By the time Saturday rolled around, Rhaine had convinced herself she was fine.
Totally fine.
It was just a school project.
With a girl who happened to have a nice smile.
And interesting eyes.
And a voice that could probably narrate documentaries.
But still. Fine.
---
The Lunch Table Trial
"You're smiling," Maya announced the second Rhaine dropped her bag onto the cafeteria bench.
"I'm always smiling," Rhaine said, peeling open her sandwich wrapper.
"No," Maya leaned closer, squinting. "This is your thinking about a crush smile. Slightly tilted, kind of dreamy"
"It's not dreamy."
"and you're not making eye contact with me because you know I'm right."
Eli glanced up from his sketchbook, resting his chin in his palm. "So… when's your next not-a-date project meeting with Sam?"
Rhaine rolled her eyes so hard it almost hurt. "Tomorrow. And it's not a date."
"Uh-huh," Maya said knowingly. "And I don't eat snacks at midnight."
"You literally sent me a photo of yourself eating potato chips at midnight last night."
"Exactly," Maya said, smug. "We both know when we're lying."
Rhaine tore off a piece of sandwich bread and threw it at her. Maya caught it in her mouth like a seal at a circus, bowing theatrically.
---
The Accidental Encounter
After school, Rhaine lingered by her locker, half-wondering if she'd left her history notes at home.
She turned and nearly collided with Sam.
"Oh! sorry," Rhaine blurted.
Sam smiled, stepping back. "No worries. You're Rhaine, right? We met in class, but"
"I remember," Rhaine said too quickly, then mentally kicked herself. "Uh, I mean, yeah. History project. Tomorrow."
Sam's lips twitched like she was holding back a laugh. "Right. Well… see you then."
Rhaine watched her walk away, telling herself it was just polite curiosity. That's all. Totally normal.
…Right?
---
The Library Meeting
Sunday afternoon, Rhaine arrived exactly on time — which, for her, meant she'd been standing outside for five minutes so she wouldn't look too eager.
The library was quiet except for the hum of the aircon. Sam was already at a corner table, flipping through a thick book on Philippine history. She looked up and smiled.
"Hey. Ready to plan the presentation?"
"Yep," Rhaine said, sliding into the chair. "All business. No distractions. Focused and professional."
Sam tilted her head, amused. "Uh… okay?"
They worked in comfortable silence for about twenty minutes, swapping ideas and jotting down notes. It was fine. Totally fine.
Until Sam leaned over to point at something in Rhaine's notebook.
Her perfume was subtle something floral, maybe lavender but enough to make Rhaine forget how pens worked.
"You okay?" Sam asked.
"Fine," Rhaine said, maybe a little too quickly. "Just… thinking about Gabriela Silang's tactical strategies."
Sam's smile deepened. "Uh-huh."
The conversation started slipping into small talk. Sam told her about transferring mid-year, how she missed her old volleyball team but liked the library here. Rhaine found herself asking questions, curious despite herself.
At one point, Sam laughed really laughed and Rhaine caught herself staring just a little too long. She looked down at her notes, pretending to write something important, but the damage was done.
This was exactly how trouble started.
---
The Group Chat Interrogation
When Rhaine got home, she collapsed onto her bed and opened the group chat.
Maya: how'd it go?
Eli: did u confess your undying love
Rhaine: it's. not. like. that.
Maya: you sent that in separate messages for emphasis. guilty.
Eli: you're doomed.
Rhaine: …she smells nice.
Maya: LMAO
Eli: lmao
Rhaine groaned, tossing her phone aside.
She was not falling for Sam Alcaraz. Absolutely not.
…But she also couldn't wait for their next meeting.