Serena checked herself in the mirror wearing her school uniform satisfied. When Beatrice got it for her last Friday, she tried it on excitedly only to be disappointed. So, she altered it a little so that the skirt falls three inches above her knees. Although it was a little short, it made her legs look longer. Besides, she has seen girls donning shorter ones during the assembly. She also had to taper her blazer so that it fits her perfectly.
When Serena reached the lobby, she saw Milly, Gizel and Via waiting for her.
"I see that some of us had the same thing in mind." Gizel said as she observed that she, Serena and Milly all altered their uniform.
"and I see that I'm the only one who was not informed." Via joked good naturedly.
The four of them laughed while they walked towards the main building.
Last night, the boys dropped Serena and Milly to the ladies' dorm directly after dinner as they still have classes the next day. They met Gizel and Via at the lobby when they arrived. They then went inside her room to gossip. They talked about what they did the last two days, Serena also told them about her relationship with Charlton. She thought that it was better to tell it to them directly. First, it will be quite difficult to hide it from them. Second, it will only make things awkward in the future and they might even feel left out. Third, this will make them closer. Lastly, they can even help her and become her accomplice. The girls were surprised but decided to support her.
As it was still early, they didn't meet a lot of people on the way to their classroom. Thus, Serena was pleasantly surprised when she saw Charlton leaning beside the railing of the stairs, as if waiting for her. He was reading a book, or at least pretending to, looking very much like the Adonis he was. She saw him raise his eyes, as if searching for someone. Then, their eyes met. She couldn't stop the smile blooming on her face. She didn't expect that he will be the one setting up their 'unexpected' encounter.
Charlton's eyes lit up when he saw Serena. He couldn't stop the upturn of his lips. Anyone who could see his face now would obviously know that he was very much love-struck.
"Good morning Ms. Serena, Ms. Milly, and friends." Charlton said as he approached them.
"We'll see you later in class" Milly said as she and the girls smiled at them knowingly.
"They know?" Charlton asked when the girls left.
Serena nodded. "Well, they're my friends and it will be difficult to hide it from them. Why? Are you upset?"
"Of course not. If I could, I would want to shout out to the whole world that this girl, who is also the most beautiful girl in the whole empire, is mine." Charlton said with a winning smile.
"You and your sweet mouth." Serena said, wanting to kiss him.
"I'm just telling the truth."
Serena giggled "anyway, what is it you wanted to tell me?"
"Can't I just want to see my girlfriend? By the way, your uniform suits you. But isn't the skirt a bit short?"
"I've prepared this just for you. Don't you like it?" Serena said naughtily.
"Well, I do admit that you look very beautiful in it, and damn sexy too."
"but?"
"Don't interpret this the wrong way, it's just that I don't like the idea of other men looking at you with their lecherous eyes."
"No offense taken, but I'm not wearing this for them. It's just that wearing it this way makes me feel pretty." Serena explained.
"Okay, so long as you're happy. I'll just settle with me thinking of poking all their eyes out." Charlton said with a laugh.
"Now, seriously, why are you here?"
"I just wanted to see you because I missed you. I also wanted to see my girlfriend wearing the school uniform for the first time. But now that I saw you in that, I can't help but wonder if, you know, we can meet in the private room later."
Serena giggled at his smoothness, "Well, I have this assignment which I haven't managed to do just yet. So, I have to work on it later."
Charlton frowned, then tentatively asked "How about I help you with it?"
"Okay, meet me in the library after class." Serena said suggestively.
Charlton's imagination suddenly skyrocketed as he smiled like an idiot.
Seeing more people arriving, Charlton sent Serena to her classroom which was just beside the stairs. "I'll see you later."
Serena smiled at him and nodded in response.
—
The day passed excruciatingly slow for Serena. She was just in her second class and she can't already help but yawn. The class was mathematics, and basic algebra was just too easy for her. It didn't help that their teacher, Mr. Sullivan, taught like he's teaching toddlers just because they were girls.
"Very good Miss Evans, please be seated." The teacher said, quite satisfied that someone understood his lesson. "Now let's move to the next example." Then he wrote on the board.
3x +2= 11
"Now, can anyone volunteer to go to the board and solve this question?" he asked.
No one raised their hand to answer.
"It's just our second class and I can already feel my brain bleeding." Gizel who sat beside Serena whispered.
Serena turned to face her thinking 'Seriously?'.
"What?"
Serena had to sigh. She recalled that these girls were just encountering this subject for the first time.
In her era, basic algebra was taught to 1st year high school students. She, although not a genius, graduated with a master's degree from one of the best universities in their country. So, there must be a huge disparity between her and their notion of difficulty for each subject.
Not wanting to offend her friend, Serena just smiled and nodded. "All subjects are difficult when you're encountering them for the first time. I've tried studying this subject before, so if you don't understand the concept, maybe I can help you."
"Gee… thanks Serena, you're the best!"
"Ms. Morris and Ms. Maxwell, mind sharing with the class what you deign so important that you're not paying attention?" the teacher called them.
"Nothing Sir, we're just wondering how to solve the question." Serena not wanting to upset the teacher said.
"Okay then, Ms. Maxwell, would you please come forward and try solving this for us?"
Serena not having a choice stood up from her seat and approached the board.
