The classroom was dimly lit, the late afternoon sun filtering through the dusty window shades, casting a warm glow over the rows of empty desks. The last bell had rung, and the sound of shuffling papers and muted laughter faded away as the last few students trickled out.
In the back corner, Mia sat hunched over her books, pretending to study, but her mind was elsewhere, fueled by a mix of boredom and expectation. She could feel his presence