* SPRINGFIELD HIGHSCHOOL ClASS 2A*
As the bell rang, signaling the end of a quick math lesson, the students felt a wave of relief wash over them. This class had barely lasted for twenty minutes. outside the classroom, the hallway buzzed with students engaging in pointless banters and playful chat, Taking their brief break before the next class starts.
Sophia, Lisa, and Angela were standing near the lockers, with Angela going through hers, she seems to be looking for something. Lisa always being the active one in the group, was happily sharing about the new skincare products she bought.
"Girls, you won't believe this, the new cream I got! It's incredible! My skin feels so smooth like butter. And the soap, oh my gosh, it's works like magic! and it smells great...Lisa said.
Sophia nodded, half-listening while she adjusted her jacket, she was listening to music with her earbuds stocked to her ears. "Seriously?" she replied, trying to catch a bit of the conversation while the music played on.
"I don't know, Lisa. You seem to get really excited about every new product that promises to make you look like a goddess. Does it really work that well?"...
"Are you sure it's really that good?"... Angela asked with a doubtful tone. "I mean, not everything that's popular actually works."
Lisa shot her a playful glare. "Oh come on, Angela, You are just jealous because you haven't tried it yet! You should give it a shot."
Sophia, who had been quietly listening to music, couldn't help but smile, she wasn't particularly interested in creams or soaps. Soon the sound of laughter and casual chat resounded across the hallway as Jovan and Jason walked out of the classroom, Sophia's attention was drawn towards them.
Lisa waved dismissively, clearly not effected by Angela's remarks. "Trust me, Angela. You really should give it a try, you will notice the difference."
Lisa was still talking when her eyes landed on the two boys, her eyes shorn with mischief as she quickly changed the subject. "Speaking of close friends, did you guys notice how close this two are? Honestly, they act like married couples "... She chuckled and nudge Sophia playfully.
Angela couldn't help but grin, as she jumped into the gossip.... "Oh, I definitely think our queen has a crush on one of them"...she said, glancing at Sophia.
Sophia shot her a glare, her eyebrows knitting together...."What do you mean? Like, one of them?" she asked, trying to make sense of the comment.
Realizing her mistake, Angela froze, her cheeks turning pink as she scrambled to clarify. "I...I just meant they are really handsome. Not like… anything weird, you know? Just..." Angela voice cracked as she glanced at Sophia
But Sophia wasn't convinced. She could see Angela's nervousness, and it's unlike her
"Hold on a second." Sophia gave Lin Ruyin an unbelievable look, as if she had crossed a line. "What are you even talking about?"
Angela now flustered, raised her hands defensively. "No, no! I did not mean it like that! I promise, I'm not trying to stir anything up. I just" She paused, quickly adding, "I wouldn't go after Jovan, if that's what you are thinking!"
Sophia heart skipped, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red.
"W...wait. What? I never said I liked him!" Her voice cracked slightly, revealing her nervousness.
Many students in the hallway was attracted as Sophia shouted in the hallway...they seems to have heard something interesting. But they soon left the place after receiving an angry glare from her....she is one of the feared and respected presence in the school, hence no one dare to get on her bad side.
Lisa raised an eyebrow, as a playful smile appeared on her lips. "Oh, come on Angela who even asked you if you like him or not?....and don't be like that! You can't honestly say you are not at least a little curious about him. I mean, he is definitely cute, right?" Plus, you have been trying to get close to him since last term.
Sophia felt her cheeks heating up, she quickly shook her head. "I don't have a crush on him! I barely even talk to him! And as for trying to approach him, I just want to be friends." Her words spilled out in a rush, desperately trying to suppress the wave of embarrassment that was threatening to explode from her face. "Did I make it too obvious? I don't think so, she thought to herself, knowing her friends were likely to catch on to something.
Angela, now looking a bit guilty, sighed with a sheepish smile. "I'm sorry Sophia. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I was just joking"...
Lisa laughed, clearly enjoying the playful banter. "Looks like our queen has a skeleton in her cupboard she teased as she raised an eyebrow, giving Sophia a knowing look. "Come on Sophia you can't deny that Jovan is not bad looking."
Sophia crossed her arms defensively, feeling her cheeks heating up even more. She averted her gaze from her friends, her eyes unintentionally landing on Jason and Jason as they strolled down the hall.
Lisa teasing voice pulled her back to reality. "It's okay, Sophia. You don't have to share everything. But if you ever want to spill the tea..." Lisa said with a wink.
Sophia sighed, realizing that no matter how hard she tried to brush it off, the whole conversation had left her feeling awkward and self-conscious. Her heart had skipped earlier when Angela mentioned Jovan, and now it felt like her friends were reading too much into it. She glanced at them. her mind swirling with a mix of confusion and embarrassment.
"I really don't like him like you guys are thinking okay?" she said, a bit more firmly this time, though she couldn't completely mask the nervousness in her voice.
Angela smiled, clearly relieved, while Lisa playfully nudged her. "Alright, alright. No need to get all defensive. We will just let you figure it out on your own. But don't think we won't be keeping an eye on you!"
Sophia let out an amused sigh. Her friends were impossible to deal with honestly. She took one last glance down the hall, catching a quick glimpse of jova and Jason as they blend into the crowd of students.
...
.....
A cool breeze swept gently over the rooftop, rustling the few scattered leaves that had started to turn amber with the changing season. The distant hum of voices and the occasional shout from the students below felt like a soft murmur compared to the quiet, almost serene atmosphere on top of the school's roof. Jovan and Jason stood side by side. Jovan with his hands casually tucked into his pocket as he looked down at the students below, Beside him, Jason stood with his arms crossed and shoulders slightly hunched as if the weight of his thoughts was pulling him down.
He sighed, leaning on the edge of the rooftop and watching the students stroll by. His face showed a mix of frustration and and worry ..."I don't know, man. This math's class is killing me. I just can't just deal with some of this stuff. It's way tougher than last year."
Jovan looked at him, his eyes narrowing slightly.
"You are telling me. I was almost lost during the first step when he was solving it...but at the end I came to understand the formula he used in solving the questions... Jovan said.
Jason shook his head. If you couldn't understand it, who else in the class would?..Jason asked with raised brows.
Jovan was among the most intelligent people in the class. He was a genius, especially when it comes to mathematics, no one comes close.
But come on, let's keep studying together, maybe it will start to be fun."...Lin Yixuan said casually..
A smile spread across Jiang Yuhan's face as he said, "Fun? With math? You've got to be kidding me. But hey, I could definitely use the help. I really don't want to flunk this class. That would be so embarrassing."
Jovan let out a soft laugh. He appreciated how honest Jiang Yuhan was being.
"I have got an idea"..Jovan said, taking the conversation in a different direction. "Insead of stressing over math right now, how about we do something we both enjoy after school? What do you think about a bike ride?"
Jason raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A bike ride? Seriously? You mean like last time when we took that route by the old park?"
Jovan nodded, his smile growing wider. "Exactly! A change of scenery might help clear your mind. You are starting to look like you have been living on instant noodles"...
Jason laughed at the playful jab, unable to suppress his excitement . "Alright, I am in. It might actually be nice to get out of my head for a bit."
Jovan smiled at him as he stared into the distance.