After a long journey, they finally arrived at a renowned high school in California. The school's representatives guided them to a lounge for a brief respite before they were led to observe the final class of the day in an experimental classroom. Both Amelia and Lucas were top students selected from their respective elite classes, and the attending teachers were similarly distinguished. This exchange appeared more like a subtle competition between two schools, each showcasing their best talents.

They were seated in the empty spots scattered throughout the classroom, with the teachers positioned at the back, listening attentively to the lesson. Amelia chose a seat near the front, while Lucas settled towards the back, his gaze repeatedly drifting to where Amelia sat. The memories of their intimate moments during the drive over constantly invaded his thoughts, making it difficult to maintain focus. Her presence was truly intoxicating.

The substitute teacher was an elderly professor with a stern demeanor, starkly contrasting the lively atmosphere typical of their own school. The class was set in a notably somber tone, an apparent norm that felt somewhat stifling. Nevertheless, Amelia found herself admiring the professor. When he inquired if anyone had a more efficient solution to a spatial geometry problem, Amelia promptly raised her hand.

She proposed an auxiliary line that simplified the solution significantly, omitting many unnecessary steps, earning a nod of approval from the professor. Though she hadn’t intended it, Amelia had undoubtedly bolstered her school's reputation through her contribution. After class, a boy with a gentle appearance, who had been seated next to her, approached to compliment her and ask for her name, eager to learn more.

Taking it in stride, Amelia exchanged names with him, but before their conversation could properly begin, she heard her name called from behind. Turning, she saw Lucas.

“We should be going,” he said, his tone level and unhurried.

Before she could respond, a curious girl had stopped Lucas, asking, “What’s your name?”

Amelia couldn't suppress a laugh at the situation.

John, the boy, was puzzled by her amusement but found Amelia’s laughter irresistible, unable to look away.

“What’s funny?” he asked, still perplexed.

“Nothing much.” Amelia turned back to John, the mere profile of her face enough to captivate him. “Well, I should get going. Goodbye.”

“Wait,” John blurted out, seeing her pause patiently, he rushed to say, “Let’s add each other on Facebook, so it’s easier to discuss any schoolwork.”

Amelia noticed John’s interest but remained unruffled, deciding it wouldn’t hurt to have more friends to discuss academic matters with, especially with graduation exams approaching. She wrote her usual account details on a piece of paper for him. No sooner had she handed it over than she felt a warm, gentle presence at her back, impossible to ignore.

Lucas had come up beside her, repeating, “Ready to go?”

“Yeah.” Amelia glanced past Lucas to where the girl who'd questioned him had disappeared. “Finished talking?”

Lucas appeared indifferent, responding with a soft grunt.

Amelia turned back to John to bid farewell, “Goodbye, John.”

Lunch was arranged at the school’s faculty cafeteria, with another class to attend in the afternoon, delaying their return.

The visitors from their school and the local teachers gathered around a round table, while Amelia and Lucas sat with other students. A junior struck up a conversation, “Is senior year really tough?”

Amelia contemplated before answering, “Not too bad.”

Indeed, having handsome distractions certainly helped alleviate any stress of senior life. Lucas made a simple acquiescence, “Yeah.”

Someone whispered, “Why do you still have your phone with you?”

“My mom insists, worried I’d get lost…”

Seeing the phone, Amelia was reminded of John's request for her contact information and realized she and Lucas had never exchanged numbers.

Her hand instinctively reached under the table, gently tapping Lucas’s leg, hinting at a question. Misunderstanding her intent, Lucas, reminded of their surroundings, cautioned, “There are a lot of people…”

Taken aback, Amelia chuckled, “I just wanted to ask for your phone number and social media info.”

Lucas’s ears flushed a deep red, pulling out his phone to enter his details, then handing it to her, “Here, add yourself.”

Surprised Lucas had also brought his phone, Amelia marveled, “Don’t tell me you brought it too?”

“Yeah,” he replied earnestly, “just in case.”

“Just in case?” Amelia echoed, leaning in with a teasing whisper, “But it won’t work on me. Can it stop me?”

Lucas faltered, chopsticks pausing mid-air, “Let's eat.”

Amused, Amelia turned her focus back to the phone.

The interface seemed a bit outdated, but she logged in nonetheless. The notification silence she’d preemptively set ensured there were no distracting alerts. She completed Lucas’s friend request, sent him a message, then logged out.

“There’s a new message; you should check,” Amelia urged, handing Lucas his phone with feigned seriousness.

Lucas pocketed his phone dismissively, “No rush.”

“Come on, take a look,” she urged again.

Suspicion flickered across his face, but opening the messaging app, his uncertainty became evident—

[Sweetheart: The food here is alright, but not as good as what you make.]

Closing his phone, Lucas found himself involuntarily clenching his jaw.

The culprit of the message couldn’t have looked more smug, her mouth filled with food, with a sideward glance full of mischief.

He exhaled softly, the warmth of her playful antics overwhelming his defenses, leaving only endearing fondness in its wake.