Notices him immediately because heβs alwaysβ¦ studying. Always. Even in the cafeteria, heβs scribbling furiously in his notebook or reading some obscure political treatise.
At first, she thinks heβs super uptight and maybe a little insufferable.
But she quickly notices: heβs meticulous, disciplined, and doesnβt waste energy on nonsense. She respects that immediately.
Also lowkey amused by the way he reacts to bullies, like how he mutters profanities under his breath or threatens them with his sharp tongue.
Notices her because sheβs composed, observant, and doesnβt make a peep about the chaos around her.
Thinks sheβsβ¦ slightly intimidating? In a calm, unassuming way. He respects that she doesnβt feel the need to prove anything.
Intrigued by her quiet confidence, itβs different from the preps or jocks he usually notices.
Marianne grounds him. If Cecilβs panicking over homework, sheβs the calm voice that says: βItβs fine, youβll manage.β
Cecil intrigues her. Sheβs used to people being loud, chaotic, or cliquey, Cecil is none of those things.
Both are observers. Both analyze quietly. Both have standards.
Marianne likes that he canβt be impressed easily, Cecil likes that she doesnβt feel the need to be impressed at all.
Cecil notices her occasionally checking what heβs writing or making notes in her own methodical way.
Marianne might ask tiny questions about grammar, literature, or even obscure politics just to tease him.
Cecil hates mess. Marianne quietly notices the way he rearranges his tray, wipes crumbs off the table, and mutters βcβest la vieβ whenever someone bumps into him.
She thinks itβs adorable in a very dry, amused way.
Marianneβs calm, efficient walking style impresses him. She doesnβt flinch at jocks bumping into her or chaos around school.
Sometimes she notices him muttering under his breath at bullies and quietly rolls her eyes at him in amusement.
Marianne might lightly tease him about his obsession with neatness:
Marianne: βDo you ever justβ¦ let things be messy?β
Cecil: βDo you ever justβ¦ try not to be ridiculous?β
This becomes a recurring, playful exchange.
She notices his little quirks: black coffee in the library, bandaged fingers, meticulously organized books. She may even casually comment:
Marianne: βThatβs a lot of books for one person. You planning on opening your own library?β
Cecil: dryly βI already have one. And itβs perfect.β
He notices her quirks too: calm, observant, efficient. He silently appreciates her reliability, while she quietly enjoys his straight to the point sarcasm.
Marianne: leans back in her chair, smirking βDo you ever take breaks, or is this all day, every day?β
Cecil: doesnβt look up βBreaks are inefficient. Time spent idle is time wasted.β
Marianne: βHmm. That explains the bandages on your fingers. You write so much your hands revolt.β
Cecil: finally glances at her, deadpan βThey didnβt revolt. They justβ¦ protested silently. Unlike some people who protest vocally over trivial matters.β
Marianne: raises an eyebrow βOuch. Harsh. Iβm guessing thatβs aimed at me?β
Cecil: βPartially. Mostly at people who think reading a few pages of a novel is sufficient preparation for life.β
Marianne: laughs quietly, covering it with her sleeve βTouchΓ©. But you know, life isnβt only about preparation. Sometimes itβs aboutβ¦ chaos.β
Cecil: snorts softly, muttering under his breath βChaos is overrated.β
Marianne: leans forward, smirking βOverrated, huh? Thatβs funny, coming from someone who spends 90% of his day avoiding it.β
Cecil: adjusts his glasses βI prefer the termβ¦ strategically minimized.β
Marianne: βStrategically minimized, got it. You do realize you sound exactly like a politician when you say that, right?β
Cecil: tilts his head βThen perhaps you should run for office, Msβ¦?β
Marianne: grins βMarianne. And no, thank you. Iβd rather not waste my energy on nonsense speeches.β
Cecil: smirks slightly, almost impressed βFair. Most people would have argued that point by now. Youβ¦ donβt. Interesting.β
Marianne: shrugs βI prefer observation over arguing. Works better withβ¦ people like you.β
Cecil: returns to his notebook but glances at her again, quieter this time βPeople like me?β
Marianne: βYes. People who think the world is orderly enough to plan for every single outcome. Youβd be bored with the rest of us.β
Cecil: smirks faintly, muttering softly βPerhaps. But youβ¦ you might not be so boring after all.β
Marianne: raises an eyebrow, teasing βCareful, Sinclair. You might start sounding like youβre enjoying yourself.β
Cecil: ignores her, scribbling again, but a small smile tugs at his lips
