Chapter 12
I turned to Jo, my face unfolding into a smile. "About yesterday, I'm really thankful," I said, my voice infused with sincerity. Jo's expression softened, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he shook his head. "Oh, no need to mention it," he said, his voice low and gentle.
We chatted for a bit longer, our conversation meandering through small talk like a lazy stream. Then, the teacher walked in, her presence commanding attention. She was a petite woman with glasses perched on the end of her nose, her eyes sparkling with warmth.
The students greeted her in unison, their voices rising in a chorus of "Good morning, Miss Stella." The teacher's smile spread across her face, her eyes twinkling behind her glasses. "Good morning, students," she replied, her voice like a warm hug.
She paused, collecting her thoughts as she scanned the room. "How was your weekend?" she asked, her voice lightening with curiosity. The students echoed back, their voices overlapping in a joyful cacophony of "It was good."
The teacher nodded, a pleased smile on her face. "Okay, so let's get started," she said, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "Let's do a quick review of chemicals. You know, chemistry basics." She waved her hand, as if conjuring up the topic from thin air. "Just a quick recap to get us started."
Miss Stella began to write on the whiteboard, her markers squeaking as she outlined the key concepts of chemical reactions. The students scribbled notes, their pens moving swiftly across their papers. Jo leaned in close to me, whispering, "Do you understand this?"
I nodded, my eyes fixed on the board. "Yeah, I think so."
Miss Stella turned to face us, a beaker in her hand. "Now, let's demonstrate a simple chemical reaction. We'll be mixing baking soda and vinegar to create a fun little experiment."
The students leaned forward, their eyes wide with excitement. Miss Stella carefully measured out the ingredients and poured them into a large container. Suddenly, the mixture began to fizz and bubble, releasing a gentle hiss.
"Whoa!" one of the students exclaimed. "What's happening?"
Miss Stella smiled. "This is a classic example of an acid-base reaction. The baking soda reacts with the acid in the vinegar to produce carbon dioxide gas, which creates the bubbles."
The students watched, mesmerized, as the reaction continued to unfold. Some took notes, while others took photos with their phones.
Miss Stella wrapped up the demonstration, asking the students to record their observations and think about the underlying chemistry. As the class continued, the students worked on a series of problems, applying the concepts they'd just learned. The room was filled with the sound of scratching pens and murmured discussions, a sense of engagement and curiosity hanging in the air.
*
*
*
As the class drew to a close, Miss Stella handed out a assignment sheet. "For your homework, I'd like you to research and experiment with different chemical reactions. You can work in pairs or individually, but make sure to document your findings and observations."
With that, she packed up her belongings and bid us farewell, leaving the lab with a warm smile. As soon as she was gone, Jo turned to me with a hopeful glint in his eye.
"Hey, can we have dinner together later in the evening?" he asked, his voice casual. "Or maybe we can take a stroll around campus?"
I considered his suggestion for a moment before responding. "That's a nice idea," I said, a smile across my face.
Jo's face lit up with a warm smile, and we both gathered our belongings, heading out of the lab together.
*
*
*
The classroom was dimly lit, the only sound the soft hum of the air conditioner and the teacher's gentle voice as she lectured. But it wasn't a typical class, for there was only one student seated in the room. He was a guy, impossibly cute, with features that seemed chiseled from marble. His bangs fell across his forehead, covering one of his eyes,his pink lips calling for attention.
He sat with his legs crossed, exuding an air of confidence and nonchalance. His attire was casual, a hoodie layered under a long jacket, a stark contrast to the uniforms worn by students in regular classes. Despite the relaxed dress code, he looked effortlessly stylish, his features highlighted by the soft lighting in the room.
The teacher seemed to be catering specifically to him, her lessons tailored to his needs and interests. She spoke softly, her voice barely above a whisper, as she explained complex concepts in a way that seemed almost... indulgent. It was clear that this student was receiving special treatment, and one couldn't help but wonder why.
As the teacher continued to lecture, the student's eyes never left hers. He listened intently, his gaze fixed on her face, his expression a mask of interest and curiosity. His eyes sparkled with intelligence, and his pink lips parted slightly as he absorbed the information being presented to him.
The teacher's words seemed to dance in the air, weaving a spell of knowledge and understanding around the student. He nodded occasionally, his movements fluid and precise, as he grasped the concepts being taught.his bangs fell further across his face, adding to his allure.
The student's presence seemed to command attention, and the teacher's focus on him was unwavering. It was clear that this was no ordinary student.
The teacher's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she gazed at the student, her smile warm and inviting. "Hyun min!I discovered that you're the novel-reading type," she said, her voice gentle, like a summer breeze. "What kind of novel do you like to read?"
Hyun min's response was as cool as the air-conditioned room, his voice low and even. "Classics," he said.
The teacher's smile broadened, her eyes lighting up with interest. "Don't you like fantasy novels or romance novels?" she asked, her tone inviting discussion, like a whispered secret.
Hyun min leaned back in his chair, folding his hands across his chest, his movements economical and precise. "I don't have a thing for fantasy novels," he said, his voice as flat as a sheet of ice. "It makes me feel like there's nothing to learn from them. And, I can still manage to read romance novels," he added, his tone neutral, like a mask.
The teacher nodded thoughtfully, her expression acknowledging his perspective, like a soft sigh. "Okay," she said, seeming to accept his preferences, her voice barely above a whisper.