The classroom was unusually quiet that morning, the kind of silence that made every small sound feel louder than it should. Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting soft patterns across the desks.
Lillian sat in her usual seat near the window, slightly bent over her notebook. Her pen moved steadily, her expression calm and focused, as if the world around her didn't exist.
The door creaked open.
Owen walked in.
His footsteps were slow, almost hesitant, echoing lightly against the tiled floor. He paused for a second when he noticed she was the only one there. Then, without saying anything, he walked to the back and dropped into a seat behind her.
No greeting. No expression.
Just silence.
Lillian noticed him immediately. Her pen paused for a brief second before continuing, but her focus wasn't as steady as before.
A few seconds passed.
"Hey there," Owen said casually, leaning forward slightly.
Lillian turned just a little, enough to acknowledge him. A small, polite smile touched her lips.
"Hi."
Owen watched her for a moment, then stood up and dragged a chair quietly, placing it beside her. The scraping sound broke the silence.
He sat down next to her, leaning closer to see what she was doing.
"What are you reading?" he asked, pointing at her open book.
Lillian adjusted the book slightly, instinctively creating a bit of space between them.
"Just trying to go through the chemistry we are having in the school curriculum next week."
Owen let out a low whistle. "Don't tell me you've already covered this week."
"That's what it is," she replied calmly, not even looking up. "I've covered this week… even before the teacher teaches us."
A soft laugh escaped her, almost like she didn't mean to.
Owen shook his head, watching her with quiet interest. "No wonder you always come first in everything."
Lillian smirked faintly, her eyes still on her book. "That's because I am."
Owen leaned back slightly, crossing his arms as if thinking.
"Be my reading partner."
Lillian didn't even pause this time. "I have no time for that."
"Please," Owen said, his tone softer now, almost genuine. "Just to read with me. I have problems reading alone."
She finally looked at him properly, studying his face like she was trying to decide if he was serious or just joking again.
"…Fine."
She looked away again.
"Where is Bella? Did you see her?"
Owen scoffed lightly, rolling his eyes. "No. She's probably out there ,somewhere talking about the latest shoes as usual."
Lillian turned to him fully this time, her brows lifting slightly. "I would not have you talk anyhow about my friend. Add some respect."
Owen raised his hands in surrender, a faint smile on his lips. "Apologies."
Lillian's lips curved. "Better."
A brief silence followed.
Owen found himself staring at her again—the way she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, the way her pen moved quickly but neatly across the page.
He blinked rapidly, once… twice… three times, as if catching himself.
Lillian didn't notice. She was already lost in her writing again.
Then suddenly—
Owen leaned down and quickly pulled out the small diary tucked under her desk.
"Hey—!"
Lillian's head snapped toward him, her eyes widening slightly.
"Stop, Owen," she said, her tone firm.
Owen held the diary just out of her reach, leaning back in his chair with a teasing grin. "No, no, no… beg me first."
"Please," Lillian said quickly, reaching for it.
He pulled it back again.
Her expression tightened.
"Owen, stop all this," she said, her voice losing its calm edge. "I'm not really good at all these kinds of jokes."
Owen tilted his head, still playful. "Only if you accept to be my tutor."
"In what subject?" she asked, her hand still stretched toward the diary.
"In chemistry."
Lillian frowned slightly. "Owen, I saw how you were answering questions in class as if it was nothing. You don't need a tutor."
"Yes or no?" he asked, his tone suddenly more direct.
"No," she replied sharply.
Owen slowly flipped the cover of the diary open.
"Fine!" Lillian said quickly, sitting up straight. "But you return my diary."
"I'll make sure I read everything before returning it," Owen said, his voice teasing again.
This time, Lillian's reaction was instant.
She stood up.
Not loudly. Not aggressively. But enough to show she was serious.
"Aren't you got no common sense?" she said, her voice low but sharp. "Do you really think going into people's things and blackmailing them is something to be proud of, Owen?"
Owen froze for a second, slightly surprised.
Then a small smile crept back.
"So the quiet one is actually sensitive to things."
Lillian held his gaze, unshaken. "I don't owe you any explanation. Return my diary now."
Instead, Owen stood up and began walking back to his seat with it.
"Owen—stop this now, please," Lillian said, her voice softer now but urgent. "Fine… I accept."
He paused.
Then slowly turned back.
"Good of you," he said, walking back toward her. "So now I'll add your phone contact to mine."
"Owen, just return my book," she said, holding out her hand.
He stretched his arm out, letting the diary hang just for a second before finally placing it in her hand.
Lillian quickly took it, holding it close to her chest like she didn't want anyone near it again.
"You're so annoying," she muttered.
Owen chuckled, slipping his hands into his pockets. "You can say that again, Tutor Lilly."
He leaned slightly closer again.
"Will you fix a time… or should I?"
Lillian sat down slowly, opening her book again—but this time, her focus wasn't the same.
"I'm busy now," she said quietly. "I'll call you when I'm ready."
Owen nodded once, watching her for a moment longer before turning away.
But even as he walked back to his seat…
A small, curious smile remained on his face.
And Lillian?
She wasn't reading anymore.
Her fingers rested on the closed diary.
Tightly.