CHAPTER 65: NOTICED!

The sun was high in the sky as the students gathered outside the science museum, their voices a lively buzz after the long bus ride. The museum loomed before them, its glass facade reflecting the bright daylight, and the group was buzzing with anticipation for the tour.

Jace lingered a few steps behind, his eyes fixed on Elias, his mind still reeling from their confrontation by the bus.

’Elias could fall in love with me,’ he thought, Rowan’s words looping in his head, fueling a mix of hope and frustration.

A young man in a crisp museum staff jacket approached the group, his easy smile and confident stride drawing immediate attention. "Hey, everyone, I’m Ethan," he said, his voice clear and friendly. "I’ll be your guide for the tour today. We’ve got a lot to cover... robotics, space exhibits, medical tech... so stick close and feel free to ask any questions."

The students, particularly the Betas, were instantly smitten. A girl near the front giggled, nudging her friend.

"He’s cute," she whispered, loud enough for others to hear. A guy in the back called out, "Yo, Ethan, you got a girlfriend?"

Ethan laughed, his eyes crinkling with amusement. "I know I said you could ask any questions but let’s keep the questions about the exhibits, alright?" he said, but his tone sounded light and cheerful, not scolding. The students chuckled, undeterred, and the professor, Dr Harris, stepped forward.

"Focus, please," she said, her voice firm. "This is an educational trip, not a dating show."

The students laughed again, and Ethan grinned, clearly used to the attention. He led the group inside, starting the tour with a display of robotic arms assembling circuit boards. Some students, including Elias, hung back, their notebooks open, jotting down details about the exhibit. Elias wasn’t here for fun... he needed the credit, and he wanted to make sure he didn’t miss anything important. Ethan noticed him writing, his brows lifting with interest.

"Hey, you there," Ethan said, pointing at Elias. "What’s that arm doing right now?"

Elias froze, his pen pausing mid-sentence. He glanced up, his cheeks warming as every eye turned to him.

"Uh... It’s assembling a circuit board," he said, his voice quiet but clear. "It’s programmed to follow a specific pattern for efficiency."

Ethan nodded, impressed. "Exactly. And what’s the main advantage of using robotics for this kind of work?"

Elias hesitated, then answered, "Speed and precision. They reduce human error and can work faster than manual labour."

"Spot on," Ethan said, smiling. "What’s your name?"

"Elias Kane," Elias replied, his voice barely above a whisper, his eyes darting to the floor.

"Nice work, Elias," Ethan said, his tone encouraging. "Keep those notes tight. You’re gonna ace this." He moved on, continuing the tour, but Elias felt the weight of the attention linger. He tucked his notebook closer, trying to focus.

Rowan, walking beside him, leaned in, his voice low.

"Man, I didn’t know you were that smart. You’re like, secretly a genius or something."

Elias rolled his eyes, a small smile tugging at his lips. "You never asked."

Rowan chuckled, nudging his shoulder. "Fair point. I’ve got to start asking you more questions, then."

Elias shook his head, but the light banter eased some of his tension. The watch on his wrist which was silenced during the tour, felt like a ticking reminder of his vulnerability.

Jace trailed a few steps behind, his hands stuffed in his pockets, his jaw tight. He hated how easily Rowan and Elias got along, how Rowan could make Elias smile without trying.

’Why can’t I do that?’ he thought, his frustration growing. Every laugh, every casual word between them felt like a jab to his chest. He didn’t want to look jealous, but the sight of them together was driving him up the wall.

The tour continued through the museum’s exhibits... space exploration, medical advancements, and interactive displays. Ethan kept the group engaged, answering questions.

The Beta students, male and female alike, kept teasing him, asking about his personal life whenever they got the chance. "Come on, Ethan, you didn’t answer! Got a girlfriend or not?" a girl called out, grinning.

Ethan laughed, shaking his head. "You guys are relentless. Let’s just say I’m married to my job, okay?" The students groaned playfully, and even Dr Harris cracked a smile.

As the tour wrapped up, the group gathered outside the museum, standing in front of the buses. Ethan approached Elias, holding out a business card.

"Hey, Elias," he said, with a warm smile. "You seem like you’ve got a good head on your shoulders. If you ever want to work here... internship, part-time, whatever... give me a call."

Elias blinked, taking the card with a shy nod. "Thanks," he said, slipping it into his pocket. "I’ll... think about it."

Ethan clapped him on the shoulder.

"Good deal. Take care." He waved to the group, and the students called out their goodbyes, some still giggling about his charm.

Dr Harris stepped forward, addressing the group. "Alright, everyone, I hope you learned something today. Any thoughts?"

The students chorused, "Yes!" Some shouted out specific exhibits... robots, the planetarium... while others just nodded. Dr Harris’s eyes landed on Elias, and she gave him a thumbs-up. "Nice work today, Elias. Keep it up."

Elias managed a small smile, his cheeks warming again.

’I never thought I was going to gain the professor’s attention. It’s so good to be noticed by her,’

Dr Harris began the roll call again to make sure that all the students were present and the students piled back onto the bus, ready for the next leg of the trip. Elias settled into his seat, this time by the window, with Rowan in the middle and Mia on the aisle. Jace, who was still a few rows back, was watching as Elias leaned against the window, his bag clutched tightly.

"Is he asleep? Is he tired? Should I text him? But what if he doesn’t answer? Shit!" He grunted as he picked up his phone and slammed it on his lap again. He doesn’t know what to do.