Chapter 3 : That's Brilliant, Mr. Lopez

Bryan's POV 

A Few Weeks Later.

I was in class but my mind was far away. It was love at first sight for me, I just realized that I love Mrs. Albert. 

It came as a shock to me and now, it was making me feel distracted. Looking at her teaching me in class for the last few weeks had been very hard for me to do.

Looking at her, standing on the podium and yet, I can't go to her and express my feelings. I rubbed my forehead, running my fingers through my hair in frustration.

I have been trying to have a conversation with her but she is always making excuses, more like she was avoiding me. 

Someone tapped my shoulder and I turned to see Ivy. I was about to look away from her when I saw her pointing at the board. Nope, she was pointing at Mrs. Albert.

“I asked you a question, Mr. Lopez,” she said, standing behind the pulpit. 

I scratched the back of my head, looking at Ivy if she could give me a clue of what the question was. She only kept gazing at me with a worried expression and I sighed.

“Mr. Lopez, you see wasting our time. I want an answer to the question I asked you,” she repeated, her voice echoing across the hall.

Everyone began murmuring when I still didn't give a reply to her question or act as if she was referring to me.

“One house please,” Mrs. Albert said, gesturing her hands for everyone to keep quiet.

She walked out of the pulpit and crossed her arms under her chest. The mic was attached to the neckline of her top.

“Please, can you repeat the question?” I asked politely and everyone began murmuring again.

She cautioned them to keep quiet and I was left, feeling embarrassed.

“This shows that you have been oozing out in my class. Was it that boring to me?” She asked me and I shook my head.

“No, ma'am,” I responded.

“So tell me,why were you not paying attention then?” She asked, gazing at me intently.

“Actually, it's nothing serious. Just some personal stuff,” I responded and she nodded, looking unconvinced.

“I hear you. You may have your seat,” she asked me to sit as she carried on with the lecture.

“Ma'am, you haven't repeated the question,” I reminded her.

“You weren't paying attention in class. It will be unfair if I ask you the question,” she explained.

“I wanna hear it. I will try my best in giving the accurate answer,” I told her and she smiled.

“All right, if you said so,” she said, walking back to the pulpit and scrolling on her laptop before reading out the question.

“What are some key considerations when designing a bridge for optimal structural integrity?” She asked me, her elbow was on the pulpit and she rested her chin on her palm.

That was a simple question for me, being an engineering student. I gathered my thoughts and voice out my answer.

“When designing a bridge, engineers must consider factors such as load capacity, materials strength, environmental conditions, and the overall geometry to ensure structural stability and safety. That's a summary,” I added my last line, with a hint of pride and they all clapped for me.

“That was brilliant, Mr. Lopez. Good job,” she smiled at me and I was glad that we finally exchanged glances after what had seemed like an eternity for me.

I sat down on my seat and decided to focus in class. Someone tapped me from behind and I saw that it was Ivy.

“Are you okay?” She asked, concern was laced in her voice.

“Yes,I am good,” I responded and she smiled at me.

“Can we talk after the class?” She asked and I didn't reply to that. I only turned my head to the board.

The class proceeded with grace and it finally ended. I carried my bag, exchanging pleasantries with my friends before rushing to go buy some chocolates.

I was on my way to Mrs. Albert's office when I was blocked by Ivy.

“Baby, are you fine? I want to discuss some things with you,” she said in a lower tone and I rubbed my face frustratedly.

“I am not your baby, Ivy. I am Bryan, call me by my name missy. I have things to do, please,” I walked away from her and she said behind me.

“Do you like her?” I furrowed my brows in confusion and turned to look at her.

“What are you talking about?” I asked.

“Don't play dumb with me, Bryan. I noticed the way you have been trying to get close to her for the past few weeks. Was she the reason you broke up with me?” She asked in a slightly raised voice and I couldn't help but gawk at her.

“What nonsense are you spouting? If you are trying to bring up this silly matter just to talk to me, you must be wrong Ivy,” I walked away with my heart pounding heavily.

‘'Was my feelings that obvious?’ I wondered.

I walked away without acknowledging Ivy's calling behind me. I ran when I noticed Mrs. Albert was about to leave a secluded area where I could get to talk to her.

“Ma'am!” I called out and continued running. She turned and looked at me with surprise, written all over her face.

“Mr. Lopez, what's going on?” I gasped for air when I was close enough.

“N-Nothing Mrs. Albert,” I continued to gasp for air and she looked even more surprised.

“If it was nothing, why did you stop me then?” She asked me.

“Oh, yeah. Actually, I wanna apologize for stressing you in class today,” I brought out the chocolate from my pocket and passed it to her.

“Thanks very much. But you shouldn't have, I am only doing my job as a lecturer,” she explained.

“I understand you ma'am. And I wanna appreciate your efforts with this, please don't say no,” I insisted with a stiff smile.

Her gaze fell on the chocolate before looking up at me. She smiled before collecting it from me.

A wave of relieveness washed over me and I smiled at her.

“Thanks a lot for this,” she appreciated.

“You are welcome, Mrs. Albert. Also, I thank you for accepting my little gift,” safe nodded with a smile before walking away.

My heart fluttered at the sight of her. I sighed and turned on my heels, heading back to the class for the next course.