Episode 11

The day felt quieter than usual as I walked into the classroom for Professor Sungit’s lecture. Despite the usual hustle and chatter of the students, there was an odd energy in the air. I couldn’t help but feel it as I sat down, pulling out my notebook and glancing at the front of the room.

Professor Sungit was already there, her eyes scanning the papers in her hand. She looked as composed as ever, her usual air of authority filling the room. But there was something different about her demeanor—subtle, almost imperceptible. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but it made me even more curious.

The lecture started, and as always, she commanded the room with ease. Her explanations were clear, her tone steady, but there were moments when her gaze flickered to me. Brief, fleeting glances that made me feel both seen and unnerved.

When the class ended, I stayed in my seat, pretending to organize my notes. Most of the students had already filed out, leaving the room much quieter. Professor Sungit remained at her desk, packing up her materials.

I debated with myself for a moment before standing up and approaching her desk. "Ma’am," I said softly, not wanting to startle her.

She looked up, her expression unreadable as usual. "Yes, Cruz?"

"I just wanted to thank you for explaining yesterday’s topic to me. It helped a lot," I said, offering a small smile.

Her eyes softened slightly, though her tone remained composed. "That’s good to hear. If you have any other questions, don’t hesitate to ask."

I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. "Thanks, ma’am. I appreciate it."

As I turned to leave, she called out, "Cruz."

I stopped in my tracks, glancing back at her. "Yes, ma’am?"

"Don’t linger in hallways unnecessarily," she said, her tone laced with a hint of amusement. "It’s distracting."

I blinked, caught off guard by the comment. Was that… a joke? I couldn’t tell, but the faint smirk on her lips suggested otherwise.

"Noted, ma’am," I replied, unable to suppress a small smile as I walked out.

---

Later that afternoon, I met up with Jenna at the campus café. She was already seated at a corner table, sipping on an iced coffee and scrolling through her phone.

"You’re late," she said without looking up.

"Had something to finish," I replied, sitting across from her.

Her eyes flicked up, full of mischief. "Oh? Was it something or someone?"

I groaned. "Please don’t start."

"Come on, you’re giving me too much material," she teased. "First, you stay back after class to talk to her, and now you’re walking around with this goofy smile. What happened this time?"

I rolled my eyes but couldn’t help the slight flush creeping up my neck. "Nothing. She just… made a joke, I think."

Jenna’s eyebrows shot up. "A joke? Professor Sungit? Are we talking about the same person?"

"She said something about me not lingering in hallways," I explained, realizing how ridiculous it sounded when I said it out loud. "It wasn’t exactly funny, but it felt… different."

Jenna grinned, leaning forward. "You’re so gone."

"Am not," I protested, though my weak tone betrayed me.

"Sure, Cruz," she said with a wink. "Whatever you say."

I stood up, and Jenna glanced at me. "Where are you going?" she asked, her voice filled with curiosity.

I hesitated for a moment before replying, "Just heading out. I don't have class anymore, so I figured I'd go."

Jenna raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "Really? You're just leaving like that?"

I shrugged, trying to seem nonchalant. "Yeah, nothing much to do here anyway."

---

At home, I was lying on my bed, facing down with my legs raised and lowered alternately while scrolling through my phone. I was trying to relax after a busy day, just mindlessly browsing, letting time pass by. The position was comfortable, and I didn’t feel like moving just yet.

As I scrolled through my feed, my thoughts kept drifting back to Professor Sungit. The way she’d looked at me in class earlier, those fleeting glances that made my heart beat a little faster. I couldn't deny that there was something different about her today, something that I hadn't quite figured out. Her usual stern demeanor had softened, if only for a moment.

I couldn’t help but replay the interaction in my head, trying to make sense of it. Was it just a harmless exchange, or was there something more to it? And the way she made that comment about the hallways—had she been joking, or was it a subtle hint that she was actually paying more attention to me than she let on? I couldn't shake the feeling that there was a layer to Professor Sungit that I hadn’t seen before.

I groaned softly, feeling a mix of confusion and excitement. Why am I thinking about her so much?

---

I was just scrolling through Facebook when I suddenly thought of Professor Celeste again. Without really thinking, I went to her profile and, by accident, clicked the "Add Friend" button.

I froze for a second, staring at the screen. Did I just... did I actually send that request?

I quickly checked if it had gone through, and sure enough, it said "Friend Request Sent." I panicked for a moment. Great, what if she sees it? What do I do now?

I tried to shake it off and hoped she wouldn’t notice it or that she’d just ignore it. But deep down, I was kind of cringing at myself.

I was about to cancel the friend request when suddenly, I got a notification: "Accepted your friend request"

My eyes widened as I stared at the screen. Wait, what? She actually accepted it?

I blinked a couple of times, trying to process what just happened. How did that even happen so quickly? I thought. Was she online? Did she even notice I sent it by accident?

I sat there for a moment, unsure of what to do next. Great. Now I really can't take it back.

:))

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