As you and your dear friend Monica strolled down the hallway, the sound of your footsteps echoed through the corridor. The two of you were engaged in a pleasant conversation, discussing your mutual interests and sharing some funny stories from your daily lives. You were both heading towards the club meeting, which had been called by the mentor of the club, Miss Jane Pines. As you walked, you couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for what the meeting might bring.

As you stepped through the door of the computer laboratory, you were greeted by a crisp, invigorating breeze that sent a pleasant shiver down your spine. The room was teeming with students, all busily typing away at their keyboards and engrossed in their work. You could see the glow of the computer screens reflecting off their faces, illuminating the room with an ethereal blue light.

The computer lab serves as the bustling hub of activity for the Green Plume Guild, an esteemed literary club that you have the privilege of leading as its president. Within the walls of this lab, your club members work tirelessly to create and publish their own newspapers, participate in various literary competitions, and organize the ever-popular poetry nights. These poetry nights have become a highly anticipated event within your school, as it is a time when individuals can openly express their deepest emotions and musings to a captivated audience. This event is truly a grand gesture and has become a beloved tradition for all those who attend.

You set your things on the table and went to meet with your teacher who was already talking to some club members. You greeted her and exchanged some pleasantries. You immediately began discussing the matters at hand.

"Plume's Prowess is right around the corner and we need people who are willing and competent enough to fill the roles. There will be seven categories: photojournalism, poetry making, impromptu speech, poster making, slogan making, and quiz bee. As the president of Green Plume, (y/n) it's your responsibility to help organize candidates qualified for the roles."

"Yes, Miss Jane. I'll help you scout some people."

"Great. I already have a candidate for some of these. Elizabeth from second year is an amazing photographer and Clair is very artistic. She said she'll take the poster-making role."

"Oh, Cameron from the third year is quite clever with catchy phrases and he can make decent calligraphy for the slogan making." you suggested making your mentor brighten at the idea.

"Sure. Let's go with that."

"As for the quizbee, I'll throw in some math geniuses and trivia experts to deal with that and of course, I take that you'll participate this year for poetry making?"

"Of course! I won't let you down. As for our roster, I like it, miss. We should proceed with these people."

"Amazing. Now we only have one vacancy."

"Impromptu speech, right? What happened to Vincent? Isn't he a master of this category?"

"I asked Vincent to join us but he already had a prior engagement. The math team already scouted him first leaving us with no speaker."

"I'm sure someone else will step up, Miss Jane." you said hopefully.

"I doubt that, (y/n)." Miss Jane sighed. "Public speech is a really terrifying thing, especially for people with social anxieties. Even confident people get scared of speaking to a huge crowd but if we don't get someone for the role we might as well back out because we need a complete team to participate. Are you sure that you don't know anyone competent and willing enough to make the list?"

"Unfortunately I don't. But maybe I can ask around. We need someone talented at wordplay who is also charismatic and has a commanding presence to capture the attention of the crowd.

"Why don't you ask your boyfriend Dimitri to fill the 'hole' in the team?" Your best friend Monica snickered as suggested. She casually leaned against the table directing you with a teasing smile. You glared at her.

"He's not my boyfriend, Monica and Dimitri won't do it." you replied to your friend.

"What's wrong with Dimitri? He is a valid option and he is also very good at commanding attention. Did you not see him make a speech during the honors assembly? It was really impressive. His technique makes you contemplate and really explore his point of view. The principal even cried."

"Well, I know but Dimitri is busy with a lot of stuff. He has the school's highest general weighted average. He definitely has a lot of things on his plate."

"I'm sure he'll have a lot of time for the girl that he loves." added Monica making you roll your eyes in annoyance.

"I don't think he'll accept the job." you countered.

"You might think, but you don't know unless you try. Maybe you can charm him to help with our cause. There's nothing wrong with asking." Miss Jane said with a big smile on her face. Obviously, she will be shipping the two of you from now on.

"Fine." You surrendered. But you are apprehensive. You didn't particularly end in good terms with Dimitri. Last time you checked you still rejected him and he threw a tantrum. The whole debacle was frustrating to say the least.

"Plus if you win, this competition gives you cash prizes and you can also use your victory in your scholarship application."

"I know. It was my motivation for joining."

🌻

After receiving a tip from Abegail that Dimitri was at soccer practice, you set out to find him. You made your way to the field, but were informed that practice had already ended. Determined to locate him, you decided to check the shower room.

As you waited outside, you saw some guys you recognized and approached them to ask if they knew where Dimitri was. Unfortunately, they weren't particularly helpful and instead resorted to teasing you with some inappropriate comments. You quickly shut them down by slapping their arms and making it clear that their behavior was unacceptable.

After much persuasion, they finally agreed to call Dimitri. Soon enough, the man of the hour appeared from the shower room, completely shirtless. It was quite baffling why he didn't take the time to put on a shirt before coming out. Was it a ploy to seduce you? It was hard to tell, but it seems like it might be working. You were left feeling flustered, stumbling over your words, and staring at him like a fish out of water. The sudden appearance of his toned chest and chiseled abs caught you off guard, leaving you in a state of shock and speechlessness.

"You're really cute when you blush. It reminds me of the roses that bloom in my mother's garden."

Oh no why did he have to say something so cheesy and so romantic while you're already this embarrassed? That's like kicking an already downed man. Is this the male version of flashing your tits? Anyway, you mentally scolded yourself for falling prey to his obvious seduction. It was lame and cliché.

He seems to be taking great amusement from your flustered appearance. He chuckled and ruffled your hair making you even more flustered. You slapped his hand away and mustered your composure. You cleared your throat and pretended that the events of two minutes ago didn't happen.

"As I was saying," you began, trying to move on from your embarrassment.

"You look beautiful with your hair down like that and it smells really fragrant." Of course he was flirting with you. You wanted to groan and walk away but you held it in.

"Nice try but I already know how beautiful I am but thank you very much. I like having my ego stroked."

"So why did you come to see me? Are you here to ask me out on a date?"

"I told you I'm not interested in dating just yet. Maybe later. But right now I need a favor."

"Oh, now you're asking me for a favor after ruthlessly breaking my heart. I didn't know you're cruel that way."

You could hear the boys at the back making stupid noises and snickering. Right, who wouldn't eavesdrop on the conversation between the most popular guy and the girl who rejected him?

"Can you at least hear me out first?"

"I didn't hear you say the magic word."

Now he's just playing with you. You wanted nothing more than to punch his stupid egotistical face and be done with it but your entire team depends on you.

You clapped your hands together and bowed your head. "Please, Dimitri. I need you. I mean "we" need you."

"You're so cute when you beg like that. Alright, what is it?"

"My club is going to join a literary competition, Plume of Prowess, and we need one more member to participate in the impromptu speech. I was wondering if you could join us. There's a cash prize, every expense is already covered by the school, and it would be great on your college applications and scholarships."

"Oh sweet little (y/n) I don't need those things. I already have everything I could ever want. All except for one thing."

"What do you want? As long as it's in my capabilities I'll see that it is done."

"I have three demands. One, I want your number. Two, I want you to make me packed lunches every day. Three, be my girlfriend."

"Your first demand is easy enough. The second however I don't always have enough time to make food for you plus I'm quite short on funds this month but I'll do it. How about every Monday and any day when I'm not busy?"

"That's alright and don't worry about money. I'll send you some for the ingredients and of course your efforts. Just give me your online banking details."

"Sure, I'll text it to you."

"Wonderful. You're such a wonderful girlfriend."

"I didn't agree on that yet. Maybe we should first start going out before making anything official. I barely know you and you barely know me too. You can't just rush into these things head first. What if I'm a red flag?"

"Darling that just means our relationship is going to be spicy." He grabbed your hand and placed a kiss at the back of your palm. You immediately pulled it away and wiped it on your skirt not without earning a cheeky grin.

"Oh dear, it seems that you're the red flag." You said making him chuckle at your comment. His voice was cold and sultry enticing your senses. And did I forget to mention that he's still shirtless? Oh dear you are in a predicament.

"I'm willing to learn if you're going to teach me how to be the perfect man for you."

"No, thank you. I don't want to be the kind of girl that fixes a man for the next girl."

"There won't be a next girl. It's just you."

Why is he so close? Why can't you move away? He leaned down close to your face as if he was going to kiss you.

"What are you doing? Dimitri! Put on a shirt and stop kissing Miss (l/n)!" yelled the P. E. teacher who thankfully came at the right time.

"Ohhhhh!" cheered the boys inside who began peaking at the two of you.

Gods, is there anything left of your dignity?

"Sorry, Mister Lim. I was just recruiting Dimitri for the Plume's Prowess competition. It was Miss Jane's idea. Sorry if I bothered you."

"Well if it's Miss Jane's command then I guess that's fine. But I'm warning you, Dimitri. No funny business on the school grounds! If you're going to do something, do it outside and make sure to use protection." yelled the coach.

"Yes, coach."

"So are you in?" you asked.

"I'll think about it. I'll call you on your number once I've made a decision. Which I can't do since you haven't given it to me yet."

"Oh, right I don't have a piece of paper with me right now but I do have a marker. Give me your hand."

"Hey, isn't that a permanent marker?"

"It kinda is but you love me right?"

"Now who's the red flag." he chuckled making you smile. You wrote your number on his hand and bowed to show your thanks before bolting away from the scene of the crime.

Dimitri gazed at your fleeting form with fondness in his eyes. His heart wouldn't stop beating in his chest. Your flustered face keeps replaying in his mind. Your cheeky remarks were amusing as well. His smile was delicate, engraving every single moment into his memory.

You are just so cute.

"Stop flashing your tits like a prostitute and get dressed!" The coach yelled slapping him on his back.

"Oww. Sorry, but how can I resist such a gorgeous woman, coach?"