In Love with the Campus Genius

[Radio Anchor: It will be raining tomorrow. Don't forget to bring your umbrellas tomorrow, listeners! It's back to school season, so let's be careful. For all the students listening right now, I know you're excited to go back and see your friends, teachers, and of course, your crush!]

Seraphina suddenly turned up the radio and opened her window. Their house is close to the city, with towering buildings visible around. It was drizzling, and many people were seen with umbrellas while others used their bags to shield their heads.

"Crush..." she whispered.

Seraphina leaned out, gazing at the sky. The moon was not visible, and there weren't many stars.

She smiled, watching the dark sky. Then she clasped her hands together and closed her eyes as if in prayer. 

"God, give me the courage tomorrow. I promised that in my last year of high school, I'll confess my feelings to him," Seraphina said, looking at the love letter she had prepared on her desk earlier.

Her eyes resembled hearts, but inside, it felt like wires were cutting through her due to nervousness.

*Ring ring ring*

Her cellphone rang, and she quickly picked it up, seeing Vivian's name.

"Sera!! Fiona said you're going to confess to Jayden tomorrow?! Is that true?"

Vivian and Fiona had been her close friends since elementary school. Now, they were in their last year of high school and would be going to college next year.

Seraphina turned off the radio and placed the love letter in her bag. Her cellphone remained in her left hand, pressed to her left ear.

"Hey, Sera! What's up? Why aren't you saying anything?" Vivian asked impatiently.

Seraphina lay down on her small bed and took out a wallet-sized photo of Jayden.

"Yes, it's true. I'm going to confess to him," she said, her eyes fixed on the picture of Jayden that she had candidly taken during the first-year ceremony, where Jayden first captured her heart.

"Seraphina! Do you even know your ABCs? Let me remind you, Jayden's in section A, and you're in section F, the very last section. You're miles apart! He doesn't even know you exist. Jeez! Just keep your first love to yourself until you graduate! Don't embarrass yourself," Vivian said, concerned.

Seraphina unconsciously pouted at everything, let out a heavy sigh, and said, "I know, but I'll still try! Who knows, right? Besides, I promised myself I'd confess before college." Her voice tinged with hope and anticipation.

"Sera! You've had a crush on him for four years! It's obvious he doesn't feel the same or he might not even know you exist. Do you know how many girls chase after him and get rejected? He's a campus genius and heartthrob. And you?" Vivian stated, a painful truth.

Yes, Jayden Ace was a campus genius, loved and admired by everyone. He was also sporty, a top player in the school's badminton club, and skilled in musical instruments. It seemed there was nothing he couldn't do. But me? What can I even do?

Except for having fun, eating, sleeping, and loving him. I'm not pretty, s*xy, or smart, I'm not sporty, and I can't cook either. I'm just an ordinary girl.

Seraphina felt hurt thinking about this. She knew that her world was entirely different from Jayden's.

"Sera?? Are you still there?"

Seraphina snapped back to reality and spoke, "Yes. But whatever, I've decided to confess!" she said, then ended the call.

She felt the heavy weight of that truth, but deep inside, she still drew strength to confess her 4-year one-sided love.

Seraphina knew her chances were slim, but she wanted to try. She wanted to let him know how she felt and have no regrets.

Seraphina placed her cellphone on the table and put Jayden's photo behind her pillow.

"Let's sleep, My Jayden," she whispered, then hugged the big teddy bear with a mask of Jayden's face hanging on it.

---

The next day, Seraphina woke up early and got ready. Her dad is a chef, and they own a restaurant, so he is barely at home.

The school was within walking distance from their house, so Seraphina walked there. Many students were also walking.

Seraphina remembered that it was supposed to rain today, as the news said last night, so she brought an umbrella. But for now, there were no signs of rain; in fact, it was sunny.

"Is this a good sign?" she whispered, then smiled and ran inside. At the center of the school, near the entrance, there was a large tree. She hid behind it.

She took a deep breath and pulled out the love letter from her bag. She peeked out again to see if Jayden had arrived.

This is it! You have to do it, Sera! It's better than having 'what ifs.' At least you won't have any regrets. Right!

In a few seconds, she saw Jayden's familiar figure. His attention was on the book he was carrying in his right hand. In his other hand was his bag. The people around him were also looking at him.

Jayden had black hair and striking amber eyes. His face was heart-shaped, with pinkish lips, a sharp jawline, and a pointed nose. Standing at 6'0" with fair skin, he possessed an ideal muscular mesomorph body type, making him the epitome of physical perfection.

"Kya~~ he's so handsome even when he's just reading," Seraphina said, watching Jayden. She timed her exit to confront him.

*Dub dub dub dub*

With each step Jayden took, Seraphina's heart beat faster. And as he got closer, Seraphina's nervousness grew, as if she was losing her breath.

This is it, Seraphina. You have to get it together! You can do it!

Seraphina tried to calm and compose herself. She tightened her grip on the love letter she now held with both hands.

1... 2... 3...

Seraphina stepped out from behind the tree, just in time to block Jayden's path.

"I..."

Jayden looked at her expressionlessly, clearly puzzled by Seraphina's actions.

People around them started to look as well. Seraphina had drawn the attention of the students there.

She bit her lip because she hadn't expected people to stare at her. She felt like cold water had been poured over her, and she couldn't move. In 4 years, this was the first time she had faced Jayden Ace, and he was now looking directly at her.

She couldn't explain her feelings. There was a mix of joy, nervousness, and embarrassment.

"Who are you?" Jayden asked plainly.

She took a deep breath and slowly looked at Jayden until their eyes met. His amber eyes seemed deep and unreadable. She felt even more intimidated, so she looked away, focusing on the ground.

She extended the love letter to Jayden with both hands.

"I-I I a-am... Seraphina Dawson from section F. I... I love you, Jayden Ace Finman!" she stammered, still looking at the ground.

She heard Jayden smirk, and it felt like a dagger to her heart.

What? What does it mean?

"Section F? Sorry, but I don't like dumb girls," he said faintly, then walked away, leaving Seraphina bewildered. As he left, he stepped on the love letter, causing it to fall.

It felt like Seraphina's shattered heart was glued to the ground; she couldn't move.

W-what? Am I rejected?