Chapter 19 - Innocent bystander

~Tesla University, women's dorm~

When Sarah woke up on Monday, she checked her phone and saw notifications that comments are made for her code review requests. She opened code review details, and noticed the comments are long. 'I can check them out during breakfast', she thought.

Sarah got ready for the day and headed to cafeteria for breakfast.

~Tesla University, cafeteria~

Sarah was eating breakfast while looking at the comments Aiden made for her code review requests. She was surprised that he provided detailed analysis, and in few places suggested using different coding patterns. So far, she didn't see anyone putting more than "It's OK" as a comment, if they even bothered to do a code review and comment on it. She was astonished that she was looking at suggestions for different approaches to the solution that works! This was new for her. 'No wonder he is one of top students', she thought. 'It will be interesting to exchange ideas with him'. Sarah could only acknowledge that the more she gets to know him, the more interesting he finds him.

Deep in her thoughts, Sarah didn't realize that someone took a seat next to her. Aiden's "Hi" startled her.

"Hi", she exhaled while convincing herself that her increasing heart rate is because she got startled.

"I'm looking at your suggestions. Very detailed. I'm impressed." Sarah is an honest person, and if someone deserved the compliment, she will give it.

"Uhm, thanks", he was not sure how to respond to the sudden praise.

Sarah turned her laptop so that he can see the screen and started explaining, "Here I'm prioritizing speed over space, and pattern you suggested would prioritize space. Since this is in the middle layer, I believe that speed takes priority...", she was addressing his comments, one by one.

Aiden was surprised that she sounds like a professional. 'Sarah knows what she is talking about.' Few seconds later, Aiden realized that he is struggling to hear what she is saying. He was distracted by her expression: serious and focused on the content she discussed. He was distracted by her slender fingers which pointed toward code on the screen she wanted him to look at. He was distracted by her voice which he found to be even and soothing. And her lips… lips which are very inviting. He wondered how it would feel to touch those lips.

When Sarah finished talking, Aiden realized that he missed more than half of what she said because he was lost in his thoughts. He cleared his throat. "Add those comments as part of code review, so that we have a record of why these decisions are made", he was happy that he thought of that. With this, he can just read later about what he missed.

"Of course!", Sarah smiled. "I will work on this tonight. Looking at my schedule, it will be tight to finish by end of this week, how I planned, but I think it's OK if it ends up taking few days of next week."

"Don't you have some free time in your class schedule?", Aiden asked.

"I have, but on Tuesday afternoon I want to go shopping", Sarah said. "Christmas is coming, and I didn't get any presents"

"I will join you", Aiden said abruptly.

Sarah hesitated. Not because she didn't want him to come, but his statement surprised her. 'Shouldn't he ask if he can join? He just announced that he will tag along', In next moment, she remembered her though from last night: 'It would be nice to pick presents with Aiden'. She smiled, nodding, "OK".

He was happy to see that she didn't reject him, and that he will get another chance to spend time with her, outside school setting. "It's almost time for lesson to start. Let's go", he said.

They went together to their AM lecture.

...

After their morning class they came back to cafeteria for lunch. During lunch, Sarah asked Aiden, "You know this area, right? Is there a shopping facility where I can get these things?", she showed him her phone with a list of Christmas gifts.

He looked at it for a while, and then said, "There is a mall close to downtown. I'm not much into shopping, but I think you can get most things from your list there. Mall has different shops and restaurants. We can have lunch there also."

"Great, let's go there tomorrow", she was satisfied.

At that time Vivian approached them, limping, and Gabriel was supporting her with his arm around her waist. Gabriel nodded towards Sarah and Aiden as a greeting, then he carefully helped Vivian sit at the table, and went to get lunch for both.

"What happened?", Sarah asked Vivian, obviously concerned.

"Can you believe how clumsy I am? I didn't watch where I was rushing. I ended up bumping into Gabriel, and sprained my ankle", Vivian said with pain in her eyes while Gabriel was leaving. When he was further away, Vivian turned towards Sarah and could not hide smirk on her face.

"Oh, how clumsy." Sarah said while squinting her eyes, and then whispered to Vivian, "Just don't forget which ankle you sprained."

Vivian responded in a quiet voice, "Definitely a man who saves damsel in distress". She was so happy that she could not hide her wide smile.

"Is this an injury that will last for a while?", Sarah asked Vivian.

"Who knows?", Vivian said while turning towards Gabriel.

"If this thing works, you owe me one", Sarah told Vivian.

Vivian smiled at Sarah and nodded before turning her gaze back to Gabriel.

Aiden was observing all this, speechless.

Gabriel returned with two trays, one for him and one for Vivian.

As he was placing trays on the table, Vivian told Sarah, "As long as I don't move, it's fine. But when I move my leg, it hurts a lot".

"I told you to go to the hospital to check it out.", Gabriel was worried. "We can still go. I will take you".

"No need. I know nothing is broken. It's not my first time with a sprained ankle. It will be fine in few days, as long as I don't strain my leg.", Vivian explained with pained expression. "We only have few more days of lessons; I don't want to miss them"

"Hm", Gabriel nodded, as he approves of this decision, "Let me know when you want to move, and I can support you"

"That is very sweet of you, thank you", Vivian responded in a soft voice, appearing embarrassed.

Sarah had difficulty keeping a straight face and focused on her lunch. After few minutes she asked Vivian, "Looks painful, will you be able to attend class in the afternoon?"

"I just need help getting there. Sitting is not a problem", Vivian explained.

"I see", Sarah said in a quiet voice.

"I will support you", Gabriel reminded Vivian.

"Thank you", Vivian responded in a weak voice.

Sarah felt that she can't hold her laughter in, so she abruptly stood up, "I think I'm done with my lunch, I will go and return my tray".

"I will join you", Aiden quickly added and went after Sarah.

After returning the trays, they lingered next to vending machines.

"She owes you one? What was that?", Aiden asked.

"I didn't tell her to fake an injury, if that's what you are implying.", Sarah responded with sincerity, but her wide smile showed that there is something hidden behind her reply.

"Why did you make me an accomplice?", Aiden accused Sarah. He was not angry. He enjoyed this situation. It made him feel that there is a secret they are sharing, and it's bringing them closer to each other.

Sarah looked him in the eyes without a trace of guilt. "An accomplice? More like an innocent bystander. You don't need to do anything. Just don't expose her. On the bright side, you can always use this as a leverage later, if needed.", Sarah looked towards Vivian and Gabriel, "In this case, a white lie can push things along. Also, I have a feeling that even if Gabriel finds out about this being fake, he will not be upset. He got a great excuse to get close to her."

"Hmm", Aiden seemed to agree with Sarah. He also looked towards Vivian and Gabriel, and after few seconds his gaze went back to Sarah. She was watching Vivian and Gabriel interact with a smile on her face. Aiden observed Sarah's profile quietly, engraving every curve into his mind.

Sarah turned to Aiden and met with his keen gaze. 'Was he looking at me all this time?' That thought made her feel happy and nervous at the same time. "We should go and get out stuff. AI lesson will start soon."