Elies tapped her pen against her lips, her fingers hesitating over the paper in front of her. The classroom was buzzing with voices, her friends chatting nearby, but Elies was locked in her own world—one of anticipation, nerves, and a little bit of hope.She had written and rewritten the letter so many times, each draft more embarrassing than the last. Now, after an entire week of agonizing over every word, she had finally managed to put her feelings into something coherent."Dear Chris," she murmured softly to herself, reading over her letter one last time. It was short and simple, but she hoped it would be enough.*Dear Chris,**I know this might come as a surprise, but I wanted to tell you how I feel. We’ve been in the same classes since tenth grade, and I don’t know when it started, but I really like you. I know you’re busy with basketball and everything, but I just wanted you to know. Even if you don’t feel the same way, I wanted to get it off my chest.**—Elies Robert*A simple
Damien Blackwood leaned against his locker, lazily twirling his locker key between his fingers as he observed the chaotic bustle of Oakwood High’s hallways. Students kept their distance, throwing him wary glances and moving aside as if he were a storm cloud hovering in their midst. It was a normal day for Damien—another day of barely contained restlessness and the strange satisfaction he got from watching people’s reactions around him.There was a thrill to it, one he couldn’t deny. From his leather jacket, rough around the edges and worn from days spent sneaking around town, to the ever-present smirk that seemed to rest permanently on his face, Damien was a force no one dared to cross.Damien didn’t consider himself a bad guy, per se. He just had a way of bending the world to his will, doing whatever he pleased and ignoring the consequences. The teachers had given up on him a long time ago. To them, he was a lost cause, a student who would only bring trouble and cause disruptions. Hi
Damien’s eyes lingered on Elies as she walked away, her head held high, her steps firm despite the heated encounter. There was something oddly captivating about her resilience, the way she hadn’t flinched or looked away, even when he tried to intimidate her. It had been a long time since anyone stood up to him like that. Most students at Oakwood High either cowered in his presence or avoided him altogether, keeping a safe distance. But Elies was different, and he couldn’t help but notice it.He leaned back in his seat, a sly smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Jake, sitting beside him, chuckled as he shook his head.“I gotta hand it to her, man,” Jake said, his voice laced with amusement. “She’s got guts. You don’t usually let people talk to you like that.”Damien shrugged, his gaze still focused on where Elies had returned to her table, her friends animatedly talking to her, likely encouraging her after her bold move. “She’s interesting,” he replied, a hint of intrigue in his v
It was an ordinary school day, or at least it was supposed to be. Elies was busy gathering her books from her locker, trying to ignore the whispers and glances she’d been catching from other students ever since her letter to Chris had mysteriously wound up with Damien. She felt like every step she took, someone was watching, and she wished for nothing more than to slip into the background, unnoticed.But Damien had other plans.Across the hallway, leaning against a row of lockers, Damien watched her with that unmistakable glint in his eyes. He’d been sending her smirks and cocky smiles all morning, which only made her more self-conscious. He was up to something, she could feel it, but she couldn’t imagine what.Then, without warning, he pushed himself off the locker and strolled right over to her. His steps were unhurried, his confidence radiating as he approached, ignoring the students who gaped at him with awe, curiosity, and even a hint of fear.“Elies,” he said loudly, making sure
*Elies hurried down the hallway, her mind racing as she tried to figure out what on earth had just happened. How could Damien so casually declare her his girlfriend in front of everyone? The way he seemed to take control over the situation, without even a second thought, made her stomach churn with both frustration and a strange, unfamiliar excitement.As she rounded the corner, she caught sight of Damien leaning casually against the wall, that smug grin plastered across his face. He was clearly waiting for her, like a hunter lying in wait for his prey. She took a deep breath, determined to confront him. This had to stop.“Damien,” she started, her voice wavering slightly but still resolute. “We need to talk.”He looked at her, feigning surprise. “Oh? Is my girlfriend already trying to break up with me? You know, we just started this relationship, Elies. Don’t tell me you’re bailing already.”She clenched her fists, trying to ignore the flutter in her chest every time he called her h
Elies took a deep breath, trying to steel herself as she approached the cafeteria. The entire morning had been a whirlwind of whispers and stares, all centered around her supposed “relationship” with Damien Blackwood. She’d had enough of it—of him. She was going to put an end to his little game, once and for all.As soon as she stepped inside the bustling cafeteria, her gaze landed on Damien. He was sitting with his usual crowd, laughing at something his friend said, looking entirely too pleased with himself. The way he leaned back, so at ease and in control, only fueled her anger.Ignoring the growing stares from students around her, she made her way over to his table, her footsteps purposeful and unyielding. The cafeteria gradually quieted, everyone watching the scene unfold.“Damien!” Elies called out, her voice louder than she intended. She noticed several heads turn, eyes widening in interest. She didn’t care. She was done letting him control the narrative.Damien looked up, his
Elies had made up her mind. After the countless rumors, the constant whispers, and the relentless attention, it was time to distance herself from Damien once and for all. She couldn’t handle the way he was playing with her emotions, the way he seemed to enjoy watching her squirm under the spotlight. He was a master at controlling the narrative, and it was driving her crazy. That morning, she took extra care in choosing her outfit, deliberately picking something that would help her blend in, rather than stand out. No flashy colors, no attention-grabbing accessories—just simple, understated. She hoped that would help her avoid any unnecessary attention. But, as usual, things didn’t go as planned.As she walked into her first class, there he was—Damien—leaning casually against the doorframe with that signature smirk playing on his lips. He was talking to a group of students, laughing, but as soon as he spotted her, his eyes locked onto hers. “Elies,” he called out in his usual mocking
Elies hadn’t even reached her locker that morning before she noticed Damien leaning casually against it, as if he owned the space. His presence was magnetic, drawing curious stares from students passing by. She braced herself, knowing his teasing was likely about to reach a new level.“Good morning, my girl,” Damien greeted with a smirk as she approached, his voice loud enough for everyone nearby to hear.Elies’ face reddened instantly. She glanced around, aware of the surprised glances from her classmates. “Your… what?” she managed, trying to keep her tone steady.He leaned in close, his smirk deepening. “Did I stutter? My girl,” he repeated, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Got a problem with that, Elies?”Taking a steadying breath, Elies ignored the flutter in her chest and rolled her eyes. “I’m not ‘yours,’ Damien. I think you have me confused with someone else.”“Oh, you’re definitely mine,” he said smoothly, crossing his arms over his chest, making it impossib
Elie's yawned as sunlight streamed through her window, gently pulling her from sleep. She stretched lazily, her messy hair falling over her face. The smell of pancakes wafted through the air, making her stomach grumble. It was another peaceful morning at home, though she had no idea how awkward it was about to become.She quickly dressed in casual clothes, tied her hair into a messy bun, and headed downstairs. Her parents were already seated at the dining table. Her dad, James, was reading the newspaper, and her mom, Linda, was busy pouring coffee. The breakfast table was set with pancakes, scrambled eggs, and toast. "Good morning, sweetheart," Linda said warmly, smiling at Elie as she entered the dining room. "Morning, Mom. Morning, Dad," Elie said, trying to sound cheerful. Her dad lowered the newspaper and gave her a curious look. "Morning, Elie. How's school going?" Elie froze for a second, grabbing a plate and serving herself some pancakes. "It's fine, Dad. Just the usual.
The sound of rushing water echoed softly in the girls' restroom as Bianca stood at the sink, washing her hands. She checked her reflection in the mirror, adjusting her long, shiny hair with a satisfied smirk. She couldn’t stop thinking about how close she’d gotten to Damien earlier. *He’ll come around eventually,* she thought confidently. Suddenly, the restroom door slammed open, breaking the peaceful silence. Bianca glanced up just in time to see Tiffany, followed closely by her loyal friends Mandy and Lucy, strut into the restroom with determined expressions. **“Well, well,”** Tiffany sneered, folding her arms as she approached. **“Look who’s here.”** Bianca raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. **“Is there a reason you barged in like you own the place?”** Tiffany’s eyes narrowed. **“I’m here to set things straight.”** Before Bianca could respond, Tiffany roughly shoved her shoulder, causing Bianca to stumble back against the sink. **“Stay away from Damien,”** Tiffany hissed,
The cafeteria buzzed with its usual lunchtime chaos. Students crowded the long tables, talking, laughing, and sharing stories about the latest school gossip. The aroma of freshly baked pizza and fries filled the air as trays clattered against tabletops. Tiffany, Mandy, and Lucy sat at their usual spot near the large windows that overlooked the school courtyard. Tiffany’s tray remained mostly untouched, her fork hovering over her salad as she stared intently across the cafeteria. Her focus was locked on one particular table—where Damien and his friends sat. Damien’s usual crew—Jake, Lucas, Caleb, and Ryan—were laughing loudly at some joke Jake had cracked. But what made Tiffany’s stomach twist with irritation wasn’t their laughter—it was the presence of Bianca sitting far too close to Damien. Bianca was practically glued to Damien’s side, tossing her long, shiny hair and flashing her perfect white smile. Every few seconds, she would touch his arm, giggle at something he said, or
Bianca sat with a forced smile plastered on her face, surrounded by Damien’s friends—Caleb, Lucas, Jake, and Ryan—while Damien himself was noticeably absent. She had watched him walk off toward Elie’s without a second thought, leaving her standing there, humiliated. Caleb smirked, leaning back casually. **“So... that didn’t go as planned, huh, Bianca?”** Bianca’s jaw clenched, but she maintained her composure. **“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”** Lucas chuckled. **“Come on, we all saw it. You were laying it on thick, talking about that gala. Thought you had him hooked... until Elie’s walked by.”** Bianca’s fists tightened on her lap, nails digging into her palms. **“Damien was just being polite. He’s coming to the gala. He said he’d think about it.”** Ryan raised an eyebrow. **“Yeah... after ditching you to run after Elie’s. Face it, Bee, you’re not his priority.”** Her smile faltered for a split second before she covered it with a cool laugh. **“Damien and I ha
The school courtyard buzzed with activity as Damien sat with his group of friends at their usual hangout spot near the basketball court. His closest friends included Jake, the charming prankster; Ryan, the athletic captain of the soccer team; Lucas, the tech genius with a quiet but intense aura; and Caleb, the smooth-talking ladies’ man. Together, they were known as the “Elite Five” — admired, envied, and practically untouchable. Jake playfully tossed a basketball between his hands. **“So, who’s ready for the game after class? We’re totally crushing them.”** Caleb smirked. **“As long as you don’t miss another free throw like last time.”** Jake laughed. **“I was distracted! Not my fault the cheer squad was practicing right behind the hoop.”** Ryan rolled his eyes. **“Excuses.”** Just then, Bianca approached with her usual air of confidence. Her long blonde hair shimmered in the sunlight, and her perfectly styled outfit turned heads as she made her way toward the boys. **“He
Elie’s walked into the school parking lot, her mind swirling with anticipation. Today was the day Mr. Carter would announce the results of their project presentations. As much as she hated to admit it, she was nervous. She adjusted her bag and headed toward her first class, trying to suppress the uneasy feeling in her chest.From the corner of her eye, she saw Damien approaching from across the school grounds. He walked with his usual confident stride, his hands casually tucked into his pockets, exuding effortless charm."Hey, partner," Damien greeted smoothly as he fell into step beside her. "You look like you’re about to sit for another test. Nervous about our results?"Elie’s gave a small, tense laugh. "A little... I just hope we did well."Damien smirked. "Hope? Seriously? We crushed that project. You’ve got me as your partner—there’s no way we’re not getting a perfect score."She rolled her eyes. "You and your oversized ego...""Confidence," he corrected with a wink. "Trust me, M
The classroom buzzed with excitement and nervous energy as students prepared to present their projects. Mr. Robert, their literature teacher, stood at the front, clipboard in hand. His sharp gaze scanned the room.“Alright, class,” he announced. “Today, you’ll be presenting your projects. Each pair has ten minutes to present and defend their work. Impress me.”The students exchanged anxious glances. Elie’s tapped her pen nervously while Damien, seated beside her, appeared perfectly relaxed, twirling a pencil between his fingers.“We’ve got this,” Damien whispered, noticing her tension.Elie’s nodded, still unconvinced.First Pair: Chris and Tiffany“Chris and Tiffany, you’re up,” Mr. Robert called.Chris and Tiffany rose from their seats, walking confidently to the front. Tiffany adjusted her flawless hair, flashing a dazzling smile.“Our project is on Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, focusing on how impulsive decisions led to tragedy,” Tiffany began, her voice clear and steady.Chris
Elie’s stormed out of the cafeteria, her mind swirling with unwanted thoughts. Her feet carried her toward the quiet school courtyard as she tried to push away the image of Bianca smiling at Damien, her heart pounding despite her attempts to stay calm. Just as she reached a shaded bench under a large oak tree, she heard hurried footsteps behind her. Turning around, she saw Janna jogging toward her, looking concerned and slightly out of breath. **“Elie’s!”** Janna called, waving her hand. **“Wait up!”** Elie’s groaned inwardly but stood still, knowing she couldn’t avoid her best friend forever. **“Why did you run out like that?”** Janna asked, panting as she finally reached her. **“What’s going on?”** Elie’s crossed her arms defensively, shifting her gaze to the ground. **“Nothing’s going on. I just... needed some air.”** Janna narrowed her eyes, unconvinced. **“Air? Really? You were perfectly fine before Bianca walked in.”** Elie’s scoffed, avoiding her gaze. **“Her show
The morning air buzzed with excitement as Elie’s parked her car in the school parking lot. She grabbed her bag and adjusted her jacket, preparing for another long day. As she walked toward her first class, she couldn’t help but notice the unusual amount of chatter coming from every direction. Groups of students huddled together, whispering and giggling, their eyes sparkling with curiosity. Elie’s frowned, wondering what all the fuss was about. Near the school’s entrance, two girls were talking loudly, clearly too excited to keep their voices down. **“Did you hear? She’s finally coming today!”** one girl squealed, practically bouncing with excitement. **“I know, right?”** her friend chimed in. **“Her father owns part of the school. Can you imagine being that rich and beautiful?”** Elie’s slowed her pace, straining to catch more of their conversation. *Who are they talking about?* As she neared the school hallway, Chris appeared beside her, wearing his usual laid-back smirk.