My two feet are stuck, I can't move.
"El, don't make it obvious," Angel whispered. "Don't let him see what you're feeling right now. You'll feed his ego."
"But Liam is over there, and... he is with a girl." My voice trembled as I spoke the last phrases.
Angel looks at him and rolls her eyes. "El, I think we need to focus more on our test because I'm probably sure that it already started, and more worth it than that guy." Angel gestured, her two eyebrows lifted.
"Yeah! You are right, let's go!" We both run as fast as we can possibly to catch up on the test we are about to take.
As soon as we arrived at the doorstep, we saw all our classmates looking at us. We both looked at each other, confused.
This is not about being late because I can see no teacher in front of white board. What is their problem?
We both look for our seats to sit.
"Is it true that you had s*x with the school president?" One of my classmates asked, making my head turn to her.
I was stunned because of her unexpected question that made me shout, eyes wide from hearing this, "I had what!? Who told you that?" I looked around and they were all looking at me. "I mean who told everyone?"
"I heard it from one of our classmates. I'm not sure who spread the rumor," she paused. "And I hope it's only a rumor."
"Of course it is!" I responded. "First of all, he's not my type. Second, I don't like him, even my body doesn't like hi–"
"Ouch!" Someone reacted, sounding hurt.
I look up and it's the guy I'm having a scandal with, our school president.
His name is Kyler Raice Astor. Pretty name, right? But it doesn't suit his personality. He has this aura that annoys me, always.
"I got offended, Ms. El," he continued and turned his back.
"What you've heard is only a rumor." He explained, catching everyone's attention. "Nothing happened between the two of us."
There he goes again, acting almighty. He returned to his seat after playing like a hero.
Asshole
"Good morning! I hope you are all ready for our test?" Our professor arrived, making the mood sink.
"Why does it have to be today? Can we just do it the other day, sir?" One of my classmates reacted, trying her best to change our professor's mind.
"Why, Mister Dizon? You did not review your notes?" He started scanning around the room. "Okay, fine." Our class reacted so fast that it made our room sound like a zoo.
"If," he cut the fun.
Here we go again. Well, it is better this way since I haven't reviewed my notes last night.
"If someone can satisfy me with an answer to my question today."
"Sure, sir!" We all turn our heads to Dizon. "Eleanor and Kyler will take care of that." he added, making the class laugh.
I knew it.
The room became silent, waiting for our professor to ask the question. I am not that competitive, but when it comes to him, it always activates. There is something about him that makes my blood boil and I always make sure that I won't lose.
"Do all stories have a good start?" Our professor asked, starting our session. I raised my hand to answer. "Yes, Ms. Eleanor?"
"Yes, because if you open a book and within the first few lines, you're completely hooked. That's the magic of a good start." I proudly answered.
"A powerful beginning builds curiosity, sets the tone, and gives readers a reason to keep going. In today's world of short attention spans, a good start is the key to keeping readers interested. Whether it's an intriguing first sentence, a shocking event, or a relatable character, a strong opening can decide the fate of the entire story. Without it, many stories are simply closed and forgotten."
I was about to sit when I felt a body standing. My eyes locked onto his, and for a second, everything else disappeared.
"Here they go again. I told you, they'll take care of this. Do you guys have any food here? This might take a while." Dizon, teasing us, but my attention was onto him.
"Good start is nice but it is not everything. Some of the most beloved stories had slow or "bad" beginnings. What matters more is how the story develops." He responded, disagreeing with my answer. His eyes are still locked onto mine.
"And what are you trying to point here, Mr. Arston?" With a storm brewing inside me, I asked.
"What I am trying to point here, Ms. Arison." He paused to face me. He looked at me— intense, studying every inch on my face.
"This is what I want, a surprise debate."
They all laughed but it didn't matter to me. My focus was on him, only him. When we do this, it feels like we live in the same world but still far to reach. It is always me versus him, and it will stay like that.
"My point is that a rocky start can lead to a beautiful, unexpected transformation. In fact, starting bad and ending strong gives readers a journey — a sense of growth. It shows that just like in life, things can begin in chaos and end in meaning. Don't judge a book by its first page, right?"
He always proves his point and it makes me hate him more because at some point, he is right.
"That sounds inspiring, Mr. Arston, but not always realistic. In competitions, publishing, or even online writing, judges and readers only look at the first paragraph. If the start doesn't impress, the rest of the story may never be read. A good beginning earns the right to tell the rest of the tale."
"One point for my girl." Angel said, supporting me. I looked at her and saw her eating food. A food? Where the hell did she get that?
"What are you eating? And where did that even come from?"
"Don't mind me, I'll give you some later. Continue what you two are doing, we're enjoying it."
"Bitch!" I mouthed.
I want to snatch that food from her. I didn't eat breakfast because of this stupid early session.
"That's true for some." He stole my attention from the food. "But readers who give stories a chance often find deeper value beyond flashy openings. Think of classics like The Hobbit or Les Misérables. The start may feel slow, but the emotional payoff is huge. Stories should be about substance, not just a strong entrance."
"A story's beginning is its handshake." I replied, keeping my tone even. My eyes narrowed, locked onto him like a challenge.
"Its first impression, Mr. Arston. A great story with a weak start might never get the chance it deserves. If we want stories to be read and remembered, we need to start strong."
"You're too practical Ms. Arison."
"Okay, that's enough. I've heard enough and I got both of your points. You two have an amazing opinion between good and bad." Our professor, stopping the unexpected debate.
"Wait, Sir. I need to add something." His gaze was full of something I can't even name.
Is he really not giving up?
"A story, like life, doesn't have to begin perfectly to end beautifully. Let's not throw away a whole tale just because the beginning was rough."
I was stunned, trying to process what he said. I opened my mouth but no words came out.
It hit me. It hit me so hard that it got stuck in my mind.