"It is alright. Do not overwhelm her. Let’s resume the class." Many looked at the teacher in disbelief when she announced it and started explaining the derivation Nora had written. Each letter was like a small pearl. It looked like she had used calligraphy technique to write it.
Even now, she was sitting with her shoulders straight and her eyes sharp. How did she look overwhelmed?
Except the slight shiver when she said "because I want to live" no one felt that she was afraid of anything. Her eyes shone brighter than any light and many looked at her with dumb expression.
Hardly students were able to concentrate on what the teacher was teaching. Everyone was only waiting for the last bell that announced the day off.
And when it rang, many of them left hastily because they did not want to be part of the drama while others surrounded Nora’s seat at once.
Nora blinked and leaned on her chair. She looked at all of them in confusion.
"Do you really not know the news about you?" asked a boy with a grin on his face. He just could not let someone else break the news for her. When she still shook her head. His grin grew wider. "Then let me do the honor." but before he could continue, he jumped in the air and fell on the other side of the class.
A furious Alex was standing at his place now.
"I thought you were coming with me to the library after the class. Did you not promise me that you would give me tuition in exchange for cash? I thought you need the cash badly for your food poisoning treatment." His words silenced everyone. They all took a step back, afraid that they would be next to be thrown on the ground like they weigh nothing.
But Alex’s words replied to all of their questions. Even if they were looking for gossip, they could not cross Alex. so they all took a step back and left the room.
Alex hovered over her on her bench.
"Thank you." she whispered with sincerity. "This is the third time you have helped me. I will return the favor soon." Alex blinked and then ended up laughing.
"Ha! Do you really think that I need your help with my studies? Dream on." he shook his head. But his voice was much lighter. She had felt the killing intent from him before, but now he looked much more relaxed.
So when he cocked her brows at her, she only rolled her eyes.
"No, I am sure you know more than anyone in the class. You must have a reason to fail like me." She stood up and packed her books in her bag. "But you need me to save your life."
"....with the confidence you spout such nonsense, i have to give you that!" he scoffed and then started walking. But his gait was too slow as if he was giving her a chance to catch up to him.
When Nora noticed that, she shook her head. Alex was a tsundere child. He wanted all the attention but he would never accept it. She had so many things to do. Yet she ended up sitting with him in the library where she showed him the video game she was selling victor.
"So, you want to earn by getting royalties for the game? But it is your game. Why don’t you launch it yourself?" Eve blinked at the sudden question and then laughed at his nonchalant.
"Ha! I am struggling for pennies. Do you think I have the money to launch a video game by myself?" she shook her head. "Young master had a unique way of mocking others."
"....." Alex went silent. He was mocking her. He was planning to finance her project. But indeed it feels like a foolish idea. For that much money, he had to go and meet his brother. And he did not want to do it yet. Not when his mother. His face went gloomy at once.
Nora noticed the change and guessed the reason too. His family’s condition was indeed a mess.
"But I have a dream, you know." she started, bringing his attention back to her. "I want to live a free life with my daughter. Where no one could hurt her or me." Nora looked at the distance. She could already imagine the laughter of her cute little princess.
But he looked startled by her dream. What kind of a dream was that?
"Could it be that the rumor was true?" he murmured softly before shaking his head and glaring at her. "Ha! What kind of nonsense you are sprouting. You are just 17. Where did my daughter come from?"
"In the future, I will have one. I will not have a nasty husband who will scold and beat me. But I will find a way to have a cute little daughter and run away with her." she joked. But in her heart, she had already determined that.
"You watch too many dramas. Real life did not work like that. And what made you think that your husband would beat you?" his face went ugly. "Or are you saying that I am a bully that beats everyone." Nora went silent. How did he become part of the conversation?
Could it be that the child was imagining himself as her partner? But the way he glared at her all the time, there was no way that he was interested in her.
"Ha! Forget it. I will not waste time arguing with a fool." Alex stood up. "I am going out with my friends." Nora forgot about the confrontation she was planning in her mind. Even if he was attracted to her, she did not care much about it.
"Wait, I will come with you too. It was a bad day and I need some change." She ran behind him. As long as he kept his feelings to himself, nothing matters.
"Then hurry up. I am not going to bring a snail with me."