Chapter 224

Unfortunately, Jack didn't show the reaction Feena had been expecting. There was no excitement on his face-only awkwardness.

The overwhelming enthusiasm from the Barrett family made him a little uncomfortable.

Thinking fast, he quickly said, "It's getting late. I have an important exam this afternoon-it's a major part of my final grade. If I don't do well, I might fail the class, so I should probably head out early." Discover more novels at fındnovel.net

Jerome and Silas immediately tried to persuade him to stay, but Jack insisted that his exam was a priority. Seeing how firm he was, they had no choice but to let him go. Since Feena also had classes in the afternoon, everyone left together.

Jerome originally wanted Silas to drive them, but one car wouldn't fit everyone. In the end, they all took the bus back instead.

At the bus stop, Jerome reluctantly saw them off, reminding Jack multiple times to visit whenever he had time. Only after Jack reassured him several times did he finally let them leave.

On the bus, Wesley sat beside Jack, practically buzzing with excitement. He eagerly asked Jack about his encounter with the criminals and the secret to his victory in the competition. Jack simply smiled and said nothing, offering no further details.

In the last row of the bus, Feena sat with Lyla and Sidney.

Lyla couldn't take her eyes off Jack.

This guy had suddenly appeared in their lives, turned out to be the top scorer in the entire state, and had multiple heroic rescues under his belt. She couldn't help but feel drawn to him.

Trying to sound casual, she leaned toward Feena and said, "Feena, this bus ride is kinda boring. Why don't you tell us a little about Jack? I'm curious about his past."

She made it seem like she was just making small talk. But the more she tried to play it cool, the more obvious it became that she had other motives.

Sidney picked up on it immediately. She blinked her big eyes mischievously. "Lyla, don't tell me you're interested in him?"

Lyla blushed. She hesitated for a moment before saying, "I was just asking! I mean, Wesley just mentioned that he was the top science student in the state?"

Wesley really had no filter-he spilled everything.

Feena nodded. "Yep. He got into Alnewgo University as the top science student in the state."

Sidney gasped. "Wow, so he's really that amazing? A genius and a hero?"

Taking down a criminal on the exam day itself and still being able to become the top scholar in the state was the kind of story one only saw in movies.

Lyla's eyes lit up with interest. She hesitated for a second before asking, "So... does he have any hobbies?"

Feena thought for a moment. "He's really into basketball. And he's really good at it."

But that wasn't all. His talent for music-songwriting, composing, and singing— was nothing short of extraordinary.

No, "extraordinary" didn't even begin to cover it.

If someone who dominated the Billboard Hot 100 and drove fans crazy could only be called "extraordinary," then what about all the professional artists he had surpassed? And what about people like them, who were just students trying to make it in music? Wouldn't these students just be so insignificant?

Lyla hesitated again before lowering her voice. "So... you said he doesn't have a girlfriend. Is that really true?"