#Chapter 17: Different Than Others

Beth's POV

It was the day of the big test. My eyes burned from studying the other night, and I was albeit tired. But it was all worth it. The test was going to be a breeze.

A rectangle of white light reflected on my glasses as I sat in front of a computer with the rest of the students, finishing a bit of the essay before a programming of a computer formula. I memorized this all till my brain hurt, but any pain disappeared and I felt lightheaded. In a good way. I sped my way through the questions and problems

The others had wrinkly foreheads on top of their keyboards, leaving a long string of random letters to pop onto their screen

I shook my head with a smile before going back to work

More questions streamed onto my computer screen as I typed and scrolled. I didn't have to put much thought at all with my test since it was like filling a biodata. Which left much space to think about a certain silver-haired teacher.

Figuring out how I am supposed to have a conversation with him without stirring him up was the hardest math problem I was facing today. But there weren't any good formulas to divide me and Jack from misunderstandings equal the survival of our friendship. Especially after the incident of 'that night'.

Thinking that it wasn't best for myself to drift off, I fixed my glasses and focused back to the jumble of codes. Until a breeze coated across my neck like a caress. It was soft, cool, sending electrics through every nerve and making my fingers clumsy. I stopped working for a moment and turned my head to the left. And I saw him

He was peering closely to examine my work. A dark blue button up with thin white lines fitted his upper body along with a black tie. Black pants followed his legs before stopping with a pair of black shiny shoes. An expensive black watch encircled his wrist and his trademark pair of glasses perched atop the bridge of his nose. His usual tidy look. A scent as fresh an cool as new air in the morning always lingered his body, setting him apart from most boys who liked sports and took all too quick showers. The only con of his appearance would be his unruly hair. Like heck did he care though.

'Wait, why am I thinking about him? Arghh, he's distracting my mind!' I hurriedly got back working on the test, drumming my fingers down the keyboard.

I waited for five minutes, hoping that he would go away. But he was still there. His body still beside me. His breath still caressing

'This is going to be a long day...'

Jack's POV

The sky was still waiting for light to come when I stepped inside the university. Students were about to take their test today to prove their skills. I opened the doors to the teacher's room and placed my backpack on my desk. Pulling out my laptop, I turned it on to check over the essay for today's test. It was just made overnight and I wanted to make sure that every question had it's answer.

My eyes felt heavy as they roamed across the question sheet, and I tried to rub off the sleep each time my vision flickered. Even slapping my cheeks. But there would always still be a yawn ready above my throat.

I nearly choked when someone clapped my back, forcing me to sit straight and practically knocked air the air out of my lungs, Turning, I saw that it was Nicholas North, a Management teacher.

"Mornin' Jack! Man, you look tired!" he said as he handed me a cup of coffee. I gratefully took it before taking a sip

"Making tests takes hours!"

"You're lucky that your students are actually workin', mate. I have to put up with kids who skip classes EVERYDAY," said another voice. It belonged to Eathan Bunnymud. A bioinformatics teacher who was also in charge of the execution of university rules. He was busy writing on a paper in a rather angry manner, being reminded of his students' behavior

"Welp, looks like almost all of us teachers are having a rough day," Thiana Fairy joined. She was an art teacher, currently busy collecting her multicolored hair into a bun

"Mostly Bunny. He's having it bad," Sam Sandy said as he draped his jacket over his chair. He teaches psychology

Our chatter proceeded for a while with laughter in between, until Tadashi placed a palm on my shoulder

"C'mon. The students are about to take their tests."

"Oh yeah."

Rising from my seat, I carried my laptop with my left hand and my backpack with the other. Together, Tadashi and I went inside the class to see everyone already in their seats, talking with one another. Nearly all of them, aside from Beth and two other students sat at each of her side, Mavis and Hiccup.

I plugged a cable from a large CPU to my laptop. Typing a bit, the CPU then connected to all the computers in the room. The computer turned on to a list of questions when I pressed enter

"Alright everyone! Stop your chatter and close your books! Today, you'll be having a test. Your computers have already had the setting adjusted. Honesty is the best policy, so I better not see anyone cheating. If I find you cheating, the computer will automatically turn on and you'll start again with new questions. You may begin."

The students began typing away. Tadashi and I watched over to find any peering eyes or the exchanging of notes,

Then my attention hung onto a certain platinum blonde in a distance. She was smoothly pacing her fingers above the keys and her gaze dead set upon the computer screen. At times, out of self-consciousness, she would steal glances side to side, spotting numerous hopelessly desperate students. Their noses planted on their keyboards, despairing for answers. She curved a smile, shook her head, and went back to work

I stood beside her, fondly studying her work. Her fingers moving about the keys in graceful patterns as her eyes looked upon the screen with a chilling focus. Answers streaked down her document. She made it look as easy as speaking.

'what a smart girl...'

I leaned to examine her closer. She really was different from other girls. I've seen it for myself. Nerdy, but not an overall nerd. A beauty, but not vain. It's difficult to describe how special she was to me. Even if she was standing along a sea of random girls, I would probably still find her. Because to me, she stood out that much, that perfectly. I knew for a while that she piqued my interest. But as of now, I couldn't tell her how I feel

She suddenly stopped typing for a moment, then slightly shivered. Turning her head slowly, she spotted me beside her with widened eyes. He icy blue gaze latched onto mine. My heart pounded from those eyes, and I knew I was smiling. She was perfect. Too perfect. Inside and out. An intelligent kind-hearted girl who didn't seek one for their status, looks, nor wealth. A loyal and true friend. Her slim figure, smooth skin, platinum blonde hair, kissable rosy lips, and round, blue eyes that could almost be mistaken for a bundle of sapphire

...Since when did I thought of such things?

I realized that we were staring at each other for quite some time. Perhaps...about three minutes? Beth had noticed too and quickly went back to work

But I decided to stay close to her for just a bit longer. She was that addictive. I was close enough to suddenly pick up her scent. It filled my nostrils somehow like cotton. A soft kind of aroma like that of winter-blissed rose

I quickly stepped back before I got to hypnotized

God, what was wrong with me?!

Coughing rang in my ears. I spin to see Tadashi who had his arms crossed and a knowing smirk. I merely ran a hand across my hair before resuming in my stroll

Mavis's POV

As I was typing, I stole a few glances from my friends, to see how they're doing. But it seemed that I didn't need to do so as they were both flawlessly concentrated, apart from the rest who were in frantic panic. Mr. Overland stepped towards us, watching us work, and to probably make sure we didn't cheat

I was just finishing up my test, typing down the keyboard before making a satisfied sound. Pressing various keys at once for more than ten minutes straight could really stiffen your muscles sometimes. I looked back to Beth, who had probably finished a while ago and was just checking over her answers. And Mr. Overland closely observed

Beth's seventh sense finally sparked and the girl stopped typing. She turned her head to face that someone behind her. Her expression grew to raised eyebrows and widened eyes. Our teacher had the same kind of look. I constantly switched gazes from them, to my watch. Them. Then my watch. And over and over.

Wow, this was some pretty long stare fest. Nearly five minutes. Then Beth finally caught up with reality like she just woke up in the morning. She immediately went back to her computer screen again. But Mr. Overland still stood in place. What I saw next caught me by surprise

He pushed his face a bit closer, before closing his eyes, like he was enjoying a moment. Mr. Winters, who was just walking about the classroom with hands in hs pockets, squinted his eyes when he spotted the scene. His onyx eyes went to me before he mouthed, 'What's he doing?'

I shrugged, mouthing back, 'Heck do I know.'

Mr. Overland then stepped back with a heavy breath. Mr. Winters playfully coughed at him with a smirk and crossed arms. Mr. Overland only ran a hand to his hair before continuing his class observation. I went back to my nearly finished work. And it'd probably stay that way because it's going to take me a long while to rub off my fangirl-sized smile

'Finally, Beth. There's someone who notices your true self!'