Turning Of the Tide by Diana Sander

Chapter 318

Engrossed in their discussion, Ava and Frank unconsciously drew many complex gazes from the

students nearby.

Countless looks of envy, jealousy, and disdain were all cast their way..

Not far from the pair, two girls engaged in a relentless whisper, their conversation a tapestry of

speculation. Their gazes were anything but discreet as they remained fixated on the man seated

across from Ava.

One of the girls held a book in one hand, a pen in the other, and a notebook was placed on her side.

This pair was none other than the identical girls who had approached Frank earlier.

There was another girl who was sharing the table with them. Together, the three women instantly

formed a gossip group.

The girl majoring in broadcasting scoffed angrily as she said, “What is the big deal? He is just taken.

There was no need for him to act all high and mighty just now.”

Her female companion, who was more pragmatic, advised her as she said, “Concentrate on your

studies. He might just be reserved. If he responded to your greeting, would that not be disingenuous?”

In any case, this girl felt that the man’s actions were proper. Having a girlfriend while entertaining

advances from others was certainly disingenuous behavior. Pursuing one individual at a time was the

only fair approach.

The girl, who was sharing the table, briefly glanced toward the couple. In a hushed tone, she asked,

“Are you discussing the couple over there?”

The broadcasting major girl remained dissatisfied. It was her first time encountering a man who treated

her with such indifference. Annoyed, she pursed her lips and replied, “Yeah, do you know that guy?”

She had heard of Ava’s name before, as Ava was renowned for her beauty and amiability. Besides,

Ava also had many admirers. It was said that the pursuits of others did not easily sway Ava. However,

she had never met or seen this specific guy before. He had even indicated he was not from their

institution, implying his association with another. His handsomeness would have garnered him fame if

he were from Sapphire City University.

The girl at their table retrieved her phone and shared an online forum post with the pair. The post

featured a picture of Ava and the other person, Frank. The image portrayed Ava clutching a mask while

the individual gently wiped her tears. The man’s gaze seemed tender, and it was laced with a trace of

indulgence and anguish.

“They are a couple. There’s no doubt after seeing them together,” the broadcasting major girl asserted,

preempting the need to see the photo for confirmation.

The girl at their table divulged information in a low voice, saying, “No, they are not. A student of the

computer science department told me that Ava initially pursued the man but was subsequently

rejected. She feigned distress, and then the man had initiated pursuit here.”

This was the nature of gossip. With each recount, the information morphed from one iteration to the

next to a point where the truth became murky.

Different versions circulated among social groups, and the emotional consequences of these tales

were often disregarded.

“So, she pursued them first. That explains it” the broadcasting major girl responded with a blend of

scorn and disdain.

Suddenly, a “man” wearing a mask settled beside them. A look of curiosity was plastered on the girls’

faces. “What’s the chatter about? Fill me in,” the “man” said.

The girls at the table glanced at the “male” classmate who joined them. One of them inquired curiously,

“Are you guys as drawn to gossip as we are?”

“Hey, gossip is not constrained by gender. It’s a human tendency. It’s more entertaining when we share

information with one another,” Alex responded. Her expression indicated she was present to revel in

the drama.

If invited to participate in the gossip, all girls would undoubtedly oblige. The girls at the table began to

recount the gossip tale in great detail.

Alex kept her mask on throughout the conversation. Her voice was naturally low, creating an

impression of gender ambiguity. After hearing the gossip tale, Alex corrected the group, saying, “You

have all the facts wrong. Where did you pick up this misinformation? It’s entirely off the mark. Let me

correct this for you. The man did not reject Ava. This person noticed her when she visited her sister’s

city. You know what?”

Alex addressed the trio of girls with a hint of amusement. She continued, half-serious and half-joking,

saying, “Then, you know, our Ava from the university is quite something. She turned this person down

despite their relentless pursuit. Yet, upon her return, the man employed all means to get closer to Ava.

On the day of the competition, the man even arranged for a delivery rider to present Ava with 11 roses.

Eleven roses, you grasp the significance, don’t you? It means utter devotion.” Alex reshaped the

narrative’s protagonist. After all, speculation would thrive where truth remained elusive, Who could not

concoct stories? She emphasized again. “There is no room for doubt. This is the real truth. Just look at

that picture. Their gaze is rife with tenderness and affection. Scrutinize it. Ponder it deeply.”

The three girls regarded Alex’s words with confusion and reluctant belief. After all, Alex had delivered

her account with such precision and conviction. Alex’s version of events appeared reasonable when

they examined the photo through the phone’s screen.

The broadcasting major girl was consumed by envy. What was Ava’s secret? It boiled down to slightly

enhanced looks, tinged with innocence and sweetness. She, too, possessed such allure

Alex’s brief dialogue had successfully twisted the narrative. It was not entirely fabricated. Frank’s

pursuit of Ava was genuine. The episode involving the II roses was also accurate. Alex had not

fabricated these details. She had only changed the protagonist of the story.

The girl majoring in broadcasting clung to two pivotal details: the first is that the young man who

pursued Ava had faced rejection yet persevered. The second is that he hailed from a city beyond

Sapphire City’s borders. Curiosity spurred her to address Alex and ask. “He’s not affiliated with

Sapphire City, am I right? He stated he was from Homeschooled University, but where is that situated?”

Beneath her mask. Alex’s countenance registered surprise. She asked, “Which university?”

“Homeschooled University,” the broadcasting major girl repeated.

“Are you certain about the name?” Alex questioned. She found herself increasingly puzzled. The

moniker sounded almost like a made-up word.

The broadcasting major girl nodded affirmatively, and Alex stifled a grin. Standing up. Alex said, “Well,

that could be a well-known institution over there. Anyway, focus on your studies. I’m heading out. Oh,

and keep this information to yourself. These are insider information. Ironically, some people believed

that Ava was the one pursuing him.”

After Alex’s departure, the trio of girls released sighs of contemplation. They pondered why such a

handsome individual was not pursuing them. Their envy was evident.

Afterward, Alex made a discreet exit from the library. Curiosity piqued, she messaged Ava, asking [Hey,

could you ask Frank what Homeschooled University is?]

While Ava was engrossed in the lecture, the buzzing of her phone on the desk disrupted her focus. She

sneakily stole a glance at the device, reading the notification.

“Go ahead and check it,” Frank gently said as he halted mid-lecture,

Every minuscule motion and expression of Ava was perceptible to Frank. Nothing eluded his attention,

and he was merely playing along.

“Oh,” Ava responded as she openly picked up her phone, a playful smile gracing her lips.

Reading the message, Ava’s brows knitted in confusion as she thought, “What is this university?

Should I approach Frank to clarify this?” Yet something about the message felt peculiar. After rereading

it several times, she surrendered the thought.

She scratched her neck and propped her chin on her hand. Her lengthy eyelashes fluttered gently, and

her gaze flowed tenderly as she asked, “Mr. Roberts, what is Homeschooled University?”

This query prompted Frank to momentarily pause his lecture, a fleeting grin curving his lips. He sent

the correct name to Ava via text. [Home-Schooled University I

A faint buzz urged Ava to inspect her phone. Confronted with the words on the screen, she could no

longer suppress her reaction. She placed her hand on the desk and buried her face within her arm, her

shaking shoulders belying her genuine emotions.

Chuckling unreservedly, Frank rested his phone on the desk. He folded his arms across his chest and

reclined against the chair. Resuming the lecture could wait; the girl’s joy took precedence for now.

Observing Ava, who was immersed in unrestrained laughter, he succumbed to the contagion of joy.

Arching an eyebrow, he inquired, “Is it amusing?”

Following her laughter, Ava yearned to applaud him, and she pondered, “How did he think of this? So

inventive.” Despite the lingering smile, her breathing remained uneven as she supported herself on her

elbows, trained her gaze on the impassive Frank, and asked, “Where did you come up with this

phrase? Is there a source?”

Frank sustained his gaze, uttering a single word. With an air of tranquility, he replied, “Yes.”

Meeting Ava’s direct, inquisitive stare, Frank preempted her question, replying, “I’m at home every day.

Isn’t that akin to attending Home-schooled University?”

The girl had not inquired about his profession, solely about the university. Since he was presently

unaffiliated with an institution, why not dub it Home-schooled University? The name seemed fitting

enough.

Ava’s hand covered her forehead, following her attentive listening, her laughter reverberating. With one

hand still veiling her face, she extended her other hand and gave Frank an appreciative thumbs-up.

Frank observed the pale and slender outstretched hand before him. An internal impetus propelled him,

prompting the uncrossing of his arms. His hand ascended, capturing her delicate fingers and delicately

lowering them onto the table. The motion flowed seamlessly, exuding a naturalness that bordered on

the ethereal. His lips parted, and his voice emerged,

saying. “Let’s continue the lecture”

The warmth from his palm infused her being, causing her laughter to taper off abruptly. Ava’s cheeks

ignited with a rosy hue, her hand still cradling her flushed face. She lowered her eyelids, a veil

concealing her bashfulness. Her hand neither recoiled nor retreated as the sensation was far too

pleasant. Breaking the contact seemed inconceivable.

“Oh she meekly and obediently responded.

Frank’s hand enveloped Ava’s while the other extended toward the book, poised to resume the lecture.

Her thoughts had already wandered astray, rendering her deaf to the words that spilled from Frank’s

lips.

This instant was imbued with a certain beauty, an impression that time had suspended its march. The

library’s patrons seemed to evaporate, leaving solely the two figures behind.

A transient notion whispered at the edges of her mind, an idea of leaning in for a kiss, but rationality

swiftly reasserted itself. His narrative hadn’t concluded, and her curiosity about the forthcoming

surprise overruled her fleeting impulse. Thus, she quieted the whimsy.

“Concentrate on the lecture. Frank’s reminder echoed again in her ears.

Ava’s musings were corralled back to the present. The situation resembled that of a daydreaming

student being caught, her affirmation issued. Understood”

Frank did not retract his hand

Frank’s palm cradled hers with the utmost restraint, devoid of extraneous movements.

To outsiders, it was a mere portrait of a devoted couple engrossed in academic pursuit, a sight of envy.

Amid leisure hours. they melded scholarship and affection, a dual devotion.

Leaning against the library’s descending escalator. Alex awaited Ava’s response, her demeanor

unhurried. A muted ping resonated, eliciting a swift retrieval of her phone

After reading the message. Alex was at a loss for words.

Alex was confident that Ava would be thrilled to be with this man in the future. Although this man did

not say much, his words were highly humorous.

Alex sincerely hoped that Ava could be happy. While she was not happy herself, the smile on Ava’s

face was very infectious. Alex cherished her friend very much.

As for her return to the library, the reasoning was simple. The duo inadvertently drew too much

attention. Easily discerned. they provided fertile ground for idle speculation.

Shifting the blame onto Frank was a decision Alex had thoroughly considered. The guy Ava liked was

not a local, so blaming him posed no issue. Besides, Ava was still in university, and gossip would not

be appropriate. Furthermore, it’s normal for guys to pursue girls, but if others found out that Ava had

pursued a guy and been rejected, who knows how they might twist the story.