Jay slammed his locker shut, the metallic clang echoing in the otherwise quiet hallway. He was already late for Mr. Alvarez’s calculus class,and to add insult to injury, he’d just spilled his lukewarm coffee all over his notes. Today was officially a disaster.

“Rough morning?” a smooth voice chuckled.

Jay groaned inwardly. Of all the people to witness his misfortune, it had to be him. Yuri. Campus crush, basketball star, owner of a smile that could melt glaciers. And, unfortunately, the bane of Jay’s existence.

Not because Yuri was mean or arrogant – quite the opposite, actually. That was the problem. Yuri was too perfect. Too charming, too kind, too… everything Jay wasn't. And for some inexplicable reason, Yuri seemed to have set his sights on Jay.

“Just peachy,” Jay muttered, trying to brush off the coffee stain on his jeans.

Yuri leaned against the locker next to Jay’s, his shoulder brushing Jay’s arm. Jay’s heart did a weird little flutter, which he immediately tried to suppress. It was just the caffeine, he told himself. Definitely just the caffeine.

“Here,” Yuri offered, pulling a pack of tissues from his pocket.

“You look like you could use these more than your notes could.”

Jay reluctantly took the tissues. “Thanks,” he mumbled, avoiding Yuri’s gaze.

“No problem,” Yuri said, his smile still dazzlingly bright.

“So, calculus, huh? Mr. Alvarez’s tests are brutal. Need any help studying?”

Jay scoffed. “I think I’ll manage. I’m not completely hopeless, you know.”

“I didn’t say you were,” Yuri chuckled. “Just offering. You know, in case you needed a study buddy.”

He winked, and Jay felt his cheeks flush.

“I’m good,” Jay insisted, though his insides were doing a chaotic tango. He grabbed his coffee-stained notes and hurried down the hallway, leaving Yuri leaning against the lockers, a playful smirk on his face.

Jay couldn't shake off the encounter. Why was Yuri so interested in him? It was baffling. He was just… Jay. Average grades, average looks, average everything. He wasn't popular like Yuri, he wasn't athletic, and he certainly wasn't charming. He was just… Jay.

The next few days were a repeat

performance. Yuri would pop up at the most inconvenient times, always with a kind word, a helping hand, or that infuriatingly charming smile. He’d offer Jay rides home, share his lunch, even help him with his physics homework (which, admittedly, Jay was struggling with).

...Jay tried to keep his distance, tried to ignore the way his heart did a little flip every time Yuri was near. He told himself it was just Yuri’s natural charm, that he was just being friendly to everyone. But deep down, a tiny, hopeful voice whispered that maybe, just maybe, it was more than that or was it...

Guys don't mind this I just need 500 word to published this novel but happy reading every one hope you like it

Dela Cruz, their English literature teacher, announced a new project: a two-person

 presentation on a classic novel. Jay inwardly groaned. Group projects were his kryptonite. He always ended up doing all the work while his partner slacked off.

Mr.

“And,” Mr. Dela Cruz added, “I’ll be assigning the partners randomly.”

Jay’s anxiety spiked. He could already imagine himself stuck with someone who hadn’t even read the book. He closed his eyes and prayed for a decent partner.

“Partners are assigned!” Mr. Dela Cruz announced, clapping his hands together.

“Jay, you’re with…” he paused, creating dramatic tension. “…Yuri!”

Jay’s eyes snapped open. Yuri? Him? Of all the people in the class, he was paired with Yuri?

He glanced at Yuri, who was grinning at him,a glint of excitement in his eyes.

“Looks like we’re partners, Jay,” Yuri said,

walking over to him.

Jay just stared at him, speechless. He didn’t know whether to be thrilled or terrified. This was going to be interesting.

The initial shock of being partnered with Yuri wore off, replaced by a strange mix of excitement and nervousness.

Jay found himself actually looking forward to working with him. Maybe, just maybe, this wouldn’t be so bad.

They decided to meet at the library after school to discuss the project.

Jay arrived first, finding a quiet corner tucked away near the mythology section. He was surprised when Yuri showed up a few minutes later, not in his usual basketball jersey and shorts, but in a simple t-shirt and jeans. He looked… different. More relaxed, less like the untouchable campus idol.

“Hey,” Yuri said, his smile softer than usual.

“Sorry I’m late. Practice ran over.”

“No worries,” Jay replied,

trying to sound casual. He gestured to the table covered in books. “I’ve already started looking at some critical essays.”

They spent the next hour discussing the novel, a classic Victorian romance. Jay was surprised by Yuri’s insights. He wasn’t just a pretty face and a star athlete; he was genuinely intelligent and perceptive. They debated the characters’ motivations, analyzed the symbolism, and even argued good-naturedly about the ending.

As they talked, Jay found himself relaxing around Yuri. He started to see him not as the untouchable campus crush, but as a real person. A person who was passionate about literature, who had a dry sense of humor, and who, surprisingly, seemed genuinely interested in Jay’s opinions.

At one point, Jay mentioned that he was struggling with a particular interpretation of a scene. Yuri leaned closer, his arm brushing Jay’s. “Maybe if we look at it this way…” he murmured, pointing to a passage in the book.

Jay’s heart did its familiar flutter-kick. He could smell Yuri’s subtle cologne, a mix of sandalwood and something he couldn't quite place. He tried to focus on the book, but all he could think about was how close Yuri was.

“Oh,” Jay

blurted out, suddenly realizing how close they were. He scooted back slightly, feeling his cheeks burn.

Yuri looked up, a flicker of something unreadable in his eyes. He didn’t move back, though.

“Is that better?” he asked, his voice low.

Jay nodded, unable to meet his gaze. He felt awkward and flustered, but also… strangely drawn to Yuri.

They continued working on the project, the earlier tension replaced by a comfortable silence.

Jay found himself stealing glances at Yuri, noticing the way his brow furrowed when he was concentrating, the way his lips curved into a smile when he made a good point.

As they were packing up, Yuri turned to Jay.

“This was actually… fun,”

he said, his smile genuine.

“Yeah,” Jay replied,

a small smile of his own creeping onto his face. “It was.”

“Maybe we could grab some coffee after school tomorrow and go over the presentation outline?” Yuri suggested.

Jay hesitated for a moment. He knew that spending more time with Yuri was dangerous. He was already starting to develop feelings for him, feelings that he knew were probably unrequited. But the thought of spending more time with Yuri, of getting to know him better… it was too tempting to resist.

“Okay,” Jay said finally. “Coffee sounds good.”

Yuri’s smile widened. “Great. See you tomorrow, Jay.”

As Jay walked home, he couldn't stop thinking about Yuri. He was starting to see him in a new light. He was kind, intelligent, and funny. And, much to Jay’s surprise, he seemed to genuinely like Jay. Maybe, just maybe, this could be the start of something… special. But a small voice in the back of his mind warned him to be careful. Yuri was still Yuri, the campus crush, the guy every girl wanted. And Jay was just… Jay. He couldn't afford to get his hopes up. Or could he?