Athena's heart hammered so hard she in her chest that she thought everyone could hear it. She clenched her jaw, glaring at him, but his calm expression only made it worse. He didn't look embarrassed, didn't look sorry. If anything, he looked amused, like he enjoyed watching her squirm.
Athena's lips pressed together, her face still burning, but she refused to let him have the last word. She turned her head back to him, her voice calm but sharp enough to cut through the buzzing classroom.
"Maybe the reason I turned red was because you don't know how to talk with respect. You sound like some immature boy who never learned how to treat a woman."
Gasps shot across the class like gunfire.
"Damn!"
"Wow! really, she really got some nerves"
"Frost is finished!"
All eyes flew back to Theodore, waiting, hungry for his reaction. But he didn't flinch. His green eyes locked onto her like ice daggers, and slowly, very slowly, that faint smirk returned to his lips.
He leaned just a little closer, his voice low, meant only for her, but loud enough that everyone around could still hear.
"If I'm immature, then why is it your matured mind and body reacted to my words?"
The room exploded.
"OH MY FUCKING GOD!"
"HE KILLED HER!"
"No way! Did Frost really just say that?!"
Desks rattled from how hard the boys were laughing, some slapping their thighs, others nearly falling off their seats. The girls' eyes went wide, some covering their mouths, some gasping like they couldn't believe what just came out of his mouth. Even the bubbly girl buried her face in her hands.
Athena's stomach twisted so hard she thought she might throw up. Her chest rose and fell fast, her hands trembling slightly under the desk. She clenched her pen so tightly she thought it might snap.
Her face was crimson, but not just from embarrassment, anger boiled underneath. She turned her face away sharply, muttering under her breath, "Cocky bastard."
Theodore leaned back in his chair, like nothing happened, like he hadn't just dropped a bomb in the middle of class. His straight posture and cold aura made it even worse like teasing her was just another routine for him.
But Athena didn't give him the satisfaction of looking flustered any longer. She stared straight at the digital board, jaw tight, determined to ignore him, even though his words still echoed in her head like stain she couldn't clean off.
The noise swelled until it felt like the walls themselves were trembling. Laughter, shouts, the scrape of chairs and complete chaos.
Then
SLAM!
The teacher's palm came down hard on the desk at the front of the room.
"That's ENOUGH!" her voice cracked
The room froze.
Chairs stopped rocking, laughter cut mid-breath, and everyone turned stiff as statues. The only sound left was the harsh ticking of the classroom clock.
Her eyes swept the room like storm clouds ready to burst. "Is this a classroom or a marketplace?!" she snapped. "Do you think I stand here for decoration?!"
A few students dropped their gazes instantly, shrinking into their seats. Others bit their lips, stifling the last traces of laughter.
Her glare locked directly onto Theodore and Athena, and for a moment, it felt like her eyes could burn holes right through them. "Both of you," she said, her voice lower now but sharper than glass, "you seem to think this is your personal stage. One more word out of either of you, and I will throw you both out. Do you understand?"
Theodore's smirk vanished though his posture stayed infuriatingly relaxed. Then he scoffed out loud, like he couldn't care less.
Athena's heart pounded in her chest. She nodded too, her lips pressed into a thin line, refusing to look at him again.
The teacher let the silence stretch painfully long before turning back to the board. "Good. Now, maybe we can continue like civilized human beings."
Theteacher continue writing again, but the tension hung thick in the air, heavier than before. Nobody dared laugh. Nobody even whispered.
And from the corner of Athena's eyes, she felt Theodore's gaze, still on her, sharp,like he hadn't been scolded at all.
Shortly after the sharp sound of the bell filled the classroom.
The teacher quickly packed her books and left without sparing the students another glance, she left. Theodore stood up right after, not saying a single word, and walked out of the room like the class didn't even exist. The other students started getting up in groups, some still whispering about what just happened.
Athena remained seated for a moment, gathering her things calmly, pretending not to notice the stares that still followed her.
"Hey!" a cheerful voice called, and the bubbly girl rushed to her side. She leaned close, her face glowing with excitement. "It's lunch time. Come on, let's go to the cafeteria."
Before Athena could answer, the girl hooked her arm with hers naturally, like they had been friends since forever. "Don't just sit there. I'll show you the way," she said with a grin, already dragging her out of the seat.
Athena blinked at her boldness but didn't resist. She let herself be pulled along as the girl led her out of the classroom, their arms linked, while the noise of the students filled the hallways.
Athena walked into the cafeteria with the bubbly girl by her side. The moment she stepped in, heads turned. Her long hair caught the light and made people stare for a few seconds. Conversations paused. But soon, the students returned to their food, though some kept stealing glances at her.
Athena ignored it all and followed the bubbly girl to the line. They joined the queue quietly, waiting for their turn. When it got to them, they served themselves and walked to an empty table.
They sat down and started eating. Athena picked at her food calmly, then turned her eyes to the girl.
"What's your name?" Athena asked.
"Felicia," the girl said with a smile.
Athena gave a small nod.
Felicia's smile grew wider, like she was happy with the introduction.
Just then, someone slid into the seat across from them. It was Leo. He leaned on the table casually, grinning like he owned the place.
Leo sat down across from them, his tray dropping lightly on the table. He didn't say anything at first, just started unwrapping his cutlery with an easy calm. His eyes, however, flickered between Athena and Felicia with a knowing look, like he was curious about something but not in a rush to speak.
Felicia broke the silence first. "Leo, what are you doing here? You have your own table."
Leo gave a small shrug and stabbed at his food. "Tables are tables, Felicia. They don't bite." His voice was casual, almost too calm, but the corner of his lips twitched like he was holding back something.
Athena didn't look at him directly. She kept eating, unfazed, but she could feel his gaze lingering a bit longer than necessary.
Felicia rolled her eyes. "Don't come here to start trouble."
"Trouble?" Leo finally looked up, smirking faintly. "I just came to see who the new girl is. I mean…" His eyes settled on Athena now, and his tone dipped into playful. "She walks in like she owns the place, and suddenly everyone forgets to chew. I had to see it for myself."
Felicia elbowed him lightly. "Don't start with her, Leo."
Athena glanced up then, her expression calm but her voice steady. "If you're done watching, you can eat your food."
Leo's grin widened, amused by her bluntness. He leaned back in his seat, his eyes glinting with something mischievous.
Leo then leaned forward now, resting his chin lazily on his palm as his fork toyed with his food. His eyes flicked over Athena like he was studying something rare.
"You know," he started casually, "your hair has caused more chaos in this school today than a fire drill. Half the cafeteria nearly choked when you walked in."
Athena lifted her eyes at him, her expression unreadable. "And you're one of them, I suppose?"
He chuckled softly. "I didn't choke, no. I just stared. Still staring, actually." His smirk curved wider, sharp but playful.
Felicia groaned and smacked his arm. "Leo, stop being annoying."
But he ignored her completely, his eyes only on Athena. "So… tell me. Do you wake up every morning planning to distract an entire room? Or is it just natural talent?"
Athena's spoon paused midair, her gaze sharpening at him. "Or maybe people like you don't know how to mind their own business."
Leo pressed a hand to his chest dramatically, pretending to be wounded. "Ouch. Straight to the heart. You're colder than Frost himself."