LIFE IN DRAMA CLASS

Ep4:THE KINGS

A few days had passed since the incident with James.

I stopped going to drama class after that day. The room felt too heavy with memories I wasn't ready to face. I avoided Bella and Vicente too. I knew they would try to convince me to come back, try to cheer me up like good friends do—but I just couldn’t. I wasn’t ready to smile, wasn’t ready to pretend. I hid away in the music room and the library, the only places quiet enough to match the storm inside me.

And I definitely didn’t want to see him again.

But no matter how much I tried to avoid him, I couldn’t stop thinking about the way he had looked at me that day—those eyes, deep and unreadable. Dark, angry, and intense. There was something about them that felt like fire. Like falling stars you know you shouldn’t stare at, but can’t help being drawn to. His gaze felt like it could burn you if you got too close… and I was already scorched.

Still, there was something else too—something strange.

Every time I saw him, something tugged at the back of my mind. A sense of déjà vu. I was sure we had met before. But where? I’d spent the past few days trying to remember, replaying my memories like an old film reel. But nothing ever came. I’ve always had a good memory. I don’t forget people, especially not someone like him.

So why did he feel so… familiar?

I shook the thought out of my head, forcing myself to focus. Maybe I was just overthinking it. Maybe he just reminded me of someone. I had more important things to worry about—like my science test.

Glancing at my watch, I realized I was almost late. I grabbed my bag, stuffed my books in, and rushed out of the library, hurrying down the hallway. Halfway there, I bumped into someone. Hard.

My books flew out of my hands and scattered across the floor.

“I’m so sorry!” I blurted, bending down to pick them up without even looking at the person.

Then I felt a hand touch mine.

I looked up.

Our eyes met.

It was him.

I jumped back in surprise. “You again?!”

“Hey!” he said with a grin. “We meet again, cutie.”

He held a hand dramatically to his chest like I had just stabbed him. “Why the shock? I’m not that scary, am I?”

I rolled my eyes and tried to walk past him. “I’m going to be late,” I muttered.

He blocked my path. “You’re not even going to say hi properly?”

I sighed, gave him a small, tight smile. “Okay, Senior James, what do you want? Need help with something?”

Before he could respond, another voice joined us—loud and full of mischief. “Look who we’ve got here! A bookworm!”

A tall guy waved my science book in the air. He had dark skin that shimmered in the sunlight pouring through the windows, a wide grin, and the kind of energy that made everything feel lighter. He looked like trouble—but the fun kind.

James turned to him with an annoyed look. “Desmond. What are you doing here?”

“Looking for you! You disappeared without saying a word. I thought something happened.” Then his eyes flicked to me. “Ohhh, so this is why.”

He stepped forward, pushing James out of the way playfully. “Let me see what kind of girl makes the infamous James act like a lost puppy—”

But when he saw me, he froze.

“Whoa... Sunny?” His voice dropped, softer, almost confused.

James stepped in quickly, his expression warning. “Desmond. Don’t get confused by the look.”

Desmond nodded slowly, understanding passing between them like a secret.

I took a step back, accidentally tripping over the books still scattered on the floor. I let out a small yelp—but before I could hit the ground, a pair of strong arms caught me.

I looked up.

And there he was again.

Him.

Lover Boy.

Why was it always him?

His arms held me firmly, and for a second, the world went quiet. Everything faded except his eyes, locked with mine. And for the briefest moment, it felt like we were the only two people in the world.

But then I remembered Bella’s words.

You were kicked out of the play… they changed your story…

And the anger came rushing back. How dare he look at me like that?

A cough broke the moment. We turned to see James and Desmond watching, expressions unreadable.

I quickly stepped out of Emmanuel’s arms, my cheeks on fire.

Desmond cleared his throat and stepped forward, handing me my books. “Hi, I’m Desmond. People call me PB.”

“PB?” I raised a brow, as in "play boy"

He winked. “oooo a smart one too.”

I would love us to be friends, he said playfully.

I snorted. “Figures.”

“Hey!” James cut in. “She can’t be your friend.”

“Why not?” Desmond asked, smirking. “She’s not property.”

“She’s already my friend!”

“Then she can be mine too.”

They bickered like kids, going back and forth, and I couldn’t help but laugh. These two were supposedly the most popular guys in school—the “Kings”—but they were acting like jealous brothers over a toy.

Then Emmanuel’s voice came again, low and soft. “And to think we’re called The Kings.”

I turned to him as he held out a hand. “I’m Emmanuel. And you?”

I hesitated. My face was already red, and hearing him say his name just made it worse. Emmanuel—one of my favorite names. People always said those with that name were heartbreakers. But I didn’t believe it. To me, the name felt calm, comforting… safe.

“The name means ‘God is with us,’ you know,” I whispered, more to myself than to him.

“Hey, cutie,” Desmond teased. “Why are you blushing? Emmanuel, what did you do?”

“Nothing,” Emmanuel replied casually.

“Are you sure? You can be kind of mean.”

“Ask her,” Emmanuel said, eyes still on me. “All I did was say my name.”

James turned to me, concerned. “Is that true?”

I nodded quickly, looking away.

“Maybe,” Emmanuel added in a teasing tone, “she just really loves my name.”

My face went redder than ever.

That was it. I couldn’t take another second of this.

I turned on my heel and ran—straight down the hallway, cheeks burning, leaving my books behind still clutched in James’s hands.