(POV: Lin Tianxin)
School days are usually boring.
But not today.
"Let's bunk the last period," Jiasheng whispered, leaning across his desk with that mischievous grin.
"WHAT?" I whisper-shouted. "We'll get caught!"
"We'll get caught only if someone tells the teacher," Junxi said, giving me a look.
Everyone slowly turned toward...
Zhou Rui.
She sighed. "Fine. But only this once!"
And so, Operation Escape began.
We sneaked out during the change of periods — Jiasheng acting like he had a stomachache, me pretending to look for the lost school cat, Zhou Rui carrying a book over her face like a spy, and Junxi just walking confidently like he owned the school.
We made it to the rooftop.
It was quiet. Windy. Peaceful.
We sat in a circle, sharing chips, juice boxes, and secrets.
"I think our math teacher secretly hates me," I said, chewing loudly.
"She doesn't even know your name," Junxi replied.
"Exactly! That's worse!"
Zhou Rui was busy scribbling something in her notebook.
"What's that?" I asked.
"A manga idea," she said shyly.
Junxi leaned in, curious. "Want help with character names?"
"Don't make everyone named after a car again," she warned.
Jiasheng was just lying down with a Rubik's cube in hand, solving it without looking. "You know what's crazy?" he said.
"What?" I asked.
"I actually like being up here with you weirdos."
We all smiled.
"Same," Zhou Rui said.
Then suddenly—
"WHO'S ON THE ROOF?"
Uh-oh.
We ran. Like a movie scene. Jiasheng slipped and grabbed Junxi. I tripped over my own bag. Zhou Rui clutched her notebook like her life depended on it.
Back in class, we got another punishment: cleaning the classroom after school.
While sweeping the floor, Jiasheng whispered to me, "Totally worth it."
And I agreed.
Because even if we got punished...
It felt like freedom.