Chapter 1
1895 Words
“One banana, please.” I handed the vendor twenty pesos.
While waiting for her to heat the grilled banana, my stomach growled impatiently. Glancing at my watch, I realized I was almost late for school. Finally…
“Here you go, ma’am.”
I gave her a sweet smile and thanked her before heading toward school.
As I walked, a Grade 9 student passed me with his friend. Our eyes met, and for a moment, everything slowed down—like the world had paused.
“You’re really pretty, sis!” one of them shouted.
I glanced at them, my hair dancing lightly with the wind. I recognized the guy—he was one of the campus’ famous singers. Talented, especially in music. I just smiled faintly and turned away, letting the compliment wash over me. Honestly, it was true—people often noticed me here, and a lot of classmates had crushes on me.
⸻
Years passed. Now in Grade 12, I was irregular. I had transferred from the STEM strand to ABM, which made my schedule a bit chaotic. I’m Phoebe Santos, turning sixteen this April. And of course, I ran into that familiar face again—the boy who once called me pretty: Lennox Reyes, now fifteen.
“Good morning, everyone. My name is Phoebe Santos. I transferred from the night class as an irregular student. Nice to meet you all.”
The classroom fell silent after my introduction.
Seconds passed without a sound, until a faint whisper stirred at the back of the room. I could feel eyes on me. I was used to it, but it never failed to make me nervous.
“Okay class, take your seats,” the teacher instructed.
I walked toward the vacant seat by the window, adjusting my bag. That’s when I felt it—a gaze, steady and familiar. Slowly, I turned my head.
There he was.
Lennox Reyes.
He stood near the front of the classroom, notebook in hand, staring at me as if trying to place where he had seen me before. His brow furrowed slightly, then his eyes lit up—as if recognition finally clicked.
He smiled.
That easy, effortless smile I had seen before—back when he first called me pretty at the banana stand.
My heart skipped a beat.
“Hey… you’re—” he whispered, sliding into the seat next to mine. “You’re the girl outside campus before, right?”
I smiled softly. “And you’re the noisy Grade 9 boy,” I teased.
He laughed. “Guilty as charged.”
We shared a brief, awkward silence before he scratched the back of his head. “Lennox,” he said formally. “Nice to meet you. Officially this time.”
“Phoebe,” I replied. “Nice to meet you too.”
From that moment on, small conversations began—about subjects, my irregular schedule, his classes. I noticed how carefully he listened, how each word I said seemed to matter to him.
When the bell rang for break, he stood and glanced at me again.
“By the way,” he said, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips, “what they said before… it’s true.”
“Uh… what?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“You really are pretty.”
I rolled my eyes, laughing softly. “Still bold as ever, huh?”
He just smiled and walked away.
⸻
I hadn’t even entered the classroom yet when someone brushed past me, causing me to jump.
“Good morning, Phoebe!”
His face was so close that for a moment, everything slowed. My heart skipped. He noticed my reaction and quickly stepped back.
“Phoebe, can I borrow your notes?” He pouted, clearly expecting me to say yes.
“Didn’t you copy them last time?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
“Nope. Our secretary is way too fast at writing. I barely got to the first page, and she already erased the board,” he said, scratching the back of his head. I laughed. “You write fast, like a machine.”
“Gosh! I am a writer, that’s why my hand is quick,” I teased, lightly punching his arm.
“Ayieee! Lennox is getting moves!” shouted one of his classmates.
“I am not!” he protested, glaring at them.
“You two might actually end up together, so just tell me now!” another added teasingly.
“Hey! Enough!” I laughed, pressing my hands to hide the flush spreading across my cheeks.
Lennox leaned back against me, almost like a shield. “You’re too loud. Early morning, too?” he complained softly.
“Defensive!” someone shouted again. “Confirmed!”
I noticed a twinge of awkwardness. He turned to me. “Ignore them. They’re always like that.”
“I’m used to it,” I said, though I wasn’t—especially when he was the reason I was being teased.
I handed him my notebook. “Here. Copy it later. But return it quickly—I still have work to finish.”
He took it like it was a treasure. “Yes! Promise. Thanks,” he said, winking at me, and I was caught off guard again.
“Lennox,” the teacher called from inside. “Time to enter class.”
“Coming, sir!” he called back, looking at me one last time. “Sit next to me later, okay?”
I just nodded. Somehow, it felt natural being beside him—like we had always been this close, even though this was just the beginning.
As we walked into the classroom, I felt dozens of eyes on us again—whispers, smiles, subtle teasing.
_____
Lennox Reyes sent you a friend request.
Lennox Reyes started following you.
I couldn’t help but smile when his name popped up on my screen.
For a moment, the smile lingered.
And then it vanished.
“What is wrong with you, Phoebe? You’re losing it!” I muttered to myself, lightly smacking my forehead.
⸻
Hi Phoebe!
My fingers froze.
He actually… messaged first?
Yes? What do you want? I typed, trying to sound casual. He was my friend, after all. And he was the first person to notice me in class earlier, so… I guess I had to reply.
Did you understand Ma’am’s lecture earlier? I didn’t get it at all! Can you explain?
I blinked at the screen. Out of everyone I could have asked—he actually asked me?
Honestly? I didn’t understand anything either, I finally replied.
Whaaat? And you’re smart! You were even an honor student back in Grade 10!
Wow. He remembered that.
That was ages ago… and I wasn’t even paying attention today.
Want to get ice cream?
I blinked. “Huh? It’s already late,” I replied.
I have a motorcycle.
I glanced at the corner of the screen. 9:17 PM.
I sighed.
Why did it feel like I’d be the one in the wrong for saying no?
Isn’t that dangerous? I typed, trying to sound casual despite my racing heart.
Not really. Just a quick ride. I’ll bring you back right after. Promise.
I held my phone tight.
Then why did my heart feel like it was trying to jump out of my chest?
Okay… but just for a bit.
I closed the phone like I’d committed a crime.
“Get it together, Phoebe,” I whispered to my reflection. “It’s just ice cream. Don’t overthink it.”
Even as my brain tried to stay calm, my heart had other plans.
⸻
I hadn’t even reached the gate when a soft honk made me jump.
He was already there. Motorcycle parked, helmet on, smiling like he’d been waiting for me all night.
“That was fast,” I said.
“Excited,” he replied.
Wow. Honest. That was… new.
He handed me an extra helmet. “Wear this.”
“Gentleman,” I joked as I took it.
He just smiled. “I try.”
I climbed on behind him, leaving a little space between us. But the moment the bike started moving, I instinctively held onto his jacket.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Y–yeah,” I replied, even though my chest felt like it was about to explode from how close we were.
The road was silent. Cold wind brushing past.
And somehow, my chest felt warm.
At a small convenience store, he bought two ice creams—exactly the same flavor.
“How did you know this is my favorite?” I asked, surprised.
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Just felt right.”
We sat on the curb. No pretending, no pressure. Just… normal.
“Thanks,” I said softly.
“Anytime. Way better than just chatting,” he said.
“Yeah… at least now I understand your alien language,” I teased.
He raised an eyebrow. “Alien?”
“You kind of look like one,” I said, laughing.
He just looked at me, then turned away like a pouty kid, and somehow that made me laugh harder.
“Okay, okay! Sorry!” I said, reaching out to pinch his cheek.
“Hey! Ow!”
I froze. Somehow, we were closer than I realized.
Time felt like it slowed.
“You’re really beautiful, Phoebe,” he muttered.
My heart skipped a beat.
I stepped back quickly, pretending innocence.
“Finish your ice cream! I’m going home!” I said, walking ahead.
I didn’t understand why my chest felt so tight. This wasn’t… right.
I heard his quiet laugh behind me.
“Wait! You’re the one who suggested coming here, and now you’re rushing?”
I stopped, but didn’t look back. Calm, Phoebe. Don’t overreact.
He fell into step beside me, holding his half-eaten ice cream. “Did I do something wrong?” he asked softly.
I bit my lip. How could I explain this jumble of feelings—when it wasn’t even his fault?
“Nothing,” I said quickly. “I just got tired suddenly.”
“Really?” He smiled faintly, unconvinced. “You were laughing just a moment ago.”
I shrugged. “Mood swings.”
He shook his head, laughing. “You’re weird.”
“Excuse me?” I said, turning with a raised brow.
“But cute,” he added quickly.
My stomach did a flip.
“Lennox,” I said seriously, forcing my voice calm, “finish that ice cream. I’m really going home.”
He didn’t argue.
We walked back to the motorcycle in silence. No teasing, no jokes. And somehow… that quiet made me even more nervous.
When we reached my house, I jumped off.
“Thanks for the ice cream,” I said, smiling carefully. “And the… notes.”
“Anytime.” He hesitated a moment. “Phoebe?”
“Yes?”
“You’re really okay?” His concern was obvious.
I nodded. “Yeah. I am.”
He didn’t push. Just smiled softly—warm, unforced.
“Goodnight.”
“Goodnight.”
I stepped inside, heart still heavy. Once in my room, I sank onto my bed, pressing my hand to my chest.
This can’t happen.
I can’t get used to this.
I can’t let myself hope.
Because hoping…
That’s always where it starts to hurt.
- Writer
