CHAPTER 6

It was their vacant period, and the cafeteria buzzed with casual chatter and the occasional clatter of trays, but at one particular table, Sean sat with his phone resting idly in his palm. He and Darren had claimed their usual spot near the window, the place where they always spent free hours between classes. Sean’s eyes were glued to his phone screen, waiting for the familiar vibration that signaled a message from Lareina. He was sure she would text him any minute, asking for a ride home like she always did. She was still finishing her last class of the day, waiting for dismissal.

Yet, even as he waited, a strange sensation lingered in his gut — a quiet but persistent feeling that today was going to be different. He could not shake it off.

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by Darren’s excited outburst.

“Dude! You won’t believe this!” Darren nearly bounced out of his seat, his voice loud and brimming with pride. “My band got picked to perform at the Night Concert!”

Sean’s eyes widened, his mouth forming a perfect O. For a moment, he just stared, stunned, before breaking into a wide grin.

“Seriously? That’s awesome!” Sean exclaimed, his voice loud enough to catch the attention of nearby students. But he hardly cared about the curious glances thrown their way. He reached across the table and gave Darren a strong pat on the back, his way of showing approval.

“Not everyone gets to perform in front of a huge crowd, man. Don’t screw it up, or I’ll smack you so hard you’ll forget your name,” Sean teased, though his grin showed nothing but pride.

“As if you could even land a hit on me,” Darren shot back with a laugh. Then his expression shifted, his smile dimming just a little as he crossed his arms. “Still... I’m not letting you off the hook that easily. I still hate you, remember.”

Sean chuckled, stuffing a handful of potato chips into his mouth. “Dude, it’s been a year. You’re still hung up on that?”

“You’re the one who dragged me into music, made me realize what I wanted to do. And then what? You just stuck with the design. You could have been a great singer, Sean, but you chose a different road.”

Sean shrugged, his casual demeanor hiding the faintest flicker of regret that surfaced whenever the topic arose. “I told you already. I want to finish my design course first. But hey, if I ever change my mind, you’ll be the first to know.”

Darren snorted. “If I make it to the big leagues, I swear I’ll drag you on stage with me, even if I have to tie you up and throw you under the spotlight.”

“Yeah, yeah, sure,” Sean said with a wave of his hand, brushing it off with a grin.

Just then, a familiar voice called out, bright and unmistakable.

“Yow, Sean! Hi, Darren!”

Both boys turned to see Lareina approaching, her steps light and her smile infectious. She plopped down beside Sean without hesitation, her eyes sparkling as though she carried a delightful secret.

Sean instinctively glanced around, scanning the area behind her, expecting another figure to show up — or rather, bracing himself for the one person he did not want to see.

No one came. The space behind her remained empty.

Relieved, Sean turned his gaze back to Lareina, who was still grinning, her entire demeanor practically glowing with cheerfulness. It made him suspicious.

What has her in such a good mood? he wondered.

“So, where’s that annoying insect who keeps buzzing around you? Sick today? Hope he stays that way,” Sean muttered, popping another chip into his mouth with mock indifference.

Lareina rolled her eyes and smacked his arm lightly. “You’re so cruel to Yvo.”

“He’s here. He just left early,” she said breezily. “He said he needed to clean his house.”

“A neat freak, huh?” Darren piped up, unable to resist joining the banter.

“Well, he has to clean since I’m going there tomorrow,” Lareina added casually, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world. “Starting tomorrow, you don’t have to pick me up, Sean. I’ll be going with Yvo.”

Sean froze. The chip he was holding never made it to his mouth. His hand hung in the air, trembling slightly. His brain stalled, the words taking a moment to fully register.

“What? Wh-What house? His house?!” Sean’s voice erupted, echoing through the cafeteria. He shot up from his chair so violently that it screeched against the floor, drawing stares from all directions. His face was burning red, his breathing ragged as if he had just been punched in the gut.

Nearby students paused mid-conversation, their meals forgotten, eager to witness the brewing drama.

Lareina’s cheeks flushed as she cringed at the unwanted attention. She tugged at Sean’s sleeve, her voice sharp and low. “Sit down, idiot! You’re making a scene!”

But Sean could not be calmed.

“Have you completely lost your mind?! You’re going to his house? Alone? Lareina, you’re a girl! What if he—” Sean’s voice broke slightly from both panic and frustration. “You can’t just casually go into a guy’s house like that!”

“You’re overreacting!” Lareina shot back, crossing her arms, though her face was starting to redden with irritation. “We’re project partners! We need to record, and since he has a studio, it makes sense to work there. That’s it!”

“Is this for the Night Concert?” Darren interjected, hoping to calm things down.

“Yes! And we want to win. So, whether you like it or not, I’m going.”

Sean was about to yell again, but Lareina’s glare stopped him cold.

“I knew you’d throw a fit, so I already asked Yvo if you could come along. He agreed. But he said you have to behave,” she said with a raised eyebrow, daring him to argue.

Sean’s jaw dropped. “You expect me to set foot in that jerk’s house? You’re serious right now?!”

“Completely serious. Unless, of course... You want me to go alone?” Her gaze was firm, unwavering. She was challenging him to refuse.

Sean clenched his fists, the weight of her words sinking into his chest. He knew that if he declined, she would still go without him to keep an eye on her. The thought made his stomach twist with unease.

“Fine,” he muttered bitterly, dragging his hands through his hair. “Fine! I’ll go. Like hell I’m letting you stay alone with that guy.”

His chest ached, not with fear of Yvo, but with the awful, hollow jealousy that always seemed to gnaw at him whenever Lareina and Yvo were involved. It was the sting of not being enough — of her needing someone else’s company, someone who was not him.

“What about your painting, though?” Darren asked, concerned. “You have that art exhibit for Foundation Day, right? The deadline’s close.”

Sean did not reply. His mind was a whirlwind of frustration and jealousy, far removed from thoughts of art.

“What painting?” Lareina asked, looking between them.

“Sean’s joining the school’s art exhibit this year,” Darren explained. “The deadline’s in two weeks.”

Lareina’s eyes widened. “You’re busy then?”

She snapped her fingers in front of Sean’s face, snapping him out of his daze.

“Don’t force yourself, okay? If you’re busy, I’ll just go with Yvo. He’s a good—”

“No way.” Sean cut her off, his voice firm and final. “I’m coming with you. End of discussion.”

Darren chuckled to himself, watching the exchange with mild amusement. The signs were clear. Sean was utterly in love, even if he did everything to deny it. Still, Darren could not fault him. Anyone could see how deeply Sean cared for her.

“Then it’s settled,” Lareina said, a small but satisfied smile creeping onto her lips. She was relieved. Deep down, she did not want Sean to feel excluded, or worse, to think she was drifting further away from him.

Yet none of them knew that stepping into Yvo’s house would be more than just about music and projects. It would become the beginning of tangled emotions, hidden rivalries, and truths that none of them were prepared to face.