Hearts Unbound

Chapter 1: Clash of Titans

Chapter 1: Clash of Titans

Akia's heart pounded in her chest as she walked through the crowded halls of Crestwood High. Ang araw ay nagbigay ng mahabang anino sa mga locker, at ang daldalan ng mga estudyante ay umalingawngaw na parang patuloy na ugong sa background. Each step felt like a battle, and in a way, it was.

Siya ay palaging isang mandirigma, ngunit ang high school ay isang larangan ng digmaan na walang katulad. Akia had faced more than her fair share of challenges growing up in a rough neighborhood, but Crestwood High was a different beast altogether.

Sa labing pito, si Akia ay isang kabalintunaan—isang mabangis, independiyenteng batang babae na may kahinaan na itinatago niya sa mundo. Her raven-black hair framed her face, and her piercing blue eyes seemed to hold the weight of the universe. She dressed in a style that was uniquely her own, a mix of vintage thrift store finds and bold accessories that set her apart from her classmates.

Nang makarating siya sa locker niya, hindi niya maiwasang makaramdam ng pangamba. It wasn't the upcoming math test or the mountain of homework that bothered her—it was him.

Si Kenzo Hakashi, ang kilalang-kilalang bad boy ng Crestwood High. With his tousled dark hair, piercing green eyes, and a devil-may-care attitude, he was the poster child for teenage rebellion. Kumalat ang mga alingawngaw tungkol sa kanya—may reputasyon siya sa pagsira ng puso, pagsuway sa awtoridad, at pagtulak sa mga hangganan ng mga patakaran.

But it was his sinister grin and the way he moved with a confidence that bordered on arrogance that sent shivers down Akia's spine. Alam niyang dapat siyang lumayo, na anumang pakikipag-ugnayan sa kanya ay hahantong lamang sa gulo, ngunit may ibang plano ang tadhana.

Just as she was about to open her locker, the metal door slammed shut in front of her face. Nagulat, napaatras si Akia at pinandilatan ang pigurang nasa harapan niya. Kenzo leaned casually against the locker, his arms crossed over his chest.

"Didn't anyone ever tell you it's bad luck to cross paths with me?"ngumisi siya, kumikinang sa kalokohan ang mga mata niyang esmeralda.

Naikuyom ni Akia ang kanyang panga, ayaw magpakita ng anumang senyales ng takot. "I don't believe in luck," she shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Kenzo chuckled, a low, throaty sound that sent a shiver down Akia's spine. "Feisty, aren't we?"sabi niya sabay tulak sa sarili palabas ng locker. "What's your name, tough girl?"

Akia hesitated for a moment, debating whether to reveal herself to him. Ngunit hindi siya maaaring umatras ngayon. "Akia," she replied, her gaze locked onto his.

Kenzo raised an eyebrow, his smirk growing wider. "Well, Akia, it's your lucky day. You just met the infamous Kenzo Hakashi."

Akia rolled her eyes, unimpressed. "Infamous for what? Being a jerk?"

Naputol ang ngiti ni Kenzo sa loob ng isang segundo bago bumalik nang buong lakas. "You have no idea," he said cryptically.

With that, he sauntered away, leaving Akia  fuming in his wake. Hindi niya maintindihan ang kakaibang pinaghalong galit at pagkahumaling na pinukaw nito sa kanya. He was trouble, that much was clear, but there was something magnetic about him that she couldn't ignore.

The encounter with Kenzo set the tone for the rest of Akia's day. Hindi niya maalis ang pakiramdam na pinagmamasdan siya nito, kahit na wala siya sa paningin. It was as if he had marked her as his latest target, and she had no idea what he was capable of.

As the final bell rang, signaling the end of the school day, Akia headed to her after-school job at the local bookstore. Ito ang kanyang santuwaryo, isang lugar kung saan maaari niyang mawala ang sarili sa mundo ng mga libro at takasan ang kaguluhan sa high school.

Pero pagpasok niya sa bookstore, natigilan siya. There, sitting at the counter, was Kenzo Hakashi, flipping through a comic book with an amused expression on his face.

Akia couldn't believe her eyes. Anong ginagawa niya dito? Sinundan niya ba siya? Wala siyang balak alamin.

She turned on her heel and headed for the exit, pero napatigil siya sa boses ni Kenzo.

"Leaving so soon, Akia?" he called out, his tone dripping with amusement.

She gritted her teeth, refusing to let him see how much he unnerved her. "I don't have time for games, Kenzo."

Tumayo si Kenzo at lumapit sa kanya, his green eyes searching hers. "Who said anything about games?" he said, his voice low and dangerous.

Akia's heart raced as he stepped closer, the air crackling with tension between them. Alam niyang dapat siyang lumayo, na ang pakikisangkot kay Kenzo Hakashi ay hahantong lamang sa dalamhati at gulo.

But as she looked into those piercing green eyes, she couldn't deny the magnetic pull drawing her closer to him. Siya ay malapit nang magsimula sa isang paglalakbay na hindi niya nakitang darating— A clash of titans na susubok sa kanyang lakas, sa kanyang mga hangganan, at sa kanyang puso.

Little did Akia know that her encounter with Kenzo was just the beginning of a tumultuous ride that would change both of their lives forever.

To be continued...