CHAPTER 290: CHAPTER 290: WINDOW SEAT

The group of girls looked disappointed. "Really? We always thought you were Sun. You’re so talented!"

Another girl pointed her finger and said,

"We thought it was true because Eleanor once said Sun was someone really close to her. And when we guessed your name, she smiled and didn’t say no."

Olivia turned to look at Eleanor, who was standing nearby. Eleanor looked startled and quickly said,

"Wait, I didn’t say Olivia was Sun! I just meant... it was someone I admired!"

The girls looked at Eleanor with doubtful expressions.

"But we saw you holding one of Sun’s paintings before. And when we asked about it, you acted like it was a secret."

Olivia tilted her head and smiled calmly. "Well, I’d agree to be Sun... if the real Sun didn’t want to tell everyone who they were."

Eleanor’s heart skipped a beat. Her eyes widened slightly. ’Does Olivia... know?’

What Eleanor didn’t know was that Olivia had found out just this morning, right before leaving.

At first, Olivia hadn’t believed it. But after thinking about it and connecting all the clues, the paintings, the rumors, Eleanor’s strange reactions, it all made sense.

She stood there frozen, her fingers slightly trembling. She quickly called out to the system in her mind.

"Did Olivia’s favorability for me just drop?"

The system answered with a robotic voice:

[Favorability of Olivia Waters: -100]

Eleanor’s eyes widened in shock. Minus one hundred?! That was worse than hate!

She turned her head sharply and glared at Olivia, who was now laughing lightly with one of the other girls.

’How did she find out I’m Sun? Did she investigate me? Did someone tell her? Or... did she figure it out herself?’

As Eleanor tried to make sense of it, a familiar voice called out.

"Good morning, ladies!"

It was Mateo.

The group of girls instantly perked up. Smiles lit their faces as they turned toward him.

Mateo had that kind of charm; his smile was friendly, and he always had a joke or a compliment ready. He strolled up to them, backpack slung over one shoulder, his hair perfectly messy like always.

One of the girls giggled and said, "Mateo, did you know? Olivia isn’t Sun!"

Mateo froze mid-step. His eyes slowly shifted to Olivia. He blinked once, then twice.

Yesterday, on their casual movie date, Eleanor had gone on and on about how amazing Sun was, even hinting that she knew them. She made it seem like it was Olivia. But now... Olivia just admitted it wasn’t her.

He felt confused.

Still, he gave a small, crooked smile. "It doesn’t matter," he said lightly. "Sun or not, Olivia’s still my goddess."

The girls all gasped and giggled. "Oooh!" they said together, playfully teasing him.

But Olivia just gave Mateo a calm look. "I’m not interested in you," she said simply, her voice quiet but sharp.

The group fell silent. The air grew a little cold. Olivia turned away and walked off by herself.

Mateo stared after her, looking a little dazed. Instead of feeling hurt, he actually found her refusal... cool.

’She’s so composed. Even when she says no, she looks beautiful doing it. His heart thumped faster. In his eyes, Olivia just became even more precious.’

Eleanor, watching from the side, walked up to Mateo with a gentle smile.

"It’s okay," she said softly. "Don’t be too sad. One day, Olivia will realize your worth."

Mateo looked at her. Eleanor was dressed very neatly today. Her white dress was simple but elegant. She looked like a soft, quiet flower.

But something was off. Her skin looked a little darker than before, not in a bad way, but she didn’t glow the same way she used to.

When he had first met Eleanor, she had this bright charm that made her almost as attractive as Olivia. But now... her sparkle seemed to have dimmed.

Still, Eleanor looked confident. Inside, she was feeling proud.

’In the novel, this is the part where Mateo starts admiring me more. He must be stunned by my beauty now.’

She smiled and said slowly, "You should try to love someone who loves you back... someone right in front of you."

Her eyes hinted at something more.

But instead of being moved, Mateo felt weird.

’Why is she saying this now? Doesn’t she care that Olivia was clearly uncomfortable?’

He didn’t like how Eleanor acted like she and Olivia were close, while ignoring Olivia’s clear boundaries.

He forced a small smile but didn’t reply.

Soon, the bus horn honked. It was time to get on.

The students lined up and climbed into the bus. As they started picking their seats, Olivia remembered Aurora’s words:

"Don’t sit near the window, and stay away from water."

So, she skipped every empty window seat and walked all the way to the back.

She chose an aisle seat near the center, where no window was nearby. She sat down calmly and took out her sketchbook, ready to enjoy the ride in peace.

Eleanor, who had just entered the bus, spotted Olivia sitting far from the windows. Her eyes widened in panic.

’No! That’s not how it’s supposed to go!’

In the original story, Olivia was meant to sit at the window seat.

A car would drive by a puddle and splash water through the window. Olivia would feel gross and flustered. Mateo, sitting nearby, would gently offer her tissues and help her clean up. That moment was supposed to be the start of their love story!

But now, Olivia avoided the window. No water. No splash. No Mateo saving her. Nothing.

This is all wrong! Eleanor’s fingers curled into fists. Her heart pounded with frustration.

Taking a deep breath, she walked toward Olivia and smiled.

"Olivia, let’s sit on the window seat. The fresh air will help you lighten up."

Her smile was ingratiating, and it looked as if she was making a casual comment; however, Olivia thought it otherwise.

Aurora asked her not to sit on the window seat while Eleanor insisted on it.

Hm... something was amiss.