Chapter 16

Michelle didn't look at Frederick. Instead, she waved at Jonathan in the distance. With a sweet and cute smile, she said "Jonathan, come join my team." Jonathan wasn't in a hurry. There were 36 people in the class, meaning they would be split into 12 teams so he wouldn't be left out. When he heard her voice, he looked up and immediately responded, "Sure." Frederick's face darkened right away. Stella couldn't help but frown, thinking Michelle would choose to team up with Frederick. After all, he was the best basketball player in the class, and she had learned a thing or two about shooting with his help. No matter who teamed up with them, they would definitely benefit from it. It seemed Michelle had poor judgment. She silently scoffed coldly. After a brief moment of surprise, the other students continued looking for their teammates. With great annoyance, Frederick was very displeased with Jonathan and picked an athletic student who played basketball frequently as his partner. He planned to prove just how wrong Michelle was in her choice. In front of the Campbells, he would pretend to be weak and powerless, but at school, he would crush Jonathan in every way. Not just academically but also in sports. Jonathan had cheated in the math test, forcing him to publicly read a letter of apology during the flag-raising ceremony next Monday. Just thinking about it made him feel utterly frustrated. He was determined to restore his dignity in gym class. With that in mind, Frederick walked over with a fake smile, intentionally taking a few deep breaths as if exhausted, though he was trying to appear strong. "Jonathan, if you don't know how to shoot, come to me for help. I'll teach you everything." Jonathan looked indifferent and replied, "No need. You're not good enough." Stella stepped forward angrily. "Jonathan, you're always bullying Frederick! He's offering to teach you basketball, and you should be grateful, not give him an attitude!" "Did I ask him to teach me? He's just being presumptuous," Jonathan replied, his tone dismissive. "You two need to get a checkup since there's something wrong with your brains." Her eyes turned red with rage; she hated his arrogant, confrontational attitude. "Frederick, don't waste your kindness on Jonathan. He's hopeless, and there's no saving him." She quickly comforted Frederick after seeing him deflated by Jonathan's words. Frederick wore an expression of grievance. "Jonathan, I just wanted you to be better." Jonathan sneered. "My hands are itching." Frederick's facial expression changed drastically. He still felt pain from Jonathan's kick at the birthday party. He quickly pulled Stella away and said, "Stella, let's go do some practice shots." The other students found their respective teammates, and only Owen was left. He was forced to team up with Jonathan and Michelle. He mumbled softly, "Michelle, Jonathan is terrible at basketball. Shouldn't we ask Mr. Smith to let an outsider join our team and replace him?" Michelle replied coldly with a blank expression, "You can always choose to replace both of us and go solo." He awkwardly scratched his head and didn't speak further. She continued, "You'd better try hard and don't drag us down." He shivered when he saw her icy stare. He couldn't help but think, "Did I just imagine it, or is it true? Will Michelle punch me if I say one more word?" Her gaze was as cold as Jonathan's! Owen already had a serious trauma from Jonathan's kick. When he saw Jonathan buying two water bottles and heading toward Michelle, he quickly pretended he hadn't said anything, stepping aside and standing at attention. Jonathan handed one bottle of water to Michelle. "Here." Michelle took it obediently. "Thanks, Jonathan." Stella, busy practicing basketball, noticed Jonathan and Michelle getting close. She felt uneasy; Jonathan had never brought her water! The student who teamed up with Frederick and Stella was named Wesley Ziegler. "Just admit defeat, trash!" he remarked snidely. Owen, already unhappy about being in the same group as Jonathan, spoke up. "Who are you calling trash?" He rolled up his sleeves, ready to fight Wesley. Wesley sneered. "My uncle is the principal of Gracefield High School. If you touch me, I'll have him expel you." Owen gritted his teeth. "What's so great about having a connection?" Frederick ignored them. He couldn't taunt them himself, but it was perfect that Wesley had done so. John, who was getting a headache from their little spat, rubbed his forehead. As a teacher, he couldn't afford to offend someone with a powerful background, but he also couldn't just let the situation escalate. "Um... Well..." He prepared to talk about drawing the lots. All of sudden, he heard a loud bang. Jonathan had kicked Wesley, sending him flying! John was stunned, while the students fell silent. Frederick's face darkened, and Stella was indifferent. Jonathan lazily withdrew his long leg and calmly looked at John. "Mr. Smith, let's begin." John, still in shock, nodded stiffly. "Okay, okay." "Jonathan! I'm not done with you!" Wesley spat, his insides shaken by the kick. His eyes turned red with fury. "After class, I'll go to my uncle and have him expel you!" Jonathan shrugged nonchalantly, grinning arrogantly. "Mr. Houston wouldn't dare expel me." Wesley was furious. "We'll see how long you can stay arrogant!" John, his mind full of questions, wondered why Benjamin wouldn't expel Jonathan, but he shook off the thought and announced the rules, "We will decide the order by drawing lots. The rules are simple—the team that makes the most three-point shots wins. Each person has one minute." "Huh? One minute?" The students were stunned. Wasn't that too short? But since John had set it up this way, it made sense. There were 36 people in total, and the class lasted 45 minutes. "Alright. Everyone, hurry up and draw your lots." He took out a small box with a hole and said, "Send one representative from each group to draw." Frederick was the first to go and drew the number 11. Other representatives followed suit and drew their numbers. Jonathan drew number 12, meaning his team was last. Owen panicked. What could he do in one minute? He had never played basketball, and he was done for! Jonathan glanced at him. "Tch! Coward!" Jonathan was looking down on Owen. However, Owen dared not speak because he really couldn't play! Although he had no hope of winning the cash prize, he didn't want to be last. That would be so embarrassing! Michelle noticed Owen anxiously pacing between her and Jonathan and pouted. "Owen, you're blocking my view. Instead of being anxious, you should practice shooting." She wanted to look at the handsome men, not be blocked! "Right! I should go practice! We won't be up for a while!" he thought. Owen took the ball and ran to the other side of the court to practice his shots. … When the gym class ended, it would be nearly dinner time. Winona came to deliver some food to Frederick to make sure he wouldn't get hungry on the way home. Knowing he was in gym class, she brought the lunchbox to the basketball court.