Jasmine noticed Jerrick's lips curl into a playful smirk, and for a fleeting moment, she wondered if he had somehow guessed that she admired him. Even if just for a second, that couldn't be allowed. She wouldn't let herself entertain those thoughts. Determined, she decided to clear the air and make it unmistakably clear that she had no feelings for him.
"Are you really from the Theodulf family?" she asked, raising an eyebrow, her voice dripping with skepticism. The rumor about him sharing the same last name as the prominent military family had been swirling around, but it made no sense to her. Wasn't he supposed to be serving in the military like every other male in that family? Why was he masquerading as a teacher's assistant in a private school? A job that didn't even pay well?
"In the flesh," Jerrick answered, his eyes lighting up with a strange mix of joy and amusement as they locked onto hers.
