Sunsun au "Love at first sight [my idol, my lover]"

Chapter 2: The Search Begins

Standford Academy was larger than Alli had imagined. Its sprawling campus, with towering buildings and perfectly manicured lawns, seemed like an endless maze. Alli had spent weeks trying to spot Zildjian among the sea of students, but every attempt felt like chasing shadows.

"I can't believe this," Alli sighed, plopping down on a bench beside Ace 'Uno' Levine. "How am I supposed to find him in a place this big? It's like looking for a needle in a haystack."

Ace chuckled, patting his friend on the back. "Relax, Alli. We'll figure it out. Maybe we just need to be more strategic." His tone was teasing, but Alli could see the glimmer of determination in his eyes.

Conversation between Alli and Ace:

Alli: But Ace do you really think na may pag-asa ako na makita si Zildjian?

Ace: Oo naman bes hahaha sikat yun eh sure madali mo siyang mahahanap kasi pagkakaguluhan yun dito.

Alli: Eh bakit ilang araw na akong naghahanap sa kanya dito hindi ko man lang siya makita.

Ace: Ganon talaga bes syempre malay mo baka busy yung tao.

Alli: Well sabagay may point ka baka nga nagpapractice siya nung mga time na hinahanap ko siya dito sa school ang laki kasi ng Stanford Academy ang dami pang students.

Ace: Madami pa naman araw Alli. Malay mo bukas makita natin siya.

Ace then spotted Noa, who was looking for them. Though Noa wasn't literally late, they had already agreed in the group chat to meet for breakfast before heading to their first class.

Ace: Tara na Alli nandyan na si Noa hinahanap na tayo saka mag-uumpisa na rin yung klase natin.

Alli: Sige.

Alli nodded, though a hint of doubt clouded his thoughts. The excitement he'd felt when moving to Manila was slowly giving way to frustration. Despite being so close, Zildjian felt as distant as ever.

The Next Day

Alli spent the following days wandering the campus, carefully scanning every face he passed. He'd heard rumors from fellow students that Zildjian often spent his breaks on the rooftop, so he and Ace began their investigation.

"Are you sure this is where he hangs out?" Alli whispered as they crept up the staircase.

"Positive. I asked around," Ace grinned, leading the way.

But as they reached the rooftop, it was empty. Alli's heart sank. Not again.

Ace noticed the disappointment on his friend's face and nudged him playfully. "Hey, don't worry. We'll catch him eventually."

The Bump-In

A few mornings later, as Alli and Ace rushed through the crowded halls, their luck finally changed.

Alli, distracted by his thoughts, didn't see the person in front of him until it was too late. He crashed into them, books flying out of his arms and scattering across the floor.

"Ay! Sorry, sorry!" Alli stammered, dropping to his knees to gather his things. His hands trembled as he reached for a notebook, embarrassed by his clumsiness.

"It's okay," came a calm, gentle voice from above.

Alli froze. That voice — it was unmistakable. He slowly lifted his head, and there, standing before him, was Zildjian Thomas Montenegro. The world seemed to slow down as Alli took in the sight of his idol, standing just a few feet away.

Zildjian's warm eyes met his, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Okay ka lang ba?" he asked, concern lacing his tone.

Alli's heart raced. He tried to respond, but his throat felt dry, and his words failed him. All he could do was nod, his face heating up under Zildjian's gaze. This isn't real, Alli thought, struggling to process what was happening.

Before he could gather his thoughts, Zildjian smiled again, gently helping him pick up the remaining books. "Here you go," he said, handing the last notebook back to Alli before walking away, leaving the younger boy frozen in place.

As soon as Zildjian disappeared down the hall, Ace rushed to Alli's side, wide-eyed and grinning. "Grabe, Alli! Nakita mo na siya!"

Alli blinked, still in shock. His heart was pounding, and his hands wouldn't stop shaking. "Hindi ako makapaniwala... ngumiti pa siya sa akin!" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

For the first time since moving to Manila, Alli felt a flicker of hope. Meeting Zildjian hadn't been a dream — it was real. And now, more than ever, he was determined to get closer to him.