Lisa noticed my gaze and frowned. But just as the teacher entered the classroom, we followed suit and settled into our seats, engrossed in flipping through our textbooks. Strangely, I was feeling out of sorts. Charlie's sister's intense glances were disquieting. She seemed to be analyzing my every move, her piercing eyes almost drilling into me. Clearing my throat, I started jotting down sentences, trying to shake off the unsettling feeling.
Then, something clicked. I abruptly turned, scanning the room for the source of disturbance. When my eyes landed on Lisa, she waved her hand and pointed discreetly at the crumpled piece of paper on her desk.
"Is something the matter, Julian?" our teacher inquired. Alberto Elsoks, or 'Socks' as everyone called him, was familiar with me and had a soft spot for me. His quirk was his mismatched socks and his affinity for striped shirts. He sported round glasses and wore the same jeans for an entire month, yet he was an excellent educator. Alberto appeared around 30 years old, with curly black hair and trusting green eyes.
"No, nothing. Just my shoelaces came undone," I quickly excused myself, reaching down to retrieve the note.
"Get back to your work," the teacher's voice cleared the air, and the clattering of keys resumed. Silence enveloped the classroom. Carefully, I unfolded the intriguing, noisy piece of paper. A sigh of relief escaped me as the task was completed. It was the most challenging task. The note read: "What did you mean by that during the break? I apologize if I said anything offensive. I don't think I did. I'd like to invite you to a nearby café to talk. Let's sort things out there. Lisa."
Suddenly, my chair started tipping backward. Had it really, or was it just my imagination? It bumped into Mafiosi's desk. Realization struck that the brunette was tugging the chair towards her.
"Are you really going to forgive her?" she whispered. I felt my ears warming.
"Where did you...?"
"Mind-reading, Karnere, mind-reading," the girl rolled her eyes. "So, are you? Grace wants to talk to you, but she's too nervous to turn around. She wants to impress the teacher as a model student. Here, take this," she handed me her phone. I accepted it carefully, as though it were a precious artifact. The screen already displayed a conversation where Mort was brazenly seeking Grace's assistance.
"Alright, what's up? I'm here," I typed.
"I don't have any plans today. I can give you a ride home so they won't bother you."
"No need, I'm not a little kid. I'll see you after work."
"You work? Wow, you're unique. By the way, where's your phone? I can't find you on Instagram."
"Of course, I work. I'm not in your position. Fortunately, I have the weekend off. I leave my phone at home; it could get damaged. I don't use social media. I find it unproductive."
"You're really old-fashioned. So, what do you say? I'll still give you a lift. And I'll find out where this old-fashioned person lives."
"Okay, don't trouble yourself."
I exhaled, sensing Mort's impatience mixed with Grace's annoyance in the air.
"Julian, do you have time for phone chats?" the teacher's voice sounded stern.
"No... I just..." I handed Mafiosi's phone back, and he grinned. I hastily resumed writing down what I should have expressed earlier. About 15 minutes remained until the end of the class. I raised my hand and smiled. Once again, I was the first to complete the task. My attention shifted to Lisa's note, still unanswered. I sighed with relief as the bell rang, and students filed out rapidly. As I crossed the doorway, someone gripped my hand.
"Ahem... I'll be waiting for you on the stairs," Mafiosi chuckled before dashing away. I almost groaned in frustration but settled for an eye roll and a sigh.
"What did you mean by that?" Lisa asked, waving the paper near my face. I winced, as if this sweet, young girl had suddenly become annoying and oblivious. It was starting to get under my skin.
"I wanted to check if I had covered everything in the note," I mumbled.
"Why are you so agitated?" she inquired, her eyes searching mine. She stared at me as if truly seeing me for the first time.
"What's wrong with you?" I retorted.
"You... you've changed."
"Is that so? I don't think so."
"You... you're not the same."
"How was I supposed to be?" I asked with a touch of sarcasm.
"Not because of them, surely?" Charlie's sister hesitated, her gaze turning innocent. I hadn't expected that.
"Right, I see," I said tersely. Without another word, I spun on my heel and approached Grace. The emotions that had been simmering within me were now boiling over. I felt an incredible power, dominion over all living things. I could control human emotions and sentiments, though it might backfire.
"What was that about, bro?" Mafiosi playfully nudged me. I shot forward as if propelled by a rocket, without even bothering to look back. "Seems like you've caught her attention."
I scoffed and glanced at the brunette. He wished, alright.
"Hey, why are you staring at me like that? Could it be that you've fallen in love? But... how so quickly? We only met... - he glanced at his watch - 10 hours, 30 minutes, and 05 seconds ago. That's a record!"