"You're insane,"
Laura muttered, smiling bitterly, feeling like those words fit her more than him. She looked down, playing with the croissant crumbs on her plate for a moment before standing up and getting ready for school.
Calvin stood as well, picking up the telescope once again to observe the grandeur of Harrow Elite International High School, which was now bustling with activity. Vehicles lined up in the parking lot, and students walked along the corridors from the first to the third floor.
"So, Laura…" Calvin finally spoke after a brief silence.
The man turned around, only to find the girl behind him busy in front of the mirror, tying her hair into two neat braids. She carefully polished her thick-framed glasses with a handkerchief. The firm and confident aura Laura had just moments ago had completely faded, replaced by a nerdy, unassuming girl—the very same girl Calvin first met at school.
"So what, sir?" Laura asked, trying to pick up their conversation where they had left off, though Calvin was still too stunned to believe that the girl in front of him was really the same person.
"Um… I wanted to ask about last night," Calvin continued, trying to maintain his cool. "What do you know, Laura? Last night, you said they were trying to set me up."
Laura paused for a moment, setting her glasses on the table. "Last night, it was supposed to be Mira who came to seduce you, Mr. Calvin."
"Mira?" Calvin frowned in confusion.
"She's a senior, a third-year student. We weren't in the same class before, but now she's in the same class, with me as Abby. Since you're a new teacher, they must be trying to lure you into their organization, The Dark Game, by offering you that kind of 'nighttime entertainment.' It's the same trick they've used on other teachers—to get them to join or, at the very least, to keep their mouths shut."
Calvin's brows furrowed as his mind raced to process this new information. "Hmm… so that means you saved me last night, Laura."
Laura let out a small chuckle. "You could say that, sir. But next time, you need to be more careful. They're not playing around, and I'm sure they won't stop here."
"What? I need to be careful?" Calvin smirked slightly, stepping closer to Laura. "I think you should be the one being careful, miss. You've been messing with their nighttime games too often."
"I know, sir." Laura murmured, her voice quieting after a brief silence. "Maybe it's time to find another way to deal with them. Last night was my final act… and it failed."
"Hey, come on, so now it's my fault? I was the one who ruined your plan?"
Laura looked up at Calvin's handsome face and, for the first time in a long while, flashed a sweet smile. "That's not what I meant, sir. My plan was already ruined before I even stepped into your room."
"What do you mean?"
"Mira… before she passed out, she had already seen my real face."
Calvin tensed at her words. "In that case, maybe it's time for you to go to the police." He spoke carefully, his voice gentle. Taking a deep breath, he added, "I know it's hard, but… have you ever undergone a forensic medical exam after that terrible night? Sorry if I'm crossing a line…"
Laura froze completely, her hands gripping the edge of the table tightly. She inhaled deeply before looking straight into Calvin's eyes.
"After I found out my mother had died, forensic exams were the last thing on my mind, sir. Eating or drinking didn't even cross my thoughts. The only thing I wanted… was to end my own life."
Her voice was quiet, heavy with pain. Calvin felt his throat tighten, wanting to say something but deciding to stay silent.
Laura continued, her voice slightly firmer, trying to regain her composure. "Besides, any forensic report would be useless. The Dark Game has connections within the police force. Some of their members even use the organization's services. It would be foolish for me to report anything."
Calvin gave a small nod, letting a heavy silence fall between them. "Alright… we'll figure out another plan later, Laura."
"Abby," Laura corrected him swiftly. "Don't you see how I look right now? I'm Abby." She firmly put on her thick-rimmed glasses and examined herself in the mirror, ensuring her transformation was flawless.
The girl standing before Calvin had completely changed. Her fierce, icy aura had vanished, replaced by someone timid and unremarkable. It was like watching the night sky shift into morning—so different, yet carrying its own unique beauty.
Calvin reached for Laura's shoulders, gently turning her to face him. "One of your hair ribbons is a little crooked. May I fix it?"
Laura frowned skeptically, a smirk forming on her lips. "Now you're asking for permission, Mr. Calvin? How polite. If I recall correctly, you didn't ask for permission when you kissed me last night."
"Oh?" Calvin raised an eyebrow as he adjusted her ribbon. "But if I recall correctly, last night you said you were going to forget that kiss. So why are you bringing it up now?"
Laura froze, caught off guard. A deep blush spread across her cheeks.
Before she could react further, Calvin leaned in and kissed her again. This time, the kiss was longer, softer, more deliberate. Laura didn't kiss him back, but she also couldn't bring herself to resist. There was a force pulling her in—something beyond just his touch. It was the attention, the care, the emotions Calvin had been holding back since last night. Somehow, all of it had completely shattered the walls she had built around herself.
"You did it again," Laura murmured as soon as she pulled away, her voice breathless.
Calvin brushed his thumb along her lips, wiping away the faint trace of his kiss. "You're wrong. Last night, I kissed Laura. But just now? I kissed Abby."
Laura scoffed. "So, from an IT teacher, you've now turned into some Casanova? Acting like a playboy who's kissed two different women?"
"And what's wrong with that?" Calvin replied smoothly. "Laura and Abby—I like both of them."
.
.
(To be continued.)