The next morning, Austin strolled into St. Jude High with a brand-new buzz cut. The sharp, clean look redefined his face, making his jawline look harder and his eyes more piercing.
Leo dropped his jaw as soon as he saw him. "Whoa, man! Did you get a makeover to impress the Goddess? Or are you joining the Marines?"
"Shut it, Leo. I've just decided to take things seriously," Austin said with a smirk, feeling a newfound surge of confidence. The God-Eye lenses were still in his eyes, invisible but humming with potential. He felt like he was walking three inches above the ground.
"You? Studying?" Leo laughed, shaking his head. "Since freshman year, the number of classes you've actually attended could be counted on one hand. You're telling me you're hitting the books now?"
"Let's just say I don't want to let someone down," Austin said, raising his voice just enough for the front row to hear. "Besides, someone promised to help me if I hit a snag. And I plan on holding her to that."
Chloe Chen, sitting at the front, stiffened. She didn't turn around, but her ears flushed a soft pink. Is he talking about me? Did he really cut his hair because of my note? Her heart hammered against her ribs. If he actually came to her for help, should she say yes? She worried that rejecting him now might shatter his newfound motivation, but the thought of spending time with the school's "Mad Dog" sent a confusing shiver down her spine.
The social dynamics were interrupted by the arrival of the Biology teacher, carrying a thick stack of exams. In the past, Austin would have groaned and put his head down. Today, he was vibrating with excitement. He wanted to test the limits of his new reality.
As the papers were handed out, Austin slid his Biology textbook into the open shelf under his desk. He focused his mind.
X-Ray: Level 1. Target: Desk surface.
The thick wood of the desk flickered and became as transparent as glass. He could see the textbook clearly. Zoom. He focused on the index, then willed the "pages" to turn in his mind. The lenses responded to his neural signals, scanning the interior of the closed book. He found the section on cell structures in seconds.
The quiz was a breeze. For the multiple-choice questions, he simply "read" through his desk. For the complex calculations at the end, he turned his gaze forward.
Telescopic Vision: 5x Zoom. Target: Chloe's desk.
His vision punched through the air, bypassing three rows of students. Chloe was already finished, her neat, elegant handwriting laid bare before him. Austin didn't care if it was right or wrong—if the smartest girl in school wrote it, it was his gospel. He scribbled the answers down just as the bell rang.
Perfect, he thought, leaning back. With this, the Ivy League isn't a dream. It's an inevitability.
In a fit of playful confidence, Austin tore a scrap of paper from his notebook and scribbled a line: I'm doing this all for you. — A. He folded it and tapped Leo on the shoulder. "Pass this to the President."
Leo gave him a wicked, knowing grin and sent the note forward. When Chloe opened it, her face turned so red it rivaled a sunset. There was no signature, but she knew exactly who sent it. Is he... is he confessing? she wondered, her mind a chaotic mess of academic duty and teenage hormones. She looked back and caught Austin's gaze. He looked so confident, so different with the new haircut.
She scribbled back a single line: Just don't give up halfway. Prove it to me.
Austin nearly cheered when he got the reply. She didn't say no!
He spent the rest of the day in a blur of euphoria until the final bell rang. It was time for his private session with Ms. Zhao. As he approached the faculty office, he heard a sharp, masculine voice from inside.
"Come on, Chloe—I mean, Zhao. I booked a table at 'The Celestial Garden.' It's the most expensive place in the city. Just one dinner?"
"I told you, Jin. I'm busy," Ms. Zhao's voice was icy. "I have a student to tutor."
"A student? Just blow the kid off! Tell him you have a meeting. Who cares about one slacker's grades?"
Austin felt a surge of annoyance. Another "fly" circling the honey. He didn't bother knocking; he just pushed the door open.
Standing in the office was a man in his late twenties, sporting a slicked-back hairstyle and holding a massive bouquet of roses. This was Jin Gang, the PE teacher. He looked at Austin as if he were a bug on his shoe.
"Who invited you in? Get out!" Jin barked, pointing at the door.
Austin ignored him entirely. He walked straight to Ms. Zhao's desk with a charming smile. "Ms. Zhao, I'm here for my lesson. Sorry I'm a minute late."
Jin Gang looked like he was about to explode. "You little brat! Did you hear me? I'm talking to you!"
"Jin, that's enough," Ms. Zhao said, her eyes flashing with relief. "I have work to do. Please leave."
Jin slammed the roses onto the sofa and stormed out, nearly knocking Austin over.
"He's a charmer," Austin joked, watching the door slam. "Does he always treat the faculty lounge like a locker room?"
"He's the PE teacher," Ms. Zhao sighed, rubbing her temples. "He's... persistent. And Austin, be careful. Jin Gang has a temper, and his uncle is the Dean. Don't provoke him."
"Him? I'm terrified," Austin said, though his eyes said otherwise.
Ms. Zhao looked at him, noticing the new haircut. It suited him—it made him look less like a delinquent and more like a man. "Alright, enough gossip. Let's see what you actually know. You said you finished the first two chapters of Algebra?"
For the next two hours, the office was silent except for the scratching of pens and Ms. Zhao's soft, melodic voice. Austin found himself actually paying attention. Part of it was the God-Eye making the logic clearer, but the other part was Ms. Zhao herself. She was brilliant, patient, and when she leaned over to correct his notes, the floral scent of her hair was intoxicating.
"That's enough for today," Ms. Zhao finally said, checking her watch. "You're catching up faster than I expected. Take this practice test home."
She stood up to grab her bag, the movement causing her hair to spill over her shoulders. Austin stared, momentarily mesmerized by the curve of her waist and the mature grace of her movements. She was a different kind of beautiful than Chloe—more refined, more dangerous.
Suddenly, Austin realized he had a problem. A biological problem. The proximity and the daydreams had triggered a very obvious physical reaction.
"Austin? Why are you still sitting there?" Ms. Zhao asked, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "I'll walk you to the gate. I don't want Jin Gang cornering you in the dark."
"I... uh... I just need a minute," Austin stammered, his face heating up. If he stood up now, the "tent" in his jeans would be impossible to hide.
Ms. Zhao frowned, stepping closer. "Are you okay? You look pale. Is it your stomach?"
"No! No, I'm fine!" Austin blurted out. He tried to stand up while hunched over, his butt sticking out in a ridiculous pose to create some space.
Ms. Zhao's eyes scanned him, confused by his bizarre posture, until they landed on the unmistakable bulge in his trousers. Her eyes widened, and then her face turned a deep, furious crimson.
"Austin! What on earth are you thinking about?!" she snapped, her voice cracking with embarrassment. "I'm trying to help your future, and you're sitting there having... having those thoughts?"
The shock of her shout was like a bucket of ice water. The "tent" collapsed instantly. Austin stood up straight, coughing awkwardly. "I... I told you, Ms. Zhao. These new lenses... they have some weird side effects."