Chapter 322 What Does It Have to Do with You
Katniss wasn't bothered by the stares around her, and Ethan was even less aware.
It wasn't until the free mingling time that someone came up to greet.
"Ethan, I didn't expect to see you back in Starhaven like this."
"Do you need something?" Ethan asked, confused, like he couldn't figure out why the person would say that.
Katniss recognized the guy as Alex Baker from Starhaven Medical University. It made sense that Alex knew Ethan, since Tyler was also from Starhaven Medical University.
Alex's face showed a brief flash of annoyance at Ethan's indifferent look, but the girl next to him spoke up, "Ethan, don't you remember? This is Alex. You guys were in the same grade in high school."
The girl, Stella Hall, was also from Starhaven Medical University. Katniss only remembered her name and not much else.
Ethan nodded and coldly asked, "Do you need something?"
This question not only stumped Alex but also left Stella, who was trying to smooth things over, at a loss for words.
Stella took a moment to gather herself before smiling and saying, "Well, since this training is at our Starhaven Medical University, Alex and I are kind of the hosts. So, we've set up a welcome party for tomorrow. You're Katniss, right? Make sure to come with Ethan."
As she spoke, Stella handed two invitations to Katniss.
Maybe it was Ethan's cold attitude that made Stella hesitant to say more. She quickly pulled Alex away.
Alex's expression was sour, but he didn't resist as Stella led him back to their spot.
Once they were back, Alex clenched his fists and said, "What's Ethan's deal? Acting like he doesn't know me?"
He and Ethan had gone to the same high school. Ethan was always first in their grade, while Alex was always second. He had always seen Ethan as a rival, but it seemed Ethan didn't even remember who he was.
Stella tried to comfort him, "Maybe it's just been a long time, and Ethan doesn't remember. It's no big deal. You can talk to him at the party tomorrow and catch up."
Alex glanced at Ethan from a distance, unsure if he was listening to Stella's words.
"Katniss seems pretty young. She might be the youngest among us," Stella remarked, unable to hold back her thoughts.
Alex scoffed, noticing Katniss talking to Ethan, who was bending down to listen to her. "Who knows what tricks she used to get in here?"
Stella wanted to say something, but decided against it when she saw Alex's sour expression.
The forty participants hadn't been together long when the training mentor briefly outlined the training's focus on teamwork and self-directed learning. He then presented several training topics and left the group to mingle.
Soon, small groups of several people formed.
Ethan pulled Katniss aside from the start. His cold demeanor made him seem unapproachable, and the few who did approach were turned away by him.
"Shouldn't we team up with others?" Katniss asked, still puzzled by the seemingly laid-back nature of the training but not questioning it too much.
Following the confirmation of enrollment at Starhaven Medical University, all individuals were provided with temporary campus cards, signifying their unrestricted access to numerous locations within the university, including the library.
"No need," Ethan replied. "We'll handle it ourselves."
The topics given by the mentor seemed easy to Ethan, and he didn't see the point in forming a large team. He figured he and Katniss could manage just fine on their own.
The morning flew by, and soon enough, Ethan took Katniss to the cafeteria for lunch.
Out of nowhere, Tyler showed up, dragging Scarlett along.
Scarlett and Tyler were not getting along, bickering the whole way, but Ethan's presence kept things from getting out of hand.
As soon as they sat down, a middle-aged man approached Ethan and said, "Mr. Ethan Anderson, Mr. Donovan Anderson has requested your presence."
Ethan glanced at Scarlett, who shrugged innocently, indicating she had no clue.
"Mr. Ethan Anderson, it wasn't Ms. Lewis who informed him. Mr. Donovan Anderson heard from the Baker family that you were seen at Starhaven Medical University."
Ethan frowned, about to refuse, when the man added, "Ms. Anderson also hopes you'll visit. She was just talking about going to Luminous City the other day and didn't expect you to return to Starhaven."
"How's Sophia's health?" Ethan's expression softened slightly at the mention of Sophia, and he asked about her condition.
Seeing an opportunity, the man elaborated on Sophia's situation.
Ethan then turned to Katniss and said, "If you need anything, call me or ask Tyler for help."
Tyler chimed in, "Go ahead, Ethan. I'll take care of Katniss."
"I'll go with you, Ethan. It's been a while since I saw Mr. Donovan Anderson and Sophia," Scarlett said, standing up to follow Ethan.
"Why are you coming to my house?" Ethan gave her a puzzled look before leaving with the man.
With Ethan gone, only three people remained at the table. Scarlett seemed distracted, barely touching her food.
Tyler, uninterested in teasing her, told Katniss he'd show her around the campus after lunch.
As Katniss ate and listened to Tyler, she suddenly spotted a familiar figure, freezing in place.
Before she could look away, Desmond saw her too.
Desmond walked over, his expression hostile. "Katniss? What are you doing here?"
He had just finished his exchange student paperwork and was being shown around the cafeteria by a senior when he unexpectedly ran into Katniss.
Katniss was just as surprised to see Desmond. "What does it matter to you?" she retorted coldly.
She wondered if Desmond had been sent to Starhaven because he couldn't stay in Luminous City.
Desmond, angered by her words and look, snapped, "It's all because of you!"
He recalled the night he argued with Brynn, which had started because of Katniss.
If it weren't for her, he wouldn't be in this situation, sent to Starhaven to escape the rumors.
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