The morning bustle of students filling the hallways was the usual mix of chatter, footsteps, and the occasional groggy complaints about early classes. Inside the classroom, everyone was settling in, placing their bags down, pulling out books, and mentally preparing for another long day.

But within Lychie's group, things were... off.

Eddie and Nial still weren't speaking to each other, a tension lingering between them like a storm cloud. Their silence wasn't just passive, it was pointed. The kind of silence that made conversations around them feel unnatural, like stepping around a broken glass on the floor.

Anya, ever the peacemaker, decided to at least try breaking through to one of them. She slid into the seat next to Nial and leaned in slightly.

Anya: "Hey... You good?"

Nial looked at her, his face neutral but at least not hostile. He gave a small shrug.

Nial: "Yeah. Just tired."

Anya: "Uh-huh. Sure."

She didn't believe that for a second, but she played along, figuring that keeping him talking was better than nothing.

Meanwhile, across the room, Eddie made a noise that was halfway between a scoff and a chuckle. His arms were crossed, his expression dripping with mock amusement.

Eddie: "Wow. Funny how some people act like they're all moody and silent but can be real chatty when a pretty girl talks to them."

The sharp remark hung in the air. Nial's jaw tensed, but he didn't turn to face Eddie. Anya glanced between them, her patience wavering.

Anya: "Okay, can we not do this first thing in the morning?"

Eddie: "I'm just saying. If he can talk to you, maybe he should've just explained himself to me before everything went to hell."

Nial: "You wouldn't have listened."

Eddie let out a short, bitter laugh.

Eddie: "Oh, I wouldn't have listened? Or you just didn't want to say it to my face because you knew it was messed up?"

Lychie, Joyane, and Cale exchanged weary glances. They were all thinking the same thing, this wasn't going to end unless someone made it end.

Cale: "Boys, if we're gonna do another episode of The Drama Show, at least wait until lunch so I can enjoy it with a snack."

Joyane: "Preferably outside where we're not trapped with you."

Their playful complaints didn't dissolve the tension completely, but it was enough to keep the argument from escalating into another physical fight.

Nial exhaled sharply, gripping the edge of his desk like he was stopping himself from saying something he'd regret. Eddie, still clearly irritated, turned his attention to his notebook instead, aggressively flipping the pages as if that would somehow cure his bad mood.

Lychie sighed. This fight wasn't just going to disappear overnight. She had a feeling that unless something forced them to actually talk, Eddie and Nial would just keep sniping at each other forever.

And honestly? It was exhausting.

The classroom filled with a mix of groans, murmurs, and scattered excitement as Mrs. Santiago stood at the front, holding her clipboard.

Mrs. Santiago: "Alright, class. Today, we'll be working on a case study, and to make things easier, I've already assigned your partners."

A few students exchanged nervous glances. Partner work could either be a blessing or a curse, depending on who you ended up with.

Mrs. Santiago: "Cale and Anya."

Cale playfully nudged Anya.

Cale: "Guess I'll have to endure your 'artistic' handwriting on our paper."

Anya: "Excuse you, my handwriting is elegant."

Mrs. Santiago ignored the side comments and continued.

Mrs. Santiago: "Joyane and Greg."

Joyane nodded, already calculating how much of the work she would need to do to keep things efficient.

Mrs. Santiago: "Ian and Lychie."

Lychie's eyes widened slightly. Him? She glanced at Ian, who merely gave his usual lazy expression, leaning back in his chair like none of this was a big deal. A small sense of relief settled in her chest, at least he was reliable, even if he didn't always look like it.

Then, the real plot twist dropped.

Mrs. Santiago: "And finally, Eddie and Nial."

A heavy silence fell over the room.

Eddie: "...You have to be joking."

Nial: "This isn't funny."

Mrs. Santiago's lips curled into the faintest smile, as if she knew exactly what she was doing.

Mrs. Santiago: "Oh, I'm quite serious. Given that you two seem to have a lot of energy to spare, I'm sure you'll work wonderfully together."

The entire class could feel the tension radiating off the two boys. Eddie looked like he wanted to argue, but he knew better than to challenge Mrs. Santiago. Nial clenched his jaw, clearly holding back a frustrated sigh.

Cale leaned toward Anya and whispered:

Cale: "Tell me this isn't on purpose."

Anya: "Oh, it totally is."

Lychie resisted the urge to laugh at their misfortune but made a mental note to stay far away from their study sessions because things were bound to get messy.

Mrs. Santiago: "You'll have the rest of the week to work on this. Choose how you want to divide the tasks, but I expect equal effort from both partners."

Eddie and Nial both turned to each other, expressions unreadable, before looking away again.

This was going to be interesting.

Mrs. Santiago clapped her hands to get the class's attention.

Mrs. Santiago: "Now that you have your partners, it's time to pick your topics. I've prepared them in these rolled papers here."

She gestured to the neatly arranged pile on her desk.

Mrs. Santiago: "It's all luck at this point. Some topics will be easy, and some... well, let's just say they'll require a little more brainpower."

The students murmured amongst themselves as one by one, pairs approached the desk to pick their fate.

First up was Joyane and Greg. Greg carefully picked a rolled paper, unrolling it with Joyane peeking over his shoulder.

Joyane: "... 'The Impact of Digital Learning on Modern Education.'"

She let out a subtle sigh of relief.

Joyane: "Not bad. We can definitely handle this."

Greg: "I was expecting worse."

Joyane was pleased, it was straightforward, not too complex, and wouldn't take up too much of her time, which was perfect considering her student council duties.

Next were Cale and Anya. Cale dramatically took a deep breath before picking their topic. Anya leaned in as he unrolled it.

Cale: "Oh... well. 'The Psychological Effects of Solitude.'"

Anya: "That sounds so deep."

Cale: "I can already tell this is gonna be a headache."

Anya: "We got this... I think."

While a bit intimidated, they were determined to pull it off.

Then came Lychie and Ian. Lychie eagerly picked a paper, her fingers carefully unrolling it. The moment she read it, her eyes lit up.

Lychie: "'The Complexity of Human Emotions and Rationality in Decision-Making.'"

She turned to Ian with excitement, but as expected, he just blinked at the paper, unimpressed.

Ian: "Huh."

Lychie: "This is probably the hardest topic. This is amazing."

Ian: "If you say so."

Unlike Ian's casual response, Lychie was thrilled. She thrived in a challenge, and this was the perfect one to test their analytical skills.

Finally, there were only two left, Nial and Eddie. They walked up stiffly, both clearly regretting every life decision that led them to this moment. Eddie snatched a roll first, unrolling it. The moment his eyes scanned the words, he scowled.

Eddie: "Are you kidding me?"

Nial: "... What does it say?"

Eddie hesitated before reading it aloud.

Eddie: "'The Power of Silence.'"

A few of their classmates muffled their laughter, while Mrs. Santiago simply raised a brow.

Nial rubbed his forehead, exhaling sharply.

Nial: "Out of all the topics, this had to be ours?"

Eddie: "She definitely did this on purpose."

Mrs. Santiago: "I assure you, it was all random."

She smiled a little too innocently, which only confirmed their suspicions.

Cale leaned toward Anya, whispering:

Cale: "This is poetic justice."

Anya: "They deserve this."

Meanwhile, Nial and Eddie tried their best to act unbothered, but it was clear they were both dreading this. How were they supposed to work together on a topic that required reflection and understanding, when they could barely sit next to each other without throwing insults?

One thing was certain, this case study was about to be very interesting.

The cafeteria was bustling with noise, students chatting, trays clattering, and the occasional burst of laughter from different tables. At their usual spot, Anya, Joyane, Cale, Eddie, Nial, and Lychie sat together, but unlike the rest of them, who were eating and socializing, Lychie was fully immersed in her laptop screen.

Her fingers danced across the keyboard, eyes scanning through multiple academic journals. She was already deep into the research for their case study, or more accurately, her case study, since Ian was nowhere to be found. Not that she was particularly bothered. She planned to split the tasks later anyway, but she liked getting a head start.

Anya: "Lychie... it's literally lunch break."

Lychie: "Mhm." Her eyes didn't even leave the screen.

Joyane, sipping on her juice box, raised a brow.

Joyane: "You do realize that this thing isn't due tomorrow, right?"

Cale leaned forward, resting his chin on his palm.

Cale: "She's in her natural habitat. If you try to stop her, she'll probably take it as a challenge."

Anya: poked Lychie's arm. "Come on, take a break. Eat something."

Lychie, finally peeling her gaze from the screen, gave them an unimpressed look.

Lychie: "You're telling me to stop studying? That's like telling a warrior to lower their sword before a battle."

Joyane: "Oh my god, here we go."

Anya: "Lychie, it's lunch. No one is challenging you to an academic duel."

Eddie, who had been silently eating his meal, smirked.

Eddie: "You know, Ian's probably off napping somewhere while you're over here carrying the entire case study on your back."

Nial, for once, didn't argue with Eddie. He just nodded.

Nial: "Yeah, I bet he's lying under a tree, living his best life while you're here making his job easier."

Lychie narrowed her eyes.

Lychie: "Excuse me, our job."

Cale laughed, shaking his head.

Cale: "You're really something, Lychie. If it were me, I'd be making Ian do all the work."

Joyane: "For real. You're being too nice."

Lychie sighed, closing her laptop but not without giving them all a warning look.

Lychie: "Fine. I'll eat. But don't think this means I'm slacking off."

Anya cheered.

Anya: "Finally!"

As Lychie reluctantly started eating, Joyane smirked.

Joyane: "You know, if Ian suddenly starts helping, I'd be shocked. He always looks like he'd rather be anywhere but here."

Lychie just hummed, not wanting to admit that part of her was also wondering when Ian would actually step up.

The cafeteria remained as loud as ever, but at their table, the conversation had shifted. Between bites of food, the group started wondering aloud why Ian had been acting so distant lately.

Joyane: "Has anyone else noticed? He's been more... I don't know, absent?"

Cale: "You mean lazier than usual?"

Anya: "No, she's right. He's been spacing out more. I mean, Ian's always been kinda laid-back, but lately, it feels like he's actively avoiding us."

Eddie leaned back, crossing his arms.

Eddie: "Maybe he finally got tired of all of us."

Lychie: still chewing her food, absentmindedly muttered, "Maybe it's because of that girl who confessed to him the other day."

The table went silent.

Nial, Anya, and Eddie all turned their heads toward Lychie at the same time.

Nial: "...Excuse me?"

Eddie: "What girl?"

Anya: "Wait. What did you just say?"

Lychie blinked, realizing too late what she just let slip. She stiffened, suddenly regretting opening her mouth.

Lychie: "Uh-nothing."

Eddie: "Nope. No way. You don't get to just drop that and take it back."

Anya: "Spill. Now."

Joyane and Cale exchanged amused glances, already knowing what Lychie was talking about.

Joyane: "Ohhh, right. You guys didn't know."

Cale: "Yeah, Lychie happened to witness Ian getting confessed to the other day. And of course, he rejected the poor girl like it was nothing."

Anya, Nial, and Eddie looked back at Lychie, waiting for an explanation.

Lychie sighed, knowing there was no escape.

Lychie: "I was walking to the gate when I saw him with some girl. I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but... she confessed. And Ian? He just flat-out rejected her. No hesitation. Just told her he didn't like her and let her run off crying."

Anya: "Whoa."

Nial: "Damn."

Eddie: "That's brutal."

Cale: "Right? That's what we said!"

Anya leaned forward, looking curious.

Anya: "Wait. Do you think that's why he's been acting weird?"

Eddie: "Why would rejecting a girl make him distant? If anything, I'd expect him to be the same as always."

Joyane: "Yeah, unless..." She smirked slightly, looking at Lychie.

Lychie: narrowed her eyes. "Unless what?"

Joyane: "Unless that confession made him realize something about his own feelings."

Lychie nearly choked on her drink.

Lychie: "What the hell is that supposed to mean?"

Joyane just shrugged, looking entertained.

Joyane: "I'm just saying, Ian rejecting someone isn't surprising. But him acting weird after rejecting someone? That's the interesting part."

The table fell into thought, each of them processing the information differently.

Eddie: "Well, whatever it is, I say we just ask him outright. No need to overthink it."

Anya: sarcastically said"Yeah, because Ian is so good at talking about his feelings." She rolled her eyes.

Nial: "Still, now I really want to know what's up with him."

Lychie, meanwhile, tried to shake off her own lingering thoughts. She didn't want to admit it, but something about Ian's rejection had been bothering her. And maybe, a part of her was afraid to know why.

As the group continued their conversation, the sudden crackle of the school's speaker system interrupted them.

Speaker: "Attention, students. Due to upcoming school events, all afternoon classes will be canceled. Please be advised and use this time accordingly. Thank you."

A moment of silence passed. Then-

Eddie: "No freaking way."

Anya: "Did... did we just get an unexpected half-day?"

Nial: "Oh, this is a blessing."

The table turned into excitement. Cale practically threw his spoon aside, Joyane stretched her arms like she'd just been freed from a lifetime of suffering, and Eddie leaned back with a triumphant grin.

Cale: "This is rare. We have to do something fun."

Joyane: "Or we could go home and sleep."

Anya: "Lame."

Meanwhile, Lychie, who had just finished the last bite of her meal, simply closed her laptop, slid it into her bag, and stood up.

Lychie: "Well, I'm heading home."

The others turned to her, surprised.

Cale: "Already? Come on, this is the universe giving us a break!"

Lychie: "And I'm taking that break at home."

Eddie: "Tch, typical."

Anya: "Wait, wait, wait. We should at least plan something. If we go home now, we'll all just rot in our rooms."

Joyane: "That's literally the dream, Anya."

Lychie slung her bag over her shoulder, ignoring their protests.

Lychie: "You guys do whatever. I have things to work on."

Truthfully, she didn't. She just wanted time to think, to get away from the conversation about Ian, from the growing unease in her chest that she wasn't ready to deal with yet.

The others groaned but ultimately let her go.

Nial: "Fine, but don't blame us when you get bored."

Lychie: "Trust me, I won't."

As the group was gathering their things, preparing to leave, Lychie's attention was suddenly pulled toward someone approaching from the hallway.

A guy with a bag slung over his back, holding a chessboard under one arm, walked toward them with a calm, almost calculating expression.

Kent.

The moment she saw him, she already knew what this meant.

Lychie's thoughts: Oh no.

Her friends followed her gaze, and immediately, smirks formed on their faces.

Cale: "Ohhh, look who's here."

Anya: "Lychie, your 'going home' plans just got canceled."

Joyane: "And here I thought you were dedicated to your studies."

Lychie felt heat rush to her face. She turned to glare at them, but the teasing didn't stop.

Eddie: "Damn, and here I thought I'd see her chill for once. Guess she's got other 'priorities.'"

Kent finally reached them, glancing at Lychie before addressing her directly.

Kent: "You ready?"

It was a simple question, but with everyone watching her with knowing grins, it felt like a loaded one.

Lychie panicked. Without thinking, she grabbed Kent's wrist and dragged him away from the group, too flustered to deal with their teasing any longer.

Kent blinked in surprise, his body tensing at the sudden contact. He wasn't expecting her to touch him so suddenly, Lychie, of all people.

Her friends burst into laughter behind them.

Cale: "Oh? Oh???"

Anya: "Look at her go! That's so unlike her!"

Nial: "That's crazy. I've never seen Lychie willingly touch someone."

Eddie: "Kent, my man, you might be special."

Kent, still being pulled along, finally spoke.

Kent: "Lychie."

She immediately let go as if burned, realizing what she had just done.

Lychie: "I-I didn't mean to-"

Kent, still staring at his wrist where her hand had been, let out a small chuckle.

Kent: "It's fine. But I see now, you really didn't want to hear them tease you."

Lychie crossed her arms, trying to look composed despite the warmth on her face.

Lychie: "Shut up. Let's just get this over with."

Kent smirked but said nothing, only adjusting the chessboard under his arm.

As they walked off, her friends were still in the background, their voices echoing with amusement.

This was not how Lychie thought her afternoon would go.

As they walked away from school, Lychie expected Kent to lead her to some café or a quiet spot inside a mall, maybe even a park. But instead, he took a different route, one that felt unfamiliar yet oddly peaceful.

She didn't question it, only following his lead as they walked past a few blocks, turning into a less busy path. The noise of the city slowly faded, replaced by the soothing sounds of rustling leaves and the distant trickle of water.

Then, they arrived.

Nestled near the riverbank, hidden from the usual student hangout spots, was a large mango tree standing tall, its branches swaying with the breeze. Underneath it, a single wooden table sat, seemingly untouched by the world's chaos.

Lychie stood still, letting the atmosphere settle into her senses. The place was perfectly quiet, aside from the gentle whispers of nature. The air was cool, carrying the scent of fresh grass and flowing water. It felt isolated yet peaceful, like a small sanctuary away from everything.

Lychie: "This place..."

Kent set his bag down on the bench and casually stretched.

Kent: "I come here sometimes. Helps me think."

Lychie turned to him, raising a brow.

Lychie: "And you're only telling me about it now?"

Kent smirked, leaning against the table.

Kent: "Well, I figured you'd be too busy stuffing your head with books to care."

Lychie scoffed but didn't argue. He wasn't exactly wrong.

She walked closer to the riverbank, feeling the breeze brush against her skin. It was rare for her to just stop and relax like this, to be somewhere without the weight of academics or responsibilities.

Kent watched her silently before speaking.

Kent: "Do you like it?"

Lychie didn't answer immediately. Instead, she closed her eyes for a second, taking in the moment.

Then, she smiled, a small, genuine one.

Lychie: "Yeah... I do."

Kent's smirk softened, his gaze lingering on her for a bit longer before he looked away.

Kent: "Good."

And for the first time in a while, neither of them felt the need to fill the silence.

They simply stayed there, just the two of them, under the mango tree, by the riverbank, with nothing but the sound of the wind and the gentle flow of water to accompany them.

Kent set up the chessboard with ease, placing each piece in its proper position before leaning forward, his fingers lightly tapping against the wooden surface.

Kent: "Alright, since you're just starting, let's begin with something simple but solid, 'The Italian Game.'"

Lychie crossed her arms, her curiosity piqued.

Lychie: "Italian? Are we playing chess or ordering pasta?"

Kent smirked at her remark but ignored it as he moved the white pawn to e4 and followed up with the knight to f3.

Kent: "This opening focuses on quick development and early control of the center. You start by moving your pawn to e4, then develop your knight to f3, and finally, bring your bishop to c4."

He moved the pieces as he spoke, demonstrating the formation.

Kent: "This setup allows you to control the center early and prepares you for both attack and defense. It's also a great way to set up future moves without committing too much too soon."

Lychie leaned in, her eyes scanning the board as she absorbed his explanation.

Lychie: "So, it's about controlling space and being flexible?"

Kent nodded, impressed that she caught on so quickly.

Kent: "Exactly. Chess isn't just about taking pieces, it's about positioning and predicting. The Italian Game gives you options. You can go aggressive with an early attack or play safe and adjust based on your opponent's moves."

Lychie hummed in understanding, her fingers reaching for the knight as she tried to mimic his moves. She wasn't just listening, she was learning, and Kent could see that spark of competitiveness in her eyes.

Kent: "I knew you'd take this seriously."

Lychie scoffed, giving him a side glance.

Lychie: "Well, if I lose, I'll have to buy you coffee. And I hate losing."

Kent chuckled, resting his chin on his hand as he watched her focus on the board.

Kent: "Then, let's make sure you don't."

And with that, their lesson continued, Lychie absorbing every move, every explanation, every little detail Kent provided, all while the cool river breeze carried their quiet rivalry into the afternoon.

As the sun began its slow descent, painting the sky with warm hues of orange and pink, Lychie sat back with a small huff, crossing her arms in mild frustration.

Lychie: "Six rounds. Six losses. I swear, this game is rigged."

Kent chuckled, stretching his arms behind his head.

Kent: "It's not rigged. You're just up against a genius."

Lychie shot him a glare before sighing dramatically.

Lychie: "Ugh, I don't like losing."

Noticing her slight pout, Kent decided to change the subject, hoping to ease her frustration. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.

Kent: "Alright, let's take a break from chess before you flip the board. You always have your nose buried in books, who's your favorite poet?"

Lychie's mood instantly shifted, her eyes lighting up.

Lychie: "Jane Austen. No question."

Kent raised an eyebrow.

Kent: "I thought she was more of a novelist?"

Lychie waved her hand dismissively.

Lychie: "She wrote poetry too. Not as much as her novels, but still. Her words have this elegance, romantic, but not overly dramatic. There's depth, wit, and a subtle kind of longing in them. She understood human emotions so well."

Kent smirked, watching her get so animated.

Kent: "So, you like the way she captures emotions?"

Lychie nodded, twirling a strand of her hair absentmindedly.

Lychie: "Exactly. It's not just about love, it's about observations of people, of life, of the way we think and act. Her words feel... timeless."

Kent tilted his head, considering her words.

Kent: "Sounds like you admire her a lot."

Lychie smiled, looking out toward the river as the golden sunlight reflected off the water.

Lychie: "I do. I think literature, in general, is something that makes you feel connected, to people, to experiences, even to things you've never been through. It's powerful."

Kent watched her, a rare moment of silence passing between them. He wasn't one for poetry, but seeing Lychie speak so passionately made him think that maybe, just maybe, there was something worth appreciating in it.

The wind rustled the leaves of the mango tree above them, and the sun dipped lower on the horizon.

Kent: "You know... you lost six rounds today, but I feel like you still won somehow."

Lychie turned to him, confused.

Lychie: "What do you mean?"

Kent leaned forward with a small smirk.

Kent: "You got to talk about something you love. And I actually listened."

Lychie blinked before letting out a soft chuckle, shaking her head.

Lychie: "That's a first."

They sat there for a while longer, the tension from earlier forgotten as the day slowly faded into the evening, leaving behind nothing but the sound of the river and the warmth of shared words.