Tick, tock. Tick, tock.
The clock pointed to 3:15 p.m.
The blazing sun hung high, its rays beating down on the earth.
Brightsea No. 2 High School track field.
A crowd of students had gathered at the center of the field, all staring at the boy lying unconscious in the middle.
"Oof, that’s rough. Buck Niu knocked him out with one punch."
"Can’t blame him. Who told him to mess with Buck Niu?"
"He actually dared to confess to Rachel Liu? Dude’s got a death wish. He was begging for a beating."
"A toad trying to eat swan meat. Rachel Liu’s got enough admirers to fill a battalion, and Evan Lin thinks he stands a chance? He should check himself out in the mirror!"
The students watching all chimed in, their voices dripping with contempt as they looked at Evan Lin, who still hadn’t woken up.
Lying on the ground, Evan Lin slowly opened his eyes.
"He’s awake!"
"Too bad he just passed out for a bit. If something serious had happened, maybe we’d get a few days off school."
Evan Lin felt a dull ache in his head.
"Where am I?"
Evan Lin frowned. Above him, the sky was a brilliant blue, clouds drifting lazily at the edge, carried by the wind.
"Ha! Evan Lin, did Buck Niu knock you stupid? You don’t even know where you are?"
Next to him, a short boy with glasses burst out laughing at Evan’s words.
"Yeah, probably knocked him silly."
A bunch of kids echoed, and laughter exploded across the field.