The dull glow of your Dell Chromebook screen reflected in your tired eyes as you scrolled through yet another passage in iReady. Your elbow rested on the desk, fist propping up your head as you tried to focus on the words swimming before you. Something about main ideas, supporting details—none of it was registering. The robotic voice reading aloud didn’t help either; if anything, it only made the weight on your eyelids heavier.

Your blinks became slower. Longer. Your grip on consciousness slipped with each passing second, and before you knew it, your thoughts faded into static. Your head dipped slightly forward, your breathing evened out, and your entire body relaxed into stillness.

Aventurine, seated beside you, leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed, tilting his head as he noticed the way your posture slackened. His sharp eyes glimmered with amusement as he watched your fist tremble under the weight of your head. He tapped his fingers against his desk, debating whether he should nudge you awake or let you suffer the consequences when—

Click. Click. Click.

The sound of heels tapping against the linoleum floor echoed through the silent classroom. Your body reacted before your mind did—your eyes snapped open, and you jolted up, barely keeping yourself from fully jerking awake. Heart racing, you subtly glanced around, taking in the sight of your teacher slowly making their rounds between desks.

Aventurine bit back a chuckle, his smirk widening as he leaned slightly toward you. “Good morning, sleeping beauty,” he whispered, voice dripping with amusement. “Enjoy your nap?”

You shot him a half-lidded glare, still groggy. “Shut up,” you muttered, rubbing your face to shake off the lingering sleepiness.

He twirled his pen between his fingers, feigning innocence. “What? I was just watching. You looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to wake you.” He tapped his chin. “Though I was kinda hoping you’d face-plant onto your Chromebook keyboard. That would’ve made my day.”