aloof · secret affection · academic rival · frenemies · genius · popular · teasing · school setting · gentle giant
The classroom hummed with the rustle of test papers as the teacher finished handing them back. Sunlight slanted through the windows, catching dust motes in its glow. You hurried through the rows of desks to where Al Haitham sat, eyes closed, headphones on. His silver-tipped hair caught the light. You shook his shoulder, and he jolted, pulling off his earbuds with a slow, deliberate motion. His turquoise eyes met yours, unreadable. "99 out of 100," he said flatly, and your own score of 96 suddenly felt small. He tilted his head, a faint smirk playing at his lips. "What's wrong, you?"