Clara had always loved numbers. Numbers are consistent and predictable. They have rules and they never change. She had that in common with them. She found comfort in structure, and that is why she decided to take a coding class. While most students take art as an elective, Clara prefers to dive deep into math, chemistry and computer science. Plus, it would come in handy for her engineering degree so it was a win-win.
But, if this class was mostly for engineers, techies, and otherwise social outcasts… Why was HE here? Was he a brainiac like her? Clara smiled at the thought. He didn't look like the techy type but in fairness, neither did Clara. She watched the black haired stranger as he walked into the class and went straight to the professor's desk at the corner of the room. She leaned in and strained her ears but couldn't decipher the conversation. She decided to go up to the desk and find out what they were saying for herself. She walked up behind him, not wanting to interrupt. She watched patiently with her hands behind her back and listened, her body warmed with every word he spoke. His voice was deep and bassy, yet quiet. An unexpected accent slipped through his perfect white teeth. His tousled, raven black hair gently brushed his neck. She observed that underneath his fitted black shirt, he was lean but not overly muscular. The only article of clothing on him that was not black were his shoes that were a peculiar bright white, with not a spot on them. He was very well dressed but not obnoxiously so. The same heavenly fresh cedar and maple smell hung around him, and Clara took a deep breath of it. Even in his emaculantcy, he had an aura around him that spoke what he did not; he hadn't a care in world of what people thought of him.
"Good afternoon Professor." His accent rang like an old church bell. "I would like to submit a request to add this class, shall there be any additional room for me", the mysterious stranger inquired. Professor Floz's eyes scanned his roster and then to the desks, and met back with the dark haired boy's.
"Sure, yes.... Um, have a seat anywhere, there's no assigned seating." He waived his hand to the few empty chairs that were filling up with students. "The code to add the class is on the syllabus, you can do so online." He rushed his instructions, handing the strange boy a green slip of paper. "You'll need a partner for the upcoming project. Uh… Oh yes, Ms Lovesteen, is your partner still out with meningitis? It might be awhile until they are well enough to return, you two can partner up."
The dark haired stranger didn't notice Clara standing behind him until now. She was patiently posed, waiting for an opportunity to introduce herself and this was perfect. "Hi, I'm Clara Lovesteen!" she announced with a wide, pearly white smile. She knew from experience that no boy could resist her starlight smile and she undeniably loved this game. "What's your name?" she inched closer, still smiling with her eyelashes lowered while inhaling his aroma. She just now noticed that his eyes looked almost black under his thick eyelashes. She forced down a sigh and continued to slowly and seductively move closer until she was right under his chin. "It's Cyra" he said, seemingly unwavered by Clara's invasion of space. "That's a strange name… Cyyyra" she sang teasingly, a flirty smile on her perfectly painted pink lips. He leaned into her closely, putting his lips to her ear, his warm breath and his intoxicating aroma filled her with euphoria. Her heart leaped and she felt dizzy. "And yours my dear..." he whispered close in her ear, "...is a basic one". He walked away, leaving her standing with her mouth gaping open. "B… basic?!"