The morning sun didn't help Elena's mood. She walked into the newly assigned classroom, clutching her bag like a shield. The desks were rearranged—boys on one side, girls on the other, like an invisible wall still stood between them.
Except it didn't.
Joel strolled in late, sunglasses on indoors for no reason, humming a tune. The moment he saw Elena, he smirked.
"Well, if it isn't the queen of the clean desk," he said, slipping into the seat diagonally behind hers.
"Touch anything on my desk and lose your fingers," Elena said without turning around.
Fathima whispered to Aishwarya, "This is going to be delicious."
The class was loud. Boys shouted across to each other, girls tried to stay composed. Adam sir walked in, eyes scanning the noisy room. The moment Elena saw him, she sat a little straighter—she couldn't help it.
He paused just briefly at her row, then continued walking.
Joel didn't miss that.
"Your favourite teacher's here," he whispered behind her ear, voice low and teasing. "Want me to move so you can blush in peace?"
Elena whipped around, glare sharp. "Want me to staple your mouth shut?"
Joel grinned. "You're feisty today."
Adam sir cleared his throat, and the room fell into silence.
"New class. New expectations," he said. "And I expect maturity."
Elena lowered her gaze, focusing on her notes. Joel leaned back in his chair, spinning his pen lazily.
Halfway through the lecture, Adam called on Elena to answer a question.
She stood, gave a flawless answer, and sat back down without missing a beat.
Joel clapped—loudly.
Everyone turned.
Adam gave him a hard stare. "Joel. Last warning."
Joel raised his hands in mock surrender. "Can't help it, sir. She's impressive."
Elena's jaw clenched. Fathima bit back a laugh.
Aishwarya whispered, "This is going to be a war."
And Elena?
She wasn't sure if her heart was racing from the embarrassment…
Or the fact that, for the first time, Joel had called her impressive.