Unpredictable Existence
Winter does think that having Marcellus go all this way to meet her is quite convenient since she does not have to commute anymore, but she will rather travel a far distance if it means avoiding unwarranted attention.
She already knows how everyone in Marie Claire High School will react once they find out that she is acquainted with a personality of repute and high standing like him. Before she went back in time, she experienced becoming more and more of an outcast because of a similar reason. While some spread rumors about her, others tried to approach her and pretended to befriend her.
In reality, they were only either using her or feeling jealous of her.
'Back then, I didn't know whom to trust anymore. My friends were backstabbing me, and others were speaking ill of me for some reason. I was bullied. Eventually, I was left all alone, and I came to decide that I would no longer care...' Winter brooded in silence, feeling down and heavy from recalling that particular memory.
'So, before I get left behind this time around, I will just draw my line as early as now.'
Still, it will be much better if nobody in school knows that this Marcellus Lexington has a connection with her.
With that in mind, Winter finally decided to pull herself together and flee the scene at once. She made a dash for the school gates, completely forgetting about her ice cream as well as the crowd around her.
Right then, Marcellus is about to step in and pass through the entrance. As a result of her last-minute retreat, she ends up heading in the opposite direction that he is going in.
'Good! He didn't notice me! Now, I'll just have to turn to a corner!'
Everyone back at the scene is taken aback to find Winter running away all of the sudden. While Courtney tilts her head in surprise and bafflement, Maxine raises a brow at how weird she is acting out of nowhere.
"Hey, Winter, what about your ice cream?!" the blonde exclaimed.
"What's with the rush, Winter?! Getting the shivers now, huh?!" the redhead shouted as well.
With them calling out to her like that, her supposedly perfect retreat takes a bad turn.
Right before they can completely miss each other, Marcellus looks at where they are looking at and ends up locking eye contact with Winter. His eyes widened as he caught sight of her slipping away while hers did the same the instant she found him turning to her.
Even then, she carries on with her escape and takes her leave in a haste.
"Ms. Agreste!" Marcellus called but to no avail.
Courtney and Maxine were able to get a glimpse of him before he turned back around and rushed out of the gate. With Winter getting away, which is no doubt on purpose, he goes after her all the way to the street but only to find her still sprinting. He knows that she heard him, but even then, she did not halt on her tracks even just for a second.
"Ms. Agreste! What're you running away for...?!" he shouted at her in confusion.
"You're seriously treating me like a stranger now?!"
Right then, Winter turns for a bit and looks back at Marcellus. She then sticks her tongue out like a child - obviously messing with him. That struck him dumbfounded for a moment.
And in the end, all he could do was make an incredulous look and let out a loud groan in annoyance.
"Ughhh... This girl is one unpredictable existence."