Chapter 2 Transfer Application
The following morning, Kenneth made his way to his teacher, Taylor Dempsey’s, office.
“Mr. Dempsey, here’s my transfer application,” he said, handing it
over with a matter–of–fact air.
Transferring universities, especially during one’s junior year, was no walk in the park. But thanks to his family’s far–reaching influence, they’d effortlessly sorted things out with the school principal. All that was left was a mere formality.
“Leaving so abruptly?” Taylor looked genuinely surprised. “Are you sure about this?”
“Yeah, it’s my family’s call,” Kenneth replied, flashing a smile.
Taylor glanced at the pre–stamped seal from the principal’s office on the application. He knew he didn’t have the power to halt the process. “You’re pretty tight with your classmates. Have you told them about this yet?”
“Maybe… just let them know after I’m gone. Could you keep this
on the down–low too? I don’t want all that soppy, emotional stuff,”
Kenneth asked with a grin.
“Sure thing, I respect your choice. I can even handle the rest of
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Chapter 2 Transter Application
the transfer procedures for you,” said Taylor, who was always laid–back.
After leaving the office, Kenneth stopped by a store to grab some gifts. Then he made his way to the cafeteria to visit the lunch lady. During the winter, she’d been incredibly kind, helping him heat his herbal medicine, which had made his life a whole lot easier.
Kenneth was a grateful person, highly regarded by others. But Eleanor and Victoria always thought he was petty, jealous, and had it in for Lucas.
Yet, if he were truly that small–minded, why would he have voluntarily helped Lucas in the first place? And why would he have introduced Lucas to them?
As he stepped out of the cafeteria, he bumped into Lucas, flanked by Eleanor and Victoria.
Lucas had a bandage wrapped around his hand, his arm cradled against his chest, looking rather frail.
“Kenneth!” Lucas greeted him with a seemingly warm smile, though Kenneth could detect the smugness in his eyes.
“Coming to have lunch? Care to join us?”
“Thanks, but I’ve already eaten. I’ve got some things to do, so I’ll
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Chapter 2 Transfer Application
take my leave,” Kenneth replied coolly and turned to go.
“Kenneth!” Eleanor’s voice, raised with annoyance, stopped him
in his tracks.
“You injured Lucas‘ hand, and you can’t even say sorry? Since when did you become such a wimp, for crying out loud!”
This was rare for her. Her repeated outbursts on Lucas‘ behalf made Kenneth wonder who had really changed. He almost wanted to confront her, but decided it wasn’t worth the effort.
Victoria chimed in, her brows knitted in anger, her face flushed, “Exactly! Do you still want to be our friend or not?”
Kenneth almost burst out laughing.
They were the ones who had distanced themselves from him, yet here they were, accusing him.
“Have you even bothered to listen to my side of the story?” he
couldn’t help but ask.
But he already knew their answer.
“The facts speak for themselves. What’s there to explain? Who
would hurt their own hand just to frame you? It’s ridiculous to keep making excuses like you used to,” Eleanor retorted, her
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Chapter & Transter Application
eyebrows furrowed tightly.
Despite expecting such a response, Kenneth still felt a sharp pain
in his heart.
In the past, he was the one they placed their unconditional trust
- in.
Back in high school, he’d been wrongly accused of stealing. The “evidence” was overwhelming–another boy’s watch had been found in his schoolbag, and even the teacher believed he was the
thief.
The whole class looked down on him, calling him a thief. But Eleanor had stood by him.
She’d spent every spare moment in the surveillance room, dragging Victoria along with her. After days of painstakingly sifting. through the footage, they finally spotted the boy stuffing the
watch into Kenneth’s bag.
They managed to clear his name and even got the teacher to
come and offer an apology.
Back then, Victoria was still in ninth grade. Being the
fiery–tempered one, she marched straight into the high–school section and gave those who were quick to pass judgment a piece
of her mind.
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Chapter 2 Transfer Application
Everyone started saying that Kenneth had a feisty little sister, and he was incredibly proud of her.
But now, they wouldn’t even give him a chance to explain. They blindly believed Lucas‘ story.
Is it because he looks so pitiful? Because his family is poor? Because he’s led a sheltered life? So, they have to coddle him like
this?
After a few seconds of awkward silence, Lucas quickly piped up, trying to act nonchalant and magnanimously stating, “Um, Kenneth didn’t do it on purpose…”
In his mind, Kenneth would never stoop to apologizing to him. By acting as if he forgave Kenneth, he could make himself seem more
morally superior.
However, he never anticipated that Kenneth would speak up the
next moment.
“Sorry.”
He locked eyes with Lucas, his tone devoid of any real apology and instead tinged with a subtle threat. Coupled with his
handsome and chiseled features, it made the two girls beside him
go still for a moment.
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Chapter 2 Transfer Application
Then, they watched as Kenneth reached Into the Inner pocket of his coat and pulled out a small box.
He said, lacing his words with a hint of sarcasm, “Look, I’m
really sorry about breaking your hand. Gotta give you a gift as
compensation.
“This is a gift Eleanor gave me before. It’s a medal symbolizing
good health. She hoped I’d stay in good shape, so she gave me this medal. Now, I’m passing it on to you. Hope you’ll stay healthy too and don’t go breaking your hand again!”
Back in his sophomore year of high school, he’d fallen gravely ill
and was on the brink of death.
Eleanor had kept a vigil by his hospital bed, begging him to fight
- on. After he recovered, she ran a marathon and won a medal.
It had been raining during that marathon, and the temperature
had plummeted by a dozen degrees Fahrenheit within an hour.
Most runners dropped out because of the cold, but Eleanor
gritted her teeth and persevered. By the time she crossed the
finish line, she was on the verge of hypothermia.
She’d once joked that she’d put her life on the line to win that
medal and then presented it to him, earnestly wishing that he’d always enjoy good health.
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Chapter 2 Transfer Application
This medal was Kenneth’s most prized possession. From his sophomore year in high school all the way through to his junior year in college, he’d carried it with him constantly, as if it were a
protective charm.
Miraculously, since then, he’d managed to steer clear of any serious illnesses, and his health had steadily improved.
Now, Kenneth was just carelessly giving away such a precious gift
to Lucas!
Eleanor was in utter disbelief. She lunged forward and snatched
the box right out of his hand. “Kenneth, what are you thinking?!”
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