And just like that, a week had passed, and yet everything felt different for Ruby, despite the outward appearance of normalcy. Ever since she made the conscious decision to acknowledge and accept her feelings for Caden, he had become a constant presence in her thoughts. He seemed to weave his way into her dreams, appearing as a visitor in her subconscious mind. Her notepad was now adorned with absent-minded doodles, with the letter 'C' enclosed in a heart, a symbol of her infatuation. Despite her preoccupation with her crush, Ruby remained focused on her academics, recognizing the impending mid-term exams. She wasn't the type of girl to neglect her studies while indulging in romantic daydreams. Instead, she diligently worked day and night, taking detailed notes while others engaged in idle gossip. While her peers watched random football practices, she would often be found in the library, immersing herself in her studies. Although she longed to be there to support her best friend, Luke

Paige entered the nearly empty classroom with a storm of anger. Heads turned to observe her as she marched purposefully towards Caden, who appeared completely clueless about the brewing storm. Olivia, with her usual nonchalant tone, remarked, "Satan's back. Wow," rolling her eyes in response to the dramatic entrance.Caden arched an eyebrow, uncertain of how to respond to Paige's sudden presence and obvious frustration. He awaited her next move, bracing himself for whatever was about to come.“I want to talk to you,” she told him.Caden’s response was dry. “Fine. Talk.”Paige let out a deep sigh of frustration, feeling a mix of offense and disappointment at Caden's lack of immediate attention. After being away for two whole weeks, she had expected him to be more attentive, clinging to her as he usually did. But his indifferent attitude was like a blow to her heart. Did this mean her suspicions derived from the pictures were true? Was he really over her?In a softer tone, Paige made an

The conflicting voices of an angel and a devil echoed in Ruby's mind as she stood in front of the mirror in the pristine girls' washroom. The angel's voice, gentle and melodious, reassured her, emphasizing that she wasn't shallow. However, the devil's voice, croaky and sly, couldn't resist chiming in with a retort, calling her stupid.Frustrated by the conflicting thoughts swirling in her head, Ruby stomped her feet on the clean white tiles, trying to ground herself. She studied her reflection in the wide mirror, her scowl reflecting her inner turmoil.Her expression softened for a brief moment, but the fury quickly resurfaced. She couldn't help but experience a whirlwind of emotions after witnessing the recent events. On one hand, she questioned why she allowed someone else's opinion of her life to hold any weight. After all, that person hadn't lived a single second of her experiences, while she had lived through every moment.The sinking sensation that had engulfed Ruby started to s

"I want to see you smile and giggle like you always do," Luke expressed, observing the visible surprise in Tanya's eyes and the blush that spread across her tanned cheeks. As the sun hid behind the clouds once again, allowing cold winds to enter through the open windows, Luke assumed it was the reason for her change in demeanor. "You see, I have this impression of you. A hyperactive teenager who never stops talking and is constantly all over the classroom," Luke continued, his ears picking up the sound of teeth grinding together, likely coming from the person sitting beside him. He carried on, disregarding any warning signs, "You throw insults randomly and call people by nicknames. What else...?" Luke pondered for a moment, and that's when Olivia's fist came down hard on the desk, grabbing his full attention. The coldness in Olivia's voice was chilling, even compared to the winds blowing into the classroom. "You seem to have a death wish," she retorted sharply. Luke let out a heav

The doorbell rang twice, displaying the visitor's impatience, which irked Olivia's mother, Mrs. Reynolds. She grumbled under her breath as she hurried towards the door, prepared to scold the impatient guest. However, as she opened the door and saw Caden standing there, her scowl quickly transformed into a wide, warm smile. "Caden! Why are you waiting outside? Come in, come in!" Mrs. Reynolds exclaimed cheerfully, delighted by his presence. Caden's lips curved into a sardonic smile as he entered the house, his guarded demeanor softening in response to her warm welcome."Hello, Mrs. Reynolds! How are you?" Caden reciprocated her enthusiasm, greeting her with genuine politeness."Why are you standing? Take a seat!" Mrs. Reynolds patted the dust off a sofa cushion, inviting him to sit. "Such a well-mannered boy you are! I'm doing great, despite receiving regular comments about my daughter's misbehavior," she shook her head, a playful grin spreading across her face. "Sorry for my complain