The lecture carried on, words echoing from the projector screen while the professor paced slowly across the front stage, pointer in hand.
Noel leaned forward slightly, eyes on the board, pen flying across his notebook. His handwriting was neat, tight, organized.
Beside him, Luca tapped his pen once... twice… then sighed.
He glanced sideways at Noel's notes — immaculate.
With a grin, he leaned closer again. "What's that word?" he whispered, pointing toward Noel's writing. "'Behavioral'? Or are you writing in secret code again?"
Noel didn't even look up. "If you paid attention, you'd know."
"Ouch." Luca leaned back, smirking. "I deserve that."
One seat over, Emily had long given up on pretending to listen. Her phone rested on her lap under the desk, thumbs flying.
Her expression shifted every few seconds — smiling, smirking, eyes glittering with mischief.
Luca noticed and leaned toward her. "You look like someone plotting a takeover."
