WHO'S THE VILLAIN

CHAPTER 1: The Silent Scream

The scent of lavender and old books hung heavy in the air, a familiar comfort that always enveloped Aurelia in the cozy confines of the library. She wandered through the library, her footsteps echoing through the empty aisles.

The Senate has decided to hold an emergency meeting today so all classes have been postponed. Aurelia was not the type of person who would stay inside the classroom and watch her classmates do stupid stuff, so she decided to keep herself busy inside the school library.

When she found the perfect book to read, Aurelia sat down and buried her nose in it. Suddenly, a boisterous wave of energy crashed into the tranquil space, shattering the peaceful silence. A group of baseball players, their laughter echoing through the aisles, strode into the library, their presence a jarring contrast to the hushed atmosphere. Their backpacks, emblazoned with the school's mascot, swung with a rhythmic sway, their cleats clicked against the polished floor, their voices a symphony of testosterone and teenage bravado.

Aurelia, momentarily distracted from her literary pursuits, glanced up, her gaze meeting the eyes of one of the players. He was tall and broad-shouldered, his features ruggedly handsome, his eyes a deep, soulful blue. He caught her gaze, his face flushing a deep crimson, his eyes widening in surprise. He quickly averted his gaze, his cheeks burning with a mixture of embarrassment and something that she couldn't figure out.

Aurelia, intrigued by his reaction, found herself stealing glances at him. He kept glancing back, his gaze lingering on her for a moment too long.

She recognized him from her class but she couldn't remember his name, all she remembers was the boy was quiet and he sat in the back row, his gaze often fixed on his phone or sleeping on his dest.

As the baseball players moved through the library, their laughter echoing through the aisles, Aurelia couldn't help but feel a sense of irritation. She watched as the group sat near the table where she was sitting.

Aurelia felt her phone vibrate, with a curious glance, she grabbed her phone and opened the messenger to read the message. Later, a frown curves on her lips upon reading the message from their class president.

Vaughn:

Miss Helen won't be meeting us tomorrow. You can use the remaining time to study for our pre-mid exam next week.

"Excuse me." She raised her head to look at the person who suddenly approached her.

"Ikaw si Lia diba?" The basketball player now gained the confidence to approach her, wearing the most charming smile he can master.

Aurelia looked at him, confused. "No."

The boy mirrors her expression, confused as to why she is denying her own name. "Pero sabi nila ikaw daw si Lia." Itinuro nito ang mga kasama sa kabilang table na ngayon ay pinapanood sila

"Sorry, napag-tripan ata ako. Ikaw daw kasi ang partner ko sa report." Kinuha nito ang phone at iniharap sa kanya ang isang message mula sa group chat nila sa History.

24. Aurelia Villa'amore
25. Chadler Williams.

"Oh, that's me." She suddenly said upon seeing her name on the screen with the same purple highlights with the person named Chadler Williams. Apparently, those with the same color of highlights on the list were partners.

"But you said, you weren't Lia."

"I'm Aurelia, not Lia. Don't give people a nickname when you don't know them." The tone of her voice was low, and he couldn't deny how pretty her voice sounded in his ears

"Sorry, iyon kasi ang tawag nila sayo." He tried to masked his nervousness with a chuckled

"Who calls me that? I don't have any nicknames."