𝙇𝙤𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙈𝙧. 𝙈𝙖𝙣𝙝𝙞𝙙

1. First Love

RIVERSVILLE UNIVERSITY

Here goes my heart again. Ang lakas ng kabog ng aking dibdib. Napatigil ako sa gitna ng hallway nang makita kong papalapit si Zayne.

I can see his smile while looking at me. God, my heart is melting. I could turn into jelly any minute now. Napahawak ako sa bag ko, feeling like it was the only thing keeping me grounded.

"Hi."

Ahh, that voice. Sobrang ang sarap pakinggan. Parang kanta na ayaw mong matapos. His scent filled the air—something fresh and woody, like the crisp smell of morning dew mixed with cedar. Addicting, nakakahilo, pero in a good way. Parang may magneto ang bawat galaw niya, pulling me closer without him even trying.

Hindi ko namalayan na nakatitig lang ako sa mukha niya, lost in those piercing eyes that seem to see right through me. Those silver-gray orbs sparkled in the light, and I couldn’t look away. The way he tilted his head slightly habang nakangiti, para bang sinasabi niyang alam niya ang epekto niya sa akin.

Natauhan lang ako nang pisilin niya bigla ang pisngi ko habang nakangiti, as if reminding me to snap out of my daydream.

"Hi, Bella. Ang aga-aga, wala ka na sa sarili mo."

"Ahh, ehhh, hahaha. Hi, Z." I stammered, hoping he couldn’t hear the thunderous beating of my heart. His deep chuckle echoed in my ears, making my cheeks burn even more.

Then he glanced to my side and greeted, "Hi, Hailey," to my best friend who I’d completely forgotten was standing beside me.

Oh shoot, kasama ko nga pala best friend ko. Sa tuwing kasama si Zayne, nakakalimutan ko na kung nasaan ako o kung sino mga kasama ko.

"Hi rin, Zayne," Hailey replied, with her usual composed smile. Unlike me, she always had this effortless grace that I could never match.

"Sabay tayo mag-lunch mamaya?" tanong niya, his gaze unwavering as he waited for my response.

At dahil hindi ako puedeng umayaw—well, actually ayaw ko lang talagang tumanggi—agad akong sumagot, "Sure!"

Being with Zayne is always my happiness. His presence feels like warmth on a chilly day, and I couldn’t bear to miss a single chance to be near him.

"Then, see you later?"

"Yes, see you later, Z."

Inayos ko ang suot kong salamin as I watched him walk away. Parang ang slow motion ng bawat hakbang niya, every step drawing me deeper into my admiration. His broad shoulders and confident stride were enough to make any girl swoon, but it’s the way he treated me—so sweet, so sincere—that made my heart flutter.

Hailey doesn’t know that I like Zayne. She’s my best friend, but I’m not ready to tell her yet.

Saka ko na lang sasabihin kapag umamin na siya sa akin. I know he likes me, too.

Palagi niya kaming nililibre ni Hailey ng lunch sa school canteen, and he joins us when we hang out at the mall during weekends. He's always there, part of our little trio, making every moment special.

He even gives us small gifts during special occasions. Alam kong hindi siya mag-i-effort nang ganito kung wala siyang nararamdaman para sa akin. I can see it in his eyes, the way he looks at me—intensely, as if he’s trying to say something he hasn’t yet put into words.

Nakakakilig kapag nahuhuli ko siyang nakatingin. Those moments feel like stolen glances in a storybook romance, and I can't wait for the day he finally confesses his feelings.

With a smile on my face, I turned to Hailey. "I think magkaka-boyfriend na ako soon."

She raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Sino naman ang pinagpantasyahan mo ngayon?"

I laughed, pulling her along as we walked towards the staircase. "Secret."

"At may pa-secret-secret ka na ngayon? Tell me about him. Kilala ko ba?"

Tumango ako, still smiling, but Hailey’s face remained serious, a rare expression for her.

"His name?"

"Saka ko na sasabihin kapag umamin na siya."

"Hmph, okay fine."

I put my arm around her shoulders. "You’ll be the first to know kapag boyfriend ko na siya."

What I didn’t expect was that she’d be the first one to get a boyfriend between the two of us.

And that boyfriend would be Zayne.