The next morning, in a haze of sleep, she heard someone moving around in the living room. But she was too drowsy to wake up.

When she finally got up and headed out after freshening up, she found the table covered with three dishes, and rice still warm in the rice cooker, just needing to be heated. She had planned to text Abner, telling him not to bother cooking. After all, high school was hectic enough, and he had to get up before dawn, only to go to bed late. How could he have any energy left for classes?

Then, it hit her—she had forgotten something crucial: getting Abner a cell phone.

After wolfing down her breakfast, she hurried to the phone store and picked up a new smartphone for around $450.

Realizing she was running late for her meeting with Mark, she shot him a text.

"I'll be half an hour late."

Arriving at Abner's classroom, she saw him propping his face, attentively looking at the blackboard and occasionally jotting down notes. Shirley felt a warmth spread through her and immediately proceeded to Mr. James' office.

"Mr. James, I got Abner a phone and a SIM card. It's got my number and yours in it. Could you pass it to him later?"

James, surprised by another visit, took the phone and nodded. "Will do."

"How's Abner keeping up? Our schedules don't align, and we might not see each other for days. Plus, my translation work has been piling up."

"He aced a pop quiz yesterday, scoring above average. Given his background, I was bracing for the worst. The kid's smart and hardworking."

make sure he gets the phone and tell him to call

to his office, handed him the phone, and

"Did she leave?"

Abner, keep pushing. You're

only two saved numbers, Abner

about to leave, James added, "And eat more. Shirley

"Okay."

"You

Shirley's contact but decided to text

"Got the phone. Thanks."

and after three minutes,

*

lab. Mark pretended not to notice her, even

later, Mark appeared

evident. Men thrive on such adoration, and Mark was

slightly, but quickly regained her

if I seemed off last

rolled her eyes, surprised at Shirley's

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