Chapter 1: Encounters and Open Hearts
It was the first day of enrollment for senior high school specializations. Amy, late as usual, was determined to get a slot in Accountancy. She grabbed her childhood friend, Jordan, and rushed toward the designated line.
Jordan, a tall, handsome guy who had stuck by Amy since elementary school, secretly harbored a crush on her, though he’d never confessed.
Amy: "Jordan, move it! We have to get in this line now, or we'll lose our spots in the Accountancy course!"
Jordan: (Digging in his heels, his handsome face crumpled in protest) "Whoa, wait, Amy! I don't think my brain is suited for Accountancy at all. You know I'm not the smart one! Why don't we check out the vocational courses instead? They offer free training and certification if we pass the tests—that sounds way better."
Amy: (Scoffing and pulling him harder) "Oh, stop it, Jordan! Of course, your brain is suited for it! You just need to try. Besides, I need you there. We're in this together, remember? I promise I'll help you with anything you don't understand. I won't let you fail."
Jordan looked at her. Her determined eyes, usually guarded behind a fringe of dark hair, were wide and pleading. He knew how important this specialization was to her. The thought of spending every class period with her, even if it meant grueling math and theory, was enough to melt his resistance.
Jordan: (A reluctant but soft sigh) "Fine, fine. Accountancy it is. Just don't blame me when I fail the first exam."
Amy’s face instantly lit up in a bright smile—a rare, genuine expression that made Jordan’s heart skip a beat.
Amy: "That's the spirit! Now come on, run!"
They finally reached the front of the winding line. A stern-faced clerk sat behind the table, surrounded by piles of forms.
Amy: (Panting) "Good afternoon! We're here to enroll for the Accountancy specialization. Amy and Jordan."
The clerk barely looked up, flipping through a thick ledger.
Clerk: "Names. Amy and Jordan, you said? I'm sorry, but as of three minutes ago, the Accountancy specialization is full. There are no more available slots. You’ll have to choose from one of the remaining tracks."
A tiny, secret sigh of profound relief escaped Jordan's lips, quickly masked by a neutral expression.
Amy: (Her eyes widening in genuine dismay) "Wait, what? Full? But... we just rushed all the way here!"
Amy adjusted her big, round glasses, disappointment heavy in her chest. She scanned the area, desperately searching the remaining track lists. Accountancy hadn't just been a preferred course; at the back of her mind, it was the key to impressing her mysterious online boyfriend, Ezekiel, the man she believed to be five years her senior and also studying accounting.
Suddenly, she was grabbed back to reality when Jordan lightly nudged her arm.
Jordan: "Amy, look! Over here." He pointed to a track list posted near the end of the line. "How about something practical? Computer Hardware Services."
Amy frowned, her eyes still clouded with the loss of Accountancy.
Jordan: "Hear me out," he insisted, warming to the idea. "If we choose this track, and we actually pass the assessment that’s a mandatory requirement for graduation, we could easily apply for a job already. We don't really need to get into college right away."
Amy, still reeling from the lost opportunity, only half-listened to Jordan's explanation but readily agreed.
Amy: "Computer Hardware Services... sure. Sounds fine."
A flash of genuine relief and happiness crossed Jordan's handsome face. "Great! Let’s get signed up then."
They quickly enrolled in the Computer Hardware Services specialization.
Later that day, they went out to get some food outside the campus. As they waited for their order, Amy was completely absorbed in her phone. She seemed so focused, and a soft, tell-tale blush was creeping onto her cheeks as she read a message through the lenses of her big, round glasses. The unknown person on the screen clearly had her undivided attention.
Jordan watched her, his irritation mounting. He had called her name what felt like the tenth time.
Jordan: (A clear hint of annoyance in his voice) "Amy! Why are you so preoccupied with your phone? Are you chatting with your boyfriend?"
Amy jolted, quickly looking up.
Amy: "What?! No! I’m sorry, what is it again?" A moment of panic made her mind race for a cover story. "I was just reading some manga. I got hooked last night."
It was a clumsy lie, but she managed a convincing smile. She immediately shoved her phone deep into her bag and gave Jordan her full, cheerful attention, happily digging into her food.
Jordan stared at Amy, a knot tightening in his chest. She hadn't denied having a boyfriend; she had only denied chatting with him, and then only after he had directly asked. The realization that Amy might actually have a man—a secret one, judging by her blush and nervous scramble—sent a cold surge of emotion through him, but he quickly swallowed his feelings. He kept his silence.
Amy, oblivious to the storm brewing in his mind, took a large, happy bite of food. As she chewed, a stray smear of sauce stuck just at the corner of her mouth. Instinctively, and ignoring his complicated emotions, Jordan leaned in close, his hand lifting to gently wipe the spot away.
Just as his fingers were about to brush her cheek, a loud, cheerful voice boomed from behind them.
"Hey! Amy! Jordan! Over here!"
Both Amy and Jordan jumped, turning toward the sound. Their moment—and Jordan’s intended gesture—was instantly broken by the sight of their classmate, Kaye.
Both Amy and Jordan jumped, turning toward the sound. Their moment—and Jordan’s intended gesture—was instantly broken by the sight of Kaye, Jordan’s cousin and Amy’s friend since elementary school, jogging toward their table.
Kaye happily approached them, offering a bright greeting. She paused, looking at Jordan with a seemingly knowing smile that made him instantly self-conscious.
Kaye: "It seems that both of you are having a date together... Hahaha, sorry, did I disturb you?"
Jordan’s handsome face instantly flushed a deep red.
Jordan: "Kaye! Stop saying nonsense!"
Amy, oblivious to the implication and Jordan’s embarrassment, simply laughed it off.
Amy: "Hi, Kaye! Don't be silly! We just finished enrolling. What track did you choose for Senior High?"
Kaye pulled up a spare chair and sat down, her enthusiasm palpable.
Kaye: "Guess what? I got into the Accountancy track! It was the last slot, I just barely made it."
Amy noticed the slight dampness at the corner of her lips, quickly licked it clean, and offered Kaye a smile that was bright but carried a noticeable ripple of complicated emotion.
Amy: "That's great, Kaye! Seriously, congratulations! That's awesome you got in."
Though she was truly happy for her friend's success, a sharp, envious pang hit her. That was her slot, the one that would have connected her to Ezekiel's world. Amy didn't feel bitter toward Kaye—Kaye deserved it—but the feeling of missing out on her specific goal made her chest tight.
Jordan, meanwhile, was brooding. He watched Amy's reaction to Kaye's teasing, waiting for her to blush, stammer, or even acknowledge that maybe, just maybe, he was more than a friend. When she simply laughed it off and kept talking about school, he felt a fresh wave of disappointment. It stung that she was so completely oblivious, or worse—that she genuinely didn't care enough to deny the "date" accusation with any real passion.
Kaye: "Yeah, I was so lucky! But it sounds like you guys chose Computer Hardware Services? That's actually really cool and practical, too. My brother did a course like that and he's earning good money now."
Jordan: (Jumping slightly on the defense) "Yeah, it's practical. And Amy's going to be the smart one who keeps me from failing the whole thing."
He glanced at Amy, hoping for a reciprocal bit of teasing or a warm look, but she was already focused on her bag, her mind clearly drifting again.
Amy stiffened when her phone, still tucked away in her bag, vibrated with a relentless stream of notifications. Her body tensed, her focus instantly snapping away from the table. She quickly got up from her seat, ready to excuse herself and check the buzzing device, but realized Jordan had just finished speaking and she hadn't caught a word.
Amy: "Sorry, what was it again?" she asked, adjusting her big, round glasses and trying to appear attentive.
Jordan fell silent, his expression unreadable. He had been hoping for a connection, and her total distraction was a palpable sting.
Kaye, sensing the sudden awkwardness, jumped in cheerfully.
Kaye: "He was just saying that since you two are taking Computer Hardware Services together, you're the smart one who has to keep him from failing the whole thing!"
Amy’s tension eased. She smiled genuinely at Jordan, finally giving him the warm acknowledgment he was craving, even if she missed the undercurrent of his complex emotions.
Amy: "Of course! Don't worry, Jordan, you know I've got your back. We're partners in crime, remember? If I learn it, you learn it."
She sat back down, trying to ignore the persistent buzz coming from her bag.
Amy, unable to ignore the persistent vibrations in her bag any longer, quickly gathered her things.
Amy: "Well, this was fun, but I actually have to run. I just remembered I have a super urgent thing to do at home—something my mom asked for. I have to go now!"
She didn't wait for a reply, offering a quick wave and a final, hurried "See you tomorrow!" before nearly sprinting away from the table.
Jordan watched her retreating figure, his earlier irritation returning, now layered with disappointment. He had been looking forward to spending more time with her.
Kaye shook her head, watching Amy disappear around the corner. She turned to Jordan, crossing her arms over the table.
Kaye: "Seriously, Jordan. She practically ran away. And that was after you spent all that time staring at her."
Jordan slumped against the back of his chair, the disappointment clear on his face.
Jordan: "Damn it, Kaye, stop that."
Kaye: "Stop what? Telling the truth? You two are practically glued together; it’s been five long years since you started crushing on her, and you still haven't confessed? You know, even when Amy looks a bit messy now"—Kaye glanced toward the spot where Amy had sat—"with her glasses and those little spots on her face, she’s undeniably beautiful. I wouldn't be surprised if she already had a boyfriend."
Jordan's jaw tightened at Kaye's blunt statement. Her words—that Amy was undeniably beautifuL and likely already taken—stung, confirming his worst fears and highlighting his own cowardice. He slammed his empty soda can down on the table, the noise loud and sudden.
Jordan: "Just... just drop it, Kaye."
He grabbed his backpack and stood up abruptly, not bothering to say goodbye.
Kaye: (Teasingly) "Whoa, chill out, cousin! Where are you going? Did I hit a nerve?"
Jordan ignored her and walked quickly away from the stall, pushing through the lunchtime crowd.
Kaye laughed, finding his wounded reaction highly entertaining, and grabbed her own bag.
Kaye: "Hey! Wait up, you big baby! I was just kidding... mostly!" she called, hurrying to catch up to her irritated cousin.
