Chapter 5

Feena was Eddie's, Jack's, and Wesley's dream girl during their childhood. However, they only dared to keep these feelings hidden, as the gap between them and Feena felt insurmountable. When Feena saw Eddie and Wesley, she greeted them warmly. However, upon noticing Jack, she paused, clearly aware of the news about his expulsion. A slight sigh escaped her as she felt a pang of sympathy for him. Being expelled meant that he had a bleak future. Not wanting Jack to feel neglected, Feena hesitated for a moment before flashing him a perfect smile. "Hello, Jack!" Jack sensed the fleeting pity in her expression. Such looks were reserved for the weak. His chest tightened slightly, but soon, he gave her a bright smile. "Are you back to visit your grandfather?" Jack was now strong enough not to be swayed by external circumstances. He believed he would eventually surprise those who doubted him, and that day was not far off. Feena nodded and replied, "Yes. I'm here to see my grandfather and also to meet Mr. Cannon, who came all the way here to interview me." Wesley exclaimed, "Is that the person who sang 'The Sleeping Guys?' He's going to be your mentor?" Feena nodded again, a hint of pride evident on her face. Wesley and the others looked at her in admiration. Donald Cannon was a towering figure in the music industry, both past and present. Some of his iconic songs, like "The Sleeping Guys", had become classics, and they were celebrated and sung by many across the country. Television stations even featured Donald in special segments, recognizing him as one of the most influential figures in music over the past two decades. Having such a musical legend as her mentor undoubtedly elevated Feena's status. Wesley and the others felt she was destined for a great future—far brighter than theirs. As a result, Eddie and Wesley found themselves trying a bit too hard to impress her during their conversation. Feena was like a graceful swan soaring high above, while they felt like toads at the bottom of a well. Wesley cautiously said, "Feena, our classes are holding a joint graduation party. Will you be coming?" Given Feena's beauty, her absence would be a significant loss for the graduation ceremony. "I'll definitely be there," she replied with a warm smile. Wesley and the others let out a collective sigh of relief. Soon after, Feena tossed her hair back and followed her father into the alley, a gentle breeze trailing behind her. With the college entrance exams approaching, many graduation activities started taking place. Jack received numerous farewell messages from his classmates at Crestfield High School. They were mostly from male friends he was close with. Their kind words warmed his heart. However, what surprised him most was finding a message book scented with grass among them. It was a farewell gift from Phoebe. "A man should be ambitious. Don't waste your youth. I believe in your talent. There are many paths in life, regardless of whether or not you get into college. When we meet again years from now, may we both be extraordinary." Jack was overjoyed by her note. He couldn't help but picture Phoebe's stunning figure with long hair flowing down her back. He knew she sometimes came to watch boys play basketball, and whenever she did, the players seemed to give it their all. Every boy dreamed of catching a glimpse of a goddess like Phoebe; a fleeting glance from her was enough to brighten their day. Phoebe probably never imagined that Jack would one day undergo such a transformation. Her words, "There are many paths in life," were meant to encourage him not to give up hope. Jack found himself curious about which school Phoebe planned to enroll in for college. He envisioned a scenario where they both ended up at the same school or even in the same class. The thought of her surprise when she saw him standing in front of her was a delightful fantasy. On the last day before the college entrance exams, a massive book-tearing event swept through both Crestfield and Seaton High School. This was the final burst of excitement for many students preparing for the exams. They chose to lighten their load as they prepared for what they believed was the most important battle of their lives. Jack quietly awaited his moment, anticipating the day he would shine. Finally, it was the day of the college entrance exams. The weather forecast indicated that temperatures in Perther City would soar to 38 degrees Celsius. Even early in the morning, the air was thick with heat. When Jack awoke, Helena prepared his usual breakfast of milk and bread. Watching him enjoy his meal, she said, "Relax and take the exam without any pressure." Jeffrey peeled an egg for Jack and said, "Just do your best. Your mom and I will support you no matter what." Jack understood that his parents were trying to ease his stress. He smiled faintly and replied, "I'll do my best to achieve great results!" Seeing their son so mature made Helena and Jeffrey beam with happiness. "It doesn't matter if you can't get into college this year, as long as you put in the effort. There's always next year." After finishing breakfast, Jack gathered all the necessary documents and stepped toward his future. His exam location was at Crestfield High School. Since Eddie and Wesley were at a different exam site, Jack took the bus alone to the testing center. On the day of the college entrance exams, many kind-hearted vehicles offered free rides to students. Despite the number of cars on the road, traffic remained orderly. Jack boarded a familiar bus filled with other students heading for the same destination, all of whom were busily reviewing their notes. As the bus moved steadily along, Jack closed his eyes to relax. Suddenly, chaos erupted inside the bus, accompanied by screams and cries. Jack opened his eyes to see a large man brandishing a knife and shouting, "I don't want to live anymore! I want to take revenge on society, and everyone will die with me!" He lunged at an elderly man, who managed to dodge a fatal blow, but he was still stabbed in the thigh. Blood began to pour out. Panic spread through the bus as people screamed and cried out in fear. After injuring the old man, the attacker ran wildly through the aisle, injuring several passengers who couldn't escape in time, leaving them bleeding on the floor. The bus descended into chaos as it began to lose control. Faced with the crazed attacker, Jack felt an unexpected surge of courage and suddenly stood up to confront him. Although he was still some distance away, the assailant noticed Jack's movement and roared, "How dare you oppose me? You must be tired of living!" He lunged at Jack with his knife aimed at his chest. The elderly man shouted in terror, "Be careful!" However, Jack seemed to have an uncanny intuition as he effortlessly dodged the attacker's strike. His reflexes were remarkably quick, as if he could anticipate the assailant's movements before they even happened.