Stars Waited Above Empty Streets by Lorin Wren 250

Chapter 250 Two Electives, No Way Back 

Finished 

“In the afternoon, we have to pick our electives,” Zoey said. “Ava, have you decided what you’re going to choose?” 

Ava’s lips twitched faintly. “I’ll see this afternoon. There’s no guarantee I’ll even get the class I want.” 

When it was time to line up and choose electives that afternoon, Noelle finished her selection in just a few minutes. Zoey couldn’t make up her mind and kept asking questions. Naomi hesitated for a bit, then quickly picked two electives as well. 

Malory wandered around cluelessly, glancing at one option, then another, before drifting over to Ava to see what she was choosing. 

Ava was scrolling through the list of elective categories. After flipping through several pages, she finally saw Keith’s name on the application page. 

She glanced at the number of applicants for his course–more than sixty already. That caught her off guard. 

“Ava, what did you pick?” Malory suddenly shouted. 

Ava had been focused on the screen, and Malory’s voice startled her. Her finger slipped and tapped at random. The screen immediately flashed a system message under Keith’s course: ‘Application Successful‘ 

Malory rubbed her eyes. “No way. Ava, you picked an elective in pharmaceutical research? The instructor is Professor Holcomb.” 

Ava stared at Malory in silence. 

Noelle burst out laughing and slapped Malory on the shoulder. “Girl, you scared her by yelling in her ear. Of course she clicked by accident. And now it’s locked in–no changes.” 

“I heard the fail rate for this track is super high,” Noelle added, 

vering her mouth as she snickered. She glanced at Ava’s face and clearly saw four words written all over it: ‘my life is over. 

“Ava, if you fail, go blame Malory. Or better yet, make Malory sign up for the same elective so you’re even.” 

Naomi walked over and stood behind Ava, looking at the course she had already selected. “It’s Professor Holcomb! Starry Heavens University is seriously impressive if they can get someone like him to teach. He’s a big name in genetic drug development. Ava, good luck!” 

She patted Ava on the shoulder. “Don’t push yourself too hard. Worst case, you fail and don’t get the credits.” 

Malory finally realized what kind of disaster she had caused. She laughed awkwardly and quickly ran off to hide beside Zoey. 

After Naomi finished speaking, she and Noelle exchanged a look. They both kept their faces stiff to keep from laughing. Their best friend had picked an elective with a notorious failure rate. They absolutely could not laugh. 

end of the list, she noticed.? 

Ava rubbed her forehead with one hand and carefully looked through the remaining electives. At the very 

course called Classical Art Painting Appreciation. Only three students had signed up so far, The instructor was Felix DuPont. 

141 

Finished 

Seeing Ava stare at the last course for a long time, Naomi–who had done plenty of research in advance- said, “Ava, don’t tell me you’re thinking about this one. It’s a niche course. Even as a major, hardly anyone studies this field. You should really think it through.” 

Noelle leaned in to take a look. “A classical painting class? What’s wrong with it?” 

“Painting classes already require a solid foundation,” Naomi said. “And classical art painting is even harder. The seniors on the school forum all say it’s best to avoid this course. That old professor doesn’t have many students, but his standards are brutal. If you end up in his class, failing is very easy.” 

Ava suddenly recalled what Asnio had said when she visited Austin’s house. Traditional painting had already declined, and now there was only one professor still struggling to keep it alive. Ava didn’t know if this Felix was that professor, but she quickly made up her mind and chose Felix’s class. 

Naomi opened her mouth. “So everything I said was useless.” 

Noelle covered her mouth, laughing as she looked Ava up and down. “Now I get it. Ava definitely has a rebellious streak.” 

Over on the other side, Zoey had finished choosing her electives. Malory picked the exact same ones as her. 

Early the next morning, Ava went to class after eating breakfast in the cafeteria. Her first class was a general lecture shared by three majors in the Agriculture Department. In a tiered lecture hall that could seat more than three hundred students, Ava chose a spot with an excellent view and saved seats for Noelle and Zoey. 

Noelle and Zoey rushed in right as the bell rang. They spotted Ava sitting near the front at once, and Noelle quickly dragged Zoey over. 

Zoey still looked half–asleep, clearly not fully awake yet. 

Ava looked at her and asked, “Still not awake?” 

Noelle dropped into the seat beside Ava and pulled Zoey down into hers. “She’s perpetually half–asleep. You’ll figure it out sooner or later.” 

The instructor was an elderly man, his face deeply lined with wrinkles. He looked even older than Jonathan. 

2/2