Chapter 37

After dinner, Summer returned to her dormitory, washed up, and went to bed. The lively noise from the kitchen was faintly audible through two walls and some distance, only occasional laughter reaching her ears. It wasn't too loud, so Summer quickly fell asleep.

She slept deeply, exhausted from the day's activities. She had no idea when Lily and her friends finished steaming the buns, when they returned to the dormitory, or if they gossiped about her before bed. Not that she cared whether they did.

Her recent behavior had annoyed Lily and the others. It would be strange if they weren't talking behind her back. As long as she didn't hear it, she didn't mind.

After a sound sleep, Summer woke at dawn, quietly got out of bed, and tidied up before heading to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. The admission work was over, and a small burden had been lifted off her shoulders.

Today, apart from organizing a welcome ceremony, the tasks were minor, so she felt much more relaxed than in previous days. Feeling at ease, she went about her morning routine as usual.

She had breakfast with Logan, then grabbed her backpack and walked to school with him. Although they didn't talk much, they maintained a close distance. Knowing Logan's sensitivity, Summer tried not to be too deliberate in her actions.

Upon arriving at school, they began their first task of the day—cleaning. They divided the work, ensuring the school was spotless, inside and out. Next, they moved on to the second task—preparing a bulletin board.

With the school reopening after a long closure, the sense of ceremony for the new term had to be perfect. Besides the welcome ceremony involving all the senior students, Summer and Logan planned to create a bulletin board at the back of the classroom to welcome the students.

They had planned ahead, buying a box of colored chalk yesterday. Using the colored chalk to decorate the bulletin board would make the classroom much brighter.

Standing in front of the blackboard with the colored chalk, Summer and Logan discussed their ideas for the bulletin board. They brainstormed and came up with a rough plan.

Logan looked at Summer and asked, "How are your drawing and handwriting skills?"

Summer wasn't very artistically inclined. She was ordinary and never shone in the story. Rachel was noble, elegant, and pure, a true goddess. Sophia was beautiful, graceful, and full of artistic talent, able to sing, dance, and exude romance with every glance and gesture.

Everything Summer was good at was in service to Henry, lacking any personal charm. She was known for being hardworking, unassuming, and a good homemaker, described as diligent, uncomplaining, and silently supportive.

Summer shook her head at Logan. "I can't draw, and my handwriting is just average."

Logan looked at her for a moment before sarcastically saying, "You really embody the word 'ordinary' from head to toe. With Rachel gone and Sophia around, no wonder Henry can't see you."

Summer glared at him, thinking, "Once I break free from the constraints of the story and find my true self, I'll make you eat your words!"

Seeing her glare, Logan added, "Why are you glaring at me? If you have the guts, glare at Henry."

Summer retorted, "He hasn't insulted me for being ordinary, so why should I glare at him?"

Logan chuckled, taking the chalk from her to start on the bulletin board, continuing, "If he didn't think you were ordinary, would he have overlooked your feelings and efforts for so many years? If you ever stop being ordinary, he'll realize what he's been missing and regret it deeply."

He turned to her, "You're not planning something like that, are you? Distancing yourself from him to make him realize what he lost, then becoming impressive to amaze him, making him understand you're the best and return to you."

Summer's hairs stood on end. The thought of waiting for Henry to suffer and then realize her worth was unbearable. She quickly rebutted, "I don't play such petty games. Even if he realizes my feelings and efforts later, I wouldn't want him!"

Logan stared into her eyes, seemingly judging her sincerity. After a moment, he smiled, turning back to the board. "That's good. Some things are innate and can't be changed by effort, like turning from ordinary to remarkable. Even if Henry realizes your worth someday, it would just be a fallback option."

Though it was the truth in the story, Summer couldn't help but feel angry. She watched Logan's back and subconsciously broke the chalk in her hand. Realizing the value of the chalk, she quickly stopped.

Taking a deep breath, Summer sat on the desk at the back and declared, "We'll see. One day, I'll shine with my own light. I'm making it clear now; I won't be a supporting role for anyone, and no one will stop me from shining."

Logan paused, chalk in hand, then turned to look at her. She sat on the desk, eyes firm and clear, with the morning sunlight streaming in, making her gaze sparkle and her profile glow.

For a moment, he thought the light seemed to come from her.

As he was lost in thought, someone called from outside the classroom, "Logan! Summer!"