The air inside the classroom was still and warm. A rotating ceiling fan creaked above, trying its best to fight the heat. It was Civic Education period, and the teacher was at the front of the class, voice strong and steady as he dictated a long note straight from the textbook.
"... after governance, the next important function of government is—"
Liana sat quietly, scribbling down each line in her notebook. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she tried to keep up, but she missed a word. She blinked and paused, confused.
"Wait… I'm lost," she whispered under her breath, pencil hovering in mid-air. "After 'government' is what…?"
Beside her, Zayne's heart skipped.
Not because of the question.
But because of how she asked it.
Her voice was gentle, uncertain. That same soft tone that had haunted his thoughts for days. He had been trying so hard to focus on the lesson, to ignore the way her presence made his heart flutter like a trapped bird. But now she was speaking again—and this time, to him.
He turned slightly and whispered back:
"Government responsibilities."
"Oh, okay. Thank you," she said, smiling shyly.
Zayne nodded and quickly looked away, mentally scolding himself.
Focus, Zayne… focus. You came here to stay out of trouble. You came here to blend in—not fall headfirst into someone you barely know.
But it was useless.
The way her eyes lit up when she understood, the curve of her lips as she smiled in gratitude—it was enough to shatter every wall he had built.
He didn't even realize he had written nothing for the past two minutes.
When the teacher finally closed his book and dismissed the class, students began stretching, chatting, and packing their bags.
Zayne sat still for a moment, debating with himself.
Should he talk to her?
Would she even want to?
Before he could overthink it again, he turned to her.
"Hey," he said softly. "Did you get all the notes?"
Liana looked up, surprised.
"Yes, I did. Thank you for helping earlier."
"No problem," he said, smiling slightly. "That teacher moves fast."
She chuckled, just a little.
It was the first time he had heard her laugh—even if it was short.
And just like that, the silence between them broke.
They started talking.
About school.
About how hot the weather was lately.
About the math teacher's unpredictable classwork.
About Lisa and Linda and how they always teased Liana for being too quiet.
Zayne listened—truly listened—as she spoke.
Her voice was soft but thoughtful.
She didn't talk too much, but when she did, her words carried meaning.
She wasn't trying to impress him. She was just being herself—and that made him like her even more.
At some point, she asked him:
"What school did you go to before this?"
Zayne hesitated for a split second before replying:
"Ah… it was in another city. I'm staying with my grandma now. Just needed a break from things."
It wasn't a lie.
But it wasn't the full truth either.
She nodded, not prying further.
Another reason he liked her—she didn't push. She didn't dig.
As the clock ticked toward closing time, the students began filing out, one by one.
Zayne walked slowly beside Liana, clutching his bag over one shoulder, still processing every second of the conversation.
She was easy to talk to.
Too easy.
And if he didn't act now, he might never get another moment like this.
They reached the main gate of the tutorial center.
Zayne turned to her, nerves fluttering somewhere deep in his stomach.
"Hey… um," he began, rubbing the back of his neck, "do you mind if I get your number?"
Liana blinked. Surprised.
"My number?"
"Yeah, I mean… just in case. You know, if we ever miss notes again or need help with assignments." He tried to play it cool, but even he knew that wasn't the real reason.
She stared at him for a few seconds—long enough to make his heart thump painfully against his ribs.
Then she nodded slowly.
"Okay. Sure."
She gave him the number.
He typed it in, saved it under Liana 🌸, and tried not to grin like an idiot.
"Thanks," he said, voice lower. "I'll text you."
"Okay," she replied softly, stepping through the gate.
Zayne watched her walk away, her bag swinging lightly by her side, her steps unbothered.
But he stood there for a moment longer—long after she disappeared from sight—gripping his phone tightly.
It's official, he thought.
I'm falling for her. And this time… there's no going back.