The approaching voice broke the silence, and Eric looked up to find Kendra standing before him. The lights flickered to life, illuminating her warm smile.
"Eric!" Kendra said, settling into the seat beside him.
Eric returned the greeting with a measured tone, masking his surprise.
As they engaged in small talk, Kendra plugged in her receiver, only to discover it was running low on power. "Aw, man... I forgot to charge it this morning."
Eric chuckled. "You're always running on fumes, Kendra."
Their conversation flowed easily, until Eric's offhand remark sparked a mischievous glint in Kendra's eye. "So, Eric, you ever had a girlfriend?" she asked, her voice laced with playful curiosity.
Eric's expression turned serious, his eyes narrowing as he sighed, "I don't think girlfriends are necessary for someone like me. They're a distraction, a luxury for those who've already achieved their goals."
Kendra's smile froze, her eyes widening in astonishment. She leaned back, studying Eric as if witnessing a rare phenomenon.
"You're... really serious, aren't you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
Eric's resolute gaze met hers, his conviction unwavering.
Kendra's lips curled into a thoughtful smile, her eyes sparkling with intrigue.
Kendra's eyes sparkled with curiosity. "What if she could support you in achieving your goals?"
Eric opened his mouth to respond, but his words were lost amidst the approaching laughter and chatter of Max, Grant, and Jacky.
"Eric, my man!" Max called out, striding toward him with a grin.
Kendra smiled warmly and rose from her seat, surrendering it to the incoming group. She unplugged her receiver, now partially charged, and began scanning her signals.
As the boys converged around Eric, their conversation erupted into a lively discussion about the night class.
"I heard Matthew's got some solid plan involving the whole class," Grant said.
"No way, I heard it's going to be a Question Answer free-for-all," Jacky countered.
Max chuckled. "Either way, it'll be chaos. But hey, at least we'll get it done."
Eric listened, a quiet anticipation building within him. His eyes met Kendra's, who was observing the group with a gentle smile.
Lost in thought, Eric nodded along with his friends, his mind still lingering on Kendra's unfinished question.
Eric returned to the front, his reserved seat beckoning. However, his calm demeanor faltered as he noticed Ashley occupying the adjacent spot, her gaze fixed intently on her receiver. Kendra's bag claimed the seat to the left, a subtle hint at her intended return.
The four-in-one seating arrangement, typically a space-saving boon, now felt suffocating. Eric's unease stirred, a habitual discomfort when sitting beside females, especially in the intimate setting of a night class.
With a deep breath, Eric composed himself, shedding his apprehension. He slid into his seat, the metal frame creaking softly.
Ashley barely registered his presence, her attention still captive to her receiver's glowing screen. The surrounding chatter and shuffling footsteps filled the room, but the echoes diminished as more students arrived, filling the spaces.
The air thickened with anticipation, the night class's gravity settling in. Eric settled into his seat, his eyes drifting toward Ashley's profile, her features softly illuminated by the receiver's light.
Ashley's receiver went dark, and her gaze shifted forward, her profile now illuminated by the soft classroom lights. Eric's eyes, momentarily drawn to her, darted away with practiced nonchalance.
The classroom door swung open, and Matthew strode in, his presence commanding attention. "Alright, let's settle down," he announced, his voice firm but even.
The students, scattered across the room like restless leaves, continued to murmur and shift for another couple of minutes. Gradually, they succumbed to Matthew's unwavering patience.
As the last whispers faded, Matthew remained stationary, his expression a mask of calm detachment. This was his signature tactic – a silent, unyielding presence that quelled chaos and commanded respect.
The room fell still, with only the soft hum of receivers and the creaking of chairs breaking the silence. All eyes converged on Matthew, awaiting his words.
Eric's gaze, now focused on Matthew, observed the subtle authority emanating from him. Ashley, seated beside Eric, sat upright, her attention similarly captivated.
The air was heavy with anticipation, the night class poised to begin.
Matthew began, his voice clear and resolute. "I'd like to thank everyone for coming on such short notice. I know it's not easy to leave the comfort of your dorm rooms."
He paused, surveying the room.
"Tonight's plan is simple: we'll tackle the assignment problems one by one, starting from the last person and moving forward. We'll repeat this cycle until we've completed the assignment or... until we can't keep our eyes open." A hint of dry humor flickered across his face.
Matthew's expression turned serious once more. "Let's take a few minutes to process. Review your notes, and get your materials ready."
The classroom fell silent, with only the soft rustling of papers and muted whispers breaking the stillness.
Eric glanced around, observing his classmates' determined faces. Ashley scribbled notes on her parchment, while Kendra organized her textbooks.
Matthew stood steadfast, his eyes scanning the room as the seconds ticked by.
The brief respite ended, and Matthew's voice cut through the silence. "Alright, let's begin."
Matthew called out William, seated at the front right end of the class, to tackle the first question. William approached, receiving a piece of chalk and a whispered urging from Matthew to hurry.
As William began solving the problem, Eric murmured under his breath, "This should be fun."
Ashley, seated beside him, giggled softly. "Everyone's been lively since we got here, it won't last. They'll all be asleep soon."
Eric didn't flinch, though internally surprised by her response. He glanced around, his realization growing. "Yeah, it's only a matter of time."
As each student took turns at the board, Eric diligently reproduced the solutions in his assignment book. His scrutiny paid off when he spotted an error. "That method can't give you a negative answer...," he whispered to himself.
Ashley's sharp ears caught his words. She reviewed her notes, then compared them to the board, her expression transforming from curiosity to astonishment. "You're right," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Hours dragged on, the night class wearing thin. Eric's ambition remained unwavering, but Ashley's energy waned. She closed her book, leaned into him, and rested her head on his shoulder.
Eric's eyes widened, his mind racing. He thought he understood the sudden intimacy, but his heart refused to calm. The warmth of her head on his shoulder sent a flutter through his chest.
The classroom's murmur receded into the background as Eric's focus narrowed to the gentle pressure of Ashley's head, his thoughts swirling in unexpected directions.
Ashley's gentle breathing warmed Eric's shoulder, a soothing contrast to his racing heart. He remained still, careful not to disturb her slumber. As he continued taking notes, his mind wandered to the novels he'd devoured, where heroines often shared tender moments with the protagonists.
He concluded that Ashley's comfort with him stemmed from her gentle nature, a trait that likely made her beloved by their classmates. The thought served as a mental shield, protecting Eric from the overwhelming confusion that threatened to engulf him.
The hours blurred together, until the class finally disbanded in the early morning hours. Eric lifted his head from the desk, rubbing the fatigue from his eyes. He looked to his right, expecting Ashley's presence, but she was gone.
The classroom, once bustling with life, now stood nearly empty. The silence was a jarring contrast to the previous night's camaraderie. Eric's gaze scanned the room, searching for any sign of Ashley, but she had vanished.
A faint pang of disappointment stirred within him, followed by the realization that they'd shared a fleeting, intimate moment. Eric's thoughts swirled, replaying their quiet interactions and the gentle pressure of her head on his shoulder.
As he gathered his belongings, Eric pondered on their encounter.