"Shit, shit," Saige muttered under her breath, her shoes squeaking loudly as she sprinted through the school corridors. Her long hair whipped behind her.
Perfect, she thought sarcastically. First day of college, and I'm already late. What a phenomenal way to start my academic life.
She skidded to a stop just outside the classroom door, clutching her chest as she tried to catch her breath.
"Okay, Saige," she whispered to herself.
"Inhale… exhale… you've got this."
Then—just as she was pulling herself together—a low, smooth voice spoke behind her.
"Hi. Are you a freshman?"
Saige nearly jumped. She turned slowly, still
panting.
"Yes! I mean—wait… let me catch my breath first," she said, raising her right hand and her left hand in her left knee. She could see the figure on her peripheral view.
The voice belonged to a boy.
A tall boy.
"Oh, got it," he said with a casual smile.
"Mind if I go in with you?"
Raya turned to face him fully—and instantly froze.
"Shit," she whispered again, but this time, there was a smile on her face.
The boy raised an eyebrow. "Sorry, I didn't mean to—if you'd rather not—"
"No! I mean—uh—I was just-" She cut herself off and straightened her body.
"Totally fine. You can go first!" she stammered, cheeks heating up as she gestured toward the door.
He gave her a curious look but nodded and walked in. She followed, silently praying the floor would swallow her whole.
Then he spoke.
"Alright, everyone, settle down!"
Raya froze.
Wait… he's not a student?
With no choice, she slid into the only available seat—front row, right beside the teacher's desk. And dangerously close to him.
"My name is Primero," he said, holding a clipboard. "Mrs. Lincoln won't be here today, so I was asked to take attendance. When I call your name, raise your hand and say 'present.'"
Saige sighed in relief. Thank God. He's not the teacher.
A familiar voice leaned in from behind her.
"Are you okay? Your asthma?"
Saige shook her head. "I'm fine, Eli. I had to run. I thought I was going to be late."
Eli—her best friend and lifelong chaos coordinator —gasped.
"This is your first time being late! What happened? Didn't your brother drive you?"
"Nope. I forgot my ID. We were already far from home, so we had to go back. Totally my fault."
Eli looked scandalized. "You? Forget something? That's a first!"
"You're being dramatic," Raya muttered, though she was clearly annoyed with herself.
"You owe me lunch," Eli declared.
"Excuse me? Why do I owe you?" she shot back.
"Mayari Saige Reigo."
Raya snapped upright as her name was called. She raised her hand.
"Present."
Eli leaned in again, eyes gleaming.
"Do you know who that is?"
She shook her head.
"That's Primero Azriel Madrigal. Student Council President. Law student. Varsity basketball player. Debate team. Chess prodigy. He's literally that guy."
Raya blinked. "Seriously?"
Something fluttered in her chest—and this time, it wasn't from running.
Raya had always admired people who could match her intensity.
And this boy?
He wasn't just a match.
He was a rival.
"You like him," Eli smirked. "You have a crush!"
"No! I mean—he's kind of… very… Is this what a crush feels like?" she asked, genuinely confused.
"Elijah Valeria."
"Present—handsome!" Eli called out dramatically. The class laughed. Even Primero smiled.
"You're crazy," Raya muttered, hitting his arm.
"So… you do have a crush?" he teased.
"Not really," she said, rolling her eyes.
"But seriously," Eli continued, "you two are similar—competitive. Debate club, varsity… wasn't he in your debate team before?"
"I was, but I quit early. I got recruited into the quiz bee team, remember?"
"Both of you even skipped years! He was supposed to still be in senior high, but he skipped twice. You too—you skipped two years in elementary, right?"
Raya froze.
"Wait… seriously? That's so… attractive."
"I knew you liked smart people," Eli grinned. "I fact-checked everything."
Primero finished attendance and walked out. Raya's eyes followed him until he disappeared.
"You're already down bad," Eli whispered.
"Oh my God."
"I want him, Eli," Raya said suddenly, dead serious.
Eli gasped dramatically. "You're insane! Then claim him already!" Eli wails while slapping my back dramatically
"Eli!" she hissed. "You're too loud!"
"Fine, fine. But still—go for it. Though I remember something… someone asked him on the freedom wall if he had a crush, and he said he has a TOTGA."
Saige narrowed her eyes. "So? That just means I have to make him fall for me."
Eli grinned. "That's the spirit! Though some people say he might be gay… and he's never had a girlfriend."
Raya smirked. "Doesn't change anything. Game's still on."
"That's why I love you. You never back down."
"I will make him fall for me."
"How?" Eli raised a brow. "Wait—do you even have experience? You've never had a boyfriend, remember?"
She paused.
"No… but I can research. Give me a week."
"A week?"
"For my plan." She flipped open her notebook and showed him the title written at the top
Operation: Make Him Fall for Me.
Eli gasped. "Does that include Googling 'how to make a man fall in love with you'?"
"Yes? And stalking maybe—I mean, checking his socials. For research."
Eli clapped proudly. "Wow. Having Mayari Reigo as your stalker? Just Wow!"
"Since we have free time today," Saige grinned, handing him her phone, "let's begin."
She smirked. "Operation: Make Him Mine."
"I thought it was 'Make Him Fall for Me'?" Eli Questioned
"That's not how it works. Falling isn't enough.... He needs to be mine." Saige Murmured softly
"Wow. You've leveled up. This isn't just a crush anymore." Eli murmured back with an amused look hinted all over his face.
Saige didn't answer.
She just kept scrolling through Primero's Icetagram, eyes sharp, a slow smile forming.
No.
This wasn't just a crush.
I swear!
Right?
How could i possibly fall for him?
At first sight???
(Authors note: Please do tell me if there's any inconsistencies that you have notice, and any feedback that i could possibly change and work on)