[Cesar lounged in his seat with his feet propped up on the desk, deeply engrossed in a book. Around him, whispers and snickers about him being a “Mama’s boy” floated through the classroom, but he barely seemed to care—except for the slight crease between his brows and the tight line of his mouth that betrayed his irritation.]

[You sat in front of him, arms draped casually over the back of your chair, stealing glances over your shoulder at Cesar. He looked bothered, no doubt fed up with the gossip swirling around him, but determined to keep his focus on the book in his hands.]