The classroom buzzed with energy as students filled their seats, some still groggy from the early morning while others eagerly shared stories from their holiday break. The familiar scent of chalk and old textbooks filled the air, and the large windows allowed the pale winter sun to cast long streaks of light across the wooden floors.
Diane took her seat near the window, her fingers absentmindedly drumming against her desk. Dalian sat a few rows ahead, already engaged in quiet conversation with a classmate. Lydia, as usual, was chatting animatedly with a group of students near the back.
The door swung open, and their homeroom teacher, Mr. Collins, strode in, his sharp eyes sweeping across the room as he set his books down. The murmurs of conversation dwindled as he clapped his hands together.
"Alright, everyone, I hope you enjoyed your holidays," he said, his tone brisk yet not unkind. "But now it's time to refocus. As you all remember, before the break, we started preparing for the upcoming presentations. These will be delivered after the festival, and I expect each group to be ready."
A few groans rippled through the class, but Mr. Collins ignored them.
"Diane, Anna, and Jack," he called, scanning the seating arrangement. "Your group's topic was—remind me?"
Anna straightened in her seat. "The economic impact of traditional markets in modern society."
Jack, who had been lounging in his chair, suddenly perked up. "Right! And we planned to compare local market traditions to those in larger cities."
Diane simply nodded, feeling the weight of their project settle on her shoulders. She had almost forgotten how much work was still left to do.
"Good," Mr. Collins said. "You'll need to meet regularly to refine your arguments and divide speaking roles. The presentation should be clear, well-researched, and engaging. Remember, this isn't just about facts—it's about how you deliver them."
Diane suppressed a sigh. Public speaking had never been her strong suit.
Jack, on the other hand, grinned. "Don't worry, Mr. Collins. We've got this."
Diane shot him a glance, unimpressed by his overconfidence. He noticed and flashed her a charming smirk.
She rolled her eyes.
Mr. Collins moved on, listing the other groups and their topics. As he spoke, Diane caught movement from the corner of her eye—Dalian, stealing glances at Jack.
Diane's lips pressed into a thin line.
She would have to talk to her sister later.
As the teacher continued with the lesson, the room settled into its usual rhythm, but Diane couldn't shake the feeling that this semester was going to be… different.
The lesson carried on, but Diane found it difficult to concentrate. Her pen moved absently over her notebook, tracing the lines of an unfinished diagram. The mention of the presentation had already made her anxious, and now, Jack's lingering glances only added to the growing tension.
From the moment Mr. Collins brought up their project, Jack had been looking at her—subtly, yet persistently. She wasn't sure what annoyed her more, his confidence or the fact that he seemed completely at ease while she was already dreading their upcoming group meetings.
Across the room, Dalian sat unnaturally still, her hands folded neatly over her notebook. Her usual energy was absent, replaced by a quietness that only Diane would notice.
The moment the bell rang, signaling the end of the period, chairs scraped against the floor as students gathered their belongings. Diane tucked her books into her bag, prepared to make a swift exit, when Jack's voice stopped her.
"Diane."
She turned reluctantly. "What?"
Jack slung his bag over his shoulder, grinning. "You looked deep in thought. I hope you weren't worrying about the presentation already."
Diane huffed, adjusting the strap of her bag. "Unlike you, some of us actually take this seriously."
Jack chuckled. "Hey, I take it seriously. I just don't let it stress me out."
His easygoing attitude irritated her, but before she could reply, Anna stepped in between them, adjusting the sleeves of her sweater.
"Let's decide on a time to meet," Anna suggested. "I'd rather not cram everything last minute."
Diane nodded, grateful for the distraction. "Weekend works."
Jack made a show of sighing. "No escape, huh? Fine. Weekend it is."
Dalian had remained quiet through their conversation, but Diane caught the way her sister's gaze lingered on Jack as he turned to leave. Her fingers curled around the straps of her bag, knuckles slightly pale.
Diane exhaled slowly.
She recognized that look.
It wasn't the fleeting admiration of a simple crush—it was deeper. A quiet longing.
As they walked out of the classroom together, Dalian finally spoke. "But it seems like he's interested in you."
Diane frowned. "That's not true."
Dalian tilted her head, considering. "He kept looking at you, though."
Diane shook her head, firm. "Boys like Jack are—" She hesitated, searching for the right word. "Distracting."
Dalian's brow furrowed. "You think he's trouble?"
Diane sighed, softening slightly. "I think… you should be careful."
Dalian's expression was unreadable for a moment, then she gave a small, knowing smile. "You're just saying that because you don't like him."
Diane didn't answer.
She didn't know what frustrated her more—the fact that Jack had wormed his way into their conversations, or the fact that her sister was paying so much attention to him.
As they walked through the crowded hallways, the air between them felt heavier than before.
And Diane had a feeling this was just the beginning.
The afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting long shadows across the cafeteria tables. The lunch period buzzed with chatter—students catching up, laughing, and discussing the endless pile of assignments awaiting them.
At their usual corner table, Dalian sat across from Lydia, idly poking at her food. Diane was still in line, leaving the two of them alone.
Lydia, ever observant, tapped her fingers against the table. "Alright, out with it."
Dalian blinked. "Out with what?"
Lydia smirked. "You've been staring off into space for the past five minutes. And don't try to say it's nothing—I know that look."
Dalian hesitated, biting her lower lip. She wasn't sure how much she wanted to share, but Lydia's sharp eyes left little room for escape.
Lydia leaned in, her voice dropping slightly. "Is it about Jack?"
A flush crept up Dalian's neck. "W-What? Why would you think that?"
Lydia snorted, clearly amused. "Because I saw how you looked at him earlier." She rested her chin on her palm, grinning. "It's kind of obvious."
Dalian groaned, dropping her fork onto the tray. "It's not like that. I just… I don't know."
Lydia's expression softened. "You like him, don't you?"
Dalian opened her mouth to deny it, but the words didn't come. Instead, she sighed. "Maybe."
Lydia sat up straighter, her grin widening. "That's not a bad thing, you know."
Dalian frowned. "It kind of is. Diane already doesn't trust him. And I don't even know if he sees me that way."
Lydia waved a dismissive hand. "Diane doesn't trust any guy who so much as breathes near her. And as for Jack—just because he hasn't shown it yet doesn't mean he never will."
Dalian glanced down at her hands, fingers intertwined. "You really think so?"
Lydia nodded firmly. "I do. You just have to give it time. Besides, you're smart, pretty, and way more interesting than half the girls in this school. If he doesn't notice you now, he will eventually."
Dalian felt a small flicker of hope at Lydia's words. It wasn't much, but it was enough to make her heart feel a little lighter.
Just then, Diane approached with her tray, dropping into the seat beside them. "What are you two whispering about?"
Lydia shot Dalian a knowing look before casually responding, "Oh, nothing. Just girl talk."
Diane arched a brow but didn't push. She focused on her food, completely unaware of the quiet glance Dalian stole toward Jack's table across the room.
Hope was a fragile thing. But for the first time, Dalian let herself hold onto it.
Maybe Lydia was right. Maybe this time… it would be different.
As the lunch period ended, the sharp ring of the bell sent students scrambling to clear their trays and gather their books. The cafeteria buzzed with last-minute conversations before the rush to class began.
Dalian, Lydia, and Diane walked together through the hallway, weaving past students lingering at their lockers. Diane seemed unusually quiet, her focus elsewhere.
Lydia nudged Dalian lightly. "She's thinking about the presentation," she whispered with a grin.
Dalian chuckled under her breath. "More like she's thinking about how to survive working with Jack."
The moment they stepped into their classroom, the lingering chatter settled as students took their seats.
At the front, Mr. Collins stood by his desk, adjusting his glasses as he skimmed through a folder. He glanced up, his expression expectant.
"Alright, settle down," he instructed, closing the folder with a firm tap. He glanced at them and said "Before we begin with the lesson, I want to remind you that your presentations on The Economic Impact of Traditional Markets in Modern Society are due at the end of this week."
A few sighs and groans rippled through the room, but Mr. Collins remained unmoved.
"You've had ample time to prepare," he continued. "I expect well-researched content, strong teamwork, and confident delivery. Each group should be finalizing their work by now. If you're behind, I suggest you use your free periods wisely."
Dalian glanced at Diane, who shifted her gaze toward Jack and Anna—her assigned group members.
Their topic wasn't particularly difficult, but working together? That was another issue entirely.
Jack, seated two rows ahead of Diane, leaned back in his chair, stretching lazily. "So… I guess that means we're meeting after school?" His tone was casual, but there was a teasing edge to it, as if daring Diane to challenge him.
Diane's expression didn't change. "That depends," she replied coolly. "Have you even started your part yet?"
Jack smirked. "Wouldn't you like to know?"
Dalian, watching the exchange, felt the weight of the unspoken tension between them. It wasn't outright hostility, but it was close enough.
Lydia leaned in, whispering to Dalian, "She's going to explode on him one of these days."
Dalian stifled a laugh. "I'm betting it'll happen before the presentation."
At the front, Mr. Collins cleared his throat. "Diane, Anna, Jack—you'll be first to present. Make sure you're ready."
Diane didn't react, but Jack's smirk widened.
Dalian had no doubt this week was going to be interesting.
As the lesson began, Mr. Collins transitioned into the day's topic, writing key points on the board. The classroom settled into a quiet rhythm—pages turning, pens scratching against notebooks, the occasional murmur of students exchanging ideas.
Dalian tried to focus, but her gaze kept drifting toward Diane. Her sister sat rigid, eyes fixed on her notebook, fingers tapping lightly against the desk.
Lydia nudged her. "She's thinking about it."
Dalian sighed. "She always overthinks things."
At the front, Mr. Collins paused his explanation and turned back to the class. "Before we move on, I'd like to see where each group stands with their research. Diane, Anna, Jack—since you're presenting first, let's start with you."
Diane straightened, setting her pen down. Anna, seated beside her, adjusted her glasses, looking perfectly composed. Jack, on the other hand, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his usual smirk firmly in place.
Diane cleared her throat. "We've divided the research into three sections: historical significance, economic influence, and modern adaptation. Anna is covering the foundational aspects of traditional markets and their role in early economies. I'm focusing on their economic influence, particularly in local communities. Jack…" She hesitated for half a second before continuing, "is working on how these markets are adapting to modern society, including digital platforms and consumer trends."
Mr. Collins nodded. "And do you feel confident in your progress?"
"Yes," Anna answered without hesitation.
Diane nodded as well, though her voice carried a hint of doubt. "For the most part. We still need to finalize our analysis and refine the structure, but we're on track."
Mr. Collins turned to Jack, who hadn't said a word. "And you, Jack?"
Jack stretched, taking his time before responding. "Yeah, sure."
Diane shot him a sharp look, but Mr. Collins only sighed. "I expect more than 'yeah, sure' in your actual presentation."
A few students chuckled under their breath, but the teacher continued. "Make sure you're prepared. You have a few days left."
As the discussion moved on, Lydia leaned closer to Dalian. "Your sister's going to murder him before the week's over."
Dalian sighed. "I just hope she doesn't do it before they present."
Jack, as if sensing their conversation, glanced over his shoulder, catching Dalian's gaze. He winked.
Dalian quickly looked away, feeling her face warm.
Lydia grinned. "You're doomed."
Dalian groaned, resting her forehead against her notebook.
This week was going to be a nightmare.
The rest of the class moved on, but Dalian barely absorbed a word of it. Her mind was too tangled with thoughts—about Diane, about Jack, about Lydia's teasing.
By the time the bell rang, signaling the end of the period, students began gathering their things, stretching after sitting through the lesson. Mr. Collins called over Diane's group as they packed up.
"I'd like to see the draft of your outline before the next class," he reminded them.
Diane nodded. "We'll have it ready."
Jack gave a lazy salute. "Sure thing, sir."
Diane sighed through her nose, but she didn't say anything—at least, not until they stepped into the hallway.
Dalian and Lydia trailed a few steps behind as Diane rounded on Jack. "Do you even take this seriously?"
Jack smirked, shoving his hands in his pockets. "Of course I do. But you're already stressed enough for the both of us, so I figured I'd balance things out."
Diane crossed her arms. "That's not how it works, Jack."
Anna, ever the peacemaker, adjusted her bag strap. "We just need to make sure we're aligned on our points. The presentation is mostly structured already, but we should refine the argument."
Jack tilted his head at Diane. "Fine. We can meet after school to go over it. Happy?"
Diane hesitated.
Lydia, standing beside Dalian, nudged her. "See? He's making an effort."
Dalian bit her lip, not sure what to think. But Diane, ever the perfectionist, simply nodded. "Alright. Library, after school."
Jack gave a two-fingered salute before walking off, as if he hadn't just been lectured.
Anna turned to Diane. "I'll grab my notes and meet you there."
As she left, Lydia slung an arm around Dalian's shoulders. "Now, let's talk about something more interesting. Like how Jack totally winked at you earlier."
Dalian groaned. "Can we not?"
Lydia only laughed as they made their way toward their next class.
It was going to be a long afternoon.