The day began with a familiar buzz of activity as Raya made her way through the school hallways, blending into the stream of students on a regular weekday. As soon as the lunch break bell rang, she headed outside to her favorite spot—a quiet corner of the schoolyard under a tree where she often read.
She pulled out her current read, a fantasy dark romance novel that had quickly become her latest obsession. The world of magic, suspense, and intense romance was a thrilling escape, and she found herself lost in its pages. But just as she was reaching a particularly captivating part, a hand suddenly snatched the book from her grasp.
"Whoa, reading those intense romance books again, huh?" Jake grinned, holding the book high above his head as Raya tried to reach for it.
"Jake, give it back!" she laughed, jumping to try and grab it.
"Let me see what has you all wide-eyed today," he teased, flipping through the pages while dodging her attempts to retrieve it.
Raya’s cheeks flushed, half with embarrassment and half with amusement. "It’s none of your business!" she protested, making another attempt to snatch the book from his hand.
Jake chuckled, reading aloud in a dramatic voice, "His gaze burned through her, melting her heart…" He paused, looking at her with mock seriousness. "Raya, I never knew you were into these types of scenes."
She playfully smacked his arm. "You’re impossible!"
Laughing, Jake finally handed her book back, still smirking. "You know, you could just tell me if you’re getting inspired for your own love life."
Raya rolled her eyes, tucking the book under her arm as she tried to hide her smile. "Oh, please. I just like the stories, that’s all."
They chatted for the rest of the break, sharing laughs and lighthearted banter until the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch. With a playful nudge, Jake waved as they went their separate ways to class.
By the end of the school day, Raya was still grinning to herself, thinking about Jake’s teasing. She had to admit, moments like these with him made school feel lighter and more enjoyable.
When she got home, she dropped her bag by the door and called out to her mom. But instead of the usual quietness, she was greeted by a familiar voice.
“Surprise!”
Raya turned around, her eyes widening as she saw her cousin, Nish, standing there with a big smile on his face.
“Nish! I didn’t know you were coming!” she exclaimed, rushing over to hug him.
He grinned, hugging her back. “Thought I’d surprise you. It’s been way too long, hasn’t it?”
The excitement filled the air as they started catching up on all that they had missed in each other’s lives. Raya couldn’t wait to spend the evening with him, catching up and sharing stories like old times.
YOU ARE READING
Chasing Tomorrow
Fanfiction"Raya, why dream so big? Do you think anyone will really notice you?" Raya glanced at her BTS poster, a quiet determination in her eyes. "It's not about being noticed. It's about proving to myself that I'm capable. They may be stars, but they're als...
