ough the wide glass windows, casting pale rectangles across the tiled floor, but it did nothing to warm the mood. Students sat at their desks in uneven rows, so

of class. Normally, she would already be jotting down notes, keeping pace with the lesson, but today her thoughts refused to settle. Her eyes flicked toward the front of the

slowly from one side to the other. His shoes tapped softly against the floor, each step measured,

-step. His voice cut through the murmur of the class

fell i

ghtly, as if she were about to speak, then pressed together again. Seconds stretched, heavy and uncomfortable. The room waited,

one coughed. The teacher's expression harde

n or call someone else

er voice steady despite th

used, then nod

r mind was already working through the problem. She picked up the chalk, her movements calm and precise, and began to so

he board, then smiled

t. Some students glanced at her with admiration, others with indifference.

face da

ttered, loud enough to be heard. Her tone drippe

ound her pen. Slowly, she turned he

pinning toward her. "Yo

seat. His chair scraped sharply against the

with anger. "She answered because the teacher as

ss went

her arms. "Why are yo

en replied without hesitati

ping in before the situation could escalate

etending to read, though the words blurred together. Her heart raced-not from the confrontation, but from the way Jaden had stood

oudly against the floor and students rushed

was

ia and Jaden had shifte

rowded, voices bouncing off the walls, laughter and chatter blending into a dull roar. Lockers slammed op

de

rt lift slightly, a soft warmth blooming in her chest before she could stop it. She t

ook a deep breath and app

flicked away almost immediately, unable to meet

ce before a smile formed. It wasn't wide or dramat

said-except maybe everyt

er lips. "See you in class," she murmured. Then she turne

utting between them. He knew it wasn't about anger or pride. It was someth

She wanted to stay. Wanted to linger in the quiet warmth of his presence, to say more than just thank

walke

buzzed with life, but he hardly noticed. His eyes kept drifting back to where she ha

'd turned away before he could say anything else. The realization hurt more than

ed was to protect her-to make things easier for her-and yet

as all he could do for now. Maybe patience was the only way to stay nea

knowing that every day he stayed by her side-even at