It was late night and the quiet tapping of pens filled the room as they all sat cross-legged on the floor.
Ruby was teaching them math again.
Her voice was calm, explaining things patiently, pointing at formulas and scribbles on the notebook.
Julian sat beside her, eyes fixed on his paper… or pretending to.
Because every time Ruby looked at him, even for a second his face turned redder than the tamato.
His heartbeat thundered in his chest, so loud he felt like it might echo through the walls.
What if she hears it? he thought, panicked. What if she knows I'm still thinking about that kiss?
He couldn't focus.
Every number on the page blurred.
Every time her hand brushed past his to turn a page, his whole body tensed.
Meanwhile, Karl was sitting across from them with a furrowed brow, completely focused on his notebook.
Ruby smiled faintly at him, pleased.
So serious today, she thought.
