Chapter 1 — The Start of Something Silly

Selene, a junior high school student, was just like any other teenager. She was the kind of girl who got certificates and medals every now and then—enough to make her parents smile, but never quite enough to land her on the honors list. Sometimes, it stung seeing her name not among the top, but she never let it get to her. What truly kept her going, what made the long school days bearable, was her one and only motivation—her senior, the boy who once smiled at her across a crowded hallway, now studying at a different school.

That afternoon, after the final bell rang, Selene rushed out of her classroom, her bag bouncing lightly on her shoulder. The sun was still high, tinting the campus with a golden warmth. It was time for choir practice—her favorite part of the day. The choir wasn’t just from her school; it was a mix of students from nearby schools who would perform together for an upcoming concert.

Inside the wide music hall, rows of chairs faced the conductor’s stand, and the air buzzed with chatter and laughter. Selene made her way to the third row, the section reserved for sopranos, and sat down. Her best friend, Alexa, hadn’t arrived yet, so she idly scanned the room, tapping her pencil against her music sheet.

Out of boredom—and curiosity—she decided to play a little game with herself. “Let’s see,” she murmured softly, her eyes roaming across the group, “who’s crush-worthy today?”

And then she saw him.

Seated a few rows ahead was a tall boy with messy, curly hair that caught the afternoon light. She couldn’t even see his face, only the back of his head and the faint shape of his shoulders beneath a navy-blue hoodie. But somehow… he stood out. Maybe it was the way he leaned forward, relaxed yet attentive. Or maybe it was just the mystery of not knowing who he was.

Without thinking, Selene smiled. Okay, you’ll be my pretend crush for now.

Moments later, Alexa finally arrived, her usual burst of energy lighting up the room.

“Selene! Sorry I’m late—traffic again!” she said, plopping down beside her.

Selene leaned closer, whispering mischievously, “Guess what? I have a new joke crush.”

Alexa gasped playfully. “Already? Who is it this time?”

Selene pointed subtly toward the tall boy. “That guy. The one with the curls.”

Alexa squinted. “You can’t even see his face!”

“That’s the fun part,” Selene grinned. “He’s a mystery. I’ll call him Charlie, he resembles the guy on the animation i watched!.”

Alexa chuckled. “You’re ridiculous.”

“I know,” Selene admitted, laughing softly. “It’s just for fun anyway.”

Before they could continue, the conductor walked in, clapping his hands for silence. The room fell quiet, and the rehearsal began. For the next few hours, the hall echoed with harmonies, rising and falling like waves. Selene sang her heart out, her voice blending with dozens of others, but every now and then—between lyrics and breaths—her eyes wandered to that curly-haired boy.

She imagined what his voice might sound like. Tenor, maybe? Or baritone? She wondered if he noticed her, even once. But she didn’t want to rush anything. No, she’d let the anticipation linger a little longer. That was the thrill of it—the waiting, the wondering, the tiny spark that made her heart beat a bit faster for no reason at all.

As the rehearsal ended and everyone began packing up, Selene glanced at him one last time before finally leaving with her best friend.

TO BE CONTINUED.

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