WHAT'S LOVE?

s onto the desks as the students shuffled into their seats. The chatter o

neatly pressed. She scanned the classroom, her sharp eyes noting who was present and who was missi

the back of his neck. He caught Mia's eye briefly, but she quic

aid, her voice firm and command

ake sure you've reviewed the materials, as the teachers have mentioned pop quizzes are like

w students in the back, but Mia ignore

l man in his late forties with glasses perched on his nose, he carried

" he said, placing th

sir," the stu

just around the corner. And while I'm confident many of you have been keeping up w

s and side glances, but he r

ill consist of one student who's performing exceptionally well and another who

g us up? He glanced at Mia, who was jotting somethi

ling out names, pairi

e announced, earning a

and C

and J

reacting with varying degr

looked at the last

ke and Al

m fell

ad snapped up, her usually composed

e blurted out, earning a few

as one of our top students, I expect you to guide Alex and help him improve.

, her tone polite bu

his is an opportunity for both of you to gr

bing the back of his neck as the w

whispered loudly. "That's th

," anothe

spond. She straightened in her seat, h

she said, her voi

d amusement. He caught Mia's gaze for a split second, bu

as their pairs, I expect you all to start working together immediately. You'

t feel the weight of his new partnership. He glanced at Mia again,

be interesting,

ted C

eaded to the cafeteria or gathered in small groups to chat. A few pairs diligently stayed beh

her shoulder and made her way to her sanctuary-the library. It was the one place in t

made her pause. She glanced over her shoulder but didn't see anyone. S

and turned around, he

her was Alex, looking bot

owing me?" she as

rin spreading across his face. "Well, we're partners now, ri

ad expected him to spend his break goofing off wi

e said finally, turning

tle to catch up with her. "Mr. Johnson paired us up for a rea

ed to face him, arms crossed. "Fine," she said through gritted teeth. "If you

d walked into the library, Alex trai

air. Mia chose a table in the far corner, away from prying eyes, and sat d

notebook. Opening the book to a random page, she be

out his math textbook and o

t of the corner of he

his handwriting messier but just as determined. When she flipped t

several minutes until Mi

ng everything I do?" she snap

artled. "What? No!

nose. "Alex, if you're not going to pu

straighter. "I'm just... following your lead. You're the g

lt. He wasn't entirely wrong-she was supposed to help him improve. But

o this, you need to actually try. Don't just copy wha

then nodded. "Alrig

ck to an earlier page in the textbook, pointing to a simple e

n. He picked up his pen and began scribbling on a piece

gradually softening. His method was clumsy, an

expression hopeful, Mia took

ng," she said bluntly,

ed. "Seriously? I thou

pointing to the mistake. "Red

d back in her chair, watching him with a mi

peless, she thought, though