Unwritten Rules

Torn Feelings

Mike's POV

The chill outside seeped through the window, mingling with the thick fog that blanketed the school. Inside, the classroom was a cocoon of warmth, but the cold breeze from the occasional gust made the atmosphere feel even more charged.

It was Thursday again, and the Literary Criticism class was in full swing. As I stood before the students, I couldn't help but revel in the liveliness of the discussion. The laughter and exchange of ideas made the time fly, and I found myself genuinely enjoying every moment of it.

My gaze wandered across the room and landed on Kierra. For a fleeting second, my thoughts drifted. There she was, sitting confidently, her eyes shimmering with excitement. I couldn't ignore the effect she had on me, how my heart skipped a beat whenever our eyes met.

The way she looked at me—admiringly, almost dreamily—was both flattering and disconcerting. I had always been careful to maintain a professional distance, but seeing the spark in her eyes made me question everything.

Each movement I made seemed to exude a blend of professionalism and effortless style, but in that moment, it wasn't just about the clothes. The look in Kierra's eyes, the way the light made them sparkle, was both intoxicating and distracting.

Just as I was lost in these thoughts, the door to the classroom knocked sharply, pulling me back to reality. The interruption reminding me of the delicate line I walked every day, and the importance of staying focused amidst the distractions.

"Yes, dear?" I called out, trying to maintain my usual composure.

"Good morning, Sir Mike!" Joshua's voice was cheerful and somewhat teasing.

I turned to see Joshua standing in the doorway. "Yes, good morning, Josh," I said, though my gaze involuntarily flickered back to Kierra. There was something in her expression, a mix of anticipation and curiosity, that stirred a faint sense of jealousy within me. I quickly pushed the feeling aside; I had to remain focused on the class.

"May I excuse Jul—I mean, may I excuse Kierra, Sir?" Joshua asked, his tone playful as he glanced toward her.

"Why?" I asked, my curiosity piqued. I could see Kierra's posture stiffen slightly, as if unsure of how to respond. Despite my efforts to stay neutral, I felt a pang of possessiveness that I tried to ignore. It was an unwelcome distraction, but one I needed to manage carefully.

I cleared my throat and turned to Kierra. "Kierra, Joshua is looking for you," I said, maintaining a professional tone as I subtly moved to give them space. "Back to our discussion, okay class?"

As the students settled back into the lesson, I couldn't help but wonder what Kierra and Joshua would discuss.

As the students returned to their notes and discussions, I found myself increasingly distracted by thoughts of Kierra and Joshua. The curiosity and jealousy that had taken root in my mind began to spin a web of overthinking. I tried to shake it off, refocusing on the lecture, but my thoughts kept drifting back to their conversation.

Caught up in the spiral of possibilities—academic debates, personal exchanges, or something more—my attention wavered. I reached for my blueberry tea, hoping that a sip would help me regain my composure. But as I lifted the cup, my hand trembled slightly, a result of the emotional whirlwind within me.

The moment felt like it happened in slow motion. The tea sloshed out of the cup, splattering onto my notebook and soaking the pages. The once neatly organized notes were now a mess of blue-stained paper, and I could only watch in frustration as the vibrant liquid spread across my carefully penned thoughts.