The classroom was warm, the sunlight spilling across the desks, and Taylor could feel her eyelids growing heavier with every word the professor droned on about literary analysis. She shifted in her seat, trying to take notes, but her pen kept hovering over the page without writing.
Before she knew it, her head had tilted down, her notebook becoming a pillow for a few stolen minutes of sleep. The hum of the classroom faded as her mind drifted into dreams of her new town, the park incident, and that infuriatingly charming Chris.
Chris, sitting diagonally across from her, couldn't help but notice. He raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything, trying to focus on the lecture himself. Still, he stole glances at her every now and then, noting the way her hair fell softly over her notebook and how peaceful she looked when she wasn't glaring at him.
When the bell finally rang for break, Taylor jolted upright, a little embarrassed. She brushed at her hair and muttered under her breath, "Great. Just great."
Chris leaned back in his chair, smirking. "You really should warn people when you fall asleep mid-class. Some of us might think you're sick or something."
Taylor glared at him, but there was a faint pink creeping across her cheeks. "It's none of your business," she said, gathering her things quickly.
"It is my business," he said casually, standing and following her out. "Because someone has to make sure you don't drool on your notebook again."
She rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the smile tugging at her lips. As they walked into the hallway, Chris fell into step beside her. "You know," he said softly, not meeting her eyes, "you're kind of cute when you sleep."
Taylor almost choked on her own breath. "What did you just say?"
"I said… it's not a bad thing," he replied, shrugging like it was nothing, but his eyes betrayed a playful warmth.
Taylor shook her head, trying to act annoyed. "You're impossible."
Chris grinned, clearly enjoying her flustered state. "Maybe. But at least you're not boring."
For a moment, Taylor considered saying something back, teasing him as he deserved. Instead, she just sighed and walked faster, her notebook clutched to her chest. She couldn't help but glance at him out of the corner of her eye, noticing how he seemed to float through the hallway with effortless confidence.
And as annoying as it was, Taylor realized she was looking forward to the next class — and maybe, just maybe, to seeing Chris again.