Chapter 17

Logan didn't continue the conversation with Summer.

He looked away, quickly finished his breakfast in a few bites, washed his dishes, and left with his bag.

Summer didn't waste any time either. She hastened her pace, finished her meal, grabbed her backpack, and headed out.

Leaving the yard, she followed Logan, heading in the same direction towards the school.

Upon arriving at the school, Logan went straight to the office and sat down.

He took out a pen and paper from his bag and began writing something intently.

Summer sat at the desk next to his.

With her excellent eyesight, she glanced over at Logan's paper and saw four words written boldly in the center of the page—**Admission Notice**.

Summer knew he was preparing an announcement to be broadcasted over the village PA system, informing everyone that Tams Creek Elementary School was reopening and inviting them to enroll their children.

It made sense to recruit students this way, but...

Summer thought for a moment and then said, "This won't work."

Logan paused and looked at her, his expression not friendly.

Meeting his gaze, Summer clarified, "You won't get any students this way."

Logan clearly didn't take her words seriously.

He continued writing, finishing quickly since the announcement was short.

After finishing, he left the office with the paper.

Summer didn't follow him out. Instead, she took out her own pen and paper and began writing a letter at her desk.

"Dear Mom and Dad,

I've been away from home for almost a month now. How have you been during this time?

I've missed you every day since I've been in the countryside, and I long to see you.

I deeply regret defying your wishes and insisting on coming here to volunteer. Now, I understand how much it hurt you.

But don't worry about me. I'm doing well here and using this time to grow and learn...

Halfway through her letter, she was interrupted by the sound of a voice over the PA system.

"Hello? Hello?"

Summer paused her writing to listen as Leonardo's voice came through the speaker, "Attention everyone, please put down what you're doing and listen. Our village has decided to reopen the elementary school starting this year. Enrollment begins today, with no age restrictions. Please bring your children to the school office to register with the teachers."

Summer paid little attention and resumed her letter.

She was writing so much to her parents that she filled two pages.

After writing the date at the end, she read through the letter one more time.

Finding nothing more to add, she tore off the two pages, folded them, and put them back in her bag along with the notebook. Then, she sat at the desk, propping her chin up with her hands, feeling a bit idle.

She knew no one would come to register, but she didn't say anything more to Logan.

She would let the facts speak for themselves.

So, Logan spent the entire morning in the office waiting for people to come and enroll.

Summer stayed by his side, not going anywhere.

As the sun rose higher, nearing noon, not a single person showed up. Logan's breathing grew noticeably heavier, betraying his frustration.

Summer thought it was about time and said, "I told you it wouldn't work."

Logan turned to look at her, still with that indifferent attitude, and said, "What do you know? Everyone's at work; they don't have time to come and enroll."

Summer nodded with an "okay" expression, "So, are we waiting until after lunch?"

Logan ignored her, packed his bag, and left.

Naturally, Summer grabbed her bag and followed him out, though she made an effort not to stay too close, trying to appear as if she wasn't intentionally following him.

Back at the volunteer house, the others hadn't returned from work yet.

Logan started a fire to cook, and Summer did the same. Logan ate his meal, and Summer sat down to eat hers too. Then, Logan went to the yard to pump water and wash clothes, and Summer followed to do her laundry.

Logan scrubbed his clothes a few times and glanced at Summer.

Sensing his gaze, Summer looked up with a puzzled expression and asked, "Why are you looking at me like that?"

Logan asked, "What are you up to?"

Summer feigned ignorance, her eyes wide and innocent, "I'm not up to anything."

Logan stared at her.

Yesterday, she had avoided him like the plague, acting as if she couldn't bear to be on the same planet with him. Today, she had stayed within his sight all day, which was clearly unusual.