Unwritten Rules

Prologue

Kierra Parson had always found solace in the written word. As an English major at Foggy Heights University, she spent countless hours buried in novels, losing herself in the worlds created by her favorite authors. But it wasn't until her second year that she encountered Professor Mike Albarez, the creative writing teacher who would ignite her passion for scriptwriting and the likes.

From the moment she stepped into her prof's classroom, Kierra was captivated. Professor Albarez, or Sir Mike as he preferred to be called, had a unique ability to bring stories to life. His lectures were not mere recitations of literary techniques but vivid explorations of character, plot, and emotion. He challenged his students to dig deeper, to find the truth in their words, and to write with their hearts. 

Now, as a senior, Kierra was thrilled to be back in Sir Mike's class for one final semester. The advanced literary course was known for its rigor, but Kierra welcomed the challenge. She was determined to prove herself, not just as a student but as a writer as well.

"Morning, Kierra!"  her friend Kai greeted her with a mischievous grin as they walked into the campus café. "Blueberry drink again?" She added.

Kierra rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling. "You know me too well."

"Oh, we all know you too well," Ely teased. "Especially when it comes to Sir Mike"

Kierra felt a blush creep up her cheeks. Her friends have been teasing her about having crush on Professor Albarez for years. It did not help that they all knew about his fondness for blueberry-flavored drinks, a detail Kierra had discovered by sheer coincidence—or so she told herself.

As she ordered her drink, she couldn't help but think about Sir Mike. His deep voice, the way he leaned forward when he spoke passionately about a book, his piercing eyes that seemed to see right through her—all these details were etched in her mind. She wondered if he had any idea how much she admired him.

Kai nudged her playfully. "Lost in thought again? Let me guess—Sir Mike?"

"Stop it," Kierra laughed, taking a sip of her blueberry drink. "You're never going to let me live this down, are you?"

"Not a chance," Kai said with a wink. "But seriously, are you ready for class today? I heard he's going to announce our first big project."

Kierra's heart skipped a beat. She had been looking forward to this class all week. The thought of working closely with Sir Mike on a writing project was both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. As they walked to the classroom, Kierra felt a familiar mix of excitement and anxiety. She took her usual seat near the front beside the window, open her navy blue notebook and pilot pen ready. Sir Mike entered the room, his presence commanding immediate attention.

"Good morning, everyone!" he began, his warm voice, sweet and inviting. "Here we go again! Miss me? I hope you're all ready to dive into the world of literature."

Kierra's eyes were fixed on him, absorbing every word. She knows this semester is going to be so special but having no idea how much it would change her life.

After class, Kierra lingered, pretending to gather her things slowly. She watched as her classmates filed out, leaving her alone with Sir Mike. Her heart raced as she gradually approached his desk.

"Sir Mike, I wanted to thank you for the feedback on my script for our theatre play," she said, trying to keep her voice steady. "It really helped me see things differently"

He looked up and engage an eye contact. His warm eyes made her feel both seen and understood. "You have a natural talent, Kierra. I'm glad my feedback was helpful. Continue to challenge yourself. You have a lot of potential. I believe in you."

Kierra's heart soared by his words. She thanked him again and walked out of the classroom, her mind is buzzing with possibilities. As she made her way back to the café to meet Kai and Ely, she couldn't shake the feeling that this semester would be the beginning of something extraordinary. Little did she know, the unwritten rules of their relationship were about to be tested in ways she never imagined.