Simon and Jeanette were now together after their early afternoon spent apart, sitting together in the Seville living room at the coffee table. When they first met up that day, they both mentioned going over their class assignments and optional research so now together they exchanged notes on their work. While some of their siblings and friends may consider this to be tedious or boring, it was fun for the intellectuals of the two families, being an activity meant just for the two of them. The sun had already reached its peak this afternoon and was on its descent but there was still plenty of golden afternoon light still left outside, leaving the downstairs of the house in a peaceful midday glow.
Simon stepped away from the coffee table for the kitchen to bring back two mugs with steam releasing and tea bag strings sticking out. Jeanette stared upward away from her laptop and began to nod off, at least until Simon turned around the corner of the couch and she noticed him offer her one of the mugs.
"Thanks," Jeanette expressed shyly as she took the mug with both hands.
"Just the way you like it," Simon let out as his cheeks became red as soon as he realized what he said. Jeanette smiled back with a hint of rose on her own. They paused before snapping out of it and changing the subject as Simon quickly paced around the table back to his spot beside her.
"I-I finished your essay," Simon stuttered.
"Oh? What did you think," Jeanette asked as she raised her mug to blow on it.
"It was no less than dissertation material. Bravo once again."
"And I want to say the same goes for your experiment report. I was amazed by your results."
"Th-Thank you." Nearly in sync, even if by accident, the two blushed and took a sip of their mugs. Jeanette winced and squeaked at the still hot tea while Simon tried to look away in order to hide his burning tongue. The Chipette then put her mug down and looked back at the screen of her laptop as Simon continued to hold his mug while he tried to re-organize his paperwork. He never did realize it, despite his intelligence, but every so often he would find himself drifting his eyes towards Jeanette. Jeanette did the same towards the shy Chipmunk and neither were the wiser. They both did this a few more times before Simon quickly became aware of this behavior the moment he and Jeanette almost made eye contact. He whipped his head away and broke the comfortable silence between them with another change of subject.
"J-Jeanette," Simon called for.
"Yes Simon," Jeanette nearly exclaimed with enthusiasm as she shot her attention directly at him.
"I'd like to propose a hypothetical scenario, if you wouldn't mind."
"Oh? What is it?"
"Suppose you, regardless of circumstance, received a prize of a million dollars, what would you proceed to use it for?" Jeanette and Simon looked at each other for a brief moment, making Simon grow more embarrassed before Jeanette surprised him with a giggle.
"You were watching the game show channel too, weren't you?"
"Y-Yes…"
"Hmmm… well, I'd love to open up some kind of non-profit animal sanctuary. For endangered animals that are losing their homes locally to social development projects. Then move onto more distant species."
"How very selfless," Simon smiled.
"Mhm," Jeanette smiled back and nodded. "A-Although… a million dollars would only go so far within the first year or so. I guess I would have to use some of that to work on getting donors and grants."
"Not a problem!"
"Really?"
"I would be ready to assume any responsibility in the sanctuary's finances. That way, you'd be more free for the caring and maintenance of the animals and being the outward face of the organization."
"You'd do that? Really?" Jeanette's cheeks kept their rosy red and her eyes lit up. Simon gazed at her innocent reaction and beauty, losing himself in the moment before snapping out of it.
"I-I- what I meant to say was that I would," He tried to back up while Jeanette looked at him affectionately. "If you… didn't have anyone else lined up that was more qualified…"
"No! You'd be my first and only choice," She shook her head dramatically. "You're the most qualified."
"Oh! Good-that's…that's good. Very good."
"Mmm…" Jeanette nodded again. "Wh-What about you?"
"Huh? Me?"
"S-Suppose you were given that prize money in this 'hypothetical scenario', what would you do with it?"
"O-Oh. Well, I would like to make a generous donation to the leading astronautical labs in the nation."
"They could really use the help, I'm sure." Simon looked back at Jeanette who stayed locked on him, completely engaged in the conversation.
"W-Well… among other, higher prioritized things…"
"Like what?"
"Like some more… personal investments. Domestic in nature…"
"Oh?"
"Y-Yes…" Simon did not elaborate further on what he meant but having an idea, Jeanette smiled and did not press him further either.