Next day
Emirates Academy
Students moved from class to class, laughter bounced through the hallways, teachers called out latecomers.
Class E
Maria was the center of discussion.
"…I don't know but Maria is acting wierd lately." Marco said
Hugo leaned back in his chair.
"…If it's coming from you, I would say she's perfectly fine."
Marco pointed dramatically.
"Im telling you, I know that girl like the back of my hand."
Misheal sighed.
"Hate to admit it, but he's right."
"She's been acting wierdly."
Andre crossed his hands.
"And she hasn't told me a thing.
The door opened.
Maria walked in.
But she wasn't alone.
Rufus walked beside her.
The class noticed.
Immediately.
Marco blinked.
"…Wait."
He leaned forward.
"…WAIT."
"Don't tell me it's what I'm thinking."
Rufus walked straight to their group.
Casual.
Like nothing had changed.
Maria stood beside him.
Trying to act normal.
Failing slightly.
Rufus dropped his bag.
Then
Without saying anything
He reached out.
And took Maria's hand.
Marco exploded.
"OH MY GOD!"
He stood up.
"THE PAIRS ARE INCREASING!"
Hugo burst out laughing.
"No way"
Misheal's eyes widened.
"…Thats why she's been acting wierd?"
Maria forced a small smile.
"…Yeah."
Rufus nodded calmly.
"…We're together."
Marco grabbed his head.
"This is too sudden"
Hugo smirked.
"…You're just jealous."
"I AM NOT!"
"You are."
"I'm not!"
Maria wasn't listening.
Her eyes…
Were on Andre.
Waiting.
Hoping.
Expecting
Something.
Anything.
A reaction.
A shift.
A sign.
Andre looked up.
Met her gaze.
For a brief second.
Then
" I'm offended I wasn't given a spoiler but I'm happy for you."
That was it.
Maria's smile froze.
Just for a second.
Her fingers tightened slightly in Rufus' hand.
"…Yeah…I'm sorry"
But inside
Something dropped.
Rufus glanced at her.
He saw it.
That tiny crack.
That disappointment.
He leaned slightly closer and whispered:
"…Too early."
Maria didn't respond.
Then
Esmeralda walked in.
Her eyes scanned the room.
And landed on Andre.
A smile formed instantly.
She walked straight toward him.
Ignoring everything else.
Ignoring everyone else.
"…Good morning."
Her voice was soft.
But it carried.
Andre looked up.
"…Morning."
Marco groaned.
" You guys are the only ones left, just date already."
Maria eyes went sideways.
Her chest tightened again.
Then.
Esmeralda leaned slightly closer to Andre.
"…About our project…"
A pause.
"…Are you free during the mid-term?"
Andre nodded lightly.
"…Yeah."
She smiled.
"…Good."
"Means you are coming over to my place."
Then
Without warning,
She placed her hand lightly on his shoulder.
Casual.
Maria looked away.
Rufus's jaw tightened slightly.
Marco whispered loudly:
"…Oh now they're skipping the hint."
Hugo grinned.
"…I'm enjoying this."
Misheal folded her arms.
"…Now we are all gonna be in pairs."
Maria forced a laugh but her eyes betrayed her.
Rufus kept his calm face.
But his mind was already moving.
Andre?
But something about the way he didn't move Esmeralda's hand.
Then misheal stood up.
"Mmm... Esmeralda it's practice time, shall we?"
"Yeah, let's move."
Maria dropped her bag and brought out a book.
"You guys go ahead, I will catch up."
Marco smiled.
"Oh we will give you privacy."
Hugo put his hands over Misheal's shoulder
"We will leave you with Rufus, enjoy your stay."
They all stood up and left.
Rufus then smiled at Maria.
"Just chill, it's a bit early to expect a reaction."
Maria gave him a worried look.
"I'm not sure because it seems like I'm pushing him to her."
"Hmmmmm."
Then Anastasia entered the class as she walked toward them.
"Yoo Maria, how are you?"
"I'm good."
Rufus glanced at her from head to toe.
"Why are you just coming to school."
Anastasia narrowed her eyes.
"That's why I'm here, we need to to talk."
A pause.
"Privately."
Rufus looked at Maria as she smiled at him.
"It's ok, you can go. I will be alright."
And that's how they all left.
She sighed.
"And here I am, alone again."
Then door creaked open.
Esmeralda.
Maria didn't turn immediately.
"…I thought you'd be on the pitch."
Esmeralda stepped in.
"…I'm the captain."
She closed the door behind her softly.
"…I show up when I want."
Maria finally turned.
Her expression calm
"…That's not exactly a good example."
A pause.
"…For someone people are supposed to follow."
Esmeralda tilted her head slightly.
Studying her.
Then
A faint smile.
Just… knowing.
"…I don't really care about rules."
She stepped forward slowly.
"…Or making impressions."
A beat.
Her eyes locked onto Maria's.
"…Unlike you."
Maria frowned slightly.
"…What is that supposed to mean?"
Esmeralda let out a soft breath.
Almost amused.
"…Andre might be a little daft when it comes to things like this…"
A small shrug.
"…But I'm not."
She stepped closer.
Not aggressive.
But invading.
"…I can smell a setup before it even starts."
Maria's fingers tightened slightly around her bag.
But she said nothing.
Esmeralda's voice dropped slightly.
Calm.
Precise.
"…You and that… alligator you're holding hands with."
A pause.
"…You planned it."
Silence.
"…To get a reaction."
Another step closer.
"…From who?"
A beat.
"…Me?"
She let out a soft, dismissive huff.
"…Not happening."
The line that hit hardest.
"…And Andre?"
A small pause.
Her gaze didn't waver.
"…You won't get one from him either."
Maria's breath slowed.
Esmeralda smiled slightly.
But this time
There was something deeper behind it.
"…Because his heart…"
A beat.
"…is ice."
"And he doesn't care about you as much as you think."
That one landed.
Not loud.
Not dramatic.
But heavy.
Maria looked away for a split second.
Then back.
Trying to hold her ground.
Esmeralda stepped back.
Creating space again.
"…Here's a simple advice, Maria."
"…Stop trying to impress people."
A pause.
"…And enjoy your relationship."
Another small beat.
"…With Rufus."
She turned.
No hesitation.
No second glance.
Walking toward the door
"And Andre is mine."
"So stay away from him."
She paused slightly.
"…You're not a bad person."
A faint smirk.
"…Just a little lost."
And then
She walked out.
Swaying her hips.
The door clicked shut.
Silence returned.
Maria stood there.
Still.
Processing.
Her grip on her bag tightened.
Then loosened.
Her eyes dropped slightly.
Because the worst part wasn't the accusation
It was how much of it…
Felt true.