Chapter 51

“Oh?” Charlotte arched an eyebrow, taking her time as she reached into her bag.
Out came a snake, about a meter long, its body a deep blue with streaks of orange- red coloring its neck and chin. The little thing writhed and twisted, very much alive.
A snake. In the classroom.
Someone screamed. It set off a chain reaction, classmates stumbling over chairs, tripping over backpacks, and scrambling to put as much space as possible between themselves and Charlotte.
Why was there a snake here? Was someone targeting her on the very first day? Was this how things were going to be from now on? Whispers and nervous glances bounced around the room. Some were sure Charlotte would faint any second.
But she didn’t. Charlotte just sat there, calm and collected, as if this was the most normal thing in the world. She watched the snake, even played with it a little, like she was handling a bracelet instead of a living, hissing reptile.
The snake bared its fangs, hissing, looking about as unfriendly as possible. It wasn’t even venomous, but still, no one wanted to get close. Not the boys, definitely not the girls.
“Oh my god, is she in shock? That’s a real snake!”
“I can’t I can’t. I’ve got goosebumps all over.”
“How is she not scared? She’s actually playing with it. Oh, gross, it’s flicking its tongue at her
Charlotte frowned. She tapped the snake on its head with her finger and, with a sharp tone, said, “Behave.”
The snake stiffened, then obediently curled up in her palm, quiet and still.
The room went silent. If they hadn’t just seen it, everyone would swear the snake in her hand was fake.
Just then, hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.
“Charlotte!” Shirley stood at the doorway, clutching her stomach and gasping for breath. “Don’t… don’t touch your bag. There’s a-”
She stopped. Her eyes landed on the snake, already curled up in Charlotte’s hand. Her mouth fell open, and she slapped her hand over her lips.
“Charlotte.” Did the snake already bite her?
“Charlotte, just… don’t move.” Shirley was shaking so hard she could barely..keep standing. She forced herself closer, but stopped a cotables
of meters away, trembling even more. “Don’t be scared. I’m…I’m coming to save you.”
Charlotte just hummed, switching the snake to her other hand with a bored look.
“I… I Shirley tried to step forward,
but every time she got close, the snake made her jump back. She looked like she was about to cry.If it weren’t for her, Charlotte wouldn’t be in this mess. She couldn’t just stand by.
Taking a deep breath, Shirley squeezed her eyes shut and reached out for the snake.
But before she could touch it, Charlotte casually pulled out a cake box, grabbed the snake, dropped it into a bag, and tied it shut.
Just like that, the whole thing was over. No drama, no fuss.
Shirley was still frozen in her brave, ready-to-sacrifice-herself pose. Charlotte’s
quick action left her totally lost for words.
Around the room, jaws dropped. Shock quickly turned to awe.
“Charlotte are your hands okay?” Now that the snake was contained, Shirley finally dared to get closer. She gently took Charlotte’s hand, checking for bite marks. “I… Al take you to the nurse-”
“I’m fine.” Charlotte wiggled her fingers, showing off her long, pale hands, not a
scratch in sight. They were almost too pretty to be real.
Once Shirley was sure Charlotte was really okay, she relaxed a little, and her admiration for Charlotte shot through the roof.
“I’m so sorry. They… they only did this because of me.”