Chapter 11

Jack's face lit up with an innocent smile, and his relaxed demeanor caught Phoebe off guard. She had expected him to ask for something demanding, maybe even jokingly suggest something dramatic like a lifetime promise. But all Jack asked for was a meal. Phoebe was touched but also a little annoyed. She teased, "Does my life only deserve a single meal?" "It's not like that. I just…" Jack stammered, looking flustered. Seeing his panic, Phoebe couldn't hold back her laughter. Her radiant smile bloomed like a field of flowers, glowing under the starlight and making her look utterly enchanting. She said, her tone softening, "I'm just kidding. I just wanted to repay you, that's all." Jack froze, utterly captivated by her beauty. To him, Phoebe had always been the epitome of grace and intellect, perhaps even a little cold, an untouchable goddess. But this playful side of her, so grounded and approachable, felt like a fairy being stepping into the mortal world. Realizing Jack was staring, Phoebe's cheeks turned a faint pink. She lowered her gaze slightly and said, "Jack, thank you. I'd love to treat you to a meal, but I'll be leaving for Alnewgo tomorrow morning." Alnewgo, one of the nation's largest cities, was as renowned as the capital, yet it was thousands of miles from Perther City. Once she left, the chances of meeting again were slim. Jack blinked in surprise. "You're going to Alnewgo?" A trace of melancholy crossed Phoebe's face. She explained softly, "I'm planning to apply to Alnewgo University. My parents are moving there as well." As the leading college in the municipality, Alnewgo University carried over a century of prestige. Since modern times, it had nurtured countless prominent figures and was ranked among the country's top five colleges. To gain admission, one needed to be the best of the best. From Phoebe's calm and confident demeanor, it was clear she was determined to succeed. Jack gave a faint smile. "How about you treat me to that meal if fate allows us to meet again? Who knows, I might end up at Alnewgo University too," he said casually. "Really?" Phoebe's eyes sparkled with hope. She continued, "Then, can I have your phone number? I'll change my number when I get to Alnewgo. I'll call you then." Jack handed her his number without hesitation, though he knew that if he really did apply to Alnewgo University, he would likely change his number as well. As for whether they would meet again, well, that was up to fate. Phoebe carefully wrote down his number. After a moment of thought, she looked up and said earnestly, "Promise me this. Make sure you get into Alnewgo University." "I will," Jack replied with a confident nod. At that moment, Phoebe found herself captivated by Jack's unwavering gaze. His confidence shone like the stars, and for the first time, she saw a new side of him, one that made her heart skip a beat. "Are you disappointed that Feena rejected you today?" Phoebe suddenly asked, breaking the silence. Jack said nonchalantly. "Not really. I expected it. Since I was bold enough to confess, I wasn't afraid of rejection." Phoebe studied him carefully and found that his expression remained calm. Indeed, there was no sign of dejection after Feena's refusal. What she saw instead was a quiet confidence and an unwavering hope for the future. Phoebe sighed softly, feeling a twinge of regret for Jack's rejection. Putting aside family background and academic achievements, Jack truly was a great person. But she also understood Feena's decision. The future was full of uncertainties, and high school romances were inherently fragile. More importantly, their family backgrounds belonged to entirely different worlds. In this diverse and open society, many encouraged the idea of love without barriers. But reality painted a harsher picture. Unions between vastly different social classes often ended in tragedy. Feena studied under Donald, and her future seemed destined for brilliance. Meanwhile, Jack was still fighting to secure a spot at college. If nothing miraculous happened, their paths would diverge irreparably. When Jack had chosen to confess, the outcome had already been decided. As these thoughts ran through her mind, Phoebe felt a subtle sadness welling up in her heart. "Jack, you sang 'Time' so beautifully," Phoebe said, bringing the conversation back to the song Jack had performed earlier. It was a song she liked too. Jack smiled modestly. "Thank you for the compliment. I really like that song." Phoebe stared at him intently, her voice carrying a hint of disbelief. "Are you sure that song wasn't written or sung by you?" Under Phoebe's expectant gaze, Jack hesitated for a moment before shaking his head. "No, it wasn't me." Disappointment flashed across Phoebe's face. If Jack had truly written or performed that song, it would have been remarkable. To compose a tune that had spread across the country and was destined to become a classic, such talent would make anyone's heart skip a beat. But alas… Time passed in silence until their clothes were finally dry. To avoid further awkwardness, both of them quickly put their garments back on. Suddenly, lights appeared on the river, accompanied by the rhythmic sounds of oars and distant voices calling out. Jack squinted into the darkness. A group of classmates had taken boats and were searching along the river. Jack shouted, waving his arms near the fire. "Over here! We're okay!" Phoebe joined in, jumping up and down. The boats adjusted the course and headed in their direction. On the lead boat, a group of classmates stood at the bow, with Wesley and Eddie at the forefront. When they saw Jack and Phoebe standing safely on the shore, they broke into cheers. Some of the girls even cried tears of joy. The group had feared the worst for Jack and Phoebe. Seeing them alive and well was nothing short of a miracle. Once ashore, the classmates jumped off the boats, swarming around Jack and Phoebe with hugs and a barrage of questions about what had happened. Phoebe glanced at Jack, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Jack saved me," she said softly. Gasps and exclamations erupted all around. Every eye turned to Jack, their gazes filled with admiration. Words of praise and awe echoed from every corner. Wesley punched Jack lightly on the chest, his voice filled with astonishment. "Holy crap! Jack, you're a legend! You're our hero!" The image of Jack diving into the river to save Phoebe, without a moment's hesitation, replayed vividly in everyone's minds. They had feared that Jack, too, might have drowned. No one could've imagined that he would pull off such a daring and selfless act. Not only had he survived, but he had also managed to save Phoebe. It was insanely cool. Meanwhile, Phoebe was surrounded by the girls, who were checking on her and fussing over her well-being. Though the ordeal had been terrifying, the relief of a happy ending erased all traces of fear. As night fell, the group decided to end the gathering. No one was in the mood to continue celebrating after such an eventful day. After bidding their farewells, the party quietly disbanded. With the college entrance exam results looming, the group scattered, each going their separate ways, chasing their futures. For Jack and his peers, the end of the exams marked the beginning of a carefree summer. Over the next month, as they waited for the results, Jack, Wesley, and Eddie spent their days indulging in the simple joys of life. They fished by the river, played games at cyber cafes, and even played a few rounds of billiards.