Who is he?

Silence enveloped the classroom, tense and heavy as though the air itself was thickening with unsaid words and unyielding glances. Semi slumped back in her seat, her frustration swirling into a whirlpool of thoughts. “Who does he think he is, acting like he owns the place?” says Diden as he hissed under his breath, his eyes darting toward the front where Dev sat obliviously. The surprise painted on Diden's face seemed to echo Semi's incredulity. Diden merely shrugged, his tone laced with resignation. “He doesn’t own it. His dad does. His name's Dev L.ee and his father has the biggest stake in the school—though it’s just one of many shares his father owns.”

Semi’s expression went blank, the revelation morphing his earlier irritation. The layers of privilege and entitlement peeled away to reveal something he hadn’t anticipated.

Missy and Semi exchanged glances, and disappointment seeped into their thoughts as the reality settled in. “So, he’s just another rich kid,” they thought almost in unison, the spark of curiosity and interest they had felt moments before extinguished. The muted chatter of other students drifted around them, but their focus remained solely on Dev, whose nonchalance now felt suffocating.

***A few minutes earlier, when Missy and Semi walked into the classroom…***

Dev leaned back in his seat, a tide of boredom washing over him like an unwanted wave. Just as restlessness threatened to consume him entirely, he spotted Missy entering. His heart began to race, excitement bubbling fiercely within him. She held a captivating presence—there was something magnetic about her. He was drawn to how her eyes sparkled and a mole under her left eye when she interacted with her friend, but he also sensed a flicker of nerves dancing behind that bright facade. The thought of holding her attention, of her gaze settling exclusively only on him, sent a rush of adrenaline coursing through his veins. He imagined what it would be like to hear her whisper his name, the warmth of her long hair brushing against his fingers as they talked.

She walked gracefully, but her body language betrayed her anxiety. As she passed by him, he inhaled deeply, taking in the faint trace of her unique scent—a blend of floral notes and something sweet that seemed to ignite a fire within him. “Just being near her makes my heart race. What’s next, my dear? I can’t wait,” he thought, a shiver of anticipation coursing down his spine. In that fleeting moment, Missy felt an unexpected chill wash over her, too, as if some unseen link tied them in that crowded space.

“No, I can’t let her think I’m a creep. Stay cool,” Dev reminded himself, fighting against the pull of his growing infatuation. He didn’t want to overwhelm her or make her feel uncomfortable. During a break, he noticed the guy sitting right in front of Missy firing off question after question, the urgency in his voice making her visibly uneasy. Without a second thought, protective instincts surged within him, and he stood up, commanding the class to settle down in a cold tone.

***Present time***

The bell rang with the freedom sound as lunch approached. Yet for me, the very thought of going to the cafeteria felt daunting, a complex maze filled with unfamiliar faces swirling around like a tempest. l clutched my lunch tightly, a mix of excitement and anxiety pooling in my stomach. The noise of students chatting and laughing outside reminded me of the daunting challenge ahead.

Diden approached with a friendly and eager smile. “I can show you the way,” he offered. “No, we don’t need your help,” Missy replied firmly, her defeated heart racing with uncertainty. It was a battle between my desire for independence and the weight of insecurity pressing heavily on my chest. While I wanted to prove I could handle this, the very thought of stepping into the cafeteria unleashed a wave of hesitance.

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