She showed no reaction over him taking her phone, except leaning forward in curiosity. Her phone was bare. Notifications from group chats, some one-on-one chat here and there, but they were all lighthearted. She did not go through a cringe phase, as she minded her reputation too much to show any overt expression on any of her social media accounts. There was no deep conversation. No notepad with secret poems nor lamentation. She was too busy for that. Perhaps the closest to a glimpse of her personality were the photos she took of sceneries, restaurants, and cafes she had been to.
Even if he was to take away her phone right then, Alexandria had no memory in it to salvage. She would simply buy a new one and redownload the files she deemed necessary, all was already backed up.
She received her phone back and checked it curiously. "Perfect," she said, staring at the contact. "Helios Vieyra, sophomore, Summer High." She saved it. What an unexpected development of the day. It was something she hadn't even fantasized about.
The girl watched Helios brushing his hair back and filed the scene on a folder in her mind.
~
She immediately tensed up when Helios suddenly grabbed her wrist. Her skin was cold from just washing her hand earlier. His sudden body heat made her recoil as she snapped her dark gaze into Helios.
The rare gentle warmth that had enveloped her for a little while vanished as Alexandria's expression pulled into her default pleasantries. Even if Helios hadn't warned her, she wouldn't have told anyone. It was her business and his, and Alexandria wasn't the type to freely spill information about herself. There was nothing to be gained from it.
"Very well. I have my requests as well."
She leaned back to her usual sitting posture, withdrawing her interest from him. She did not try to take her wrist away from him, as if it was not even worth the trouble.
"One, let's not interact anywhere else but here. Especially something like what you did today in class. I am not fond of the attention your actions have brought to me. The attention might be fun for you, but I'd rather stay out of spotlight. We will simply ignore each other, as we always have. Should be very easy to do."
She paused, waiting for him to process it.
"Two, I'd appreciate it if you do not ever touch me again. There is also something called personal space, let us stay out of each other's. Or do you have a problem with that?"
Her tone was pleasant and formal, as if she was a customer service explaining the terms of service. Her expresionless eyes pored into him, taking in his minute expression. She tore away her eyes from him, checking the time in her phone. About time she leave.
"There is no need for threats, Helios. We can simply talk to each other like grown people. As you now know, I keep to my responsibilities," her tone lowered, daring him to disagree, "I keep to my word."