Avery's POV
The classroom smelled faintly of chalk and polished wood, the familiar scent that always made me feel… safe.
Mr. Reid was at the board again, writing an equation like it was the easiest thing in the world. Math, Science, and IT—it all blurred together when he explained it, but somehow, I understood. My fingers moved automatically across my notebook, copying every symbol carefully.
I told myself not to look, but my eyes kept drifting back.
Just for a moment.
His chestnut hair caught the sunlight streaming through the window, the streak of red at the side glinting softly. His blue eyes, calm and measured, scanned the room—not like he was searching, but like he was observing. Every movement precise, every gesture controlled.
It was… mesmerizing.
I shook my head quickly. Stop it, Avery. He's your teacher. That's it. Nothing more.
"Miss Avery," his voice cut through my thoughts.
My heart jumped. I looked up. "Yes, sir?"
"Explain the next step," he said, tapping the board lightly with chalk.
I stood, nerves fluttering slightly, and approached the board. The classroom went quiet, and I felt the gaze of every student on me, but it didn't matter. All I could feel was the weight of his eyes on me, patient, unreadable.
I solved the problem carefully, step by step, explaining out loud, keeping my voice steady even as my cheeks warmed.
When I finished, he nodded once. "Good."
Nothing more. Just good.
It was simple, but for some reason, I couldn't shake the feeling that it meant something more.
I returned to my seat, pretending to focus on my notebook. My hand shook slightly as I wrote down the answers.
Why did it feel like he had looked at me differently?
I glanced sideways at the boy sitting next to me. He'd been watching quietly the whole time, a small smirk playing on his lips.
"You're smiling," he said softly.
"I'm not," I whispered, lowering my eyes.
"Uh-huh," he said, clearly unconvinced, leaning back in his chair. "Sure you're not."
I rolled my eyes and turned fully to my notebook, but my heart was still racing.
From the front of the room, Mr. Reid shifted slightly, scanning the class. I immediately sat straighter, trying to act normal.
Focus, Avery.
It's just class.
It's just… him being your teacher.
Nothing more.