"How did it come to this?" She thought as she throws hateful glares at him.
"This is yours, no?" He said with an intimidating tone.
"That wasn't a question, by the way." He added, as if implying that he is not looking for an answer, but a confirmation of his suspicions.
"What do you want?" She asked with a firm voice.
Her eyes flashed with anger as his eyes' gaze bore into hers, his words hanging in the air like a challenge.
"This is yours, no?" He repeated with a low voice and unspoken threat. She didn't flinch, her expression unreadable, but her voice delivered with a hint of wariness. "What do you want?".
His eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in a mixture of frustration and curiosity.
"You really think you can keep this hidden, don't you?" He said as his tone dripping with a mixture of disdain and fascination.
"You're the student council president for crying out loud. You're supposed to be a role model."
Her eyes locked on his, unwavering, her expression a mask of calmness.
"I asked what you want," she repeated, with a firmer voice and tension beneath the surface, as if giving him no choice but to communicate with her.
"Tessie Morr... seriously?" He said as a hint of ridicule escaped between his words with a little smirk forming on his lips.
"Can't you think a more suitable and decent name?" He said while rummaging through a small wallet.
"I could tell you didn't give it much of a thought." He continued before pulling out another ID from the wallet.
"Hmm... or should I say... Ms. Louisette Morgana. Student of Eastern Wing High."
Her body trembles upon hearing her name from a guy who she barely knows.
A WEEK AGO...
While walking to school, a pat on the shoulder got his attention.
Hey River!" A hint of smile on his face as he turned to face his friend.
"What's up, Noe?" River said as he fell into step beside his friend Noe, matching his stride as they walked towards school together.
"Have you heard about Ezio and the guys? Apparently, they bought a new hotel downtown and with the famous actress Silsia to boot! Man... she's so hot. " Noe exclaimed.
"Ehh... uhuh..." River replied with an uninterested tone.
"Wanna take a look after school? Maybe we can "accidentally" bump into them, and maybe they would invite us to their celebratory party for their newly opened business." He excitedly said.
River softly sighed with a disinterested look on his face.
"Oh, C'mon! We don't have any amusing things to do lately. Will you? I hate to go alone." Noe insisted.
"Why the hell do you even want to mingle with them in the first place? And, how do you even get that information?" River said, frowning.
"Hehehe. I saw it with my own eyes." River raised an eyebrow, a mix of amusement and scepticism on his face.
"You saw it with your own eyes?" You mean, you stalked them or something?" He teased.
"Pffft! Please, like, i'd waste my precious time stalking them." Noe said with a chuckle, shaking his head.
"I was actually at the cafe nearby when they walked in. I couldn't help but notice, though. Ezio's really got that whole rich-kid vibe going on, and Silsia's just... wow." Noe whistled softly while grinning.
"Wasn't he always been like that? Rich-kid vibe, extra attitude included." River said with a smirk.
"And Silsia... She's amazing." He added.
"Right?! She is amazing! And her albums, magazines... - " Before Noe even continued, River cut him off.
"Amazingly stupid." River added as he laughed.
"Hey! What do you mean by that? Not my Silsia. And what makes you say that about her?" Noe said, a little offended.
"I bet she doesn't even know that Ezio is dating another chick from our school." He said with a smug face.
"And? So what? They're just business partners. It's not like there's something going on between them." Noe replied.
"I didn't know that you're really this naive, Noe." River looked at him with a sure expression.
"Huh... is that so? You talk too much, present the proof right now." Noe said daringly.
"Heh! Then, you just have to wait for it, I will blow your mind. Besides, i really don't need proof. It's so obvious, you just gotta be observant." He said arrogantly. "Sure, sure, but i'd rather wait for your proof." Noe said with the look of scepticism.
"Guys like them are full of arrogance. They think they can play with just anyone because they have money and looks." He said as he yawned.
"You talk like you don't have money yourself when you also own a few businesses here and there."
River felt the urge to clarify what he said.
"Oh damn! He doesn't know that I'm not rich at all. Did I give it away? Did I sound pretentious?" River thought as he's panicking in his head.
"Well, you know me, Noe. My family's wealth doesn't give me a sense of entitlement to play with people's lives, nor I have an interest in flaunting my family's money, i didn't even earn them!" He forced his laugh as he replied, panicking.
"Ooohhh, what good person you are." He looked at River suspiciously.
"Ha ha.. what can I do? My family taught me well. I'm not the type to buy my way into anyone's heart or pocket." River assured.
Noe shrugged and chuckled. "Right? You're something else, my friend!"
Noe wrapped his arms around River's shoulder.
"A-anyway, we're late for the opening ceremony. Let's go."
He removed Noe's arms and ran towards the gate.
"Hey! Wait for me." Noe run after River.
"Race to the hall! Loser will treat the winner! Hahaha!" River said loudly and without looking back while running.
"You! Cheating bastard"! Noe said as he tried to keep up with River.
INSIDE THE SCHOOL HALL
The school principal announces the rules and regulations.
"We strictly forbid bullying both inside and outside of the gate of this school. We strongly encourage everyone to report any form of bullying and misconduct. Be advised that if anyone is caught violating any of these rules, we will face serious consequences in accordance with our school disciplinary policies. To help uphold these standards, we have assigned the Student Council for this school year to play an active role in promoting positive behaviour and serving as a bridge between students and school staff. They will assist student conduct, reporting concerns, and leading initiatives that foster unity and respect across our campus."
Announcer: Louisette Morgana, president of this school year's student council, will be giving her introductory speech.
"Did you know? That girl has been running for president since the freshman year. She always loses, though." Noe whispered to River.
"Don't just suddenly breathe like that on my ear, I almost slap you. And you're so creepy, how did you know that?" River asked.
"Jokes on you, I like being slapped the hell out of me." Noe smiled creepily.
"Stop that, you idiot. It gives me goosebumps all over!" River whispered back.
"Haha! But seriously, isn't she pitiful?" Noe said as he looked at Louisette speaking in front, as if pointing her to River with his eyes.
"How so? She won this year, didn't she?" He said while looking at Louisette.
"Apparently, she had to give up joining this year's quiz bee competition to win the presidential campaign." Shaking his head slightly.
"Can't she do both?" River asked curiously.
"If she can, she absolutely would. Preparations for both activities take up so much time and energy. It seems like you're having a full-time job." Noe leaned closer to River. "So much time, that she never had the time to have a boyfriend, let alone to have a date."
Noe turned his eyes to River and while raising his eyebrows a few times to tease him. River looked back at Noe and shook his head, and looked at Noe like he was a hopeless being.
"You're such a gossip, Noe. And stop making those creepy eyebrow raises. It's unnerving." Noe grinned, unfazed.
"What? I'm just stating facts. And i'm just trying to give you a hint. She's not too bad, appearance-wise, and she's intelligent." River chuckled.
"What made you think that i will be interested in someone who's always busy? Besides, i think she's got her priorities straight, running for president and all." Noe snorted.
"Priorities straight? Do you mean she's obsessed? Because let's be real, she's been running for president for years and always loses." River shrugged.
"Maybe she's just passionate about it. And who knows, maybe this year will be different."
Noe raised an eyebrow.
"You're actually rooting for her? I didn't think you'd be the type, given that you've been bad-mouthing Ezio and his friends. Especially my Silsia."
River looked away and sighed.
"I'm not wrong about them, this one's different."
Noe looked at him, annoyed. "You have so much confidence for a guy who can't even present evidence. You're so stupid."
River looked back at him with an annoyed expression.
"Hahh?! You're the stupid one here, Mr.self-proclaimed Silsia's lover. Stop dreaming and wake up to reality." Noe stood up and clench River's collar. "You good for nothing—-"
Louis: And for those people who don't think twice announcing their idiocy, please refrain from displaying your obnoxious behaviour anywhere you please.
What Louis said made River and Noe look directly to the stage where she's currently standing.
When Noe noticed that everyone is looking at them with a displeased look on their faces, he let go of River's collar. They stood up straight and apologized.
"Please continue that outside after your visit to the Student Affair Office." She continued.
River got alarmed of what Louis said.
"SAO... means I need to bring one of my guardians, right? No, no, no... This can't happen."
River raises his head to speak to Louis. "Wait... Please punish us instead, we can clean the whole classroom, or... clean the hall. Just not -"
Before he can finish what he's saying, Louis talked over him.
"That's all I have to say. If you have more questions in any matter regarding students' activities, events, and rules, please don't hesitate to visit the student council office. That's all. Thank you."
The students are applauding as she walked down the stage.
As she walked up to her seat, she took a glance on River's way, seeing him already looking at her. She pulls away her glance as she passes by him.

- End of Chapter 1 -
* CHARACTERS' APPEARANCES *
~ River Fontwell
[Face Shape]
Oval to slightly rectangular in shape.
Forehead is broad but not overly wide
Sides of his face taper gently toward his defined jawline
More refined face rather than rugged look
[Skin]
Slightly smooth and even-toned with a light to medium complexion.
Natural matte texture with minimal visible pores and blemishes
With a small mole mark on his right cheek (viewer's view)
[Eyes]
Dark and almond-shaped, expressing a deep contemplative appearance
The eyelids have a slight crease
Hazelnut colored eyes
[Eyebrows]
Thick and straight, naturally shaped
Well-defined and sit close to the eyes
[Nose]
Straight and narrow with a softly rounded tip
Nose bridge is smooth with a balanced profile
[Lips]
Full and well-shaped with a natural pink tint
Upper lip has a gentle curve
Lower lip slightly fuller
[Hair]
Short, thick, and dark brown
Styled in a natural, slightly tousled way
Hair is cropped close on the sides and top