Fierce Young Hearts

Chapter 1

Kaylene almost covered her ears when the bell rang. Her full bangs were easily disarranged as some of her classmates bump her since they all walked hurriedly as all students should go inside their designated classrooms and sit on their seats. It’s early in the morning and as soon as she sat she felt sleepy.

It changed when Sir Eduardo Carbilledo immediately entered the room as well though. He is in his late forties and has a dark complexion and round eyes. He looks strict, and he is. At first. He eventually warmed as days passed by.

It was their homeroom period and since they were in a Christian high school sharing the word of God is already a culture. He was in the middle of preaching when he noticed Saturnino and Alastair talking and laughing. In a stern voice he interrupted the two.

"Care to share what you two are talking about? Saturnino? Alastair?"

The two don't seem to take their class adviser seriously but when Sir Carbi did not quit staring at them the dark haired boy who’s name is Saturnino answered.

“Sorry, sir,” he said, still trying to suppress his laughter.

Their teacher’s forehead just creased and just shook his head instead. Maybe tired of this boy’s attitude. Who wouldn’t?

Kaylene made sure Saturnino would see how she rolled her eyes when their eyes met. She did not see how it wiped his smirk though.

This is one of the reasons why Kaylene never tried to be friends with the guy. She has always found him as rude and disrespectful. She knew it was because he knew nobody would ever dare to really discipline him because of his family’s influence and given favors to the school.

It made her dislike him even more.

They were neighbors all their life but Kaylene never bothered herself in trying to even just talk to him.

They were also studying in the same school since elementary but it is only at their senior year in high school they became classmates. Making her see his unlikeable behavior more closely. More unfortunately, on a daily basis.

Before the homeroom period ended Kaylene just heard Sir Carbi is instructing the change of the seating arrangement. For the nth time her eyes rolled at Saturnino. Maybe if he wasn’t such an asshole their class adviser wouldn’t think of it.

Grace, one of her best friends, is now seatmates with the annoying kid and Alastair is now seated beside her.

The only good thing that came out of it was that she discovered that Alastair isn’t exactly like Saturnino. He makes fun of almost anything but he is polite. They might be talking during free time but he does not talk unnecessarily especially if there is a teacher in front.

She instantly gained a friend in him.

Kaylene and seven of her friends immediately went back to their classroom after eating their lunch at the school’s canteen. They’ve been friends since their freshman year where they first became classmates. They were divided in their sophomore and junior years but still managed to stay as friends.

Thankfully they became classmates in their last year in high school.

They call themselves as 8As since all of their names start in the first letter of the alphabet. Almira Kaylene. Angelou Francine. Alaine Jaharah. Althea Grace. Anna Daniella. Alison Mae. Avianna Rea. Adrianna Patrice.

Just like any typical free time they spent it on talking about anything. Kaylene did not mind when some of their classmates came sitting and listening with them since the topic isn’t very personal. There are times that one of their classmates will play a guitar and everybody will just sing along so it’s okay.

One of them was Aaron. The boy is kind of famous in their batch since he is always seen playing guitar for various school events. Kaylene is not really close with him but she did not mind since he is close to some of her friends.

They were busy laughing at something Francine is telling about when Aaron spoke.

“You read this kind of stuff?”

Kaylene’s face immediately turned red when she saw he was referring to a small thin book. It’s book cover is in color red and has a very sexy image.

Her large eyes grew more as Aaron repeated his question. His lips twitching on the side and his eyes twinkling in mischief. She’s sure he’s enjoying how startled she was.

Of course she is!

That pocket book was lost since last night and she just saw it stuck in between pages of her textbook this morning. She thought she had already put it in her backpack.

The next thing she knew Marcus was already there and was able to grab the book from Aaron. He laughed like a lunatic while raising the book.

“You read this kind of book? Isn’t this full of profanity? Kaylene, huh! I did not take you for that!”

Kaylene did not need to look around to confirm the judgmental faces of her classmates. Their stares are enough.

She wanted to run especially when Marcus pulled Saturnino. The clueless guy just entered but was quick enough to receive the book.

“Saturn, take a look at this,” Marcus said as he handed it to him.

Saturnino immediately opened the book. Scanned it pages. His forehead creased. Slowly, a wide grin formed on his face.

His face immediately turned red trying to suppress laughter. To Kaylene, he sounded like a devil while reading.

“I ruffled his curly hair on my hand, pulling him closer. He pulled me closer too, my breasts crushing on his hard chest. Heat rose even more when he kneaded my behind."

Burst of laughter was instantly heard after Saturnino said the last word.

Kaylene was already breathing heavily. She wanted to run or melt at that very moment and not let these people see her again but she took all the courage that was left of her. She made sure she still looks intact and unaffected.

For the conservative and close-minded people just like most of her classmates, she knew there is a stigma between those kinds of books and those who read it. She knew most of them thinks that it is only about s*x and nothing more. They do not even know it can be categorized to Romance, New Adult, Erotic, etc just like the expensive novels they so patronize.

They branded these pocketbooks and those who read it as cheap without knowing anything about the book and its community.

When the stupid laughter died down that’s when the stupid Saturnino spoke again.

“Who owns this by the way?”

His stupid grin slowly faded when Marcus pointed his finger at her. Kaylene immediately snatched her own book and was not able to stop herself from shouting at him.

“That’s mine, gago!”

Everybody gasped. Not because she cursed but because she did it loudly. What’s more shocking was when they heard another voice.

“Miss Aguilar!” There was Sir Carbi with his eyes wide open and booming voice. “In my office, now!”

He turned his back as soon as he finished his sentence.

Her friends immediately hugged and told her it will be okay. Some asked if she wanted them to come with her. She refused. She will sort this out alone.

She made sure she put the damned pocketbook on her bag and quickly followed her teacher. Her heart was racing very fast while she was walking.

She did not forget to leave a sharp glare to Saturnino though. Her fists are really itching to punch him.

Kaylene wanted that day to end at that moment very badly. She stayed silent after returning from the faculty and did not speak unless it was very necessary. She did not want to talk and spend the whole afternoon ranting and cursing everyone who humiliated her.

She did not want to make any more scenes and she did not want to upset her class adviser more.

He was kind and understanding. He just asked what happened. She only asked for an apology but did not go into detail.  Reminiscing what happened just a minute after it happened makes her blood boil to the point of breaking those three idiots necks.

Sir Carbi let her go minutes before the bell rang for their first period after lunch. He just told her not to do it again or else he will have to speak with her parents. She nodded and just said sorry again.

Good thing it’s already Friday!

She does not need to deal with it for the whole week. For sure, there will be another event that her classmates will talk about next week. She hopes so.

She just wished she wouldn't be able to bump on Saturnino in their subdivision. She might really punch him or better yet let Bernard, her dog, bite him into pieces!

The i***t really needed to read it out loud!

If he did not read it then maybe the scene wouldn’t be that humiliating but the i***t really wanted the spotlight. Stupid.

Kaylene and her friends were about to leave the basketball court after watching when a black Accent beeped loudly. Her eyes automatically rolled when Saturnino got out the driver’s seat.

She doesn’t have an idea of what he wants or who he wants to talk to but she definitely does not want to breathe the same air with him. Kaylene walked away quickly.

“Kaylene!” His voice is like a fuel. She almost ran when she heard it. “Just a second!”

She felt his hands on her arm. She aggressively shoved it and faced him. She did not even mind if her voice was too loud. This i***t is too much and she will make sure he knows that!

“What do you want?!”

Saturnino took a deep breath. She did not mind if he looked nervous. He should be! She’s really mad!

“Do you want a ride?”

The i***t rarely let anyone see he was afraid but Kaylene saw how he stepped back when she screamed.

“Are you for real?!” her voice booming. She did not even mind the other students watching. “After what you did, what made you think that I want to? Didn’t you notice I walked away when I saw you? I don't even want to see you!”

“Look, I just want to say sorry.”

For a moment, Kaylene was surprised. She wasn’t expecting that. She stared at him for a while then walked away without a word. Alright, she appreciated him apologizing but she's too mad right now. She can’t accept it when she’s not yet really ready to forgive him.

“Kaylene,” she heard again.

She quickly turned her head to where the voice was coming. “You’re so f*****g annoying! What?!”

Their eyes grew larger and her cheeks red, this time not from anger but because it was Alastair.

She closed her eyes and took a few deep breaths. “Sorry. I thought it was… Nevermind… What is it?”

Alastair walked towards her.

Her eyes automatically scanned the place… Saturnino seemed to be glued on where she left him.

The step siblings are both strikingly handsome. They may look very different from each other but they surely fit the standard of what it means to be attractive. She won’t admit it but she knew they even exceeded it.

Alastair has a fair complexion, blue eyes, and straight blond hair. He also has a very friendly demeanor that even though he just transferred this school year he had already made friends in school across all year levels.

On the other hand, Saturnino is tan, and has dark brown eyes. His hair was curly and it added to his charm. He looks like a typical jock.

The two boys are both tall compared to most of their batch mates. An advantage they utilize while playing their favorite basketball.

Alastair gestured to the helmet he was holding. “You want a ride?”

Kaylene did not even know why she gulped. Is she nervous? Why?

Was it because of these gentle blue eyes in front of her or those sharp brown eyes shooting daggers from afar?

The next thing she knew she reached for the helmet and followed Alastair on his motorcycle. It was Saturnino who made her mad but why was she the one bothered by his annoying glares?

What just happened?