Amber brought the back of the pen between her lips, eyes following the overhead projector. The professor was rambling on about academic policies and rules: integrity, honesty, plagiarism. Everything she’d heard before and one she would listen to all this week in all her other classes. Full attention not required—at least not right now.

Slowly, Amber moved her pen.

Amber: Is that a different way of asking for my number?

She lingered until the instructor faced his laptop before quietly sliding the note over to Hunter’s side of the desk. Hunter glanced initially at the piece before establishing eye contact with Amber, acting shocked and surprised as if he wasn’t the origin of the note.

Incredibly, Amber watched as Hunter gestured at himself as if to say, ‘A love letter? Why you shouldn’t have!’ before pushing the note closer to him. It took all her efforts to not smile at his fraudulent bewildered look. If she did, it would only spur him more.

Once he picked it up, Amber observed from the corner of her eye.

He did not disappoint.

First came the dramatic, wounded stare after reading, followed by slow, mournful shakes of his head. Then, there was the quiet, tragic sigh under his breath that only she understood. Minutes afterward, after all the theatrics, he bent forward to compose a response.

Amber got through it all that without rolling her eyes. Just barely, though.

When done, Hunter folded the note in half while his eyes darted about the place. Convinced no one was watching, he lifted his right arm onto the table, securing the sheet underneath the elbow. Then, deliberately, Hunter leaned his body slightly, inclining back towards Amber. Seconds afterward, he reported to his usual position but without the note. It was now an inch or so from Amber’s grasp.

This time, Amber couldn’t stop the smile as her hands retrieved the note. Like Hunter, her eyes scanned the classroom for any eyewitnesses. With how careful and planned Hunter’s actions were, no one paid them both any heed.

The instructor continued his ramble, this time going over the assignments and tests.

Amber lifted her water bottle and sipped, reading his reply. The cursive handwriting was straight and even. Masculine and fitting of his identity.

Hunter: What gave it away? My desperation? If so, spare me the shame and giveth to me?

Amber lowered her head, bringing her palm up to cover her eyes, suppressing a giggle. Seriously?! How old were they? This wasn’t middle or high school where they could pass notes back and forth in or between classes. She really shouldn’t encourage him.

Just as she finished that thought, the lights flickered back on.

The professor had completed his introductions and outline of the syllabus.

Amber, once more, shifted her mind to the instructor without another thought about the note. She couldn’t think of how to respond, anyhow.

However, Hunter appeared to have other ideas.

Only ten minutes had passed when the instructor turned his back to the class to write on the board. Hunter used the opportunity to launch another note over, unfolded.

Hunter: Have mercy! Don’t force me to beg…

And at the end of the sentence: a smiley face. One slightly crooked with an incomplete head.

Who could ignore that? Amber noted her reply and waited until an opening showed itself before relinquishing the note back to Hunter. And just like that, as if they were back in elementary school, Amber and Hunter passed secret letters to each other throughout the period, with everyone oblivious to their activities.

Amber: What was it you want again?

Hunter: You’re a cruel, cruel lady. You’re going to make me, a man, beg, aren’t you?

Amber: Some things in life are worth begging for. And I wouldn’t claim you a man… not yet.

Hunter choked as he endeavored to take a drink from his water bottle, only to have the liquid become stuck in his throat. A couple of students turned his way, including the instructor, while he caught his breath and cleared his throat. Ultimately, Hunter presented a grin with a thumbs-up sign to his audience even as he thumped his chest with his other palm to ease the coughs.

Five minutes later, he was back at it again.

Hunter: You’re right. So, what’s your number? Also, would you like mine?

Amber: I didn’t ask for yours.

Hunter: That’s why I’m asking for you.

This time it was Amber who stifled her amusement. She covered her mouth and convulsed without drawing too much scrutiny. Hunter was the only one who showed her an amusing, knowing expression.

It took all her willpower to ignore him. Amber checked out the clock instead and sighed.

An entire period exchanging letters instead of paying attention.

Luckily, the first day wasn’t as brain intensive, providing her an excuse to slack off. On Wednesday, however, Amber would need to put forth her best behavior. It didn’t help that this was a foundations course in Information Technology, covering necessary materials she already knew.

Mentally, Amber groaned, giving up. She packed her items into her backpack before continuing.

Amber: All right. But no more interruptions. I need to pay attention!

Hunter: As soon as we exchange phone numbers, I’ll be on my best behavior. I promise!

Surprisingly, after writing her phone number and passing it over, Hunter kept his promise and left her alone for the rest of the fifteen minutes that were left. A bit disappointed he didn’t share his phone number as he said he would, Amber re-directed all attempts to the front. If Hunter was waiting for her to inquire, it would be a long time.

“That’s it for today,” the professor concluded. “Please let me know if you have questions. Just a reminder, if this wasn’t what you expected, you can drop this class within two weeks without impacting your GPA.”

The first one out of her seat was Amber, with class dismissed. Hunter and his notes all but a memory.

Backpack strapped, Amber unlocked her phone as she made her way towards the exit. A couple of messages had come at the last minute on where to meet for breakfast. Amber maneuvered around the slower students and down the stairs to the first floor, where she exited the building, scanning.

Brittany: [Good morning, sunshine! Is your class over yet?]

Brittany: [Making my way to the Dining Hall now. I’ll see you in 15!]

Once outside, she barely acknowledged the comfortable weather halting under a tree to shoot her best friend a brief text. Of course, she could have texted while walking like other students were doing around her, but if it’s one thing Amber couldn’t stand, it was people texting and walking. One may assume it’s quicker and more efficient when, in truth, it demands twice the effort and triple the time to perform both.

Amber: [Just got out of my class. I’ll see you in five minutes, or so?]

Amber had just hit send and turned off her screen when someone tapped her left shoulder. She turned her head to see no one there and felt another tap on the other shoulder.

Spinning, she discovered Hunter beaming at her. Out in the sun, his eyes were the first thing she noted, glittering like mini-emerald jewels under the lights.

“Can I help you?” Amber asked, questioning why he was there. Did he not have another class to get to? Was he following her?

As if reading her mind, Hunter shook his head. “I don’t have another class until this afternoon and wanted to see if my new friend wished to have breakfast, but she was too swift on her feet, running before I could ask.”

“I didn’t run away,” Amber corrected. “I already have plans with someone else. We’ll have to do it another time.”

Hunter looked at her phone and changed the subject. “Let me peek at your device.” It wasn’t a request.

Since he couldn’t unlock it without her pin and fingerprint anyway, she held it out for him curiously. Hunter accepted her phone but also seized her hand—more specifically, her thumb. He pressed the flesh against the screen where the fingerprint scanner was. Before Amber could fathom what was happening, he let go and stepped aside with her phone.

“Hey!” Amber reached for her device, but he was already taking off with it. “That’s not fair!”

Hunter didn’t stray far, just far enough out of reach. If she came close or made a grab, he would sprint away anew. After a few attempts, Amber realized it was useless and crossed her arms, glaring at him instead.

“Relax,” he grinned, swiping, and hitting the screen a few times before typing. “I want to check on something.”

Amber observed as he touched a few more buttons before hearing the ring of another phone from deep within his pocket. She raised an eyebrow as Hunter fished out his own phone with a free hand.

Hunter glimpsed down at his screen. Finally satisfied with what he saw, he returned her phone.

“What?” Hunter chuckled as he ended the call on his end without glancing away. “You didn’t give me your real name last time. So why would you give me your actual number this time?” He swiped the screen with his thumb and stopped on her contact page. “But looks like you’re quite honest, after all. You gave me your real number.”

Apparently, he’d already saved her number and simply wanted to confirm if it was indeed her actual number.

“Plus,” he crossed his arms, recalling. “I didn’t give you my number, so now it’s saved on your phone.”

Amber stared at her phone, curious to see what he put in as his contact information, and saw the time. Her eyes widened. She needed to get from here across the campus to the Dining Hall in less than five minutes!

As if reading her thoughts, Hunter walked away. “Remember. Breakfast. Wednesday, after class.”

Without responding, Amber took off in the opposite direction, a small smile playing around her lips. To say he was exasperating was an understatement.