Chapter 89: True Love

⚠️A/N: Sorry for the clear mistake of arrangement, but the sequel of this Chapter is 92(weekend). It goes like this from Chapter 92, 89, 90, 91.

Sofia’s smile still remained over her face as a gesture of support and understanding. She didn’t seem bothered by his sudden outburst or the strange way he had described his detention experience. Instead, she simply remained seated beside him, allowing the peaceful surroundings to fill the silence between them.

But to Jack, it had struck him that she didn’t really know about his situation as one of the dreaded students, with his service with Mia or partnership with Victor.

Many in the school, mostly from the sophomores, some juniors, and the staff, knew of his deeds, character, and records here in the school. Though some handful of the freshmen had already caught wind of him from the school’s activities, the same couldn’t be said for the girl beside him.

She seemed like an oblivious person who didn’t know and was detached from the rest. Or maybe she knew about him but still didn’t care, unlike the others who deliberately kept their distance whenever he was around.

That thought made Jack study her more closely.

Sofia didn’t seem afraid of him.

She had been sitting beside him comfortably, talking about childhood memories, recreational parks, school activities, and even his detention without showing any obvious hesitation. There was no nervousness in her expression and no attempt to maintain unnecessary distance between them.

He had also noticed that Sofia had an air of soft, self-contained, detached, and collected character in her nature toward her classmates. She didn’t seem to seek attention from others, nor did she appear particularly interested in becoming involved in every conversation happening around her.

She had earlier claimed that many hadn’t approached her in anticipation of her unpredictable behavior, and he quite understood that himself. There was something difficult to read about her personality. She could be friendly and relaxed one moment, then become distant and quiet the next without giving much explanation.

But, luckily enough, he had gotten her for himself, and that was all he cared about.

"My next detention session comes the day after this weekend. Two more before I’m lifted, but I could use some help," Jack said slightly with a convincing tone.

Sofia nodded calmly. "Of course, I know. Maybe this evening or tomorrow. I’ll notify you when it comes, but we can do it together too." She reassured Jack, who had a corner smile.

"We’re always in this together. I should be the one to be begging about this."

Jack’s smile widened slightly. He leaned back against the bench and allowed himself to relax again. For once, the thought of detention didn’t feel quite as irritating as it had before.

His gaze drifted across the school grounds and saw two people walking along a main route of the school, opposite to his position. His eyes narrowed when Mark and Hermione walked beside each other so closely.

Mark wore green sports attire consisting of a designed shirt, yellow-trimmed shorts, and black sneakers, while Hermione wore a tank top under a red jacket, form-fitting black leggings beneath her skirt, and pink sneakers.

Their clothes made it obvious that they weren’t simply wandering around the school or spending the weekend aimlessly. They appeared to be preparing for some kind of exercise, with their sportswear fitting naturally around their movements and giving them a more relaxed appearance than the usual school uniforms.

The fabric shifted lightly whenever they walked, while their sneakers made soft sounds against the paved pathway beneath them. The weekend atmosphere seemed to suit them much better than the strict uniforms they normally wore throughout the school week.

Without the formal appearance of classes, they looked more comfortable and free, as though the absence of lessons had allowed them to breathe and enjoy the peaceful morning without worrying about schedules, teachers, or the constant pressure of schoolwork.

Her hair was as radiant as ever, with shifting shades under the golden morning light, making it blend beautifully with Mark’s appearance as they both strolled together. The atmosphere and colors suited and complemented their presence, making them much more pronounced to anyone watching from a distance.

Jack’s expression remained still for a moment as he watched them.

He couldn’t hear what they were saying from where he sat, but their body language suggested that Hermione was already giving Mark some kind of instruction.

"Stop biting your cheeks and looking nervous again. I’ve always told you in the chat to exercise this often," Hermione corrected both strictly and playfully to Mark, who glanced at her from the corner of his eyes, which she always found funny.

"Oh? I was actually chewing bubble gum this time. I haven’t tried one of those for long, so it made me kinda nervous, you know," Mark admitted with a slight chuckle.

Hermione gave him a knowing look for a while. "Well, spit it out now. Sugars aren’t good for the body before preparing for exercise. You’re stressing your blood cells with high-pressed glucose."

Mark raised an eyebrow at her explanation.

"Huh? Is that what you saw from the book?" Mark sighed. "Let me guess, the library had a handful of interesting books that you couldn’t resist. That’s why you always spend a lot of time there. The librarian already knows your name and identity."

Hermione shrugged. "Well, pretty much everyone knows my identity already. So I’m not surprised."

Mark gave a small shake of his head, and Hermione’s lips curved slightly upward at his reaction. They continued walking along the path, their pace remaining steady as the morning sun followed them across the school grounds.

From his seat, Jack continued to watch for another moment before turning his attention back toward Sofia.

Sofia hadn’t appeared particularly interested in Mark and Hermione’s presence. Her attention remained on Jack, as though the conversation between them mattered far more than whatever was happening on the opposite side of the school grounds.

The fountain continued to flow beside them.

Water splashed gently against the basin, sunlight shimmered over its surface, and the weekend atmosphere remained calm around the students.

For Jack, it was an unexpectedly peaceful beginning to a weekend that had started with something he had almost forgotten he needed.

A little freedom and company.

And perhaps, if Sofia’s promise held true, a way out of the tedious detention sessions that had been weighing on him.