"Interesting… hmm…" Mark quietly said to himself as he concentrated on the pages of the book he was reading. He was sitting by himself in an otherwise empty classroom at that time, and all was quiet around him.
Then
The door creaked as it opened slowly, but Mark did not mind and went on indulging in his reading.
Tak Tak Tak
A beautiful girl walked in, confident and elegant. She had long, flowing brown hair that cascaded over her shoulders and warm, expressive brown eyes. Her features were refined, and her soft, friendly smile added a hint of charm and approachability.
She was stylishly dressed in a fitted, ribbed burgundy turtleneck that accentuated her figure, paired with a high-waisted black skirt ending mid-thigh. She wore sheer black tights and accessorized with hoop earrings, bracelets, and a delicate layered necklace—creating a classy yet modern look. She gave the impression of a fashionable, confident woman with a touch of allure.
"…"
However, her confidence faltered the moment her eyes landed on Mark. Seeing how indifferent he was—even refusing to glance at her—left her feeling strangely somber.
"Mark…" she called, her voice barely above a whisper.
'Why won't you look at me? Am I… truly that ugly in your eyes?' she pouted.
Had any other person chanced upon hearing her innermost thoughts, they would have probably thought that she was joking. And this would not have been an unfounded assumption because, for one, the type of beauty that Lisa had was so incredible that it could easily rival the beauty and appeal of famous A-list actresses. She had even been scouted by talent agents looking to recruit her as a model or singer. But she'd turned them all down, claiming she wasn't interested to go down that route
Tak Tak Tak
She walked over to where Mark was seated and sat down directly beside him on his left.
'Then… what about this?'
Flap
She flipped her hair back in a fluid gesture, hoping this would call his attention to her.
Futile.
Mark didn't even blink. No glance. No compliment. Nothing. He was solely focused on reading the book in his hand.
"Hnng… Hmph!" she pouted again.
Slowly, more and more students started entering one by one until the whole classroom was fully occupied.
"Hm… too noisy," Mark mumbled. Seeing that the once peaceful and quiet atmosphere was now ruined by endless student chatter, he put in a pair of airbuds, closed his eyes, and laid his head down.
Lisa managed to catch a glimpse of him just before her friends surrounded her again.
'Sleeping ten minutes before the teacher arrives… like always. Huff. I wish I could be like you… but…'She glanced at her noisy friends.
'Ugh. It's so annoying sometimes.'
In a flash, time seemed to have passed as ten minutes went by quickly. One by one, all returned to their individual seats, even Mark, had woken up from his short nap.
Tak, Tak Tak.
A woman walked in—a beauty who could rival even Lisa.
Gulp
Some boys gulped at the entrance of their gorgeous teacher.
She had a striking and sophisticated appearance: long, wavy silver hair that flowed past her shoulders, styled with a soft side part. Her skin was as fair as snow, and her large, pinkish eyes were framed by black-rimmed glasses with lightly tinted lenses—adding an air of intelligence and mystery.
She wore a form-fitting black dress with short sleeves that accentuated her figure. Her subtle makeup, soft pink lips, and dangling earrings completed a look that was both elegant and commanding.
"Rise up," a male student said. Everyone stood, including Mark.
"Good morning, ma'am."
"Good morning, everyone. Settle down," she replied sweetly.
She placed her bag on the desk and scanned the room.
"Class, I've got some good news… and some bad news. I'll let you choose which one to hear first."
The classroom burst with a sudden flurry of conversation and chattering by the students.
"What? Good news and bad news?"
"What's this about?"
"Do you think that this matter is really serious?"
"I have a good intuition that I can rightly guess what the bad news is."
"Oh? Spill the beans!"
"It is, indeed, the wedding of Miss Florence."
"WHAT?!"
"NOO!"
Bam!
"Silence!" cried Miss Florence in a commanding tone, whilst she struck her hand firmly, on the surface of the desk.
"Hii!" Everyone in the class winced as one.
"I asked you to decide, not to have a discussion," she spoke in a commanding voice.
"Huff." she sighed lightly.
"Never mind. I'll just tell you myself."
"First, the bad news. I assume most of you would prefer to get that out of the way."
Almost everyone nodded—except Mark, who remained indifferent.
He had no or little concern for the matter at hand and was only interested in the need for the classes to start as soon as possible and, just as importantly, to end.
"Those students who have yet to complete homework assignments will, as a result of this circumstance, receive three times the workload today as the normal amount of work they would otherwise receive."
"Nooo…!"Some students groaned, while others looked around nervously.
"Now, for the good news." She smiled sweetly.
Everyone—except Mark—perked up with curiosity.
Everyone—except Mark—perked up with curiosity.
"You…"
'What is it?'
'The suspense is killing me!'
'Is it a trip abroad?'
'A dance competition?'
'A music festival?'
'I want to know…!'
"Have a new friend!"
"Huh?" The class froze.
Some students cheered. Others sighed in disappointment. But one question echoed in everyone's minds:
'Is it a boy or a girl?'
The boys—except Mark—hoped for the obvious.
'Please let it be a cute girl!'
'A sweet and kind girl! Please God!'
'Girl! Girl! Girl!'
The girls thought the exact opposite.
'I hope he's handsome…'
'Let him be husband material!'
'A good-looking guy who confesses to me, please!'
Lisa just sighed internally. 'Doesn't matter… I already have Mark, right?' she thought hopelessly.
"You can come in now," Miss Florence said, glancing at the door.
"…"
Everyone held their breaths except the indifferent Mark and turned to look at the entrance.
Tak. Tak. Tak.
Footsteps echoed.
"Yes!"
One half of the class erupted in cheers.