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    Laura looked at Janelle somewhat ridiculously. She couldn’t quite keep up with this girl’s train of thought anymore!

    She licked her lips awkwardly and said, “Well, I guess I should thank you for being so gung–ho about following

    me around.”

    Janelle beamed with delight. “Since you’re thanking me, you must really care about me! Does this mean you consider me a friend now?!”

    Laura waspletely taken aback. “What?! Are you out of your mind?!”

    Janelle chuckled heartily. “I’m healthy! I’ll be sure to let you know if I’m sick!”

    Laura was thunderstruck by her response, her gaze vacantly drifting back into the ssroom. Janelle trailed behind her, diligently following her into the ss.

    Her ssmates greeted her, “Hey L, you’re back!”

    She nodded, “Back indeed!”

    Behind her, Janelle introduced herself with a bubbly enthusiasm, “Hey everyone, I’m Janelle, six years old and the new kid in the ss. I’m also Laura’s friend, though she doesn’t see me as a friend yet. But mark my words, we’re going to be buddies in no time!”

    Laura was speechless. This girl had left her dumbfounded several times in the span of ten minutes.

    Returning to her seat, Laura saw Sheryl eyeing Janelle with disdain. “Laura, who is this?”

    Laura didn’t feel like answering. Janelle, however, dove right in. “You’re Sheryl, right? I’ve heard about your killer cuteness, they weren’t kidding!”

    Sheryl frowned, staying silent.

    Janelle grinned. “Mind if we swap ces? I sit next to Laura, and you take the seat up front.”

    She was referring to the seat next to the chubby kid.

    A flicker of coldness shed in Sheryl’s eyes, “No way, I’m Laura’s ride–or–die. I’m not leaving her side for anything.”

    Laura was touched. “Wow, Sheryl! You’re the best!”

    Sheryl said, “Obviously.”

    Janelle smiled to herself and proceeded to open her backpack. A cascade of cards spilled out onto the desk.

    All of a sudden, the whole room went dead silent.

    b9:53 /bbMon/bb, /bbSep /bb15 /b

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    Laura looked utterly bewildered. What’s this?

    She turned to look at Sheryl, only to see her expression shift from one of scorn to something much more serious, gazing at the pile of cards in astonishment.

    Janelle plucked a card from the stack, it was a signed photo from a red–hot pop idol, “I’ve been collecting these for ages. They’re all from the hottest pop stars and a bunch of gorgeous celebs. I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I just went ahead and gave you all of my cards.”

    Then she picked up a gold card, “This gold card can be traded for a meal with an idol! bIt’s /bsuper exclusive!” Sheryl’s eyes widened in shock.

    Janelle cooed, “With this card, you’ll be the center of attention, surrounded by good–looking guys from the band, flirting and treating you to ice cream, and even snapping selfies with you!”

    Laura was totally bamboozled.

    So was Antonio.

    And Sheryl was utterly dumbfounded!

    Was this her test for people?!

    The girls huddled together, gasping in amazement at the cardsid out on the desk, “Oh my gosh, that’s the limited gold card!”

    “My dad spent 4 thousand dors buying one from a scalper! They’re worth a fortune!

    “I heard with this gold card; you can get a hug from the idols! You can also make videos and photos with them, and have lunch together. That thing’s worth at least 20,000 dors!

    “Janelle, how did you get so many!”

    Janelle smiled sheepishly, “I’m a huge fan of pop idols, and I love handsome brothers, so I’ve saved up a bunch. I was nning to meet them during the holidays, but today, I feel like Sheryl and I have really hit it off, so I’m using these to swap seats! Do you think Sheryl would be interested?”

    Laura blinked and looked at Sheryl.

    Sheryl’s eyes were still wide with shock. In front of her was a veritable mountain of cards, beside whichy a thick stack of VIP tickets that looked like they were crisp notes straight from the bank.

    Sheryl looked at Janelle, “Do you really think I can be bribed so easily? Didn’t I make it clear just now? I am not giving up this seat. L and I are best friends, don’t you get that?”

    Laura was floored. sping her hand over her mouth, “Sheryl, she offered you something so amazing, and you’re still willing to sit next to me? I’m so touched!”

    Sheryl gazed at her with determination, “Of course, L. Never underestimate the bond between us. It’s not something that can be diminished by distance.”

    b9:53 /bbMon/bb, /bSep b15 /b

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    With that, Sheryl stood up swiftly, her words steeped in conviction, “I believe that even if I move to the front seat, we are still going to be best friends!”

    Laura just stood there perplexed.

    Sheryl looked around at her peers, “If anyone helps me switch seats, they’ll get these gold cardsb!/b”

    The girls went wild in an instant, “Yeah!!”

    “let’s help me out, girls!!”

    Laura was dumbfounded as she watched her ssmates energetically move stuff around, exchanging tables.

    Sitting beside the chubby kid pompously, Sheryl handed out the gold cards like a big shot, “I’m generous. Sharing is caring!”

    Laura looked utterly bewildered.

    the chubby kid sighed and turned to her, “Why aren’t any guys willing to sit next to you? If they offered to trade a Gxy Defender for the seat, I’d be over the moon, seriously!”

    Laura was left with a series of question marks over her head.

    She nced at Janelle. With a smile that practically hid her eyes, Janelle chirped, “Can’t wait to learn from you in the days toe, Laura!”

    Her mouth twitched slightly. “Where did you say you were from again?”

    Janelle answered with a grin, “The school that’s second only to Skyline Academy!”

    Laura stood up abruptly, “Great, then I’m off to transfer schools.”

    Janelle was dumbfounded.

    She tugged at Laura hastily, “No, don’t! My dad pulled so many strings to get me into this ce. If you leave, how will I ever show my face again? I’ve boasted to the max already!”

    Laura furrowed.

    Janelle, trying to appear as pleasing as possible, clung tightly to Laura’s sleeve, “I’ll tell you the straight truth. Because I offended you, I’m practically a pariah at that school. No one wants to hang with me, I’mpletely isted. I really learned my lesson. I swear I won’t hurt you again. Can you please forgive me, L? I truly am sorry!”

    Tears started to fall as she spoke, “If you don’t forgive me, I’ll be the saddest six–year–old in the world, boo-

    hoo–hoo…”

    Laura’s frown deepened, but her heart softened. She sat back down, irritated but resigned, “bI /bget it.”

    Janelle perked up instantly, “Awesome! You know about the uing promotion party, right?!”

    9:53 Mon, Sep 15

    Laura was taken aback, she was fake crying just now, wasn’t she?!

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    The chubby kid turned around to join the conversation, “Of course! The promotion party requires every ss to prepare a performance! Everyone is buzzing about what to put on!”

    Janelle was even more excited, “How about we put on a y? I’m a master at acting. I can make people feel sorry for me better than anyone, I could be a dying mom!”

    A dying mom? What sort of act was that?