BLISS

CHAPTER TWO:- NOT SO INNOCENT

Hey 👋 people🙂. I’m excited to be on this journey with you. Thrilled in fact. Sure it’s work, but for you guys🙃,I’m willing.

Get ready, the journey begins.

~ Who’s Matthew

~ Is Louisiana that innocent?

Don’t worry we have all the time in the world to figure that out lovelies 🙂🌸

CHAPTER TWO:- HAVING A BLAST

LOUISIANA^°^

“What’s up?” Amelia asked, stealing a quick glance at me before returning her attention to the road. A teasing smile tugged at the corners of her lips. “You’ll never guess who just called me.”

I looked up from my phone lazily. “Who?”

She let out a dramatic gasp before bursting into laughter.

“Our soon-to-be hot boyfriend.”

I groaned so loudly she laughed even harder.

“Girl, stop it,” I complained, lightly smacking her arm. “I can never date Matthew. Ever.”

“You keep saying that,” she replied with a knowing grin. “But he doesn’t seem interested in listening.”

“He should. Maybe then he’ll stop following me around like a lost puppy.”

“Mmm-hmm.” 7th

“What?”

“Nothing.”

“No, tell me.”

“I just think you’ll end up eating your words.”

I rolled my eyes and turned to look out the window.

“As if.”

The morning sun bathed the city in a warm golden glow as Amelia’s sleek white SUV cruised through the busy streets. Cars filled the roads, students hurried along sidewalks with backpacks slung over their shoulders, and cafés were already buzzing with customers grabbing breakfast before work.

I rested my chin on my palm, watching the scenery blur past.

Dating was honestly the last thing on my mind.

Being a model wasn’t as glamorous as people imagined. Yes, I loved the photoshoots, the beautiful clothes, and the opportunities, but it also came with endless rules.

No bruises.

No scratches.

No broken nails.

No risky activities.

My manager practically treated me like fragile glass.

Sometimes I wondered if having a boyfriend would only make things worse.

Imagine kissing someone only for them to leave a hickey on my neck.

Absolutely not.

That alone was enough reason to stay single.

At least that’s what I kept telling myself.

“You look like you’re overthinking again,” Amelia interrupted.

“I always think.”

“You overthink.”

“There’s a difference.”

She laughed.

“There really isn’t.”

A few minutes later, the massive wrought-iron gates of Topaz Academy came into view.

Even after years of studying there, the sight still amazed me.

Topaz Academy wasn’t an ordinary high school.

It was where the children of politicians, business moguls, celebrities, athletes, social media influencers, and wealthy families came to study.

Influence mattered just as much as grades.

Some students had millions of followers online before they even graduated.

Others already owned businesses.

Money wasn’t everything here.

Status was.

Beyond the elegant entrance stood several towering buildings connected by beautifully landscaped pathways lined with flowers and trimmed hedges. Marble fountains decorated the courtyards while expensive cars continuously entered through the main gate.

The campus itself looked more like a luxury university than a secondary school.

There was an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

A fully equipped performing arts center.

Professional sports facilities.

An indoor auditorium.

A museum showcasing historical artifacts donated by influential families.

There was even a botanical garden maintained by students studying environmental sciences.

Sometimes I forgot I attended a school instead of a small city.

The only downside?

There were simply too many students.

If someone sneezed in one hallway, somehow the entire school would know before lunch.

Privacy barely existed.

Amelia drove toward the seniors’ parking lot before expertly sliding into her favorite parking space.

Coincidentally—or perhaps intentionally—it was right beside Richard’s reserved spot.

She switched off the engine and smiled.

“You head to class first.”

I already knew what she was going to say.

“You’re waiting for Richard.”

She grinned shamelessly.

“Guilty.”

I sighed dramatically.

“You two are hopeless.”

“We’re in love.”

“You’re obsessed.”

“Same thing.”

I laughed despite myself before stepping out of the car.

“See you later.”

“Love you!”

“Love you too.”

Adjusting my bag over one shoulder, I made my way into the school building.

Students filled every corridor.

Some laughed loudly with friends.

Others hurried toward their classrooms.

A few sat on the floor surrounded by open textbooks, trying to squeeze in last-minute studying before lessons began.

The atmosphere felt completely different from usual.

Our final examinations were only two days away.

You could practically feel the tension hanging in the air.

Even the loudest students seemed unusually quiet.

Everyone wanted good grades.

Everyone wanted a bright future.

Teachers had assigned study sessions throughout the campus, leaving almost every open space occupied.

Only the library remained perfectly peaceful thanks to its soundproof walls.

Luckily for me, Mrs. Benson, the librarian, adored me.

Every examination season she reserved my favorite corner seat near the large windows.

She even kept snacks hidden in her desk just for me.

She insisted studying on an empty stomach was a crime.

I smiled at the thought.

She was honestly the sweetest woman alive.

After weaving through the crowd, I finally reached my locker.

Unlike the plain silver locks everyone else used, mine had a tiny BTS logo engraved on it.

I’d ordered it online months ago.

It wasn’t flashy.

Just simple enough to make my locker feel uniquely mine.

Against the sleek black lockers lining the hallway, it looked surprisingly aesthetic.

I quickly unlocked it and pulled out my Textiles notebook.

Unfortunately, I had two straight hours of Textiles ahead of me.

Not exactly exciting.

But at least it was productive.

Today was Friday.

The final Friday we’d spend at Topaz Academy before graduation.

After today, seniors would only return to campus on examination days.

It felt surreal.

For years these hallways had been part of our everyday lives.

Soon they’d become memories.

Some classmates would go overseas for university.

Some would take over family businesses.

Some I’d probably never see again.

It was strange how people who had once been strangers eventually became familiar faces… only to disappear again.

Life moved too fast.

“Louisiana!”

I froze.

Please don’t let that be—

“Louisiana, wait up!”

I closed my eyes for a second before slowly turning around.

Matthew.

Of course.

Jogging toward me with that ridiculously bright smile, he looked completely oblivious to the fact that half the girls in the hallway were staring at him.

His dark hair was slightly messy, his tie hung loosely around his neck, and his blazer rested casually over one shoulder.

Typical Matthew.

Always looking effortlessly handsome.

Unfortunately.

“Morning,” he said cheerfully.

“Morning.”

“I called you earlier.”

“I know.”

“You didn’t answer.”

“I was busy.”

“I could’ve driven you to school.”

“There wasn’t any need.”

He frowned slightly.

“You know Amelia doesn’t have to keep driving you everywhere.”

I smiled politely.

“She doesn’t mind. She’s my best friend.”

“I know…”

He scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

“I just wanted to spend some time with you.”

I pretended not to notice the hopeful expression in his eyes.

Matthew wasn’t a bad person.

Far from it.

He was kind.

Respectful.

Funny.

Popular.

Any girl would probably say yes without thinking twice.

Except…

I simply wasn’t interested.

Or at least, that was what I kept telling everyone.

“So…” he began nervously.

“About what I asked yesterday.”

I sighed internally.

He really wasn’t giving up.

“Dinner.”

He smiled hopefully.

“Will you go with me?”

For a brief moment I stared at him silently.

Honestly…

If I rejected him now, he’d probably ask again tomorrow.

And the next day.

And somehow during exams.

Besides…

A small thought quietly crossed my mind.

Matthew came from one of the wealthiest families in the city.

The restaurant he’d undoubtedly choose would probably be one I’d never bother paying for myself.

A free dinner.

A chance to make him finally realize I wasn’t interested.

Maybe after one evening together, he’d stop chasing me altogether.

It wasn’t exactly the nicest reason to accept.

But it sounded practical enough.

He’d get his chance.

I’d get a good meal.

After that, hopefully we’d both move on.

I looked back at him with an innocent smile.

“…Fine.”

His eyes widened.

“Really?”

“I’ll have dinner with you.”

For two whole seconds he simply stared.

Then—

“YES!”

His voice echoed through the hallway.

Every single head turned toward us.

Students stopped walking.

A few even clapped sarcastically.

Someone whistled.

“Oh my goodness…”

Heat rushed to my cheeks.

“Matthew!”

He looked completely unbothered.

“I knew you’d say yes!”

“Keep your voice down!”

“I’m sorry!” he laughed, although he clearly wasn’t sorry at all.

“I only agreed because I wanted you to stop asking me every day.”

His smile somehow grew even bigger.

“It still counts.”

I shook my head, trying not to smile at his ridiculous excitement.

“You really are impossible.”

“I’ll text you the time.”

“Fine.”

“You won’t cancel?”

“I said yes.”

“You promise?”

I gave him an exaggerated look.

“Don’t push your luck.”

He laughed.

“I can’t help it.”

I adjusted the notebook in my arms before pointing toward the staircase.

“We’re going to be late.”

“Right.”

“See you later.”

“I’ll be counting the hours.”

“That’s… slightly concerning.”

He chuckled.

Together we walked toward the stairwell before separating at the landing.

He headed toward the business wing while I climbed the opposite staircase leading to the arts department.

As I continued walking, I quietly smiled to myself.

Poor Matthew.

He looked so unbelievably happy.

If only he knew I wasn’t agreeing because I liked him.

I simply wanted one peaceful evening… and maybe one expensive dinner before finally convincing him to give up.

Surely, after that, he’d stop chasing me.

At least…

That was what I believed.