(Jack's P.O.V.)

Last week we didn't have any math class, due to our math teacher being sick and no substitute able to come in. So we're having our first math class of the year today. And we have the same math teacher as last year, Mrs. Walter, so I'm excited to see her reaction to me being there on time. Not just on time but early! You see, I haven't been early to a class since 7th grade. Maybe on time, but it'd be RIGHT on time. 

So the entire time Mrs. Walter has known me, I've always been at least three minutes late, and then I wouldn't pay attention to anything we were doing. This year I promised Mark I'd actually be there on time, I would pay attention to the lesson, I wouldn't use my phone in class, and that I'd be respectful to all my classmates and teachers. That last one might be a little difficult. 

And when it comes to paying attention, yeah it'll make everyone feel better, but I already know all of this stuff! Especially when it comes to math. Some might say I'm a prodigy or something, I just know I have a knack for remembering facts. We're arriving to class ten minutes early, much to my demise. Mark said we don't have to come this early everyday, just today so we can get the desks we want. Aka, the same desks we had last year. 

Mark wanted me to sit next to him, but I still love my window. I wanted Mark to sit next to me, but for some reason he seems to be emotionally attached to that corner. I don't really mind. I can still see him whenever I look out the window. I walk into the classroom with Mark, hand in hand, and we walk to the back corner, adopting the desks as ours. After doing so and getting our things out for math, I turn around so we can talk for a bit. 

"Hi." I say, smiling. Mark smiles back. 

"Hi." He says. 

"How're you?" I ask. He just shrugs a bit and nods. 

"Pretty good. You?" He asks then. I nod. 

"I'm doing well, thank you. Looking forward to dealing with Mrs. Walter this year?" I ask. He just groans at this and puts his head on the desk, making me laugh. Soon he laughs too, and we're just two laughing idiots yet again. Once we calm down however Mark nods. 

"I think it's more the fact that I don't want to deal with the homework cause I want more time with you. It isn't actually Mrs. Walter that's a problem for me." He says. I nod slowly, understanding where he's coming from. I agree with the homework part but not with the Mrs. Walter part. 

"I just don't like her. That's one reason I was always listening to my music." I say, shrugging. He nods in return, also understanding where I'm coming from. Mark and I continue to talk for around five minutes until the bell rings, signaling the start of class. 

With one last smile, I turn around in my seat, facing the board and Mrs. Walter's desk. Only three seconds later does the said teacher walk into the room. 

"Good morning class." She says. A few students say good morning, most people just grumble, and a few (including me) just stay silent. Mrs. Walter looks at the ground as she walks in, and then sits at her desk and gets out her attendance book. "I apologize for not being here last week. Medical issues. Alright, attendance." 

And then she lists names in alphabetical order. At some point she calls Mark's name, in which he replies with "here". And then comes the fateful time when she quietly groans and grumbles "Mr. McLoughlin?" Everyone in the class turns to me as I smile and raise my hand. 

"Here." I say. Mrs. Walter's head shoots up, staring at me with wide eyes. Exactly the reaction I was expecting considering the fact that in the three years she's known me I've never been to class on time, with all my math stuff out, and my phone put away. 

"Oh." Is all she manages to say, earning a few giggles from the class. I just smile, looking at her expectantly. After a few moments she gets past her surprise and continues on with attendance. Then she moves onto the lesson, which I pay attention to happily. 

She glances at me every once and a while, making sure I'm still here and paying attention. And every time I see the same hint of shock. I can't help but be proud of myself for it, and laugh because of how shocked she is. Eventually, she turns to the class after asking if anyone knew the answer and sighs when she finds that no one has their hand raised. So, she turns to me. 

"Mr. McLoughlin, do you know the answer?" I ask. I nod, smiling slightly. 

"It's 28 Mrs. Walter." I say kindly and respectfully. She nods, slightly shocked but not much. 

"Correct." She says and continues with the lesson. I just smile and pay attention, though I don't want too. I just want class to be over so I can talk to Mark on our way to our next class. Eventually, class does finish. Mark and I walk out of the classroom and down the hall. It's silent for a minute. Until... 

"How the hell did you get 28?" Mark asks. I laugh, surprised with the question. 

"What do you mean?" I ask. He shakes his head. 

"I was almost positive I got the equation right, but I got -4." He says. I nod slowly. 

"I know what you did wrong." I say. He looks at me hopefully. I smile. "Negative 8 and positive 8 cancel each other out." I say. Mark groans and face palms at this, making me laugh more. 

"Ugh! Of course! I'm such an idiot." He groans and I sigh, taking his hand. 

"You are not an idiot. I bet you can beat every other student in that class if we had a math competition." I say, swinging our arms back and forth. Mark looks at me. 

"Really?" He asks doubtfully. I look at him and smile, nodding. 

"Of course! You're the smartest person I know." I say. He smiles and kisses my cheek softly, whispering a thank you in my ear before we continue on in a comfortable silence.

A/N: Hey guys! So, updates for this are still gonna be slow but since I reached 100 followers today (again, thank you) I decided to update a chapter since I got one done. I hope you all enjoy and thanks again! <3