I just want to talk to you but I don't know how.

“I ignored your aura but it grabbed me by the hand, like the moon pulled the tide, and the tide pulled the sand.”

―Talib Kweli

. . .

It was lunch break (oh, yes FINALLY!) and Hiro was honestly relieved since he was fifty percent sure his stomach was probably twisting and eating itself from hunger by now–hey, he had missed breakfast and his damn coffee because of his traitor of an alarm clock, remember? He’ll throw it to the nearest trash once he gets home.

Still, he couldn’t stop his thoughts from wandering to Lunamor and… and her little brother, Cyan, but seriously, what’s up with that girl today anyway?

If he didn’t know any better, he might assume she’s acting like she’s giving him the silent treatment or something… as if he was the one who had done something to offend her. Shouldn’t he be the one to get angry? Mind you, she was the one who actually stood him up last night!

Absorbed in his own thoughts, Hiro didn't notice said person lingering by just right outside the classroom he was also walking out of since her were eyes glued on whatever was on her cell phone and he very nearly walked right into her if it weren’t for her sudden movements. Almost in reflex, Lunamor planted a surprisingly firm hand on his chest to stop him forcefully before he slammed face-first into her, causing him to flinch lightly in surprise at the sudden physical contact, instinctively taking a step back from her hadn’t he felt her grip tightening ever so slightly in response on the fabric of his shirt when he tried to move away.

What’s with these rich kids popping up out of nowhere? Hiro’s eyebrow twitched in annoyance as he fixed his askew glasses because of the sudden impact.

Seriously.

What are they, mushrooms?

“Sorry, I wasn’t looking where I was going. You okay there?” Hiro asked instead, smiling quickly at her, although he was a bit of unnerved and surprised to see Lunamor so suddenly standing right in front of him but really, he was just waiting for her to let go of him.

“…”

… Any time now would be good.

Instead, Lunamor slowly blinked at him… and he suddenly found himself noting for the first time at how vivid and pretty her eyes are up close.

They looked like glitters, a twinkling silver.

But if he looked closely, they were beginning to look kind of gray, then black against the light, it almost seemed endless… framed by absurdly long and thick eyelashes casting shadows over such startling pale skin and hair.

He almost didn’t notice her gloved hand was fluttering upwards to rest gently on his shoulder, gloved fingers lightly ghosting over his pulse point. Hiro felt his breath hitch slightly at that, almost finding himself shivering at the faintest of her touch, feeling the hair on the back of his neck standing on end and he hoped Lunamor doesn’t feel his pulse skyrocketing and wait a minute, why wasn’t Lunamor letting go? What is she doing?! And for that matter, WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING?!

“Uh, M-Ms. Lunamor,” Hiro managed to speak up, thankful that his voice still sounded so normal despite the loud pounding of his heart in his ears, he was so sure he was going to go deaf, “…is there something you need?”

“The topic you discussed today wasn’t going to be even involved in our upcoming long quiz,” she suddenly stated, completely unblinking.

“W-What...? What are you–?”

“What is the point in talking about it?”

Hiro didn’t know if he should be insulted or alarmed by the unexpected criticism of his lesson. How the hell did she even figured out that today’s topic wasn’t even going to be–

…ah, never mind.

“Ms. Lunamor, you do realize that I always teach in a systematic manner when it comes to our lessons, right? And besides… most of your classmates found it quick and easier to learn math when they are following a step by step instruction. I don’t want any of you guys to focus on just a part of it… because I fully expect to have my students to have full understanding on the scope of the entire lesson once everything has been said and done,” Hiro explained, his voice coming out a touch colder than he had meant to–although Lunamor seemed unaffected.

“Oh,” she muttered.

Oh, indeed.

She looked down, almost thoughtfully.

She still wasn’t letting go.

Hiro pointedly decided to ignore her hand so close to wrapping around his neck by now, the tips of her gloved fingers lightly brushing against his nape, leaving a ticklish sort of feeling and… wait a minute, she’s seriously not planning to strangle him in the middle of a hallway, is she?

…What the hell.

He almost slapped himself for such a ridiculous thought.

Stupid, of course not.

…I think.

“Did you assume we’re tackling one of the major lessons today?” Hiro asked, suddenly feeling a bit curious and relieved to hear that.

...if that was the case.

Because that could be the real reason why Lunamor decided to sit in the front row today. It explains a lot why she was awake for the entire time for once to actually listen because a major lesson is going to be involved, not only in the long quiz but also in their midterm exams… which is why it could be a topic of apparent interest to her since there is the slightest chance it could affect her grades.

“…I did,” Lunamor reluctantly admitted in a too-quiet voice, her eyebrows furrowing lightly as she met his gaze for a moment, only to look away from him shortly after.

…Huh.

A passing janitor gave them a weirded-out glance.

And Hiro felt the back of his neck burning.

Because, well, well, well!

Uh... hahaha…

This is lovely and all, but–

Hiro loudly cleared his throat.

At that, Lunamor seemed to realize that she was actually still holding on to him... that this is beginning to look highly inappropriate because she slowly removed her hand and just as slowly took a step back from him, like she was trying not to spook a cornered animal, her fingers brushing, just as slowly as her hand falls limply by her side.

It clenched and unclenched around nothing and Lunamor just as slowly, returned her gaze to him while Hiro quietly released a breath he did not even realized he had been holding in.

As Hiro straightened his glasses a bit once more, he decided not to comment on that. He was just secretly relieved that he didn’t have to actually ask her out loud to please get her hands off of him. And... he resisted the urge to grin at her–at least she’s actually talking to him now again!

“You know Ms. Lunamor… if you really wanted to talk about that lesson you could have just seriously brought it up during the lecture,” he reminded her.

“I don’t want to confuse my classmates.”

Hiro shrugged, “Probably, but you should let me know– “

“It will be a waste of time.”

“I don’t– “

“It’s true and you know it.”

And he resisted the urge to flinch at such a blunt, almost automatic response – typical Lunamor. Sometimes, Hiro wished Lunamor would come to realize that her classmates weren’t as stupid as she seemed inclined to think just because they didn’t have the same exclusive educational background she had (home-schooled since elementary, Hiro found that weird and kind of a bit lonely).

Though to be fair, compared to her IQ, yes, everyone else might seem slow or stupid at her face... but at the same time, as long as she wasn't being actively condescending towards anyone, it wasn't any of his business.

“Well I'm going to have lunch now but I still have office hours after classes and you know that you can always schedule a meeting with me during my office hours or the usual time, take your pick,” Hiro made a half-turn, already making a move to leave, “See you around, Ms. Luna–”

Her gloved hand suddenly reached out and gripped him firmly by the arm to stop him from turning away from her and this time around, Hiro couldn't help but actually flinch at the contact.

Lunamor looked taken aback by his response.

…almost hurt too.