COLLIDING HEARTS: THE START OF US (SLOW UPDATE)

CHAPTER 2

HIGHSCHOOL BLISS

It was just another normal day for me. I always loved mornings at school—hustle and bustle of students, friends laughing, teachers preparing lessons. Everything felt in place, and I loved the routine. I wasn't the type to crave drama or unnecessary complications in life.

After all, I had everything I needed—great friends, good grades, and my spot in the student council. We were preparing for the upcoming science fair, so most of my breaks were spent organizing or reviewing proposals.

"Zyan, ang taas na naman ng score mo sa math quiz," Thea said, grinning as she slid into the chair beside me during lunch.

"Eh ano pa bang bago?" I joked, taking a sip of my orange juice. I appreciated her enthusiasm, but I never really dwelled on my achievements. Grades were just grades to me, as long as I was doing my best.

"Uy, ganda ng bagong shoes mo ah!" Hanna chimed in, noticing the pair of white sneakers I was wearing. I shrugged. "Thanks! Hindi naman bago yan, sale lang sa boutique namin," I said casually.

I always kept things low-key. Sure, my family could afford nice things, but it never felt right to flaunt it. I preferred simplicity—a lunch in the school canteen, group projects with friends, or long chats at the library.

Then, one afternoon, habang papunta ako sa library para mag-review, halos mabangga ako ng isang lalaking nagmamadaling pumasok sa campus.

"Sorry! I didn't see you there," sabi niya, ngiting-ngiti, as if he wasn't fazed by the near collision. Tumango lang ako. "Okay lang," sagot ko, then moved past him.

Later, I found out his name was Aris Villanueva. Transfer student. People said he was charming and came from a wealthy family—parang artista sa mga teleserye. I didn't really think much of him. Para sa akin, isa lang siyang bagong estudyante.

A few days later, Hanna teased me during lunch. "Uy, Zyan, si Aris laging nakatingin sa'yo sa council room ah!"

Napatingin ako kay Hanna, raising an eyebrow. "Ano naman ngayon?" I asked.

"Eh baka naman may gusto siya sa'yo," she replied, her grin widening.

I shook my head and laughed. "Ewan ko sa'yo. Wala ako sa ganyan ngayon, Hanna. Ang dami kong priorities, no."

Honestly, she wasn't wrong. Sa tuwing nasa student council room ako, parang lagi kong nakikita si Aris malapit. Sometimes he'd walk by or just hang out not too far from our classroom. Pero hindi ko talaga pinapansin.

One day, habang nag-aaral ako sa library, Aris approached me. He looked a little shy, scratching the back of his head.

"Hi, Zyan, right?" he asked, smiling. "Pwedeng makahingi ng notes? I missed the last science discussion."

I glanced up from my book and nodded. "Sure," I said, flipping through my notebook and handing it to him.

"Thanks," he said, sitting across from me. "Grabe, ang dami mong ginagawa, pero parang chill ka pa rin. How do you even manage that?"

"Time management lang," I replied casually, keeping my eyes on the page I was reading. "Kung gusto mo, kaya mo namang gawin lahat ng kailangan mo."

He smiled again, as if he found my answer fascinating. Pero sa totoo lang, wala lang yun para sa akin. Simple lang ang mindset ko—gawin ang dapat gawin at huwag masyadong magpadala sa distractions.

"Thanks ulit. Ang helpful mo," he said before walking away. I didn't think much of it, but I could feel his gaze linger for a second before he left.

The next few days, napansin ko na mas naging visible siya sa paligid ko. Minsan nasa canteen, minsan sa hallway, minsan naman sa student council room. Hanna noticed it too and kept teasing me.

"Zyan, aminin mo na, crush ka nun!" she whispered one time during a meeting.

I just rolled my eyes. "Crush agad? Wala akong time sa ganyan. Saka na yung mga ganyan kapag tapos na lahat ng kailangan kong gawin."

And I meant it. I wasn't interested in romance or anything like that. Ang mundo ko noon ay umiikot sa friends ko, sa academics, at sa mga goals ko sa buhay. Gusto kong sulitin ang high school na walang iniintinding drama o distractions.

Si Aris? Sure, he was charming and nice, but I didn't think much of him beyond that. Saka na siguro ang love-love na yan, sabi ko sa sarili ko. For now, I was content with where I was—no complications, no distractions, just me and the life I loved.