No, not really

You get the hint that Angel really doesn't want to talk more than she has to, so you keep your distance, staying just close enough to read the textbook.

"So, do you like math?" you ask, trying to break the ice with a bit of small talk. "Since you're taking calc and all that..."

"Oh, uh, yeah," she replies, slightly surprised by your question. "I think math is fun. It’s kind of thrilling when the concepts start to click. And I’ve always liked the satisfaction of solving problems. I think it started with puzzle nights with my parents when I was little."

You nod along, though you’re more curious about the puzzle of her hot-then-cold demeanor. As she continues, you catch glimpses of a different side of Angel. She talks about how she secretly competed as a mathlete in middle school and how she’s hoping to find a career in engineering or computer science—something that lets her keep solving problems.

"But physics is really where my heart is," she adds after a moment, her eyes brightening as she talks. "I joined the Science Olympiad because my parents wanted me to, but I ended up really liking it. Tinkering with gadgets, figuring out how things work—it’s like solving a puzzle, but with real-world stuff. And I love that."

You’re taken aback by how animated she gets when talking about physics. For someone with dyed hair and a sharp tongue, there’s an unexpected geeky side to her that’s, well, kind of cute. If you were bolder, you might even tell her that.

"Lectures can be boring, though," Angel suddenly says, as if catching herself from revealing too much. She blushes slightly, rubbing the bump on her head absentmindedly.

"So boring that you bang your head against your desk to pass the time?" you tease, unable to suppress a grin.

"Anyway," Angel interjects quickly, her cheeks flushing brighter as she tries to change the subject. "The first problem."

Before you can respond, she’s already focused on the textbook, pretending like your joke didn’t fluster her. Despite her embarrassment, you can tell that Angel isn’t someone who likes to admit when she’s caught off guard.

"Right," you say, shifting your attention back to the problem. With your head start in education—thanks to your rather unusual circumstances—you breeze through the problems quickly. As you finish, you glance at Angel, who’s still engrossed in her work.

As you sit there, a thought crosses your mind: maybe there’s more to Angel than meets the eye. Behind the tough exterior, there’s someone who’s passionate about science, loves tinkering with gadgets, and even enjoys discussing indie films in the Film Club where, as she once mentioned, she feels she can express her true self without judgment. It’s a side of her that you’re starting to find intriguing.