A Mistaken Fall into Your Heart

High school.

She stands outside the classroom with the others on duty, watching them inspect everyone for prohibited items. She lowers a hand and smooths the imaginary wrinkles from her pleated skirt.

When a pack of cigarettes is found on a boy sitting near the back, he gets up and starts shouting in protest. One of the students on duty calls to her, “Class president, should we notify a teacher?”

Zhou Yang looks up. “Go ahead.” The boy hears her as he rushes out the door. He turns back, as if trying to memorize what she looks like.

Zhou Yang meets his gaze without flinching until she hears him curse as he leaves: “Bitch, who are you trying to impress?”

His voice is neither loud nor quiet, but everyone hears him clearly. They all look toward Zhou Yang to see what she’ll do. Some are waiting for a show, others hoping to see her humiliated, while the students on duty with her watch with concern.

She gives no one the reaction they want. Her face remains expressionless as she turns and tells the others to continue the inspection. She stays by the door with her arms folded, scrutinizing everyone with a cold gaze. When the inspection ends, she leaves with the confiscated items.

The class bell rings, and all the students begin their lessons.

But no one is in Zhou Yang’s seat. The teacher doesn’t ask about it, either. Teachers have always been more lenient with good students.

At the sports field, in the stands.

Zhou Yang pulls a cigarette from her pocket and is about to light it when a ball comes hurtling toward her with a gust of wind, grazing her hair. Startled, she drops the cigarette. Two boys come running over, panting as they apologize and pick up the ball.

Annoyed, Zhou Yang looks up. One is Yu Hao; the other is someone she saw at the district debate competition, a student from another school.