The Boy I Swore to Hate

Prologue

"Congratulations, Miss Villanueva. First Placw"

The applause echoed throughout the auditorium as I slowly walked to the center of the stage. The spotlight was hot on me, but the feeling in my chest was even hotter.

I won. Again

I accepted the medal and certificate from the host while trying hard to suppress a big smile. I don't want to look too excited, but to be honest, I want to jump for joy.

Not because I like to win. Not because I want to be noticed. If not for the fact that I know how hard I worked for this.

For several weeks, I have hardly had any proper sleep. While other students are outside with their friends, I am in my room, bending over books and reviewers. While others are enjoying the weekend, I am studying.

Not because someone is forcing me. But because I had no other choice.

People like me can't rely on luck. We need to work hard for everything.

As soon as I got off the stage, I immediately looked for Mama and Papa in the audience.

I saw them in the third row.

They were both smiling while clapping.

And that was enough to make all my fatigue disappear.

Sometimes I wonder what it feels like to be rich. Those people who don't have to worry about whether they can pay for the next semester. Those people who don't have to think about how much is left in their wallet before buying coffee.

I don't know that feeling.

I grew up seeing my parents work so hard just to give me a good life.

So every time I receive a medal or an award, I feel that, in some way, I am repaying all their sacrifices.

"Congratulations." My smile disappeared immediately, that voice was familiar. Too familiar.

I sighed before slowly turning around.

And as I expected, he was there.

Luca Monteverde.

He was standing a few steps away from me with one hand tucked into his pants pocket.

I don't understand why this guy's timing always seems perfect.

When I'm happy, he shows up.

When my life is quiet, he shows up.

On days when I just want to live in peace, he still shows up.

Like a curse.

"Do you need something?" I asked.

One of his eyebrows raised.

"Nothing." I'm just congratulating you.

I rolled my eyes.

"Miracle."

He smiled.

And right then and there, I wanted to leave.

It's annoying because of his smile.

It's not the kind of annoying thing because it's ugly.

Opposite.

It's annoying because he knows he can turn the whole campus upside down with just that, and it's even more annoying because he seems to be aware of it.

"What is your problem with me again?" he asked.

I laughed without joy.

"Problem?"

As if he doesn't know.

If you think about it, he didn't really do anything directly bad to me.

He didn't bully me.

He didn't embarrass me.

He didn't slander me.

But there are really people you don't need to commit a big sin to get annoyed with, and he is one of them.

Because every time I see him, it feels like the world is reminding me how different we are.

Luca Monteverde is the type of person who doesn't need to worry about money.

He is the child of one of the richest families in the country.

He has his own car.

He has his own driver if he wants.

He has the ability to buy almost everything he wants.

Meanwhile, what about me?

I'm still counting the change after buying food at the cafeteria.

And I don't know why, but every time I see him, it's like I'm looking at something I can never reach.

"You're overthinking again."

I blinked.

I didn't realize I was staring at him.

Embarrassing.

"You're acting so close."

"I prefer the observant one."

I shook my head.

Why does it always seem like this man has an answer?

It's annoying.

But before I could find a way to escape him, he spoke again.

"See you tomorrow."

I furrowed my brow.

"Why?"

"Have you forgotten?"

"What?"

"The announcement for the National Academic Summit is tomorrow."

And I immediately fell silent.

Okay.

National Academic Summit

The competition was dreamed of by almost all ambitious students.

The competition can open up a multitude of opportunities.

And the competition I've long wanted to join.

Suddenly, I felt heavy.

Not because I'm nervous.

But because I know that being good is not enough.

Sometimes, you also need to be lucky.

And I'm not sure if luck is on my side.

"Good luck, Amara." His voice was low when he said that.

And for the first time, it seemed like I didn't hear any teasing.

it's sounds like he's simcere when he said that

But before I could even analyze what I felt, he turned around and walked away.

I was left standing there while everything was about to change.

And above all...

I don't understand why, out of all the people I could think of before going to sleep tonight...

Luca Monteverde is still on my mind.