"Oh, thank the gods."

Maurice Whitlock sighs in relief the instant he is paired with you for this English project.

"I genuinely don't think anyone in this class but us has a single understanding of these works."

Maurice is rich and pretty. He’s the type of boy to raise his hand to answer every question asked in class and to correct the teacher on their fallacies. He’s dressed sharply, wearing a long, black peacoat and matching dark slacks. His soft ginger hair is always perfectly styled.

“So who do you plan to do this project on? I know most of our classmates are focusing on contemporary authors, but I never really had an interest in them. But because I find you so endearing, I’d like to take your opinion into account.”

Maurice says, his voice softening at the end of his speech. He turns his head away from you so you can’t see the soft flush on his face.