The Class Between Them

The morning light streamed through the high windows of the lecture hall, washing everything in pale gold. The murmur of students filled the air — the shuffling of books, the clatter of pens — until it quieted the moment Professor Fox Reyes walked in.

He didn’t need to raise his voice or even glance up to demand attention. His presence alone was enough.

“Open to Chapter 8,” he said, setting his notes down. “Let’s begin with load distribution in multi-span beams.”

Posie stared at the page she’d opened but read nothing. Her pen hovered uselessly above the paper.

Across the room, Fox’s voice carried with its usual calm authority, smooth and deliberate. His words were measured, precise — everything about him screamed control. The same control she desperately lacked.

Beside her, Zane leaned in, whispering without looking up, “If you stare any harder, you might bore a hole through him.”

Lily stifled a laugh.

Posie blinked, cheeks warming. “I’m not staring.”

Zane arched a brow. “Mm-hmm. Sure. You’ve written the word beam six times in a row. Either you love structures, or you love—”

“Zane,” Posie hissed.

He grinned, leaning back with mock innocence. “Fine, fine. I’ll save my observations for later.”

Fox’s gaze swept briefly across the rows of students, as it always did. It lingered for a fraction too long when it reached Posie’s desk — but only a second. Then he continued speaking, unbothered. Professional. Untouchable.

Posie gripped her pen tighter. How can he act like nothing happened? Like there wasn’t a whole family meeting last week announcing our engagement?

She forced herself to look at the board, to focus on the equations he was writing. But every number blurred. Every line of chalk reminded her that this man — the man she was supposed to marry — was also the one grading her work.

The class dragged on, every second feeling heavier than it should.

When the bell rang, Fox gathered his papers neatly. “Next class, we’ll start with portal frames,” he said, closing his folder. “Submit your assignment by Monday.”

He walked out with the same calm stride, not sparing her a glance.

Zane exhaled dramatically. “Thank the heavens that’s over. My brain melted at ‘multi-span.’”

Lily smirked. “Your brain melts every day.”

They packed their bags, laughing, and headed toward the cafeteria. The chatter of students grew louder as they entered — a usual lunchtime crowd, a mix of laughter, the clinking of trays, and the smell of coffee in the air.

Posie balanced her tray carefully, lost in thought.

“Are you okay?” Lily asked, nudging her. “You’ve been quiet all day.”

“I’m fine,” Posie lied. “Just tired.”

Zane pointed a fork at her dramatically. “You’re never ‘just tired.’ Spill.”

Before Posie could answer, someone brushed past her shoulder — and her drink tilted dangerously. She gasped as the cup slipped from her tray—

—but a steady hand caught it before it could hit the ground.

“Careful.”

Her breath caught.

Fox stood there, holding the cup, eyes steady on hers. His sleeves were rolled up, his tie slightly loosened — casual but still maddeningly composed.

For a moment, no one moved.

“Oh. Uh—thank you, Professor,” Posie managed, trying to sound normal.

Zane’s grin widened. “Whoa, look at that reflex! Our savior professor to the rescue!”

Lily giggled. “Smooth, Posie. You nearly took him down with that spill.”

Posie wanted the ground to open up and swallow her. “I didn’t— it just slipped—”

Fox handed her the cup, expression unreadable. “Next time, focus on where you’re going.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Right. Thanks for the advice.”

He gave a short nod and walked away, calm as ever.

Zane clutched his chest. “Was it just me or was that tense?”

Lily elbowed him. “You think everything’s tense.”

But Posie didn’t reply. Her heart was still racing.

She watched Fox disappear down the hallway, that composed figure who somehow made her entire world feel off balance.

And for the rest of the day, no matter how many jokes Zane cracked or how many times Lily changed the topic, she couldn’t stop replaying that one simple word in his voice—

“Careful.”

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