Inside the campus, countless stories unfold—ones that color our youth with joy, heartbreak, awkward moments, laughter, and unforgettable lessons. As they say, high school is the most memorable stage of student life. It’s a time when emotions are raw, dreams are wild, and love feels too big to contain. So let’s go back… back to the sweetness and bitterness of teenage life, where every moment feels like the beginning of something new.

Hi! I’m Reign. Just a simple girl, nothing too flashy. I used to be the quiet, stay-in-the-corner type—an introvert by nature—but life has a funny way of nudging you out of your shell. Over time, I became an ambivert, learning to balance silence with presence. I'm not really popular on campus, but inside our classroom? I’ve got my place. Not for looks or anything—I'm not one of the pretty girls who turn heads in the hallway—but I do get noticed… for my brains. I love books and I'm hopelessly in love with music. People say I have a voice for singing, but I never had the confidence to prove it.

“Reign, hurry up! We’re gonna be late!”

“I’m coming, sis!” I called back, rushing down the stairs with a half-eaten piece of toast in hand.

That was my sister, Lyn. She's the kind of girl who makes boys lose their footing—tall, fair-skinned, long hair that always seems to fall in the right place. She's charming, stylish, and effortlessly graceful. Meanwhile, I’m just... average. At least, that’s how I see it. She’s always telling me to try skincare or dress up a bit more, but that stuff just isn’t me. I’m happy with my plain look. I hate attention—especially from boys. It just makes me uncomfortable.

“Where’s Joe?” I asked while slipping into my shoes.

“He’s already in the car. He’s been waiting for hours,” Lyn said with a dramatic sigh.

“Hours? I didn’t even take that long! Don’t exaggerate,” I muttered.

From a distance, I could already see the irritated expression on Joe’s face through the car window. He’s our cousin, but we call him Joe out of respect, since he’s two years older than us. Despite being older, he’s also my classmate after transferring schools and moving in with us.

Joe isn’t conventionally handsome, but he has this boy-next-door charm that makes girls swoon. He’s friendly with everyone, especially the girls—but not in a flirty way. He’s the kind of guy who holds the door open, remembers your birthday, and helps carry your books without being asked. He’s admired by a lot of girls on campus, including some from my sister’s section. He’s also one of the Campus Officers, so he's used to being in the spotlight.

“Why do girls move like snails?” he muttered as we got in.

“Hey, just drive. No more complaining,” I teased with a smirk.

“Haha, whatever,” he replied, flashing that annoying grin of his.

At home, Joe was playful and annoying—constantly pulling pranks and teasing me about random things. But in school? He was Mr. Gentleman. Lyn, of course, had the looks and the brains. I’d gotten used to the family comparisons. It didn’t really bother me anymore. I had my own pace, and I liked living by my own rules.

As we walked into the school hallway, I suddenly noticed the desks in the classroom were arranged differently. Panic crept in.

“Hey, Joe… didn’t you tell me the exams were tomorrow?” I asked, my voice rising.

“Huh? Did I? I don’t remember saying that,” he said innocently, then walked ahead quickly.

“You tricked me again?! YAH!! I didn’t study last night!!”

He just laughed hysterically from the hallway, clearly proud of himself.

I ran to my seat and pulled out my notes, flipping through pages as fast as I could. The first day of exams covered our three major subjects. And guess what was included? Math—my ultimate weakness.

I could usually rely on stock knowledge for English or Science, but numbers? They drained the life out of me. Just looking at formulas made me want to nap. Reviewing under pressure like this could mess with anyone’s head.

“I need to focus,” I whispered to myself. “Just five more minutes before class starts…”

“Ugh, that jerk is so mean!” I muttered in my head.

“Ahm… hey, Reign…”

“Yes?” I replied without looking.

“You should go back to your seat now. The exam’s about to start,” said a soft voice.

I turned and—oh no—it was Vincent. A quiet classmate known for being a bit shy. Rumor had it he liked me. Once, he was even caught by someone taking a photo of me on his phone—secretly.

I glanced around and realized—mortified—that I had sat in the wrong seat.

“Ah... I’m sorry. I was just…” I mumbled, blushing as I scurried back to my actual chair.

Vincent gave a small smile, looking just as awkward as I felt.

Moments later, our teacher entered and told us to put our bags at the front. We were to carry only a pen and a clean sheet of paper—our usual exam drill.

Our class had a mix of personalities, but the topnotchers were in a league of their own. I was one of the higher-ranking students, especially in English, but others were all-around achievers. When it came to Math, I barely scraped by.

After the exam, everyone gathered to compare answers. I slowly approached the group. Joe was there, casually leaning on the desk, pretending to be innocent.

“Oh hey, Reign! How was the exam?” Venus asked, one of our class’s top students—and, not so secretly, one of Joe’s admirers.

I shot Joe a glare. He quickly looked away, grinning like he hadn’t just ruined my night of studying.

“It was… fine,” I answered, not sounding convincing at all.

“Your face says otherwise,” said Argee, our class president. He had a reputation for being strict but fair—a leader with a soft side.

“Yeah… I didn’t really prepare. Someone gave me the wrong date,” I said, emphasizing someone and looking straight at Joe.

Some of the others chuckled, sensing the drama without asking for details.

“Oh right, you were absent for two days,” Joy added, a quiet but brilliant classmate who barely joined conversations outside schoolwork.

“Yeah, I had a cold and fever,” I said softly.

After class, it was finally time to go home. Joe was humming a random tune as we walked, clearly pleased with himself.

“You seem happy, huh?” I said, still annoyed.

“Yes, yes, yes,” he replied, laughing.

“Did you two fight again?” Lyn asked from the front seat.

“Hmmf. It’s Joe’s fault. He tricked me. I didn’t even get to study! I hope I didn’t fail…”

Lyn just laughed. She never scolded Joe—probably because he was older, and we were raised to respect our elders no matter what. We teased each other constantly, but never had serious fights. That’s just how our bond was.

Two days later, the results were out. I passed all subjects—including Math… by one point. One. It was embarrassing, but I was relieved.

As the teacher called out scores for recording, I quietly mumbled mine, wishing I could disappear.

I glanced at Joe, who was smirking again. I wanted to smack him, but… well, respect.

That was the consequence of falling for one of his pranks again. But deep inside… I knew this was just one of the many stories we'd remember from this chaotic, colorful, and unforgettable part of our youth.

"Hey, sis! Why are you smiling alone?" I asked as I stepped into the room, curious about the sudden sparkle in her eyes.

"Texting with whom?"

She glanced up from her phone with a dreamy smile, hugging her pillow as she sat cross-legged on the bed. “A classmate,” she replied with a playful tone. “He’s funny.”

“Oh?” I raised an eyebrow, sitting beside her. “What’s his name?”

“It’s Jay. He’s good-looking and really nice. You know what’s weird? He has long eyelashes—like, really long. It’s kind of unfair that a guy has lashes like that,” she added, shaking her head in disbelief.

I chuckled, watching her face light up. “Do you like him?”

“What?!” She looked at me, eyes wide, then laughed nervously. “No, no. I like someone else,” she said quickly, but the sudden blush on her cheeks betrayed her.

“Hmmm,” I teased. “But…”

She interrupted me with a firm shake of her head. “Stop it! I told you, I like someone else. He’s more handsome, really smart, and good at sports too.”

Oh? I tilted my head in curiosity. “So, who’s this mysterious guy?”

She leaned closer and whispered like it was a state secret. “Keep it a secret, okay? It’s… Ronie.”

My jaw dropped. “Wait, Ronie? As in Ronie our childhood friend? He’s your classmate now, right?”

She nodded, biting her lip as she smiled. “Yeah.”

“Well, not bad,” I replied thoughtfully. “We know him, though we’re not as close as we used to be.”

I was about to say more, but I noticed she wasn’t paying much attention. Her gaze had already drifted back to her phone screen, probably replaying something funny Jay had said.

I tried again. “Then, what about Jay?”

She shrugged. “Nothing. He’s just a close friend. Devy likes him, but Jay likes Dea.”

“What a twist!” I laughed. “Is this some sort of crush cycle?”

She smiled brightly. “Exactly. Teenage life is wild like that. Have a crush, get inspired, laugh at silly things… it’s all part of it.”

With that, she stood up. “Anyway, I’m gonna take a shower.”

“Hmm, okay,” I said, watching her disappear into the bathroom.

I sat on the bed, thoughts drifting. It’s true—most teenagers go through this “crushy” phase and often confuse it with love. I once made the mistake of telling someone that I admired a classmate for his personality, and the next thing I knew, everyone thought I was in love. It turned into a relentless wave of teasing that haunted me for years. No matter how much I explained, they just assumed I was in denial. Eventually, I learned to stop reacting altogether. If you don’t respond, they lose interest in teasing you.

Suddenly, the phone beside me started to vibrate again. Beep. Another message from Jay. I glanced at the screen out of pure curiosity.

Jay: "Hey, still there?"

I picked up the phone and typed back: “My sister’s in the shower right now. You can text her again when she’s done.”

Beep.

Jay: “Oh alright haha.”

Haha? I thought. That’s not even funny. Why end it with "haha"?

Out of boredom, I found myself scrolling through their past conversations. The way he texted, his jokes, his lighthearted teasing—it actually made me laugh a little. He was funnier than I expected.

Without thinking, my fingers typed out a message: “Gosh… I read the conversations, sorry. Just wanted to say, you’re actually kind of funny.”

The moment I sent it, I regretted it. What was I doing? I don’t even own a phone, and now I’m chatting with someone on my sister’s!

Jay: “Haha really? I think I’m not. By the way, who is this I’m texting right now? May I know your name?”

Panic. I hesitated.

“Uhm… sorry for texting you on my sister’s phone. Please don’t tell her, okay?”

I chose not to reveal my name. I don’t know why—it just felt safer that way.

Jay: “Haha it’s alright.”

There it is again. “Haha.”

“What’s with this guy and his ‘haha’?” I muttered under my breath.

“Why do you always put ‘haha’ in your texts? Are you making fun of me or what?” I sent.

Jay replied almost instantly: “No, I just text like that. It keeps the mood light. I guess it’s my thing haha.”

Okay. Still confusing, but oddly disarming.

After that, I deleted the entire message thread. I didn’t want my sister finding out. It wasn’t like anything serious happened, but I didn’t want any awkward conversations either. I sighed and returned the phone to her desk, then went to my room to forget about the brief exchange.

But the truth was, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Even if it was just a short, random chat, it left a weird mix of guilt and curiosity inside me.

The next day at school, I got the perfect opportunity to satisfy that curiosity. Just as I entered the gate, I bumped into Devy—my sister’s classmate and one of Jay’s admirers.

“Hey, Devy,” I greeted casually. “Quick question… who’s Jay among your classmates?”

She raised her brows, her lips curving into a sly smile. “Ooooh… do you like him too?”

“What? No!” I quickly defended. “I don’t even know what he looks like.”

Before she could say more, a group of boys walked by—accompanied by our subject teacher. My eyes scanned them briefly.

And then, with a voice loud enough to reach the whole hallway, Devy called out, “Hey, Jay! This is my friend Reign—she’s curious about you!”

Time slowed. I froze.

Jay turned his head, caught the name, and grinned. His lashes really were long—just like my sister said. His wavy, permed hair and soft smile made him stand out effortlessly. He raised his hand and waved.

I felt like melting into the floor.

“Haist! These kids,” our teacher chuckled. “Go to your rooms instead of making cute faces in the hallway!”

Laughter erupted around us.

“Devy!!” I whispered fiercely and whacked her arm.

“Ouch! What? I just helped you recognize him!” she teased, giggling with delight.

“Not the kind of help I needed!” I shouted back, half-laughing, half-panicking as I ran away toward our classroom.

It was unexpected and totally embarrassing. And I had a feeling this wasn’t the last time I’d hear about it.

Even though I tried to avoid his room in the following days, my thoughts betrayed me constantly. No rumors spread, no whispers reached my ears—but the incident replayed in my head over and over again.

“Maybe I’m just overthinking. It probably wasn’t a big deal to anyone but me,” I thought.

Still, it left a mark. A small, awkward, and kind of funny moment that would linger like a secret memory I wasn’t sure I wanted to keep… or forget.

Our campus was alive with energy. The annual Intramurals was just around the corner, and everyone—from junior to senior high—was caught up in the excitement. The school grounds buzzed with preparations: banners were being painted, music blared from rehearsals, and students dashed around in jerseys or dance costumes.

This wasn’t just any school event—it was the biggest one of the year. Every section had something to offer. There were competitions in singing and dancing, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and track and field events like high jump and sprinting. There was also the much-anticipated search for Mr. and Ms. Intramurals, which always turned heads. And of course, cheer dancing, one of the highlights everyone looked forward to.

Before the main event began, our teacher gave our class a special project—to create an album using indigenous materials. It was meant to be a keepsake that captured the spirit of the Intramurals, complete with photos, student reflections, and snippets of the week’s most memorable moments. We had to get quotes from students across different grade levels, so interviews were part of the task.

The event usually lasted for a full week, with a few days dedicated just to preparations. Students from all grade levels were assigned to mixed teams, which meant I’d be working alongside younger and older students alike. It was meant to build camaraderie, but for some of us, it came with a bit of awkwardness too.

As usual, I signed up for multiple events—cheer dancing, the quiz bee, poster making, and slogan writing. I liked staying busy, and these activities gave me an outlet to express myself. I was in 3rd-year high school, while my sister was in 4th-year. We often crossed paths during school events, which made things a bit more fun.

“Reign! Are you done with your interviews from the other sections yet?” my classmate Vin asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

“Hmm... not yet. I still have to interview some students from the 4th-year section,” I said, adjusting the folder I was holding.

“Are you... shy too?” she teased, giggling as she nudged me.

“Shy? A little,” I admitted. “It’s easier to approach the lower years, you know? Less intimidating.”

Vin smiled slyly, then glanced away dreamily. “Well, that’s not my problem,” she said. “You know I’ve had a crush on someone from that section forever. Just seeing him makes my heart race.”

I laughed softly, but her words stirred something in me. There was someone in that same section I was trying to avoid. Someone I wasn’t sure how to face again—Jay.

After a few minutes of debating with myself, I mustered the courage and walked confidently toward their room. I peeked inside to make sure Jay wasn’t there—and to my relief, he wasn’t. I spotted Devy, my sister’s friend, chatting with my sister by the window.

“Hey, sis! Can you help me with something?” I asked.

My sister gave me a knowing look. “Is this about the interview thing you mentioned last night?” she said, nodding at the folder in my hand.

“Yeah,” I said. “Devy, can I interview you? I need your thoughts about the upcoming Intramurals for our album.”

“Sure, but let me see your project first,” Devy said, reaching for the folder.

I handed it to her, feeling proud of our work. My groupmates and I had worked hard to make it creative. The folder was covered with small bamboo pieces cut diagonally to form unique patterns. We’d protected the outside with plastic wrap, and the inside was filled with soft, multicolored cotton pieces shaped into clouds. Each member had a solo photo framed in a heart-shaped design, with personal information written below. It was more than just a project—it was a piece of our team’s identity.

“Wow, this is amazing!” Devy exclaimed. “You all really went above and beyond.”

“Thanks! My groupmates were super creative,” I said, smiling.

She started laughing at the way some students had described themselves, but before I could join in—

“Hey, Devy! What’s that?” a voice called from behind us.

I froze. My heart skipped a beat.

It was him—Jay.

Devy turned and waved him over. “It’s their project. Isn’t it cool? Here, take a look.”

Jay took the folder from her hands. I stood frozen, unsure if I should snatch it back or just vanish into thin air. My sister nudged me.

“Reign, you can interview Jay too,” she said casually.

“What kind of interview? Should I give an autograph too?” Jay joked, making everyone laugh.

I tried to hide my discomfort. I wasn’t sure if he remembered what happened between us months ago, but I decided to act like nothing had ever happened.

“Ahm... yeah, I’m gathering student thoughts about the Intramurals. Can I ask you a few questions?” I said, reaching for the folder.

Jay didn’t let go.

“Is this yours?” he asked, his eyes meeting mine.

“Y-yeah,” I said with a nervous smile.

“Can I look through it a bit longer? I didn’t get to finish browsing.”

“Okay...” I handed it back, unsure why I was feeling so flustered.

He flipped through the pages slowly, studying every detail. I started to wonder if something was wrong.

“Is there a problem with the content?” I asked.

“Not at all. This is you, right?” he said, pointing at my picture.

I nodded, only to realize too late how close I was standing. He looked at me and smiled.

“You look cute in this picture.”

I blinked, my heart skipping a beat. “Thanks,” I replied awkwardly.

“Hey!” Devy jumped in, pretending to be offended. “You say she’s cute but never say that to me? You’re breaking my heart!”

“Stop the drama,” Jay said, laughing.

“You’re so mean! Fine, I have another crush anyway,” she pouted.

Just then, I noticed my groupmates arriving outside.

“Ahm, I need to go now,” I said quickly. “Can I get the folder back?”

Jay held it behind his back playfully. “What if I don’t give it back?”

“Huh? But I really need—”

“Haha, just kidding! Here,” he said, handing it back with a grin. “Good luck with your interviews.”

I smiled, thanked him, and walked away slowly, the folder clutched to my chest. I felt light. Not nervous, not shy—just happy. Jay didn’t make me feel small. He treated me like a friend. That moment stayed with me, and I realized maybe I wasn’t as invisible to him as I thought.