The classroom was instantly filled with the clashing of tables, chairs and benches, but like a reflex, I accurately located the sound of him pulling up a chair in the noise.
My secret is hidden in this public tranquility. I pretended to pick up a pen and peeked at his lowered profile; pretending to think, I traced the outline of his school uniform with my peripheral vision.
I thought that this secret prying in full view would continue until graduation.
Until one time, when I was "routinely" looking around, he raised his head without warning, his gaze traveled across half of the classroom, and accurately caught my sight that I had no time to dodge.
He didn't speak, he just mouthed three words clearly to me:
"Have you seen enough?"
My world roared in the silence of the public self-study class. Until the note reached my desk.
I lowered my eyes and saw that on the paper was a small heart shape that he had unconsciously dug out with his fingernails.
My heart, which is accustomed to order and rules, was out of rhythm for the first time.
Mission: Be a beacon for each other and move forward together.