I got to hand it to myself sometimes. I just don’t get enough credit around here. I could bet a million bucks that this academy would not be what it was today without my presence gracing its vicinity.

I could already sense it. Endless boredom, constant lectures, vigorous studying, detention and their likes— those were the shadows that attempted to lurk AG before my light shone to drive away the anomalies.

BEEP BEEP

Shoot! I’m late! As fun as the little break was, providing me with a bit of an adrenaline, my phone had just reminded me of the painful reality that all good things must come to an end: It was time to resume classes.

Ha! Fuck that! After all, they aren’t telling me anything new. School’s a waste of time for people of my caliber. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got better places to…

“Hey.”

In that sudden moment, a hand gently held on to mine. It was a touch devoid of any form of violence. It was genuine, with no sort of ulterior motive attached to it. I turned back to behold who sought my attention in such warming fashion. She was the least of my expectations.

“Jaxon, right?” Shayna inquired, her hand glued to mine.

“Yes, Shayna.” I replied, attempting to let go in the most gentle way possible.

Shayna was dressed in a white crop top that perfectly showcased her supple bosoms and a light blue skinny jeans that lifted up her behinds. To top it all off, she was the prettiest girl the universe had ever created to come forth from the womb of a woman. Her assets were enough to catch the attention of multitudes of men in an instant, but none of that mattered to me.

“We’ve got Math together, yeah? Mind if we sit together?” Her voice appealed to me. “You know, I could use the help of Zyron’s greatest creation.”

She hit the nail on the head. Her words attacked the most delicate parts of my soul. She knew her way with her words, and it pissed me off.

“Alright then. We don’t wanna later than we already are, right?” I joked around. “After you.”

I gave in to her demands. I suspended my plans, not because of what you must be assuming, but because I had to know her, what she was worth, and why she had the ability to persuade a guy like me.

We walked together down the halls, catching the attention of the masses for some reason.

“I’m sure you must be wondering why all eyes are on us,” Shayna read my mind, starting off a conversation.

“I don’t need to wonder. The news of the confrontation at the Chemistry Lab must have spread like wildfire. I’m bound to be the bone of contention.”

The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Shayna smiled, leaning on to my shoulder. “No matter how much you seem to know, you are still oblivious to the realities of life.”

I did not understand what she meant. To my eyes, I was man’s first perfect being. I was built to know it all, and I was kinda pissed t hear someone else doesn’t think the same.

We walked into Math Class, I with confidence, but her with a change in persona.

“Jaxon Storm,” Mr. Martinez called me out. “It’s a lovely morning since you had just decided to attend my class. Five minutes late if I may add. And you, Miss Garcia. This is an unexpected newly-developed behaviour.”

“I understand we are extremely tardy to your class, Mr. Martinez.” Shayna swayed. “But we also understand that attending your classes is as important as stepping into the borders of the school to begin with.

“Your superb executionary style of teaching can convert illiterates to gurus in a sitting, and I don’t ever want to miss a chance to hear what you have to say in every topic you desire to treat. We apologise for our immoral behaviour, and we promise never to commit such a heinous crime again.

“Right, Jaxon?”

She sealed the deal with her words. She played her cards right. She advanced every chess piece to take over the centre, and my answer would determine the completion or destruction of her perfectly constructed psychological control.

In a heartbeat, I was always up for a fight against a proud educationist, so I was more than willing to set all her efforts ablaze. Like heck, you thought I gave a damn about her? How cute.

But then, she held my hand once more. My brain waves sent signals to my eyes to avert the incoming danger. I looked at our clutched hands, and in an attempt to let go, her eyes locked on mine. It was then I knew of a force stronger than any I had ever wielded.

“Right,” I gave in to her demands a second time. I fumed with anger within the recesses of my mind, but my face remained the same: expressionless.

“I’ll take your word for it, Miss Garcia.” Mr. Martinez relinquished his initial frustration. “Have your seats.”

“Thank you, sir,” She concluded, and we walked quietly to our seats.

As planned, we sat side by side; she and I, and Mr. Martinez continued the lesson we had interrupted a while ago.

“As I was saying,” Mr. Martinez resumed his lectures. “Assuming that such palindrome is greater than 777₈ = 511… We can conclude that the palindrome has four digits when written in base eight. Now let such palindrome be…”

I zoned out. I was stuck in an endless stream of thoughts. My eyes could not release its glare from Shayna. I tried to understand how she did it. Some sort of psychological technique? But, absolute power was not to be based off such concepts.

“Mr. Storm. Mr. Storm. Mr. Storm!”

“Yes, Mr. Martinez.” I finally got a hold of myself, snapping myself out of the delusions. Shayna giggled, taking down notes as the Math teacher lectured. Was that her doing?

“Jaxon. You know, if you already seem to know the solution, you’re more than welcome to enlighten us.” Mr. Martinez nagged. “Or are you too busy getting good angles of Miss Garcia.”

The entire class murmured, and I was extremely pissed. I rose up to my feet, and took over the class in that instant.

“Just by looking clearly into it and analysing the question, it is clear that A is equal to one. So what you need to do is repeatedly add seventy two to five hundred and thirteen until we get palindromes less than one thousand. By intuition, try this two times and your answer is five hundred and eighty five.”

I took my seat in confidence and left the entire class tongue-tied. I humbled the teacher, and invariably won his respect… again.

“Thank you, Jaxon.” Mr. Martinez acknowledged. “Let’s give him a little appreciation.”

The entire class applauded me, but I did not do it to seek their validation. Shayna joined in the applaud, and mouthed, “You’re amazing,” to me. I don’t why, but it lit up a smile on my face.

What the fuck is wrong with me? Who are you, Shayna?