LESSON OF THE HEART Episode 3: Cold Eyes and Coffee Jokes

prof.David Bennett (ML)

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I choose this and this

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According to your preference 😁

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I love this specs frame 😁

Aria Sharma( FL)

He is soo 😣😣 handsome author

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😳😣💓yes ...

Back to story

Campus café – late morning. Aria stands in line, looking sleepy

professor 1

(Pops up beside her )You look like a tired raccoon.

Aria Sharma( FL)

Maya , I feel like one too. I barely slept.🥱😴

Maya Patel / FL frd

Lemme guess. Reading poetry again?

Aria Sharma( FL)

Ugh… I ran into Professor Iceberg again.

Maya Patel / FL frd

Who?

Aria Sharma( FL)

That man from the bookstore. Same one I bumped into at the café. His name’s David. Literature professor. Stone face. Cold voice. No smile. Ever.

Maya Patel / FL frd

Oooh mysterious and grumpy. Sounds like a K-drama lead.

professor 2

(Appears behind them )Did someone say K-drama? Is Aria crushing on someone already?

professor 2

👈Died heart fan of k drama

Aria Sharma( FL)

( Groans )No! Ethan He’s just… always there when I’m having a clumsy moment. It’s embarrassing.

Ethan Clark ( FL frd )

Maybe the universe is sending you signs.

Aria Sharma( FL)

Yeah. “Stop dropping coffee on people.”

They all laugh as they grab their drinks and head to sit outside.

Outside café – small patio with tables. Aria, Maya, and Ethan sit chatting. Nearby, David sits alone with his laptop, typing

Maya Patel / FL frd

(Whispers) Aria… isn’t that boy is so handsome 🌝

Aria Sharma( FL)

(Glances over ) 😰he that literature professor, I bumped yesterday .Please don’t stare. Or talk. Or breathe in his direction.

Ethan Clark ( FL frd )

Challenge accepted. *Loudly* Hello, sir! Love the serious professor energy!

prof.David Bennett (ML)

(Looks up, cold expression )Do I know you?🥶

Ethan Clark ( FL frd )

Nope. But my friend here does. She’s a fan of your literature

Aria Sharma( FL)

(Whispers sharply) Ethan! Stop!

prof.David Bennett (ML)

(Looks at Aria, then back to his screen) Keep the noise down, please.🥶

Maya Patel / FL frd

(Mock whispering) Wow. He’s like a walking freezer.

Ethan Clark ( FL frd )

No wonder you like him, Aria. You’re always hot and clumsy. He’s cold and grumpy. Perfect balance

Aria Sharma( FL)

I. Do. Not. Like. Him.

David closes his laptop and stands up

prof.David Bennett (ML)

(To Aria )You talk too much for someone who claimed to enjoy reading quietly.

Aria Sharma( FL)

(Blinking) I— uh— that was—

prof.David Bennett (ML)

Focus on your studies, not gossip. Good day.🥶

He walks off without looking back

Maya Patel / FL frd

…Did he just roast you in public?

Ethan Clark ( FL frd )

That man is colder than my iced latte.

Aria Sharma( FL)

(Fuming but also a little amused )Why is he everywhere?!

Maya Patel / FL frd

Maybe fate wants you two to fight until you fall in love.

Aria Sharma( FL)

Please. If he’s fate, I’m dropping out.

Later that day – Aria alone, walking near the library

Aria Sharma( FL)

(to herself): Why does he always make me feel like a kid in trouble…? And why do I keep running into him? Is he really that cold… or am I just… annoying?

Aria Sharma( FL)

(No no why I am thinking about him....) i should go home 🏠

Next morning – Literature class, 8:00 AM

Aria Sharma( FL)

(Yawning as she walks into the classroom) 🥱Why is 8 AM even legal?

Maya Patel / FL frd

Because evil people made the schedule. Come on, let’s sit in the second row. Not front row—we’re not that nerdy.

Ethan Clark ( FL frd )

(Throws his bag on the desk behind them) I came only for the attendance.

Aria Sharma( FL)

I hope the professor is chill.

Maya Patel / FL frd

Imagine if it’s your grumpy coffee enemy?

Aria Sharma( FL)

(Snorts) Don’t joke. I’d melt in shame.

The classroom door opens. David walks in, holding a notebook

prof.David Bennett (ML)

Good morning. I’m Professor David Bennett. Welcome to Advanced Literature.

Aria, Maya, Ethan: All blink in shock

Maya Patel / FL frd

(whispers): You’ve got to be kidding me

Ethan Clark ( FL frd )

(grinning): Ariaaaa… look who’s your professor.

Aria Sharma( FL)

I want to disappear.

prof.David Bennett (ML)

I hope you’re all here to learn. I don’t tolerate laziness, gossip, or distractions. If you’re here to waste time, you can leave now.

The class goes silent. Even Ethan stops smiling

prof.David Bennett (ML)

Let’s start with a simple question. What is literature to you?

Silence

prof.David Bennett (ML)

No one? I see. We’ve got work to do.

Aria slowly raises her hand

prof.David Bennett (ML)

Yes?

Aria Sharma( FL)

Literature… to me… is like a mirror. It shows us who we are.

Few heads turn. Maya looks proud. Ethan whispers, “Poetic.”

prof.David Bennett (ML)

(Looks at her, expression unreadable )A mirror, huh? Interesting answer.

Aria Sharma( FL)

(Feels nervous under his stare) Was that… wrong?

prof.David Bennett (ML)

There’s no wrong answer in thought. But there is in expression. We’ll work on yours.

He moves on quickly, not giving her more attention. Class continues.

After class – hallway

Maya Patel / FL frd

Girl, you were brave! First to answer him!

Ethan Clark ( FL frd )

And he didn’t freeze you like a popsicle this time.

Aria Sharma( FL)

No, he just… judged me with his eyes and then moved on like I was background noise.

Maya Patel / FL frd

Or maybe he’s hiding something behind that cold face

Aria Sharma( FL)

He’s hiding all emotions, that’s for sure.

Ethan Clark ( FL frd )

(Laughing) I give this drama an A+. Can't wait for episode two.

Meanwhile – David’s office, alone

prof.David Bennett (ML)

(to himself): “Literature is a mirror,” huh?

Looks at Aria’s name on the attendance sheet.

prof.David Bennett (ML)

Aria

Pauses. Then shakes his head and gets back to reading papers.

TBC.....

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