A Collision of Hearts and Heroes

PROLOGUE

Clarissa's POV

Missed Opportunity

"If you think I would pursue you just like how you imagined someone would be. Sorry to say this, but I won't raise hell just to climb your walls. To remind you, your standards are unrealistic; no one would pursue you solely based on that."

After Geo spoke, I glanced downward and nibbled on my lower lip to compose myself. Choosing to stay quiet, I refrained from uttering any inappropriate words for the moment. Masakit akong magsalita kapag nauubos ang pasensya kaya huwag niya sana akong subukan.

"Masakit ba na hindi ka makapagsalita? Well, that's the fact, Clarieth Sancha," he scoffed mockingly. "You're delusional," may diin ang pagkakasabi niya.

What's wrong with being delulu ba?

He was about to walk past me when I talked. I can't just let him leave with my ego being stepped on. He just attacked the wrong girl.

"I warned you, sweetheart. I ignore boys who don't meet my standards. You didn't believe me until you became one of them," I said that made him stop.

He looked at me, so I gave him an apologetic sarcastic glare. I then let out a dramatic sigh, as though expressing pity for his own stupidity.

"Pinakiusapan na kita dati 'di ba? Na ayaw ko. But then you think you are that dreamy to face rejection, and now you blame it on how I set my standard? Why? Does it bother your ego that someone has pointed out that you failed to meet the fundamental expectations of women?"

He appeared speechless, which made me smirk. I took a step forward, staring at him straight into his soul. Matangkad siya kaya kinailangan ko pang tumingkayad para matapat ng aking labi ang kaniyang tenga.

"Don't try me, Geo," I whispered near his ear.

I rolled my eyes the moment I turned my back on him. So irritating! Ni reject na nga nang maayos, e, ginanon ba naman.

Men. It's easy for them to flirt with girls, and if they are rejected, they will struggle to accept it kaya sisiraan nalang 'yong babae. How toxic!

There are a few that I like somehow, but mostly, it didn't last longer kasi minsan magigising nalang ako na I was being ghosted. They blamed it on my expectations for claiming that I set the bar way too high.

Am I at fault for wanting to be treated right? Am I to blame for wanting someone who would accept me the way I was? Am I wrong for craving validation of my perceptions?

Love and I never seemed to be on speaking terms. Almost like we were playing a never-ending game of hide and seek where I was always "it" and love was the ultimate master of disguise.

"Have you forced Atherelle to come with us?" Kuya asked.

"Ayaw payagan, e," I answered.

Ngayon ay tournament ng ML at ang kaibigan kong si Zedi ay hindi pinayagang sumama-kaya mag-isa na naman ako mamaya. Though I have a lot of civil friends, ayokong makisama sa ibang grupo ng magkakaibigan. I got along with them sometimes, it didn't reach the point where we became so close. Mapili kasi ako sa sa barkada. High standard ako sa mga lalaki at dapat ganoon din pagdating sa kaibigan.

I was wearing a knitted vest with short sleeves polo, tucked in with a brown pleated skirt, and Korean black boots.

I couldn't help but be captivated by my reflection while glancing into the human-sized mirror. I am always confident even though I don't quite fit the mold of my age.

I have plump cheeks, a small round face, and a short chin that made me look much younger. My eyes were doe, and I have a heart-shaped lips that fits perfectly to the entirety of my face. And of course, my sharply sculpted nose added its allure.