"Wow! By the way, my name is Kelvin. What's yours?"
Before Naya could answer, the school bell rang.
Naya grinned. "That's me." She withdrew her hand and rushed off to class.
She sat down, got comfortable, and—boom! The teacher walked in.
Mrs. Nelly: "Good morning, students."
Students (robotically in unison): "Good morning, Mrs. Nelly."
Mrs. Nelly barely opened her mouth when the classroom door creaked open. A tall boy strolled in.
Girl 1 (whispering dramatically): "He's soooo handsome."
Girl 2 (whispering back): "But not like Lucien."
Kelvin (awkwardly standing at the door): "Uh… is this the math class?"
Mrs. Nelly (raising an eyebrow): "Looks like we have a new student. Yes, this is math. And I'm the math teacher, obviously. Come in and introduce yourself."
Kelvin nodded. "Uh, hey everyone. I'm Kelvin Smith."
Mrs. Nelly: "Go sit beside Naya. That empty seat."
Kelvin walked over and plopped down beside Naya. He turned to her with a mischievous grin.
Kelvin: "So, your name is Naya?"
Naya gave him the signature girl-I-don't-know-you eye roll and turned away.
Mrs. Nelly was about to start the lesson when—BAM!—the door flung open.
Girl 2 (gasping dramatically): "Oh. My. Gosh. He's soooo hot."
Lucien casually walked in, hands in his pockets like he owned the place.
Lucien (boredly): "Sorry, Mrs. Nelly. I'm late. Again."
At the sound of his voice, Naya—who had been peacefully avoiding eye contact with anyone—snapped her head up so fast it could've caused whiplash.
Mrs. Nelly sighed. "Just… go sit down."
Lucien scanned the room and walked up to the empty seat next to Naya.
Lucien: "Is this seat taken?"
Naya (internally screaming but keeping it cool): "Uh… no."
Lucien sat down, pulled out his books, and ignored the two girls in the back who were about to faint.
Now, Naya was sandwiched between two of the most talked-about boys in school.
Great. Just great.
Mrs. Nelly started teaching, but Naya couldn't focus. She kept sneaking glances at Lucien, and of course, Mrs. Nelly noticed.
Mrs. Nelly (grinning): "Well, well. Looks like someone's in love."
The entire class turned to look at Naya.
Naya (confused): "Huh?"
Then she followed their stares and realized—THEY WERE LOOKING AT HER!
The room exploded with laughter. Even Lucien turned to look at her, eyebrow raised.
Naya wished the floor would open up and swallow her whole. Instead, she just slid down in her seat, her face now the same shade as a tomato.
Mrs. Nelly (clapping her hands): "Alright, that's enough! Silence!"
The classroom fell into an awkward hush, with only a few giggles escaping from the back.
---
Lunch Break: Gossip & Schemes
Naya shoved her books into her locker, still replaying the humiliation in her head.
Then the school's PA system crackled to life.
Principal Raphael: "Hello, students! This is Principal Raphael. I am pleased to announce a Welcome Party for all new students, happening this Wednesday night!"
Students: "WOOOOHOOOO! PARTY!!!"
Naya shut her locker just as her best friend, Nora, sprinted up to her like a tornado.
Nora (panting): "Naya! Did you hear that?"
Naya: "Yes, I have ears."
Nora: "I also heard you got a new student in your class."
Naya: "And?"
Nora: "And… I heard he's handsome."
Naya: "And?"
Nora: "What's his name?"
Naya: "Nora, I swear—"
Nora (puppy eyes): "Pleeeaaase?"
Naya (sighing in defeat): "Fine. It's Kelvin."
Nora: "Ooooh! Can you introduce me to him?"
Naya: "NO. I don't even know him."
Nora (laughing): "Okay, okay. I was joking. But more importantly—when are you going to tell him?"
Naya (blinking): "Tell who what?"
Nora (deadpan): "Lucien. When are you going to tell him you like him?"
Naya (fake thinking): "Hmm… let's see… Never."
Nora: "Girl, you can't crush on him forever. At this rate, you'll still be staring at him in college."
Naya groaned. But what she didn't know was that someone was eavesdropping nearby.
Jessica's friend, Hilliah, leaned against a locker, grinning.
Hilliah (muttering): "Interesting…"
She quickly turned and strutted off to find Jessica.
Jessica (raising an eyebrow): "Are you sure?"
Hilliah: "Yup. Heard the whole thing."
Jessica's lips curled into a devious smirk.
Jessica: "Well, well, well… I have the perfect idea."
Hilliah: "What is it?"
Jessica: "You'll see."
Hilliah (nervous laugh): "I really hope this doesn't end in detention."
Jessica (smirking): "Detention? Please. My plans are always flawless."
Hilliah (muttering): "That's what you said last time, and we ended up scrubbing toilets."
Jessica: "Okay, except for that."
Both girls burst into laughter as they walked off, leaving the school buzzing with gossip, excitement, and—most importantly—drama.