Mabel found it harder than it should be to pay attention in his class.

Mr. Cipher's English should have been easy; however, certain things were getting in the way of her passing. Like for example, she was more focused on how soft his hair looked as opposed to actually paying attention to the book they were reading (What was it again? Romeo and Juliet? Hamlet? She didn't remember now.).

Which was how she ended up here, sitting in the class across from the object of her affections.

"So," his voice high pitched as usual, began as he placed his hands on his desk, "what are we going to do about this, hmm?" he asked, looking towards her report card for that month. It was absolutely horrid. Or well, her English marks were. Everything else was. "It seems you're having some difficulty in my class, Mabel."

She shifted. trying not to look him directly in the eye, afriad she'd start day dreaming again. "Yes, sir."

He sighed. "Mabel, you've been my student for most of the year now, but you never did so badly before. I'm… well, concerned."

The fact that was worried for her made her heart pump just a bit faster than normal.

"I'm sorry." she apoligized, "I've been… day dreaming a lot lately."

He leaned back in his chair. "I noticed." Mabel looked down at her hands. "What, may I ask, is more important than reading one of Shakepheare's classics?"

She felt her cheeks go hot. "Well, uh…"

He eyed her for a moment, then let out a chuckle. "I think I know what's going on here." he hummed humourously.

Mabel felt panic rise in her system. Oh no. He knew. Or, at least, he figured it out.

"Mabel, how old are you?" he asked.

"17, sir."

He nodded. "Yeah, I thought so." he leaned foward a bit, placing his folded hands on the table once more. "Listen. I'm… flattered, but you're too young. I mean, I'm 25. And you're barely and adult. And you're my student."

She sighed. "Yes, sir. I… I understand."

He smiled. "Good."

"May I go now?" she asked.

"Ah ah, not yet." he reach into his desk. "Here. Do this packet. It'll make up some of the credit you missed."

Mabel smiled. "…thanks." she took it and placed it in her binder.

"You may go now. Have a nice night, Mabel." he said.

She nodded, got up, and left.

And the moment she was out the door and down the hall, Bill let out a wail. "It's such a shame," he whined, "she's so cute. If she were older, I'd take her out in a heartbeat."