CIE'S POV
I STOPPED DEAD IN MY TRACKS when I spotted Zane by the gate, seemingly waiting for—most likely—Dustin.
My body moved on instinct, ducking behind a group of students hanging out near the gate. One of them glanced at me, and I could only offer an embarrassed smile. Based on the look she gave me, she probably thought I was some kind of weirdo. She eventually went back to talking to his friends, and I closed my eyes in sheer mortification.
I stole a peek at Zane's spot, and he was still there. I'll admit it, I have no idea how to face him when it's just the two of us. His presence affects me far too much, which is why I'm here, hiding. I'd rather be embarrassed in front of strangers than in front of him!
"H-hey!"
I was still trying to figure out how to slip through the gate without Zane seeing me when someone suddenly threw an arm around my shoulder and forced me to walk with them. I tried to resist, but it was useless. And before I knew it, we had already come to a halt right in front of Zane.
The moment the person who dragged me let go, I scowled at him.
Dammit, Dustin!
So I have no choice but to straighten my posture and fix my clothes. When I looked up, I realized they were both staring at me, making me freeze.
"What?" I asked, looking back and forth between them.
Dustin reached for my ID and examined it. "Cierra Linali Luchavez..." he read aloud. His gaze shifted from the card to my face. "Just making sure it's really you," he said with a smirk.
I stole a glance at Zane. "Why? Does it not look like me?" I asked with a laugh, subtly snatching the ID back from him. (I look terrible in it.)
He shrugged and draped an arm over my shoulder again. "Let's go to the cafeteria. My treat," he said with a wink. I had no choice but to let him lead the way.
"What's your room number, Cie?" Dustin asked once we reached the fourth floor of the COT Building.
"Room 405. It's near the end of the hall."
Upon hearing that, he immediately headed off, carrying the food we bought from the cafeteria. That left Zane and me in silence, walking side by side while watching Dustin up ahead.
Suddenly, an arm wrapped around my shoulders. My body went rigid, and I turned to look at the person behind the gesture. When I turned, he was already looking at me. I couldn't even manage a smile because my heart was thumping so hard it felt like it wanted to burst out of my chest.
So we stood there for a few seconds, just staring at each other…
The moment broke when he smiled softly and spoke.
"Is Dustin the only one who's allowed to do this?" he asked in a low voice, referring to the arm around my shoulder. "Why are you getting tense?"
I couldn't answer.
Why indeed? Why was I so incredibly tense?
He looked toward Dustin for a moment before bringing his gaze back to me. After a while, he let go and raised both hands in the air as if surrendering.
"Fine," he said, letting out a short laugh.
I thought it was over… but I was wrong. He wasn't done driving me crazy.
He placed a hand on top of my head and leaned his face in toward mine… incredibly close.
I stopped breathing. If my heart was beating double-time earlier, it was at triple-speed now! I couldn't do anything but look away. If I spoke, he might hear the tremble in my voice. If I kept meeting his eyes, he might see exactly how much he was affecting me.
I heard him chuckle softly before he pulled away and ruffled my hair.
"Let's go."
I don't know what just happened, but Zane… he knows exactly what he's doing. His hand stayed on my head as we walked, as if it belonged there every day—as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
As we moved, I was acutely aware of every stare thrown our way. I slowed my steps a little, hoping—praying—that he'd finally let go. He didn't.
It was only when we reached Dustin that he finally removed his hand, slipping it into his pocket as if nothing had happened—as if I hadn't turned to stone, as if my heart hadn't been racing, as if I hadn't been holding my breath.
"You guys are so slow," Dustin complained.
It's your fault for leaving us alone!
"Right, I'm heading in," I said, turning to enter the room.
But before I could step inside, Zane spoke up: "I'll see you later—"
"—He means, we'll see you later," Dustin corrected.
I laughed at the two of them and then waved goodbye. "Okay."
I stepped into the room and was immediately met by Ven's mocking expression and her crossed arms. She even took a peek behind me before shifting her gaze back to me and speaking.
"It's the first time we arrived earlier than you. I guess this is where your title as the most punctual person ends." Her voice was full of mockery.
I raised my eyebrows at her, ready to talk back, but then Jesy spoke behind me.
"Ven, stop it." I looked behind me where Jesy spoke. I smiled at her, looped my arms around her arm, and walked with her toward our seats, since we were still standing near the door.
I shot Ven with a mocking stare, shoving her slightly to the side as Jesy and I made our way. "You're blocking the way," I said, clearly taking a jab at her.
We walked towards our seats, and I noticed that there were already more than ten of us in the room, which was a total first for me. For the past few years, I'd grown used to being the only one arriving first. I guess today really broke that cycle.
I let go of Jesy, and so she went to her seat right behind mine.
I was about to sit down when I found myself blinking in disbelief. There was a three-pack of Strawberries 'n Cream Dewberry cookies and a large Delight drink on my desk—exactly what we had bought from the cafeteria. The only difference was that Dustin had treated me to one pack of Dewberry and three large bottles.
I immediately looked at the guy sitting next to me—the same guy from yesterday who insists he isn't a stalker. But let's call him Mr. Stalker anyway.
He met my gaze. "If you're asking if those are from me, the answer is no. They were already there when we arrived." He gestured slightly toward his friends, implying he had walked in with them.
With no other choice, I sat down and tucked the items into my bag. It's not like I could throw them away, so better keep them.
"Second day of class and you already have a secret admirer? What is it about you, Cie? You can't deny that I'm prettier," Ven said narcissistically from behind me.
I took a deep breath before turning to her with a smile. "Simple: beauty without brains means nothing." I gave her a sweet look, then rolled my eyes.
I straightened up in my seat, but I couldn't stop wondering who could have left those on my desk. I mean, besides the guy next to me, who else was there? I scanned my classmates, hoping to catch someone acting suspicious, but I saw nothing.
A moment later, Mr. Stalker beside me spoke up out of nowhere. "If it were from me, it would be something you haven't even tasted before." He said it without even glancing my way.
I stared at him for a few seconds, stunned. That was obviously his way of saying he was rich.
"Tss."
We all looked toward the door when someone knocked. Based on his outfit, I figured he was a senior.
"Good morning, first years." He greeted us. "There are no scheduled activities or events this morning, so all you have to do is elect your officers. I'll come back later to check if you're finished. You can start the elections now. Thank you." That was all he said before leaving.
I was still staring at the door where the senior had stood when Mr. Stalker clapped twice, drawing everyone's attention.
"Okay then, let's start. We'll begin with the lower positions and work our way up."
In the end, Mr. Stalker was elected as mayor. I later learned that his name is Dale Amatsuji and that his father owns a big company in Mandaue. But enough about him—I became the vice mayor, Ven took the role of secretary, and Jesy ended up as the muse, while the rest of the positions were filled by our other classmates.
Jesy was clearly upset about being chosen as the muse—of course, as an introvert, it wasn't exactly her thing—but our newly elected mayor didn't allow her to refuse.
As for me, I didn't mind. As long as I wasn't the mayor, I was perfectly fine with it.
Minutes after we finished the election, the same senior from earlier came back. "Good morning again. Have you finished electing yet?" the senior asked.
Most of my classmates replied yes.
"Okay, good. May I ask who the mayor is?"
Mr. Stalker—I mean, Dale—who was sitting beside me, stood up and walked toward the senior. "It's me," he said in a steady tone.
"I'll have to add you to a group chat for all the mayors so you can receive the instructions there."
Dale and the senior talked for a while before the senior finally left. Dale then clapped twice again, drawing everyone's attention.
Looks like he has an announcement.
"Everyone can go ahead and have an early lunch, but you should all be back by 1 PM. We'll be having a campus tour so you can familiarize yourselves with the campus. If there are no questions, you may all go have your lunch."
Ven, Jesy, and I quickly packed our things and headed off to the cafeteria.
"I hate him," Jesy suddenly said while we were still on our way. "What did I ever do to him? First, he tugged me, and I almost fell—and then earlier? Muse? You've got to be kidding me. He's clearly doing it on purpose."
Ven and I exchanged a glance before she burst out laughing.
"Come on, Jesy. Don't be like that. Maybe he's just doing all this to get your attention because he likes you."
That only made Jesy more upset.
"If he really likes someone, it can't be me—it has to be Cie. He even tugged me just so he could sit beside her, remember?"
Ven nodded in agreement. "Now that you mention it… You're right."
We reached the cafeteria still talking about it. I kept denying everything, insisting that maybe he only pulled Jesy earlier because he had already chosen that seat in the first place. But of course, Ven didn't let it go and kept teasing me about it.
"Can we please drop this already?" I muttered, looking between them.
Ven grinned, leaning back in her chair, arms crossed. "Drop what? The fact that someone clearly has an interest in you?"
"No one has an interest in me," I said firmly.
"Even I can see it, Cie," Jesy then said.
"See?" Ven laughed so hard she had to hold her stomach.
I pinched the bridge of my nose. "Or maybe—just maybe—he already planned to sit there?"
Ven tilted her head, a smirk growing. "Yeah? Then explain the snacks on your desk."
I blinked, shrugging. "I don't know who left those! He already said it's not from him."
"Mm-hmm. Well, surely, our Mayor doesn't seem like the kind to do such things. " Ven's grin widened.
"Can you shut up for once?" I exhaled heavily, leaning forward on my elbows. "Zane and Dustin are coming; they're joining us."
Ven's brows went up. "Oh? They are?" A smile escaped her lips.
"Don't even try anything later," I said firmly.
"I'm not planning anything," she replied, raising both hands like she was innocent.
I shot her a look that clearly said I don't believe you. She just shrugged and let out a small laugh.