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

Abbott was responsible not only for the computer courses in the

in the Computer Science department

students mostly used lab computers, each student in the Computer Science department had their own high-performance laptop. Standing at the podium, Mr. Abbott announced softly, "I've reviewed

left

had been teaching them since their freshman year, and it was the first time he'd ever returned all

did something happen to you?" asked

nodded in agreement.

happen," Mr. Abbott said sternly. "I've decided to hold you to stricter standards starting today! Even

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

wasn't bad; as sophomores, they were already outperforming many seasoned professionals. In the past, Mr. Abbott would have given high marks, but now, with Flora setting such a

I understand you want to motivate us, but what you're saying sounds a

did better

up the source file Flora had worked on before and shared

"See for yourselves."

the file Mr.