Star and Ddot first crossed paths in the seventh grade, where fate always seemed to seat them next to each other. Star was a social butterfly, the kind of girl who could strike up a conversation with anyone and have them laughing in minutes.
Her laugh was infectious, her smile bright, and she had a way of making everyone feel like they were the most important person in the room.
But to Ddot, she was nothing but a nuisance.
From the first day, he couldn't stand her. Ddot was the quiet, brooding type. He preferred to keep to himself, head down, focused on his work. He didn't care for idle chit-chat or the loud, bubbly energy that Star seemed to radiate. So, naturally, sitting next to her every day was his personal version of torture.
One afternoon in English class, as they were supposed to be working on an essay, Star couldn't resist trying to get Ddot to open up. She leaned over, grinning. "Hey, Ddot, do you like music? I'm really into rap—maybe we could write our essays about our favorite songs!"
Ddot shot her a cold glare. "No. I'm writing mine on something that actually matters. Why don't you stop talking and mind your business"
Star's smile faltered for a second, but she quickly recovered. "I was just trying to make conversation. You don't have to be so rude, you know."
Ddot rolled his eyes and turned away from her. "If you stopped talking for five seconds, maybe people wouldn't be rude to you."
Star was taken aback by his sharp words. She wasn't used to people not liking her—especially not to this degree. But instead of backing off, something in her made her want to try even harder. She couldn't understand why he didn't like her, and the more he pushed her away, the more determined she became to get on his good side.
Over the next few weeks, Star tried everything to get Ddot to warm up to her. She complimented his sneakers, tried to share her lunch with him, and even helped him with class assignments. But no matter what she did, Ddot remained cold, even hostile.
In gym class one day, Star tried to partner up with him during a basketball drill. "Hey, Ddot, wanna be my partner?"
Ddot scoffed, looking at her like she was the last person on earth he wanted to be near. "I'd rather lose than be stuck with you," he said harshly, turning away to find someone else.
"darrian why u actin like this?" star asked as she gripped his arm trying to stop him from walking away but he jerked his arm free.
"i'm not acting like nun. and don't fucking call me darrian, only my close friends call me that something you n me will never be" he walks off from her
Star felt a lump in her throat, but she forced a smile and moved on. She didn't understand why he was so mean to her, but she couldn't shake the crush that was slowly growing in her heart. The more he rejected her, the more she wanted his approval. It made no sense, but there it was—she liked him, even though he clearly couldn't stand her.
Ddot, on the other hand, was growing more and more frustrated. No matter how rude he was, Star just wouldn't leave him alone. He didn't want to be her friend, and he definitely didn't want to be around her constant chatter and positive energy.
But she was like a thorn in his side. no matter how hard he tried to get rid of her, she just stuck around.
One day after school, as they both waited for their rides home, Star approached him once again. "Ddot, can we at least be friends? I don't get why you hate me so much."
Ddot didn't even look at her. "I don't hate you, Star. I just don't like you. There's a difference."
"Why, though? What did I ever do to you?" she asked, genuinely confused.
"You exist," he replied coldly, before walking away.
Star stood there, stunned. That one hurt more than anything else he'd said to her. But as much as she wanted to cry, she refused to let him see her upset. She was determined to figure out why he was so cold and to prove to him that she wasn't as bad as he thought.
By the time they reached high school, Star had finally had enough. She stopped trying to talk to Ddot, stopped trying to be his friend. She focused on herself, blossoming into a confident, beautiful young woman who caught the attention of everyone around her. She joined the cheerleading squad, made new friends, and left Ddot in the past. If he didn't want her, then she wasn't going to waste any more of her time.
Ddot, on the other hand, started to notice something he hadn't before. Star wasn't the annoying little girl he remembered from middle school. She had grown up—she was beautiful, confident, and had this aura about her that made people gravitate toward her. He found himself watching her more and more, and to his surprise, he realized that he actually liked what he saw.
One day, he caught himself staring at her in the cafeteria. She was laughing with her friends, her smile brighter than the sun, and Ddot felt something stir in his chest. He didn't want to admit it, but he was falling for her. Hard.
One day, he finally decided he had to do something about it. He caught her alone at her locker, gathering her books for the next class. Taking a deep breath, he approached her.
"Star," he called out, his voice softer than she had ever heard it before.
She looked up, surprised to see him. "What do you want, Ddot?" she asked, her tone guarded.
"I wanted to talk to you," he said, shifting uncomfortably. "I know I was a jerk to you in middle school, and I'm sorry. I shouldn't have treated you like that."
Star raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "You were more than a jerk, Ddot. You were mean for no reason. Why the sudden change of heart?"
Ddot sighed, running a hand through his hair. "I don't know. I just... I didn't see it before, but you're different now. You're... you're fine as hell, Star."
Star blinked, caught off guard by his words. She had spent years trying to get him to notice her, and now that he finally was, she wasn't sure how to feel. "So, what? You think you can just say I'm pretty and I'll forget all the stuff you said to me?"
"No," Ddot admitted, looking at her earnestly. "But I'm asking for another chance. To start over. I know I messed up, but I want to make it right."
Star crossed her arms, leaning back against her locker. "Why should I give you another chance, Ddot? You made it pretty clear you didn't like me."
"I know I did," he said, stepping closer. "But I was stupid, okay? I didn't see what was right in front of me. Just... give me one chance, Star. That's all I'm asking."
Star stared at him, her emotions swirling. Part of her wanted to tell him to get lost, but another part of her—the part that had crushed on him for years—wanted to see if he really had changed. After a long pause, she finally spoke.
"Fine. One chance, Ddot. But if you mess it up, that's it. I'm done."
A smile spread across Ddot's face, relief washing over him. "I won't mess it up, I promise. I'll prove to you that I'm not that same jerk from middle school."
Star nodded, still feeling cautious but willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. "We'll see, Ddot. We'll see."
And with that, the dynamic between them shifted. Ddot had his work cut out for him, and Star was finally in a position where she could decide if he was worth the trouble.
