I woke up the next morning with my head buried in my pillow and my heart still pounding from last night's dinner. Even in my sleep, I could hear echoes of the clinking glasses, polite family questions, and Theodore's annoyingly calm breathing while I nearly choked on my water because I was nervous.
By the time I peeled myself out of bed, my hair was a mess and my dignity was missing in action.
But I had to face reality.
Today was school.
Today was responsibility.
Today was the day I pretended everything was perfectly normal—even though nothing in my life had been normal since the universe decided I was getting arranged-married.
I got dressed, ate breakfast quietly, and told myself not to think about Theodore Vior's blue eyes.
Which obviously made me think about them more.
When I finally reached the gates of Henderson University, I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and mentally whispered:
You got this, Sabrina. Just act normal.
Then—
"SAAAAAAB!!!"
Two blurs tackled me from both sides, nearly sending me straight to the floor.
"Ack—! I'm being murdered!" I squeaked.
Anastasia wrapped an arm around me. "You didn't message us last night! How was dinner?"
Fiona gasped dramatically. "Did you drop anything? Did you trip? Did you embarrass yourself again?"
I stared at them both with dead eyes.
"Yes."
"All three?"
They exchanged looks that said we expected that.
Anastasia flicked my forehead gently. "Well, at least you survived. That counts as something."
Fiona stuck her tongue out. "Barely."
I groaned. "Can we not roast me at seven in the morning?"
But they only laughed and held my arms as we walked through the hallway together. Students passed by with their designer bags, expensive perfumes, and rich-kid energy. Meanwhile, I was just trying not to fall over my own feet.
"You seem distracted," Anastasia whispered.
"Suspiciously distracted," Fiona added.
I forced a laugh. "Me? Distracted? Never. I'm perfectly stable. Emotionally balanced. In control."
Anastasia raised a brow. "You're shaking."
"I'm cold."
"It's 29 degrees."
"Then I'm… internally cold."
They both squinted at me, but thankfully the bell rang.
I exhaled in relief. "I'll see you guys later. I need to go to the principal for that prom project thing."
They waved at me enthusiastically.
"Good luck!"
"And don't trip!"
"And don't say anything stupid!"
"And don't die!"
"Great encouragement, thank you so much," I muttered as I walked away.
The hallway leading to the principal's office felt longer than usual. Every step echoed loudly, like the universe was mocking me. When I reached the door, the golden nameplate gleamed back at me:
Principal Bonex Afertly Pendhore
Cold. Serious. Terrifying.
A man who rarely smiled unless the annual budget increased.
I inhaled deeply and knocked.
"Enter," a deep, calm voice replied.
I pushed the door open and stepped inside.
Principal Bonex sat behind his massive oak desk, posture straight, expression unreadable. His sharp features and steely eyes gave off a strict authority that could silence an entire auditorium. He folded his hands over a stack of neatly organized folders and nodded once.
"Good morning, Ms. Navarro."
"Good morning, Principal… Pendhorn—Pendher—Pen—Pendhore," I stuttered.
He blinked slowly.
My soul shriveled.
He gestured for me to sit.
"As you are aware, you were selected to lead the design for the auditorium for the upcoming prom."
I nodded. "Yes, Principal."
"As I mentioned before, I considered assigning a second student to support you."
I nodded again, trying to reassure myself.
Surely it would be someone simple. Someone harmless. Someone who wouldn't make my heart explode inside my ribcage.
Principal Bonex opened a folder, eyes unmoving, voice flat.
"I have made my decision."
"Yes, Principal."
"The additional student assigned to work with you is—"
He paused, lifted his eyes, and said clearly:
"—Theodore Roosevelt Vior."
My brain stopped working.
My lungs collapsed.
My soul disintegrated.
And my mouth—my greatest enemy—shouted before my intellect could stop it:
"NO WAY!!!"
The office went silent.
So silent I could hear my heartbeat doing the cha-cha.
Principal Bonex slowly raised his eyes from the folder, his expression cold as ever—but somehow even more intimidating.
"Ms. Navarro."
His tone sharpened like a knife.
"Is there an issue with my decision?"
I flailed. "N-No! No issue! I'm just… surprised! Very surprised! Extremely! Shockingly! Overwhelmedly—"
"That is unnecessary."
I shut my mouth.
He closed the folder with calm precision.
"Mr. Vior is responsible and capable. I expect you to cooperate."
"Yes, Principal."
"You may leave."
I stood so fast my chair screeched across the floor.
And of course—
I tripped on my own foot.
Principal Bonex let out the softest exhale of disappointment.
Not a sigh.
Not anger.
Just… disappointment.
Which somehow felt worse.
I bowed awkwardly. "Thank you, Principal! Have a good day, Principal! Wonderful office décor, Principal!"
He blinked again.
I escaped.
The moment I stepped into the hallway, I clutched my face.
"I'm absolutely doomed," I whispered.
I walked a few steps away, still reeling from the shock. My mind was spiraling.
Theodore Vior?
The school president?
My classmate?
My secret future husband?
My prom project partner?!
WHY HIM?!
Why did the universe hate me?!
I couldn't even process anything as I rounded the corner—
And there he was.
Theodore Roosevelt Vior.
Standing tall.
Stoic expression.
Blue eyes focused straight on me.
My heart did a somersault.
"Oh no," I whispered.
"Oh, no no no."
Because the moment our eyes met…
I knew my day was officially over. we stared at each other like two malfunctioning robots.
Then he cleared his throat and pushed himself off the wall.
"Sabrina," he said calmly. "Can we talk?"
My brain went into full panic.
Talk?? TALK ABOUT WHAT?? Why does he sound like that?? Why am I suddenly sweating??
I tried to act normal. I failed.
"Ah—uh—y-yeah? Talk? Sure. Yes. Why not. Talking is… nice."
Kill me.
He stepped closer, his usual composed face softening just a bit.
"Principal Pendhore informed me that we'll be working together on the prom design."
I nodded, slow and awkward. "Yup. Apparently."
He nodded too, but the air between us felt heavy, like he'd practiced this speech in his head.
"I thought," he said carefully, "we should talk about it properly."
"Properly?"
"Yes. Somewhere not in this hallway." He glanced around like the walls were gossiping. "Somewhere quieter."
My stomach flipped like a dying fish.
Before I could ask anything ridiculous, he added:
"There's a café beside the school. If you're free, we can discuss the project there."
My mouth opened.
No words came out.
Not one.
He waited patiently — but I could tell he was hoping I'd agree.
Finally, I managed a tiny whisper,
"O-Okay. Let's go."
He nodded once, then walked beside me, calm and steady, guiding me toward the exit like this was totally normal.
Meanwhile, inside my head?
AAAAAAAAHHHHHH WHAT IS HAPPENING!!
The walk to the café was… painfully quiet.
Like, I-could-hear-my-own-heartbeat quiet.
Theodore walked beside me with that calm, elegant posture he always had — the kind that screamed "I have never tripped in my entire life."
Meanwhile, I was trying not to slip on air.
The tiny bell above the café door chimed when we entered. The place smelled like roasted coffee beans and warm bread — cozy, soft, and absolutely not compatible with my nervous sweating.
Theodore picked a table near the window.
Of course he chose the prettiest spot.
Of course he looked like he belonged there.
I sat across from him, trying not to choke on my own existence.
He placed his phone down, folded his hands neatly, and looked at me with those blue eyes that probably made a thousand girls fail their breathing tests.
"Before we start," he said smoothly, "is it true you already picked classmates to help us with the project?"
I blinked.
Nodded quickly.
"Yes— I mean, yes! I already picked two."
"Who?"
"My best friends," I said. "Anastasia and Fiona."
He nodded once — slow, approving, like the CEO of calmness.
"That's good. They seem… reliable."
Reliable??
My BFFs??
They're reliable at eating snacks, talking at 200 words per second, and dragging me away whenever I'm about to fall into a trash bin.
But sure. I'll take it.
He continued, "Having a team of four will make the planning smoother. And since Pendhore assigned us together, we should start distributing the tasks soon."
I stared at him.
Not because of the tasks.
But because… he was actually talking.
To me.
Properly.
Calmly.
Like I wasn't that girl who bumped into a trash can last week.
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
"So… what did the principal tell you exactly?"
Theodore leaned back, expression unreadable.
"He said the prom design is a major school event this year. We're expected to make something 'remarkable and worthy of Henderson University.' His words, not mine."
I snorted before I could stop myself.
"He always sounds like he's narrating a dramatic documentary."
Theodore raised an eyebrow — and then, unbelievably, the corner of his lips lifted.
A smile.
Just a small one.
But a REAL one.
My soul left my body.
"He does," Theodore agreed quietly. "He talks like he's disappointed in life."
I laughed — a tiny, awkward giggle, but still.
Hearing him say something mildly funny felt like witnessing an eclipse.
"So," he continued, "what theme do you prefer?"
"Hmm…" I tapped my finger on the table. "Something elegant but dreamy. Like a modern palace, but not too heavy."
He nodded thoughtfully. "That could work. A balance between luxury and softness."
"Y-yeah. Exactly."
He studied me for a moment — not in a creepy way, but in a thoughtful, observing way.
Like he wanted to know how my brain worked.
"Sabrina," he said slowly, "you seem nervous."
O GOD OF THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE SAVE ME!!.
I slapped both hands on the table. "N-No! I'm not! I'm perfectly calm!"
My voice cracked like glass.
"See?? Very calm!"
He stared at me.
I stared back.
Then he exhaled through his nose — almost like a laugh he was hiding.
"You don't have to force yourself. I'm not here to intimidate you."
"Y-You're literally intimidating by default," I whispered before I could stop myself.
His eyes widened.
Oh no.
Did I say that out loud?
He blinked once, and then—
A quiet chuckle escaped him.
Not a smile.
A real, soft, almost embarrassed laugh.
The sound made my heart flip like a dying pancake.
"I'll… try to tone it down," he said gently.
A pause.
A soft shift in the air.
The moment felt warm.
Almost too warm.
Then he cleared his throat and returned to his usual composure.
"We should meet after school tomorrow. With Anastasia and Fiona."
"Yes," I nodded quickly. "We'll help each other."
He tapped the table lightly.
"Good. We'll make this project work."
Then he stood up and offered his hand — to help me up.
Why?
I don't know.
Maybe he sensed I might stand and instantly fall.
I took his hand.
Warm.
Steady.
Stronger than I expected.
And when I stood, he let go gently, making sure I didn't wobble.
"See you tomorrow, Sabrina."
"Y-Yeah. See you."
He walked away with that elegant stride.
And I just stood there, staring at nothing, heart doing gymnastics.
Why… is he suddenly like this?
Why is he being nice?
Why did he smile? Why did he laugh?!
I covered my face with both hands.
"Oh no… this is bad," I muttered.
Because for the first time…
Theodore Vior didn't feel like a cold school president.
He felt like danger.
In a completely different way.