Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 243

18:39 Sat, Jan 24 M 

The Five Powerhouses Who Match the Unwilling Bride 

Chapter 243 Returning to School 

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Ava turned and walked away. Laurent’s gaze lingered on her retreating figure for a long moment before flicking sideways–and locking eyes with Ivan. 

Ivan froze, panic written all over him. “M–Major… I–I…” 

“My wife, Ava,” Laurent said smoothly, then turned and strode back into the building. 

Ivan was left standing there, utterly flustered. 

As Ava walked down the path, the loudspeakers blared instructions, telling the freshmen to line up and prepare to return to campus. 

Zoey spotted her and immediately came over, looping an arm through hers. “What did Instructor Cavalli want with you?” 

“Nothing important. By the way, are we heading back to school now? I just heard the announcement on the way.” 

Zoey nodded. “Yeah, the instructors let the girls go first. I was waiting for you–they already went ahead.” 

As Ava and Zoey made their way over, Noelle and the others waved eagerly. 

“Ava, I thought you weren’t coming back with us,” Naomi said. “What did Instructor Cavalli want with you?” 

“Nothing. I just left something behind, and he told me to pick it up,” Ava replied.. 

“I knew it! Why else would he come looking for you at the last minute? I guess I was overthinking it,” Naomi said, tugging on Ava’s arm as she leaned in to gossip. “I just heard–at the training base next door, a girl confessed to her instructor in front of everyone…” 

Ava listened, nodding occasionally, her attention half on Naomi, half scanning the area. That’s when her eyes landed on Tylissa, standing like a star in the center of a crowd. 

Sensing someone staring, Tylissa turned toward the crowd and caught Ava watching her from across the way. Their eyes met briefly before Tylissa looked away. 

“What are you looking at?” Zoey asked. 

“Tylissa,” Ava said simply. 

Before long, they reached the vehicle waiting to take them back to school. 

Once seated, Malory swooped in and plopped down next to Ava, clearly claiming the spot Naomi had been eyeing. Naomi’s face twisted in annoyance. 

“Malory, you’re impossible! I wanted to sit here!” 

Malory blinked innocently, a smug smile tugging at her lips. “Your name’s not on the seat. I got here first.” 

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18:39 Sat, Jan 24 MG. 

Chapter 243 Returning to School 

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Naomi scowled and reluctantly sat next to her. 

A female instructor climbed aboard, checked attendance, gave the driver a few instructions, and then stepped off. 

“Ava, your Holoband,” Noelle said, handing it to her. “You weren’t around earlier, so I picked it up for you.” 

Ava strapped it onto her wrist. “Thanks.” She leaned back in her seat and stared out the window, lost in thought. 

“Don’t you want to check it?” Malory asked. 

“I’ll wait until we get back to school,” Ava replied, already imagining the flood of messages waiting for her. 

“Ava, when we get back, I’m going to hang out with you. Add me as a friend.” 

Ava added a few classmates on her Holoband. One glance at the mountain of unread messages was enough -she closed the device at once, not daring to open any of them. 

Back at school, they said their goodbyes. Naomi and Malory left first, while Zoey and Noelle lingered. 

The three of them exchanged a look. Then Noelle spoke up. 

“Ava, I almost forgot to ask—what track are you in within the Agriculture Department? I’m in animal science and livestock management. Zoey’s in agricultural resource management and environment.” 

Ava looked at Noelle, surprised by her choice. “Plant science,” she said. “Noelle, why did you pick that track?” 

Noelle shrugged. “My family runs a livestock farm. I’ll inherit it someday, so this was the obvious choice.” 

Zoey covered her mouth, giggling. “Noelle’s going to be queen of the livestock world! But Ava, you’re so pretty… Why plant science? I’ve heard that track is brutal. Your major has the highest fail rate in the department! Do you know why?” 

Ava shook her head. “No idea. You two don’t have an easy track either.“. 

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Zoey tutted. “Not even close. There’s a legend in your major–a real stickler in class. He fails people left and right. The anonymous school forum is full of complaints.” 

Ava raised an eyebrow. “Which legend are you talking about?” 

“Theodore Jones,” Zoey whispered, waggling her eyebrows. “Shh–around here, that name is practically forbidden. Keep your voice down.” 

Ava was speechless. 

Noelle chimed in from the side. “Ava, whatever you do, don’t slack off in his class.” 

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