Wrong answer

Alex’s partner’s eyes lose a bit of sparkle.

“I see,” the partner said hesitatingly.

Even as they both try to talk, their conversation dies and they’re left to your own devices (literally) as the teacher takes their own sweet time. The teacher then calls out to change partners and this continues for the rest of the period.

That first impression didn’t stick well to Alex’s first partner and you never really got close to them. There may be more fish in the sea, however that could have been a good moment to gain a friend.

The end.

Maybe you should have been more careful with what you say to avoid the False-consensus Effect. Not everyone necessarily  agrees with what you say.

Try again?