Chapter 163: text messages

Chapter 163: Chapter 163: text messages

The afternoon passed without incident.

The remaining examination results were returned throughout their classes, each professor handling the papers according to the nature of the subject.

Philosophy was the first.

Vivienne received an 80.

Claire scored 93.

Amelia received 91.

Eleanor’s was 89.

None of them were particularly surprised.

Claire and Amelia exchanged a brief look over their papers, each quietly noting the other’s score before returning to their notes.

Eleanor, as usual, tried to conceal hers.

It didn’t work.

By the end of the lecture, Amelia had managed to find out anyway.

History followed.

Vivienne received 79.

Claire once again ranked among the highest with a 94, while Amelia received 92.

Eleanor earned 88.

The three girls exchanged their results afterward with the same mixture of friendly competition and satisfaction that had followed the earlier examinations.

No one complained.

No one pretended the marks were insignificant.

And no one was particularly willing to admit defeat either.

Vivienne simply accepted her papers and moved on.

Her Economics result had already given her the one thing she had secretly wanted.

A victory.

At least against one particular person.

Everything else could be improved.

She would simply have to work harder.

--

By the time the final lecture ended, the sun was already beginning to set.

The four girls returned to their dormitories, separated briefly to change and freshen up before meeting again for dinner.

The evening passed quietly.

They ate together.

Discussed the day’s lectures.

Complained about assignments.

And, naturally, compared grades one more time.

By the time they returned to their rooms after dinner, the exhaustion of the day had finally begun to settle in.

Vivienne took a shower first.

Claire followed.

By the time both had changed into comfortable clothes, Claire was sitting cross-legged on her bed, scrolling through her phone.

A soft knock came at the door.

Vivienne opened it.

Amelia stood outside.

"Eleanor’s coming."

"Good."

Vivienne stepped aside.

"Come in."

Amelia entered and immediately dropped onto the empty chair.

A few minutes later, Eleanor arrived as well.

The four girls had gathered together again.

No professors.

No examination papers.

No lecture halls.

Just the four of them.

Claire looked around.

"All right."

"We survived Monday."

Amelia sighed.

"Technically."

Eleanor smiled faintly.

"We still have classes tomorrow."

"Don’t ruin the moment."

Amelia replied.

Vivienne laughed.

Then Amelia’s phone vibrated.

She glanced down.

Her expression changed.

"Oh."

Claire noticed immediately.

"What?"

Amelia looked up.

"...He texted me."

Vivienne sat up.

"Who?"

Amelia smiled.

"The Biology guy."

Claire immediately leaned closer.

"What did he say?"

Amelia unlocked her phone.

She read the message.

I heard the first-year examination results were returned today. How did yours go?

Claire’s eyebrows lifted.

"Oh."

"He thought of the exams as an opener."

Amelia smiled.

"That’s good, right?"

"Very good."

Claire replied.

Vivienne nodded.

"I’d say he’s interested."

Amelia looked down at the message again.

"...Should I reply?"

"Of course."

Vivienne answered immediately.

Amelia hesitated.

"But if I reply right away..."

She looked at the others.

"Won’t I seem too eager?"

Eleanor considered it.

"Perhaps."

Amelia immediately looked worried.

Vivienne laughed.

"Don’t listen to her."

She pointed at the phone.

"If it were me, I’d reply."

"Right away?"

"Yes."

"He asked you a question."

"There’s nothing strange about answering."

Amelia thought about it for another moment.

"...You’re right."

She unlocked her phone again.

"Okay."

"What should I say?"

Claire leaned over.

"Just answer what he asked."

Amelia nodded.

"So..."

She typed.

Mine went well! How did yours go?

She looked at the three girls.

"Is that all right?"

Vivienne nodded.

"Perfect."

Amelia pressed Send.

Then immediately placed her phone face-down.

Everyone stared at it.

Amelia frowned.

"What?"

Claire smiled.

"Nothing."

"You all looked at me."

"We’re waiting."

"For what?"

"For him to reply."

Amelia groaned.

"Stop staring at my phone."

Vivienne laughed.

"Fine."

They returned to their conversation.

For approximately ten seconds.

Then—

Bzzzt.

Everyone froze.

But this time...

It wasn’t Amelia’s phone.

It was Eleanor’s.

Eleanor looked down at the screen.

She blinked.

"Oh."

Amelia immediately leaned toward her.

"Who is it?"

Claire unlocked her phone.

"...Another one."

Eleanor’s eyes widened.

"Another one?"

Claire nodded.

"The other person I exchanged numbers with."

Amelia stared at her.

"Wait."

"Didn’t someone else already text you earlier?"

"Yes."

"This is the third."

Silence.

Then Eleanore looked at Claire.

"...You said you weren’t interested."

"I said I wasn’t looking."

Claire replied calmly.

"That’s different."

Vivienne burst out laughing.

"You’re unbelievable."

Claire glanced at her phone again.

"I was busy studying."

Amelia looked offended on her behalf.

"Then reply!"

"I will."

"When?"

"When I’m finished reading."

Amelia shook her head.

"Oh my goodness."

"Look at you."

Claire grinned.

"Our Claire is playing hard to get."

"I’m not playing anything."

"You are now."

Vivienne laughed.

"Let her breathe."

Claire gave her a grateful look.

"Thank you."

Then—

Bzzzt.

Everyone turned.

This time...

Vivienne’s phone.

Her eyes widened.

"Oh my God."

She reached for it.

"Is this it?"

Claire leaned closer.

Amelia practically climbed across the bed.

Vivienne unlocked the screen.

She stared.

...

A university academic announcement.

Silence.

Then Amelia collapsed backward laughing.

"Not him!"

Claire laughed.

"Rejected by the university notification system."

Vivienne groaned.

"Stop."

Eleanor smiled.

"Perhaps tomorrow."

Vivienne placed her phone beside her.

"Yes."

"Tomorrow."

Claire tilted her head.

"Or..."

Vivienne looked at her.

"Or?"

"He might simply be busy."

"He’s the Student Council Vice President."

Amelia nodded.

"That’s true."

"And he’s a fourth-year."

"Political Governance."

Eleanor added.

Claire continued counting.

"His family is practically political royalty."

Vivienne looked amused.

"Political royalty?"

"His father is the Prime Minister."

Amelia pointed out.

"And the Archibald family has money."

"Lots of it."

"He’s handsome."

Claire added.

"Very handsome."

"And he’s apparently excellent academically."

Amelia sighed.

"Honestly..."

"He’s ridiculously high-spec."

Vivienne laughed.

"You’re making him sound like a luxury car."

"No."

Claire corrected.

"Luxury edition."

Amelia nodded solemnly.

"Limited edition."

Eleanor considered it.

"...That is unfortunately accurate."

Vivienne shook her head.

"St. Albion is full of people like that."

"Yes."

Claire agreed.

"But even here..."

"He’s unusually high-spec."

"Political family."

"Old money."

"Powerful connections."

"Excellent student."

"Student Council Vice President."

"And handsome."

Amelia sighed.

"That’s an unfair combination."

Vivienne laughed.

"All right."

"I admit he’s impressive."

She glanced at her phone again.

Still nothing.

A small frown briefly crossed her face.

Then she shrugged.

"Maybe he’s busy."

Claire nodded.

"Or..."

She hesitated.

"Maybe there’s still some awkwardness."

Vivienne looked at her.

"Because of Anthony?"

"Maybe."

Claire explained.

"Christopher already knows the engagement ended."

"You announced it yourself."

"I know."

"But..."

"He works with Anthony."

Amelia nodded.

"And Anthony is still his colleague in the Student Council."

"Even if the engagement is over..."

"There might still be a little awkwardness."

"Out of respect."

Vivienne considered that.

That actually sounded plausible.

Christopher had seemed perfectly comfortable talking to her yesterday.

But perhaps sending a message afterward was different.

Especially when Anthony was involved.

She smiled faintly.

"Maybe."

Amelia nodded.

"Then don’t worry about it."

"Give him today."

Claire smiled.

"And if there’s still nothing tomorrow..."

She pointed at Vivienne.

"You know what to do."

Vivienne laughed.

"The health message."

"The Vivienne openning."

Amelia confirmed.

Eleanor looked mildly amused.

"I still think it’s rather direct."

Vivienne shrugged.

"It’s just lunch."

Claire grinned.

"That’s what makes it dangerous."

They all laughed.

Then Amelia’s phone vibrated again.

She immediately grabbed it.

"Oh!"

Everyone leaned toward her.

Amelia looked at the screen.

Then smiled.

"He replied."

Claire gasped.

"Already?"

Amelia nodded.

She read the message quietly.

Then her smile grew.

Vivienne leaned closer.

"What did he say?"

Amelia looked up.

"He said..."

She paused dramatically.

"...’I did well. I’m glad yours went well too.’"

Claire smiled.

"That’s sweet."

Amelia looked down at the phone again.

"...What do I say now?"

Vivienne laughed.

"See?"

She pointed at Amelia.

"Now you’re the one who doesn’t know what to say."

The room erupted in laughter.

For the moment...

Christopher Archibald could wait.

So could tomorrow’s classes.

Tonight belonged to four first-year girls...

And their increasingly complicated collection of text messages.