CHAPTER 292: CHAPTER 292: BANANA PEEL

Olivia, still not looking up, replied with a polite but uninterested tone, "I like sketching, that’s all."

The other students around them couldn’t help but laugh quietly. "He’s like a chewing gum," one of the girls whispered. "Once he sticks to you, he’s impossible to get rid of."

"I know, right?" another girl giggled. "Olivia is the campus goddess. There’s no way she’d fall for someone like him."

Eleanor, who had been listening to all the comments, jumped in with a bright smile. "What are you all saying? Mateo isn’t like that," she said, stepping forward.

"He likes Olivia, and that’s perfectly fine. If Olivia doesn’t feel the same way, that’s her choice. But Mateo has every right to pursue her."

The group looked at her in surprise, unsure of what to make of her defense of Mateo.

"Wait, are you really Olivia’s friend?" one girl asked, raising an eyebrow. "Or do you have a thing for Mateo?"

Eleanor blushed and quickly shook her head. "No! I just think it’s unfair for you all to mock him. He’s just being honest about his feelings. Don’t judge him just because he’s not as... well, perfect as Olivia."

Mateo looked at Eleanor with a soft gaze. For the first time, he felt grateful for someone standing up for him. ’No one else does this for me,’ he thought. ’She’s the only one who’s on my side.’

Eleanor gave him a small smile, but inside, she couldn’t help but feel a little bit of triumph.

’In the original novel, Mateo was won over by me standing for him. He will love me even more now.’

The crowd stared at Eleanor with a weird expression.

They had all slowly drifted away, murmuring about her and Mateo. Some even whispered, "She’s like Mateo’s sidekick." Eleanor clenched her jaw but kept her smile in place.

She was used to this, people not understanding. In her mind, they couldn’t see the bigger picture.

They didn’t know what she knew. After all, in the original novel, Mateo was supposed to fall for her eventually. She would be the one who came out on top.

Mateo, who had been quietly watching Olivia, suddenly turned to Eleanor.

"Hey, want to sit with me?" he asked, his voice casual but there was an edge of eagerness in his tone. Eleanor’s heart skipped a beat.

Olivia didn’t seem to like that idea. As soon as Mateo sat next to Eleanor, Olivia scooted away from them.

Eleanor thought it was a bit strange, but she quickly dismissed it. She was fine with Mateo sitting next to her. In fact, she felt a sense of victory.

’Olivia must be jealous,’ she thought smugly. ’She doesn’t like me being so close to Mateo.’

But Mateo didn’t seem to notice Olivia’s discomfort.

He actually looked more delighted than ever.

’Oh! Olivia must feel sad seeing me with Eleanor!’

Suddenly, all the fondness in his heart transformed into just one thought. Use Eleanor to gain Olivia’s attention.

He kept smiling at Eleanor, and she could tell that his feelings were beginning to shift.

Eleanor wasn’t bothered by it, though.

’I know how this goes, she reminded herself. In the novel, he always thought I was better than Olivia. But during the early phase, whenever Olivia was near, he would forget about it and focus on Olivia. Now, he just wants to use me. It doesn’t matter. I’ll get everything I want in the end.’

The two of them started chatting casually, and Olivia, who had finished her sketch, decided to step away. She gathered her things and walked toward the teacher to submit her work.

Once done, Olivia wandered around the edges of the river, admiring the peaceful view.

Eleanor, watching from a distance, felt the excitement build again.

’This is it! The moment when Olivia falls into the river. It’s going to happen now, just like in the novel.’ Her heart pounded in anticipation.

She saw Olivia’s foot slip slightly, and for a moment, it looked like she might lose her balance and fall right into the river. Eleanor grinned. Perfect.

But then, just as she thought Olivia would tumble in, the girl quickly steadied herself and stepped to the side. Instead of falling into the water, she landed safely on the grass, completely unharmed.

Eleanor’s smile faltered, her heart sinking. ’What?’ She couldn’t believe it. ’The scene didn’t happen!’

But Eleanor was quick on her feet. She wasn’t going to let the plot slip away so easily. She reached into her bag, pulling out a banana.

’I can still make this work,’ she thought, her face turning cold with determination. She ate the banana quickly, trying to think of a way to make the scene go the way she wanted.

After finishing it, she casually walked over to Olivia, who was still admiring the view.

"Hey, what are you doing?" Eleanor asked, trying to sound casual, though her heart was beating faster.

Olivia didn’t even glance at her.

"I’m just enjoying the view. I’m not in the mood for any of your green tea moves, Eleanor. You should leave."

Eleanor blinked, slightly taken aback, but then she quickly recovered.

"I didn’t mean to do anything like that. I just... wanted to apologize if you thought I took Mateo’s side. I didn’t mean to make things awkward," she said smoothly, pretending to be sincere.

Olivia gave her a quick glance, her eyes calm but sharp. "It’s fine," she said, her voice surprisingly cool.

"But you should stay away from Theodore from now on. If you keep hanging around him near my house, I’ll slap you in front of everyone."

Eleanor froze, her mind spinning. Olivia’s tone was serious, and though she was smiling, there was a coldness to it that made Eleanor’s stomach churn.

Olivia didn’t wait for a response. "I mean it. Stay away," she added, turning her attention back to the scenery.

With a deep breath, Eleanor casually tossed the banana peel aside. "You’re thinking too much," she said, her voice tight but still calm. "I’m just looking out for you."