Chapter 54: Last semester’s top student

The following day rolled in and Nina didn’t come to school. The children didn’t think much about it as they went by their morning like usual. As for Penny, she already guessed her parents had already broken the news to Nina.

Looking out at the window of the van, she wondered. ’Is this okay?’

If there was one thing Penny was worried about was the cause and effect of every situation. As much as possible, she would only change things that wouldn’t affect her so much in the future. And even if it would affect her, she wanted it to be in her favor.

But this?

Penny wasn’t so sure.

’In my first life, my parents didn’t send her away because Aunt Jessa didn’t want another mouth to feed. But since Aunt Jessa slightly changed now because of the lack of financial problems, she’s doing this.’ A subtle smile appeared on her cute face. ’Although I’m worried, Aunt Jessa did keep her word and compromised.’

That alone was enough for Penny to appreciate her mischievous and slightly devious aunt. Compromising was something Jessa would never do over her dead body, but she did it for Penny’s sake.

Penny’s thoughts halted when she felt this pair of eyes constantly landing on her figure. When she turned, she saw Slater peeking at her and then looked away.

’Hmm?’

Suddenly, Atlas’s rare voice slashed through the thick air. "Penny, did you review for the quiz you missed yesterday?"

"Yes?" Penny looked back at her brother and smiled. "I didn’t."

"You didn’t?" he frowned, thinking Penny was being complacent because she was already smart.

Penny maintained a smile. "But I will review once we arrive. The quiz is after recess. My brain works better under pressure."

"..." Atlas quietly assessed her bright expression and then looked away, not saying another word.

Seeing that Atlas dropped the conversation, Penny snapped her eyes back to Slater’s bag.

’Did he bring extra uniform today?’ she wondered, remembering that she told him before leaving the infirmary there was no need for him to bring extra anymore.

While she stared at him. Slater couldn’t help but nervously look back.

"Wha — what?" he stuttered. The awkwardness in his voice even earned Atlas’s attention. "Why are you looking at my bag?"

"Nothing. I was just wondering what’s inside."

Slater intuitively glanced at her bag and wondered the same. "Do you want to see what’s in my bag?"

"Huh?"

"If so, then let me check yours."

"..."

Atlas: "??"

"Why do you want to see what’s inside my bag?" Penny clasped her bag closer to her body. She brought some precious snacks today. "I didn’t say I want to see what’s inside your bag. I’m just wondering."

"It’s just books and notes and some things," said Slater. "I’m also curious about what’s in your bag."

Most importantly, he was curious if she was bringing her weapons again. Since what happened yesterday was something very troubling, Slater was afraid Keith gathered whoever lower section he could to pick on her. It was much better if she was well-equipped.

"My bag has... some things," they were too many to mention.

Slater studied her face and nodded. "Okay. Now that you know what’s in my bag and I know what’s in yours, stop staring now."

"Stingy. Hmp!" She blew the stray hairs off her face.

Slater and Penny quickly looked away from each other to stare at the windows on their side. Atlas, who was seated behind them, tilted his head to the side.

’What’s that bag talk just now?’

Why were they so curious about what’s inside each other’s bags?

Atlas darted his eyes between the two, only realizing now that Slater wasn’t deliberately annoying her. Although there was this strange wariness in Slater’s voice, he didn’t sound like the usual that carried dismay or anger.

’Did something happen between them?’

Soon enough, their van reached the drop-off area which was outside the school. Normally, students were dropped off right in front of their respective buildings. The academy had a big driveway with many routes to each building. However, the Bennets get off outside the gates to avoid the traffic inside the premises and also, as a means of exercise for them.

So once they got out, the three quietly walked on the pavement, passing through the cars that were moving at a turtle pace.

Since Penny, Slater, and Atlas’s classes were in different buildings, she expected that they would separate, eventually. Much to her dismay, when they reached the small circle, Atlas and Slater were still following her.

"Huh?" she stopped and looked back at them. "First brother, Third brother, your building is over there."

"I’ll walk you into your building first," Atlas said casually. "I need to check the school’s main bulletin as well."

"Me — me too!" Slater chimed in. "I’ll walk you to your building first. My class is just right next to your building, so I want to see the bulletin."

Penny blinked and blinked, nodding in understanding. She didn’t bother and just shrugged.

"Okay." Penny took a large skip, creating a big distance from them.

If there was enough distance between them, then others would think they were simply walking in the same direction. She didn’t want to burden these boys with the explanation they didn’t have to give once someone asked.

Penny would take large skips and continue to grow the distance between her brothers. Soon, Atlas noticed she was getting farther.

’Is she that excited to go to school?’ he wondered. ’Or is she doing this because she doesn’t want to be seen walking with us?’

Atlas frowned at the latter thought, assuming Penny was embarrassed by them.

As for Slater, he was okay as long as Penny was in his line of sight. He simply wanted to make sure she got to her building safe and sound. Who knew? Keith could’ve told his parents and the school staff were probably waiting for her to take her. Slater wanted to be there so he could tell everyone the truth.

But as they neared the building, the three of them caught some students flocking around the school’s main bulletin board.

"Huh? What’s going on?" Penny was curious and approached the students. Since she was small, she had to squeeze herself through the crowd until she reached the first row.

Looking up, Penny furrowed her brows and read the school’s bulletin. It was the result of the last semester’s top students. It contained the ranking of the star section and the students who topped their classes.

It didn’t matter to Penny initially, but hearing the student’s hushed gossip, she finally understood the buzz.