Chapter 46

Ava eagerly nodded, her eyes wide with anticipation. "Elena, do you have a solution?"

Elena pointed to the second row of seats. "Sit here. These are reserved for our student union members. You're free to sit wherever you like."

"Really?" Ava's eyes lit up as she grabbed Elena's hand excitedly. "You're amazing!"

Elena stared at her hand, her brow furrowing slightly. Ava immediately realized something was off—Elena was known for being reserved and distant. Flustered, she quickly let go. "Sorry, I got carried away."

Elena shook her head slightly. "It's fine."

Ava sighed in relief and dashed toward the second-row seats, picking the best spot with a perfect view.

Elysia watched Ava leave and explained, "That's just how she is. Don't mind her. And thanks for today."

Elena replied, "You're welcome. I heard you transferred to Class 6, but I didn't get a chance to ask what happened."

"Nothing much. Just felt like switching things up," Elysia replied casually.

Elena said, "Okay. If anyone bothers you, you can always come to me."

"Okay," Elysia said.

Elena said, "I've got things to take care of, so I'll go now."

Elysia nodded slightly and glanced down at herself, thinking, 'Do I really look that weak?' Just as she lifted her gaze, she saw Ava waving. "Elysia, come over here!"

Ava had picked the center seat—the perfect spot with the best view. Elysia walked over and sat next to her. Ava immediately held her arm. "I'm so glad you're here! I know Elena gave us the seats because of you. Elysia, I'm seriously falling more and more for you."

Ava said this with a teasing smile and tried to kiss Elysia's cheek, but was quickly pushed away. "If you want to thank me, stay away from me."

"Elysia," Ava pouted.

Elysia couldn't take Ava's clinging. She pushed herself between them, creating space. "Don't be silly."

Ava finally sat up straight, crossing her arms and putting on a serious expression. "Alright, I won't tease you anymore. But, Elysia, are you really not close with Elena?"

Elysia pondered the question. "Am I close with Elena? If not, then why had Elena gone out of her way to help me repeatedly?"

"What's on your mind, Elysia?" Ava asked.

Elysia snapped out of her thoughts, looked at Ava, and shook her head. Ava didn't press further. Instead, she cupped Elysia's face and planted a quick kiss on her cheek. Elysia stared in shock, raising her hand to touch the warm spot.

Ava lowered her head, looking like a mischievous child. "You're just too beautiful, Elysia, and I couldn't help myself I didn't know how else to thank you, so I kissed you."

Elysia was stunned, thinking, This was the first time a girl had kissed me, and it was from someone as cute and sweet as Ava. What could I even say? Was I supposed to fight back? She quickly shook her head. She still couldn't accept intimate behavior between friends like this.

"Elysia…" Ava noticed Elysia's silence, hooked her arm around her, and pouted. "Don't be mad, okay? I just love you so much."

Elysia gently pushed her away. "I'm not mad. Just speak to me normally."

Chapter 46 (continued)

"Are you not used to acting cute, Elysia?" Ava leaned closer, her eyes sparkling as she noticed Elysia's awkward expression.

"Why should I?" Elysia asked.

Ava said, "Of course, you should! Haven't you heard that the most loved women are the ones who know how to act cute! I've heard people say that if a woman learns this, she'll always be pampered by her partner."

By the end of her speech, Ava's voice had dropped and her face was flushed. She looked like a girl in love.

Elysia frowned. She had no idea where these thoughts came from. She hadn't expected this girlish side from Ava.

"Hey, this is the student union's seating area. You two aren't members, are you?" A boy wearing a staff badge asked.

Elysia and Ava turned to look at him. Ava spoke first. "We're not part of the student union, but we got permission from Elena."

The boy scoffed internally, thinking, Come on, if you were going to lie, at least come up with a better excuse. Elena was known for being strict and impartial—there was no way she'd offer any special treatment.

He said, "This seating area is reserved for student union members. Please leave."

Ben Jones, head of the disciplinary department, was on the podium checking equipment. Hearing the noise, he turned and spotted Elysia, recognizing her from the motorcycle incident. He quickly jumped down, asking the boy, "What's going on!"

The boy, seeing Ben, quickly explained, "Ben, these two aren't members. They're insisting on sitting here, even claiming Elena told them they could."

"We're not lying! Elena really did let us sit here!" Ava interjected.

Ben looked at Ava and then Elysia. He remembered Elena giving Elysia special treatment before. He didn't think they were lying. He turned to the boy and said, "This is none of your business. You can leave now."

"But they…" the boy hesitated.

"They're staying here. Is there a problem?" Ben's tone was firm.

The boy, seeing Ben's displeasure, quickly said, "No problem. I'll go check backstage," and left.

"Thank you," Ava said sweetly.

"No need to thank me. It's the least I can do," Ben replied. He turned to Elysia, adding, "If anyone gives you trouble later, just come find me." He wrote down his number and gave it to her.

Elysia stared at the number, thinking, Why is this guy helping me so much?

"Well, I'll be going now," Ben said.

"Alright," Ava replied, but noticed Elysia still staring at the number. "What's wrong, Elysia?"

"Nothing," Elysia responded quickly.

As the ceremony began, Holden stepped onto the stage. He wore transparent-framed glasses, earrings, a silver jacket, and white jeans. As the music began, he dazzled the crowd.

Elysia watched, feeling an inexplicable sense that this person was different from the one she'd met on the basketball court.

Ava screamed, "My crush is so handsome!"

Chapter 46 (continued)

As the performance ended, Holden's gaze shifted to Elysia. He smiled.

"Elysia, did my crush just look at us?" Ava gripped her arm excitedly.

Elysia had noticed it too. She thought, Was it just an illusion?

The venue was cheering when Holden raised a hand for silence. All eyes were on him as he spoke into the microphone. "Seeing your smiles, it's as if I'm looking at myself from yesterday. I'm truly grateful to Milton School for giving me this chance to leave behind the most beautiful melody here." His gaze turned toward Elysia. "I'm glad you're here. I believe we will meet again someday."