from their first day—when Felicia had carried her bag—
She had carried everything herself ever since.
Still… I basically gave her the spotlight.
Great.
"Riley, you really shouldn't let people walk all over you," Rylie lectured as they walked. "Felicia is exactly the type that deserves a punch. Next time she does that, just shut her down. Let her learn her lesson!"
As they walked, Rylie kept talking, eagerly sharing her own way of dealing with things—saying she treated her stepsister the same way at home.
So she'd been through the same thing. No wonder Rylie felt it so deeply.
Riley nodded seriously. "Okay, Rylie. If anyone bullies you, you have to tell me too. I'll swing for you."
"Hehe, sure." Rylie smiled, not taking it too seriously, but playing along anyway.
After a moment, she said, "Riley, have you heard? Felicia signed up for the freshman representative selection."
Freshman representative?
Riley shook her head. "Nope."