### Chapter 88: A New Trend

"...Jenny and the others are planning to go to the movies tomorrow night. Are you coming with us?"

"This summer's movie lineup is a bit dull. I don't have high expectations. Which movie are they going to watch?"

"**Gladiator**. I've heard it's really good, and Joaquin Phoenix is supposed to be super sexy in it."

"Ah, I've heard that too!"

"I'm looking forward to **Mission: Impossible 2**. The trailer looks amazing."

The school buzzed with chatter early in the morning, resembling a flock of nightingales singing in harmony. As you walked through, you could catch snippets of various conversations, and the faces brimming with youthful energy reflected their excitement for life.

However, not everyone was part of this cheerful crowd.

A small group of rebellious kids, steeped in the spirit of rock, goth, and punk, shielded themselves behind layers of smoky makeup and wild hairstyles, channeling all their energy into defying the world and expressing their anger.

Then, a figure burst through the crowd like a whirlwind, heading straight for her locker. Before she could even catch her breath, a few girls had already gathered around her, needing no words—just one look was enough.

"Did it come out?"

"It did."

"Ahhh!"

Squeals erupted, causing a wave of excitement.

Madeleine Box didn't keep them in suspense any longer. She pulled a magazine out of her bag, carelessly shoving the bag into her locker, but handling the magazine with utmost care, as if it were a treasure. All eyes were glued to it.

**GQ**—this was what they had been eagerly waiting for.

This issue featured a bridal wear special with Brad Pitt and a cover story on Hugh Jackman. Even before its release, it had been a hot topic among the senior girls.

And now, finally!

For high schoolers, with their limited allowances, buying a magazine was a considerable expense. Seniors, in particular, had to save up for the upcoming prom, which made their budgets even tighter.

As a result, whoever could afford to buy a magazine became the most popular person in the group. A single issue would circulate among different girls in the grade, a special scene that became a cherished memory of their school days.

Madeleine carefully displayed the magazine cover to her friends—

"Ah!"

One by one, they covered their mouths, unable to hold back their excitement as they swooned over the handsome Wolverine. They all swore they would definitely go see **X-Men** in theaters, their hearts practically bursting with excitement.

First Hugh Jackman, then Brad Pitt.

The girls were beyond thrilled, screaming, jumping, cheering, and stomping their feet, using every ounce of energy to express their happiness. Unfortunately, their joy was short-lived as the bell rang. They reluctantly agreed to continue gushing over the magazine after class and hurried off to their classrooms with light steps.

Madeleine's first class of the day was math. She quickly gathered her books and the magazine, sprinting to the classroom to grab a seat before the teacher arrived, her heart pounding in her chest.

But there was no time to catch her breath. She pulled out the magazine, hiding it beneath her math book, and began flipping through the pages secretly—

Just a little peek. Just for a moment.

Who could resist Hugh Jackman and Brad Pitt?

She had to admit, the suit feature in this issue was incredibly well done, perfectly showcasing the elegance and charm of a man. Every cell in her body seemed to be screaming in excitement.

Madeleine knew she had already gone over the same set of photos five times, but she couldn't stop herself from flipping through them again, searching for every detail. She started examining the brands of the suits, accessories, and other items in the photos, unable to stop marveling.

"How can they look so good?"

Wait.

Accidentally, Madeleine flipped through a few more pages and noticed another suit, another face. She glanced at it briefly before flipping back to Brad, but her fingers hesitated, and her thoughts momentarily stalled.

Hmm?

A vague impression lingered in her mind, but her fingers inexplicably turned back to that page, her previously excited mood calming down for a moment.

A bit of curiosity. A bit of excitement.

The glossy pages were delicate and clear, and the figure on the page stood at a crosswalk, a skateboard under his feet, wearing a suit. But the three-piece suit was unbuttoned, the tie loosened, giving him a carefree and rebellious vibe. His hair was damp with sweat, and despite the suit, he exuded a wild and untamed energy. The moment he glanced back was captured perfectly on film.

In that instant, time seemed to stand still.

Madeleine's mind buzzed.

It was that look, that one glance, as if he broke free from the confines of the page, staring back at her with such vivid intensity. She hadn't even fully registered his face before the image of those deep, blue eyes, glimmering with a golden hue, imprinted itself in her mind. She found herself holding her breath.

A suit. It was definitely a suit, yet it completely lacked the usual essence of a suit.

A suit paired with sneakers and a skateboard—so bold, so unconventional, yet somehow there was a subtle sense of harmony. The sparks of contrast were thrilling.

Heh.

Madeleine stood there, stunned.

Her mind was blank. Hugh Jackman, Brad Pitt—all forgotten. The entire world, her entire mind, was focused solely on the figure before her. Clearly, it was just a photo, a static image, yet it felt so vivid. The vibrant energy seemed to burst through the paper.

A moment of pure astonishment.

Who knew that sunlight could be so gentle, or that it could pale in comparison to a single person?

Who knew that a suit could be so suave, breaking free from its traditional constraints and revealing an entirely new side?

Quietly, almost imperceptibly, Madeleine gazed at the photo, entranced, as if possessed. She even forgot to look at the other photos, just standing there as time lost its meaning.

Almost instinctively, Madeleine searched the corner of the page for the model's name. Her heart clenched—what if there was no name?

Magazines often do that; the models are nameless, just mere mannequins.

"Madeleine!"

She couldn't find it. Panic set in.

"Madeleine Brooks!"

The voice rang out like a thunderclap.

Madeleine was jolted back to reality. She looked up to see her math teacher, Ms. Blumberg, with an angry expression.

Uh-oh.

Madeleine tried to hide the magazine, but it was too late. Wendy Blumberg extended her right hand.

"Give me the magazine. You're going to the principal's office."

Madeleine groaned, "Ms. Blumberg…"

But the teacher was in no mood for leniency. "Now. Don't make me say it again."

Madeleine's shoulders slumped as she handed over the magazine and trudged toward the principal's office. She couldn't believe she was heading there just before graduation. Even worse, her "GQ" magazine!

Who knew if Ms. Blumberg would return the magazine after class?

She hadn't even finished looking through it!

Who was that man?

Just thinking about it made Madeleine feel a pang of regret.

Creak.

She pushed open the door to the principal's office. Inside, a girl was already sitting by the entrance, waiting. The office must have been occupied with other students, so they had to wait in line. But Madeleine wasn't concerned about that.

Instead—

"Is that a 'GQ' magazine?"

End of chapter four.