The classroom was noisy. Everyone was talking, laughing, living their normal lives.
But for her… nothing felt normal.
She walked in, trying to act calm. But the moment she looked up—
he was already looking at her.
Not smiling.
Not angry.
Just… staring.
Her heart skipped.
"Why is he always like this…" she whispered to herself.
She quickly looked away and went to her seat.
A few minutes later, the teacher hadn't come yet. The class got louder.
Suddenly—
A chair scraped beside her.
She froze.
"You're sitting here now?" she said, not even looking at him.
"I can sit anywhere," he replied casually.
His voice was calm… but close. Too close.
She turned to him, annoyed.
"There are literally 20 empty seats."
"And I chose this one," he said, leaning back like it meant nothing.
She tried to ignore him.
Tried to focus on her notebook.
But she could feel it.
His eyes.
Again.
Always on her.
"Stop staring," she said, without looking up.
"Who said I'm staring?"
She looked at him instantly.
"You literally are."
He smirked a little.
"Then don't look at me."
She got quiet.
For a second, neither of them spoke.
Then suddenly—
He leaned a little closer.
"Why are you avoiding me?" he asked softly.
Her fingers tightened on her pen.
"I'm not."
"You are."
"I'm not," she said again, faster this time.
He didn't move away.
"If you're not… then look at me properly," he said.
Her heart started beating fast.
Slowly… she looked up.
Their eyes met.
And this time—
No one looked away.
Something felt different.
Not just anger.
Not just teasing.
Something… heavier.
She swallowed.
"Happy now?"
He didn't answer.
He was still looking at her like he was trying to understand something.
Before she could say anything—
A girl from the class came and stood near them.
"Hey, can I sit here?" she asked him, smiling.
He didn't even look at the girl.
"I'm already sitting here."
"But you can come there na—"
"I said I'm fine here," he cut her off.
The girl left, a little awkward.
She looked at him, surprised.
"You could've just gone."
"I didn't want to."
"Why?"
He looked at her again.
This time… slower.
"Because I'm not done talking to you."
Her cheeks felt warm.
"Talk about what?" she said, trying to sound normal.
He leaned back again, acting casual—but his eyes didn't leave her.
"You'll find out."
The teacher finally entered the class.
Everyone settled down.
But she couldn't focus.
Not on the board.
Not on the lesson.
Only one thought in her mind—
"Why does it feel like… he's getting closer… even when I'm trying to stay away?"
-- end of chapter 2