COLLIDING HEARTS: THE START OF US (SLOW UPDATE)

Chapter 3

THE SCIENCE FAIR – A DAY OF EXCITEMENT AND ACHIEVEMENTS

The day of the Science Fair had finally arrived, and the entire school was buzzing with excitement. The gymnasium was filled with projects—everything from innovative robots to creative scientific models. It was the culmination of months of hard work, and I was ready to see it all unfold.

As the vice president of the student council, responsibility ko na siguraduhin na smooth lahat ng aspeto ng event. From the booths to the judges, everything needed to be perfect. There were last-minute adjustments, organizing schedules, and checking on everyone's progress. But despite all the chaos, I felt that rush of excitement, the energy that came from being a part of something so important.

The gym was filled with students from different grades, each with their projects proudly displayed. Mula sa mga creative inventions hanggang sa innovative scientific models, every corner of the room had something to marvel at. The tables were arranged in neat rows, some displaying intricate physics projects, others showcasing biology experiments or chemical reactions.

Naglakad-lakad ako sa gym with my clipboard, making sure na smooth ang lahat. My classmates were busy giving presentations, while others were doing last-minute touch-ups. I was in my element, moving from one booth to the next to check everything.

"Zyan, can you check booth 7? The projector isn't working," Hanna called, running towards me with her own clipboard.

"Got it!" I nodded and jogged towards the booth. I checked the equipment, making sure everything was connected properly. The fair might have been stressful, but the excitement in the air was palpable. Ang saya ko na parang lahat ng pagod at sleepless nights na pinagdaanan namin ay worth it.

The first hour of the fair flew by, and it was a whirlwind of activity. I helped some students with their projects, directed parents and teachers to the right booths, and even mediated a small argument between two students about their booth placement. It was all part of the job.

"Okay, guys, let's keep it moving! Remember, we're here to show off your hard work," I encouraged the students, raising my voice over the noise of the crowd.

As I was about to check on booth 12, I felt a tap on my shoulder. Turning around, I saw Aris standing there with a smile on his face. I raised an eyebrow at him.

"Need help?" I asked, already turning to check something on my phone.

"Nah, I just wanted to say that you're doing great," he replied casually, his voice smooth as always.

"Thanks. We're almost done setting everything up," I said, giving him a smile before quickly moving toward the booth I needed to check. Hindi ko na siya binigyan ng pansin, but his words made me feel warm for a second.

Aris wasn't one to show his emotions openly, but during the fair, it was hard not to notice his quiet gestures. Every now and then, I'd catch him looking at me—his gaze soft and warm. Pero agad ko ring iniiwasan ang mga ganitong moment. I was too busy with the fair to think about it.

As I was helping with booth 15, I glanced up to find Aris standing near one of the models, talking to some of the students. He seemed to be in his element, explaining things with such confidence and ease. He looked so good, but I quickly reminded myself to focus on the task at hand. I didn't have time to get distracted now.

As the fair went on, I couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. Lahat ng hard work ng students namin was finally paying off. Some of the projects were mind-blowing, and seeing the excitement in my classmates' faces made everything worth it. The gym was full of parents, teachers, and students, all interacting with the projects, asking questions, and getting inspired.

I noticed Aris walking around, his booth already getting plenty of attention. He had worked on a group project related to environmental science, and it was drawing in a lot of visitors. Nakita ko na marami ring admirers si Aris, kaya naman hindi ko na siya pinansin. But in the back of my mind, I felt a small sense of pride for him.

After hours of managing the event, I finally took a quick break by the refreshment table. My feet were sore from standing for so long, and I needed a few minutes to recharge. As I grabbed a bottle of water, I looked around at the fair once more. It was the culmination of so many students' efforts, and I couldn't be more proud.

"Hey, Zyan," I heard someone call from behind me.

I turned around and saw Aris again, holding a bottle of water in his hand, with that signature smile on his lips.

"You've been working nonstop," he said casually. "You should take a break."

"I'm good," I replied, though my voice softened a bit at his concern. "It's just been a busy day."

Aris looked around at the fair before returning his gaze to me. "You're doing an awesome job. Everyone's impressed."

I couldn't help but smile. "Thanks. I'm just doing my part."

He nodded, still looking at me with that soft smile. For a moment, it felt like the noise of the fair around us faded, and it was just the two of us. But I quickly snapped out of it. I didn't have time to think about that right now.

"Well, I'll let you get back to it," he said, breaking the moment. "Good luck with the rest of the fair."

"Thanks, Aris," I said, giving him a quick smile before turning back to the event.

As the fair finally started to wind down, the crowd began to thin out. Ako, on the other hand, couldn't help but feel a little relieved. My legs were sore, and I was exhausted, but I knew we had pulled it off. The fair had been a success.

"Zyan, you did great today," Hanna said, walking up to me with a big smile. "Seriously, this event wouldn't have been as awesome without you."

"Thanks, Hanna. We all worked hard," I said, my exhaustion creeping up on me.

I looked around one last time at the booths and the empty chairs, the soft chatter of people saying their goodbyes filling the air. But amidst it all, I noticed Aris one last time, standing near the exit with his friends. He caught my eye and gave me a small wave. I smiled back, but I didn't go over. There was still so much to do.

As I walked out of the gym, my thoughts briefly drifted back to those quiet moments with him—those little glances and soft smiles that somehow made my heart skip a beat. But I pushed those thoughts aside. There would be time for that later. For now, I was content knowing I had done my best.