Subtlety

As Mr. Weatherby droned on, and the class took notes, Mary-Kate subconsciously began toying with her flip-flops. For a fan of shoeplay, it was a delectable sight, her petite, pedicured feet gracefully sliding them around, dangling them, and generally putting on a show. As she focused on a particular part of the lecture, her feet came to rest just behind her shoes.

A few seats down, a young man named Mike sat. He was a slightly nerdy guy, with short brown hair and muddy brown eyes. All in all, Mike was rather average. He'd fantasized about Mary-Kate for the last year or so, but never managed to work up the courage to actually talk to her. Today, like any other day, Mike sat, juggling taking notes with stealing glances down the way at her, running through all the different ways he'd approach her, trying to find it in himself to do so.

The bell finally rang, signalling the end of Mr. Weatherby's monotonous drone. Mary-Kate grabbed her materials, and padded out of the lecture hall. As she stepped into the hall with the rest of her classmates, she felt the rough carpet of the lecture hall turn to the cool tile of the hallway beneath her bare soles. She shook her head slightly, confused. She rarely went barefoot outside of her room, never mind to classes. How had she forgotten shoes, and not noticed until now?

She glanced at her phone, and saw she had only a few minutes to get to her next lecture. She wouldn't have time to go back to her room for a while, as her lectures were basically back-to-back until mid-afternoon. She'd just have to make do. Shaking her head again, she hurried on her way.

Mike had taken a few moments to gather his things, enough time for most of the class to leave. It wasn't that he hated people, it was simply the effect Mary-Kate had on him, one which **** him to adjust himself before he could leave the room. Having done so, he picked his books up, and turned to leave, then paused as he saw Mary-Kate's abandoned flip-flops lying on the floor. "That's odd. Why did she leave them here?" As he looked at them, a lightning bolt of inspiration struck him. He could use them as an ice-breaker! He picked them up, then realized he had no idea where her next class was. He usually passed her early in the afternoon, though. He'd just have to wait for then. He tucked her shoes into his pack, and headed to his next class, still puzzling over why she had left them laying there.