Today really isn't my lucky day because there's an event coming up, and Alex and I have to plan it together. I am screaming internally at the thought of having to listen to his nonsense and look at his face for more than I can handle.

As school captains, there are times when Alex and I have to be together to perform our duties, but the rest of the time I steer clear of him.

After classes are over, I go to the auditorium hall. It's on the opposite side of the main building, a trek that always feels longer when I am in a hurry.

I selected this place because the meeting room is too small with his presence in it. It might be because his obnoxious presence is too strong for that small room.

This hall can accommodate five hundred people, and it's not only big but also beautiful and sophisticated with its wooden walls and maroon-covered seats.

As I approach the hall, my eyes immediately fall on Alex, who is standing in front of the door, leaning casually with his arms crossed. He looks annoyingly composed, his dark hair perfectly tousled, as if he stepped out of a magazine.

"Isn't punctuality on the to-do list that you make every morning?" He quips, a smirk playing on his lips.

Ignoring his jab, I walk towards the door, but he swiftly blocks my path by casually placing his hand on the doorframe.

"Come on, Juliette, don't be so serious," he says, his grey eyes sparkling with mischief. "I just wanted to say hi."

I raise an eyebrow, not amused by his antics. "If you'll excuse me. Unlike you, I have to make plans for the event."

"I thought we were starting to form a bond," he says with an amused tone, his voice smooth and almost teasing.

I sigh and just remove his hand from the doorframe, feeling his skin against my own. The touch is brief but it makes me pause for a moment.

"Hey, that's rude!" he protests.

"I don't have time to argue with you. I have responsibilities to attend to." I say, trying to hide my smile because I shouldn't be smiling at him.

"Responsibilities? You make it sound so serious. It's just an event," he scoffs.

I shoot him a pointed look. "An event that requires preparation and organisation."

Perhaps deciding not to annoy me further, he says, "Fair enough. Let's start."

I brace myself for what's to come next, knowing that this is just the beginning of our disagreements.

_______________

I knew it was going to happen, and that is what's happening.

As we discuss the event, our conversation is filled with a lot of disagreements-some minor,others a little more intense. The disagreements linger just below the surface as neither of us is willing to address them directly.

But someone has to break the ice, so that's what I do.

"Formal Gala is a classic choice. It's elegant and sophisticated, perfect for showcasing our school's prestige," I say, with exasperation in my voice, feeling the words settle between us like a heavy curtain.

"It's an event that's more suited for CEOs and politicians than high school students," Alex says, leaning against the stage with his arms crossed, his shirt sleeves rolled up to his elbow, revealing his forearms.

Why am I noticing this?

For a moment, I find myself distracted by him, his casual posture starkly contrasting with the formality of the hall's decor.

Ignoring him, I arch an eyebrow. "Then, instead of dismissing all my suggestions, why don't you suggest something?"

Alex chuckles, his eyes gleaming with amusement. "High school students enjoy events that are lively and interactive, not just boring polite conversation."

"The gala will help them build connections."

Alex smirks. "The gala with benefits. Perhaps we should add that to the invitation."

"Not everyone has connections like you, idiot!" I snap, but I didn't mean to. I didn't want to show him that I was envious of people like him because they have things that I don't. I know it's bitter, and I am not proud of this side of me.

He looks up and stares at me with surprise in his grey eyes, and I am ready for him to say what a pathetic person I am for even comparing myself to someone like him.

Instead, to my surprise, he just laughs, a genuine one at that, "I knew it. I knew that you were a ticking bomb ready to explode. I was waiting for this day."

I am so shocked that I can't even think of a comeback. My heartbeat quickens, and I can hear it pulsing in my ears.

Looking at my face, he just chuckles.

Walking closer, with his hands in his pockets, he says with a grin, "Fair point, Juliette. A well-executed formal gala can indeed have its benefits. But let's ensure we add some modern twists to keep it engaging for the students."

I don't say anything because my mind is disorientated as he is too close for my liking.

So, instead, I move back a few paces to keep my distance.

He doesn't say anything, but his eyes flicker to my form, so fast that if I had blinked, I wouldn't have noticed.

"I think that's a good idea," my voice sounds breathless, and the hall is too quiet, too dark. I pray for Alex to say something just to disrupt this quietness.

To my relief, the auditorium door opens, and two students walk in.

But the relief doesn't last long because they start kissing, so consumed with whatever they were doing that they don't even care if there are people or not.

I looked at Alex just as he looks at me. I look away, my face burning.

Time to get out.

I run and walk towards the door but just as I am about to reach it, my foot somehow gets caught in the thick rug, and I fall onto my side. The impact leaves me feeling as though my insides have twisted.

"Are you okay, Juliette?" Alex asks, rushing over with a voice full of concern.

I nod, feeling a little embarrassed. "Yeah, just a little stumble. I'm fine."

"You know I can tell when you're lying," he stands in front of me and offers his hand.

"Oh, hey man. Didn't notice you two," the other person says but we both ignore him.

Looking up, I take his hand feeling the warmth of his skin against mine. My right foot is throbbing painfully and as I stand up I realise I have likely sprained my ankle because the pain is sharp and unrelenting.

"You go. I think I have sprained my ankle so it's difficult for me to walk," I grimace, wincing as the pain intensifies.

"I can carry you... if you want," he adds after noticing my shocked expression, his voice soft but sincere.

And that's how I ended up with a piggyback ride from him to the medical room.

I was never that close to him before, and I hated every second of it. I hated how I could feel the hard muscles beneath his shirt. I hated the rich cologne that enveloped me and how I felt a little more than uncomfortable.

Sitting on the bed in the medical room, I twist and turn my ankle as I have nothing better to do. The room is cold and the stark white walls and buzzing fluorescent lights amplify my discomfort. I'm waiting for my mother to pick me up from school.

Sighing, I lie down on the bed, the thin mattress moderately comfortable against my skin. I turn on my side and then on my other side. I'm bored, and no one is here. The silence feels oppressive.

Even Alex's presence would have been appreciated, but he had to go for a charity event that his father is organising.

His father owns chains of hotels all over the country. Moreover, his mother is a designer who has created clothes for presidents and celebrities. He is among the richest students in this school.

It must be nice living a life that's so lavish and extraordinary. Sometimes I wish I was born into a wealthy family where I didn't have to worry about getting a job as soon as possible or about what I'm going to do with my life. Does that make me a bad person?

Sometimes, I hate my life. I hate that I have to worry about each step I take. I hate that I have to try so hard when others seem to do anything they want effortlessly. I hate that I'm not pretty enough or not a genius.

However, there are times when I am happy, where even little moments make me feel alive. I love the bakery that we have and the smell of the freshly baked cakes that greet me whenever I enter our shop. I love my mother who tries her best to provide for me, her smile and words.

I am grateful for a lot of things, but why is the darkness more visible than the light when it's supposed to be the opposite?