Flora’s Guide to a Second Chance at Love and Life

"Did you even hear me talking?" Rafael had been rambling on for a while, but Flora didn't respond, her eyes seemingly drifting elsewhere, barely glancing at the screen. Flora was busy chatting with Connor on her computer. Hearing Rafael, she shot him a quick look. "Done talking? Then I'm hanging up."

Rafael, catching the occasional clatter of keyboard strokes from her side, asked, "What are you doing? Chatting with Connor?"

Flora nodded lazily.

Rafael's face scrunched up in accusation. "I'm talking to you, and you're not even paying attention, just chatting with him! Who's more important, him or me?"

The makeup artist nearly yanked out a chunk of Rafael's hair in surprise.

Was this the same wild and aloof Rafael they knew?

It was the first time seeing him act so childishly... like he was competing for attention.

"Hanging up."

Facing Rafael's sulky and accusing gaze, Flora calmly and indifferently ended the video call.

...

Computer

into the

was responsible not only for the computer courses in the

the Computer Science department were male, making

their own high-performance laptop. Standing at the podium, Mr. Abbott announced softly, "I've reviewed your assignments, and none of

left the students

year, and it was the first time he'd ever returned all

to you?"

students nodded in

said sternly. "I've decided to hold you to stricter standards starting today! Even the freshmen in the Medical Department are doing better than you. Aren't you

had given them was the same web page he had asked Flora to create, and out

sophomores, they were already outperforming many seasoned professionals. In the past, Mr. Abbott would have given high marks, but now,

I understand you want to motivate us,

Department did better than them? That seemed

Abbott didn't elaborate. He pulled up the source file Flora had worked on

"See for yourselves."

curiosity, the students opened the file Mr. Abbott had