Another normal school morning… let's see how today goes," Elina muttered cheerfully to herself.
She leaned toward Amara. "Hey, did you also fill out the form? You know, I'm excited about it too—"
Amara cut in, distracted: "Oh! So last night, he asked—"
Elina managed an awkward smile. Here we go again… my words vanish into thin air, she thought.
Lyra, her tuition friend from Section B, entered the classroom, bright and chaotic. Elina waved.
"Hey, Lyra! Um… she's Amara, my best friend. And Amara, this is Lyra, my tuition friend from section B. Heard sections A and B are merging, so she'll sit with us now. We'll have fun together—"
Amara interrupted with a sweet smile. "Hi." The two girls immediately started talking, leaving Elina on the outside.
And once again… invisible, Elina muttered under her breath, frustrated.
Lucas, Draven, and Lyric entered. Draven, loud as ever, immediately noticed Lyra.
Draven grinned, a teasing edge in his voice. "What are you doing here, lizard?"
Ugh… here comes the monkey, Elina thought, annoyed. Really doesn't know how to talk to girls.
Lyra was snappy and playful in return: "Got nothing else to do, huh?"
Anny, a popular girl, pulled Draven aside. "Don't stick with her too much. She's not that touchable."
Elina leaned toward Amara and whispered: "Weren't they best friends? How can she insult her in front of everyone?"
The bell rang. The Maths teacher entered, collected the forms, and announced the sections had merged. Lyra quickly settled near Elina and Amara by the window.
Draven, unable to sit quietly, threw a paper ball. His target was Lyra, but it hits Elina instead.
Elina's brows furrowed, her jaw tight. Her glare sliced through the air, her arms stiff at her sides, fingers twitching slightly. Every muscle was tense, a storm waiting to erupt.
"Mummy! She's a witch, dude!" Draven exclaimed in mock horror.
"Don't start your drama," Lyric warned him.
Draven whispered to Lucas and Lyric: "I'll prove it someday."
Lucas chuckled. "She's innocent, Draven. Don't mess with her—she might complain to the principal."
[Scene 2: The Stare-Down]
Suddenly, the chatter around them faded. The clatter of trays, laughter, footsteps… all gone.
Just their eyes. Nothing else.
Elina's heartbeat thundered in her ears. She didn't know what to do. Her hands stiffened on the table. Her fork quivered. Her lips parted slightly… but no words came.
Draven's smirk softened ever so slightly. He too was frozen, caught off guard by the intensity of the moment. For the first time, he didn't know what to say or do.
Seconds stretched like minutes. The world outside their gaze ceased to exist.
Then, almost imperceptibly, Draven blinked first, rolling his pen and pretending boredom—but that smirk lingered. Elina exhaled slowly, her jaw still tight, her eyes lowering reluctantly, the storm inside her only partially settled.
"Is there… something on my face?" she whispered, panicked, to Amara.
"No," Amara replied calmly.
Lyra giggled. "Yeah, it's written: IDIOT!"
"Ugh… LYRA! Stop mocking me!" Elina groaned, exasperated.
[Scene 3: The Canteen Tofu War]
It was lunchtime, and they were all inside the canteen.
"Elina, Lyric messaged me last night!" Lyra announced excitedly.
"Oh? What did he say?" Elina asked, curious.
Lyra grinned. "Asked for notes."
Elina raised an eyebrow, teasing: "Why do boys always ask notes from girls they barely know? Either it's an excuse to talk… or a genuine reason."
"Exactly!" Lyra laughed. "He even followed me on Insta. I just sent the notes directly."
Amara returned with her tray, smiling, and placed a bowl of tofu in front of Lyra.
"This is for you! You wanted tofu, right?" Amara said gently.
"Thanks!" Lyra grinned.
Elina reached for a piece. "I'll take half—"
Amara pulled the plate back, smiling slightly. "Uh… I already gave this to Lyra."
Always share, sometimes bring extra… and now I'm treated like a stranger… Ugh! Elina thought, frustrated.
Draven suddenly appeared, casual and teasing.
"Hey, Lyra! Too much tofu? Here—"
"Ask Elina, I already had enough," Lyra interjected.
Draven placed a piece gently on Elina's plate.
Elina froze. Her eyes widened, her heart thundering. Her fingers stiffened, hovering over the plate. Her mouth opened slightly… and then closed again.
Anny arrived, dramatic as always. "Why are you giving her food? She'll turn into tofu!"
Draven calmly caught Anny's hand. "Let her eat, Anny. I already gave you some; I didn't know about her. But if I give you extra, you sure will become tofu. Ask Lucas or Lyric if you want more."
Anny scoffed. "Ugh, mean!"
Lucas sighed. "Draven, handle your own circus."
Lyra chuckled. "Don't drag us into your tofu drama! I only got two pieces; I need more protein, bro!"
Elina spoke softly, trying to be polite: "It's okay, Anny. You can take it if you want."
Anny smiled sweetly. "No, it's your plate now. I'll take from Draven instead; he will line up for me."
The noise returned. Lyra shook her head. "Drama over tofu… a few minutes ago, she didn't even want it."
Elina glanced at Draven. The piece of tofu on her plate was burnt on one side.
"This buffalo!" Elina said, her voice slow and dramatic. "I knew it! One day I'll also burn him with my fire."
She stabbed the tofu with her fork. Draven chuckled, proud.
They froze in a moment of silent war—anger and amusement coexisting. Cunning angel… with her frustrated demon.
Elina finally exhaled slowly, lowering her fork, still tense, still wary… but secretly a little alive. Draven's smirk remained, just enough to remind her this battle wasn't over.
"At least I got tofu. Hmm… let's cut the burnt half off in a rectangle shape now." Elina ate it. Well, still feel good somehow—it's because of my math cutting! she thought, proud of herself for even this little thing.