I do not know that Xander is this sweet and cute. I do know that he is kind, but experiencing his sweetness firsthand is a revelation. Though we don't talk much initially, our silent interactions have become a cherished part of my day, keeping me blushing throughout the entire lecture.

For some reason, Xander often ends up sitting in front of or behind my bench. Sometimes, he even finds a way to get me to switch seats with Amelia so I can be closer to him. We have this one particular teacher who allows us to change our seating arrangements during her class. She's sweet and lenient, letting us sit wherever we like, abandoning our assigned spots. It feels like a small, sweet rebellion, and I treasure these moments of spontaneity.

Whenever Xander and I sit close to each other, we have this adorable habit of intertwining our legs under the desk. We stay like that for the entire lecture, our legs tangled together in a comforting embrace. It's our little secret, a silent connection that makes the class more bearable and a lot more enjoyable. There is this one time when I have to use the washroom urgently. As I get up without being able to tell him, his face is a picture of confusion and disappointment. His eyes widen, and he almost pouts, looking so adorably forlorn that I have to stifle a laugh. I feel a pang of guilt for breaking our leg embrace so abruptly.

On days when he sits on the last bench and I'm on the second-last, he has this endearing habit of drawing little shapes on my shoulders with his fingers. It feels like our secret language, a series of gentle, fleeting touches that convey more than words ever could. Each touch sends a shiver down my spine and makes my heart flutter. It's our way of staying connected even when we can't talk.

Xander is also quite the jealous type, though I find it rather endearing. Once, one of the girls in class who sits beside him mentioned a guy with me just for fun. The guy in question is actually my older cousin, but Xander doesn't know that. He gets so visibly upset and jealous that I have to send Ian, to calm him down and explain the situation. Seeing him so protective and possessive makes me realize just how deeply he cares about me. It also makes me question why I even put up with such teasing from my friends, but deep down, I know they mean no harm.

One of the most memorable moments is when we are all invited to a guy's birthday party from our class. Boys and girls are mingling, playing games, and having fun. Lorna, Amelia, and I are in our own little world, joking around and messing with each other. Suddenly, Lorna and Amelia get this ridiculous idea to push me onto Xander. They succeed, and I land right on his lap. He looks ecstatic, his eyes lighting up with joy, but I am too embarrassed to stay there for long. I jump up immediately, my face burning with embarrassment. To my utter disbelief, Xander thanks Lorna and Amelia for pushing me onto him. The nerve! But seeing his delighted expression makes my embarrassment worth it.

Then there is that time when our lenient teacher is absent, and we have no idea. When we find out another teacher is taking the proxy lecture, I feel a wave of disappointment wash over me. I look back towards Xander and see that he is just as upset. But he catches my eye, smiles for me, and subtly blows me a kiss. That little gesture cheers me up instantly, and I spend the entire lecture smiling and blushing, forgetting all about my initial disappointment.

Our class teacher, known for her stern demeanour, once starts rearranging everyone's seats. She is going on about how talkative we all are and decides it is time for a change. I am quietly doing my work when she suddenly calls my name, "Violet, go and sit beside Alexander." My heart skips a beat. She turns to Xander next, "Don't trouble Violet." The entire class chimes in, "Yes, Alex, don't trouble Violet." Then, after a pause, she adds, "But you know, Violet will handle you, right?" The class erupts in agreement, "Yes, ma'am, Violet will handle it." I am trying so hard to keep a straight face as I pack up my things, but a small smile keeps threatening to break through. Just as I am about to walk over to sit beside Xander, the teacher changes her mind. She asks another girl to sit beside him and tells me to sit elsewhere. I feel my spirits plummet, and I can see the disappointment in Xander's eyes too. But I keep my expression neutral for his sake, knowing he will be upset by this small change as well.

Despite these little hiccups, my days are going well, and I am truly grateful for it. Each of these moments, no matter how small, adds a special touch to our growing bond. Our silent conversations, the intertwining of our legs, the little drawings on my shoulder, his jealousy, and the playful moments at parties all come together to paint a picture of a relationship that is both innocent and deeply meaningful. I cherish these moments, each one a testament to the sweet, unexpected journey we're on together.

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