We fell in love in math class

Chapter 2 "The Zero Math paper"

(Time Skip)

It's morning again, and I really don't want to be late after what happened yesterday. But honestly... I still want to sleep!

Xyleme dragged himself out of bed, barely awake, but determined not to repeat the disaster of the previous day. After quickly getting ready, he headed off to school.

Time: 6:27 A.M.

X: "Haha, I’m the first one here! You weaklings!" he announced proudly, walking into the classroom with a confident grin.

But before he could celebrate, a familiar voice cut through the quiet.

E: "Xyleme? You’re early today. That’s... unusual. And by the way, I was actually the first one here, so you can save your speech."

Xyleme’s smile faded a bit as he spotted Ethan already seated at his desk, a knowing smirk on his face.

X: "Party pooper!"

Ethan stood up and casually strolled over to Xyleme, leaning in close and whispering in his ear, making Xyleme flinch slightly at the unexpected proximity.

E: "Since it’s just the two of us here... Do you know what I’m going to make you do?"

Xyleme’s eyes widened at how close Ethan was, his warm breath tickling his ear.

X: "Haha... What?"

Ethan's expression remained playful but stern.

E: "You’re going to sweep the floor, you idiot. Yesterday, you skipped cleaning and ran off like a jerk."

Xyleme groaned, the illusion of a special moment completely shattered.

X: "Oh... Come on."

E: "Better get to it. I’ll be watching."

(Time Skip!)

Time: 8:30

Xyleme's POV:

We’d finished checking the papers, and my eyes landed on my own. My heart sank.

X: "Oh no... Zero? Haha, it’s fine," I muttered to myself, trying to brush it off, but I could feel the anxiety creeping up.

Mrs. Marivic, our math teacher, asked the other students to leave. I knew something was up, and I was right. She turned to me with a mix of disappointment and frustration.

Mrs. Marivic: "Xyleme! My goodness! Did you see your paper!? Zero? Do you realize this was the last quiz? If you fail this, you’ll be disqualified from the STE program! It was out of 100, and you didn’t even get a single point! What are you going to do now?"

X: "Hehe, ma’am, why was I wrong?" I asked, feigning ignorance, but Mrs. Marivic didn’t seem amused.

Mrs. Marivic: "Goodness! It was math, and you answered with True or False!? What’s going on in your head!? Fine, I’ll give you one last chance. I will let you take a second test. This will be your final opportunity. If you fail, you’re out of the program! To help you prepare, I’m arranging private lessons with Ethan. Your tutoring sessions will be on Saturday and Sunday."

X: "Ethan!? Ma’am, can’t it be someone else!?"

Mrs. Marivic folded her arms, her expression stern.

Mrs. Marivic: "Oh, you’re being given a second chance, and you’re still arguing. Final decision! TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT."

X: "Hays, okay ma’am. Thank you. Bye."

Xyleme's POV:

As I walked out of the classroom, I couldn’t shake the feeling of dread. Ethan was smart—no doubt about it—but every time he looked at me, I felt... weird. It wasn’t a bad feeling, just strange, like a million butterflies were fluttering in my stomach. I mean, he was handsome and confident, and maybe a bit annoying, but...

Wait. No. AM I GAY!?

I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. No, no, no. I’m just... nervous, that’s all. It’s just tutoring. Nothing more. Right?