The one day he stayed

You, Me And The Broken Scale Model

“No,” he said way too quickly. “I just don’t think we should objectify faculty.”

“Oh please,” she teased, “you’re just mad he’s hotter than you.”

Yuvi scoffed. “I’m not mad. I’m just confused why you'd want to be scolded.”

“I’m saying,” she leaned closer, whispering theatrically, “if he says ‘Vanya, where’s your model?’ with that tone and jawline—I'd say ‘Sir, I lost it on purpose.’”

He turned to face her, clearly annoyed but hiding a grin. “Wow. You're down bad.”

She shrugged unapologetically. “It is what it is.”

Yuvi leaned in too, eyes narrowing. “Then don’t come crying to me when you actually do lose your model.”

Vanya bit her lip to hide a smile. “Jealousy looks good on you, Yuvi.”

His jaw ticked, but he smirked. “You haven’t even seen me pissed yet.”

Their knees brushed under the table, and Vanya felt that tiny, annoying jolt again. She looked away first.

Later that afternoon, as they continued working, Yuvi couldn’t help but notice the new faculty walking past Vanya’s table again. Her gaze followed him, her eyes practically sparkling.

Yuvi was starting to feel that all-too-familiar frustration. He kept his head down, pretending to be absorbed in his work. But when he heard Vanya laugh a little too loudly at something the faculty said, his irritation flared.

With a deep breath, he stood up and moved closer to her. Without thinking, he placed his hand on her shoulder, the touch more firm than intended. “Hey, focus on your work,” he said, his tone playful but edged with something possessive.

Vanya blinked, looking up at him in surprise. She opened her mouth to retort, but before she could, the new faculty walked past their table again, catching her attention once more.

Yuvi’s eyes narrowed. “Are you really gonna let him walk around like that, or are you gonna start paying attention to something that actually matters?”

She rolled her eyes but couldn’t hide the smile that tugged at the corner of her lips. “Relax, Yuvi. He’s not my type.”

His fingers tightened just slightly on her shoulder. “I’m just saying, you shouldn’t be so distracted. I don’t want to see that.”

She finally turned fully to face him, her eyebrows raised in mock surprise. “What’s the matter? Jealous?”

Yuvi’s eyes glinted. “Maybe. So, if you're done ogling the faculty, you want to go get some coffee?”

The next day in class, they were all gathered around the professor’s desk, discussing a group project. Vanya found herself chatting casually with the new faculty again, and Yuvi, who had been quiet for most of the discussion, couldn't stand it anymore.

Vanya laughed, her voice light and carefree, and Yuvi felt something in him snap. He casually slid into the group, positioning himself directly between her and the faculty, just enough to block her view.

“Anything interesting, Vanya?” he asked, a mischievous grin curling his lips as he nudged her side. His knee brushed against hers under the desk.

She shot him a look, annoyed but amused. “What are you doing?”

He leaned closer, his tone low and teasing, “I think you’ve had enough of the scolding teacher for one day.”

Vanya looked at him, her heart racing a little. But she couldn’t stop herself from teasing him back. “You’re so possessive, Yuvi. Who knew?”

He grinned, leaning closer still, his breath warm on her ear. “What can I say? I don’t like sharing.”

Just as the faculty began speaking again, Yuvj casually rested his hand on her thigh, a move so casual it almost seemed like nothing. But Vanya’s breath hitched, and she froze, her heart pounding in her chest. She looked up at him in surprise, but he didn’t look at her—he was focused on the lecture, his hand still resting there as if it was nothing.

Vanya swallowed, trying to ignore the heat that spread across her skin. She knew it was his way of showing something, but she couldn’t quite place what.

Later, as the lecture ended, everyone was packing up their things. Vanya was talking to Anitta and Asmita when Yuvi joined them, casually dropping into their conversation. He was just in time to hear Vanya laughing loudly at something Anitta had said.

Yuvi, suddenly feeling the familiar stir of jealousy, leaned against the wall, arms crossed.

Just then, she noticed how the faculty was about to leave, and, still teasing him, she in direction of her professor and said under her breath, “Sir, I think you need to scold me more. I’d do anything to get your attention.”

Yuvi, hearing that, immediately stiffened. “That’s crossing a line, Vanya,” he muttered, stepping in closer, his voice low and possessive again. “If anyone's gonna scold you, it's gonna be me. Got it?”

Vanya met his gaze and, in a rare moment of defiance, shrugged. “We’ll see about that.”