After Class

The classroom was almost empty.

Too empty.

Nora stood by her desk, gripping her bag tightly, watching the last student walk out. The door clicked shut.

Silence.

Mary leaned close to her ear.

“Babe… if you don’t come out, just know I love you.”

Nora glared at her. “Go away.”

Mary grinned. “Enjoy your meeting with your man.”

“He’s not my man!”

“Sure,” Mary whispered, already backing away. “Call me if he expels you.”

The door shut behind her.

Now it was just Nora… and him.

Edwin didn’t look up immediately. He was arranging his notes, calm as ever, like her heart wasn’t about to jump out of her chest.

“Come forward,” he said.

Nora swallowed and walked slowly toward his desk.

Each step felt louder than it should.

She stopped in front of him.

“Yes, sir?”

He looked up.

Those same eyes.

Sharp. Steady.

“You seem to have a habit,” he said, voice low, “of creating scenes wherever you go.”

Nora blinked. “…Excuse me?”

“The coffee shop,” he continued. “The library. And now my class.”

Nora felt heat rise to her face.

“With all due respect, sir, the library was not my fault.”

“Hmm.”

“You bumped into me.”

“And the coffee shop?” he asked.

Nora hesitated. “…That was an accident.”

“An expensive one.”

She winced slightly. “…I said I was sorry.”

“You did. Repeatedly.”

There was a brief pause.

Nora shifted her weight.

“Is that why you called me? To remind me how embarrassing I am?”

Edwin leaned back slightly, studying her.

“You walked into my class late,” he said. “Interrupted attendance. Failed a basic question. And you were clearly distracted.”

Nora crossed her arms.

“I said I was sorry for being late.”

“I’m not asking for apologies,” he replied calmly. “I expect seriousness.”

“I am serious.”

“Are you?”

Nora held his gaze.

“Yes.”

A small silence settled between them.

Tense.

Then—

“Because from where I stand,” Edwin continued, “you seem more interested in everything else except why you’re here.”

Nora frowned.

“That’s not true.”

“Then prove it.”

She paused.

“…How?”

“Focus. Participate. Be present.”

His voice wasn’t harsh.

Just firm.

Controlled.

And somehow… that made it worse.

Nora exhaled slowly.

“Okay. Fine. I get it.”

“Do you?”

“Yes, sir.”

Another pause.

Then she added, a little softer—

“And for the record… I don’t go around looking for attention.”

Edwin’s brow lifted slightly.

“You said that in the library,” she continued. “And it’s not true.”

He watched her.

“Everything that happened…” she gestured lightly, “…was coincidence.”

“Coincidence?” he repeated.

“Yes.”

“You have a very… dramatic definition of coincidence.”

Nora almost smiled.

Almost.

“Well,” she said, lifting her chin slightly, “maybe you’re just always in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

For a split second—

There it was.

A flicker.

The tiniest hint of amusement in his eyes.

Gone just as quickly.

“Careful, Miss Oscar,” he said quietly. “You’re still in my class.”

Nora swallowed.

“Right.”

Silence again.

Then Edwin picked up his pen, glancing down at his notes.

“You can go.”

Nora blinked. “…That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

She hesitated.

“…You’re not going to punish me or something?”

His gaze lifted slowly.

“Punish you?”

Nora immediately shook her head.

“I mean—academically! Like… extra assignment or—”

“Miss Oscar.”

“Yes, sir.”

“If I decide to give you extra work,” he said calmly, “you won’t have to ask.”

“…Noted.”

She turned quickly, ready to leave before she said anything else embarrassing.

“Nora.”

She froze.

Slowly turned back.

“Yes… sir?”

He held her gaze for a second.

Then said—

“Don’t be late again.”

Her heart skipped.

“…I won’t.”

This time, she left.

Fast.

Outside the classroom, Mary was waiting.

The second Nora stepped out—

Mary rushed her.

“What happened?? Are you alive??”

Nora leaned against the wall, exhaling.

“I survived.”

“Details!”

“He didn’t kill me.”

Mary blinked. “That’s it?”

“He lectured me… about being serious… and not seeking attention.”

Mary burst out laughing.

“He really said that again??”

“Yes!”

“And you?”

“I defended myself.”

Mary’s eyes widened.

“You argued with your lecturer??”

“I didn’t argue! I just… corrected him.”

Mary shook her head slowly.

“You’re brave. Or stupid. I haven’t decided.”

Nora sighed, but a small smile slipped through.

“…He’s so annoying.”

Mary smirked.

“But you like him.”

Nora didn’t answer immediately.

Then—

“…Maybe.”

Mary gasped dramatically.

“It’s over for you.”

Nora rolled her eyes.

But her mind…

Was still in that classroom.

That moment.

The way he said her name.

Inside the empty classroom, Edwin stood by the window.

Looking out.

Quiet.

Then, almost unconsciously—

He let out a faint breath.

“…Nora Oscar.”

He shook his head slightly.

And for the first time—

A small, restrained smile touched his lips.

10:20pm

Nora lay flat on her bed, staring at the ceiling.

“…Don’t be late again.”

His voice replayed in her head.

Over.

And over.

And over again.

She groaned, grabbing her pillow and pressing it over her face.

“Gosh… he’s so hot.”

She kicked her legs slightly, frustrated with herself.

“This is not normal. This is not normal at all.”

She pulled the pillow away and sat up abruptly.

“Wait.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“The universe is trying to tell me something.”

She pointed at nothing in particular, nodding to herself.

“This is no longer coincidence.”

A slow smile spread across her face.

“Mr. Edwin Hart…” she said softly.

“…you are mine.”

She paused.

Then burst out laughing.

“Okay, relax, Nora. Relax.”

She stood up and walked to her mirror, staring at her reflection.

“All I need to do is simple,” she continued, counting on her fingers.

“Dress well. Study hard. Impress him.”

She flipped her hair slightly.

“And then…” she smirked, “…he won’t be able to resist me.”

She laughed again, louder this time.

Right on cue—

Her door creaked open slightly.

“Nora?” her mother’s voice came in, cautious. “Honey, are you okay?”

Nora froze.

Her eyes widened.

“…Yes, Mum!” she answered quickly, grabbing a book from her table. “I’m reading!”

There was a small pause.

Then Mrs. Oscar stepped in just a little, eyeing her suspiciously.

“At this hour? And laughing like that?”

Nora forced a smile.

“It’s… a funny topic.”

Mrs. Oscar raised a brow but didn’t push further.

“Alright. Your dad called. He’ll be back this weekend.”

“Oh,” Nora nodded. “Okay, Mum.”

“Don’t stay up too late.”

“I won’t.”

“Goodnight, baby.”

“Goodnight, Mum.”

The door closed.

Silence.

Nora waited a few seconds.

Then slowly dropped the book.

“…That was close.”

She turned back to the mirror.

Looked at herself again.

This time, longer.

More serious.

Then—

She tilted her head slightly.

“Miss attention seeker,” she murmured.

A small smile played on her lips.

“…Let’s see how far you go.”

She switched off the light.

But even in the dark—

Her mind was still wide awake.

And somehow…

Every thought led back to him.