You Stole My Heart

Prologue

*"February—the month of hearts. Love was in the air, filling the hallways with sweet laughter and fluttering confessions. But for me, it was just another day of avoiding trouble, another day of keeping my head down."* 

**"Cami!"** 

I turned abruptly at the sound of my name. It was Gwenn, my closest friend—the only person I could truly trust. 

**"Gwenn, you startled me! What’s wrong?"** I asked as she rushed toward me, her face filled with concern. 

**"Tyron and his gang are looking for you,"** she said, her voice low, almost a whisper. 

*"Of course, it had to be Tyron. I knew exactly why he was after me—the money I still owed him. Fifty pesos and a piece of candy. Such a small debt, but enough for him to torment me."* 

I found Tyron waiting, his usual smug grin plastered on his face. 

**"Took you long enough,"** he sneered. 

**"I know why I’m here,"** I replied, arms crossed. **"You want your fifty pesos and that candy, right?"** 

He smirked. **"You already know the drill. Pay up."** 

**"I don’t have the money with me today. Can I give it to you next time?"** 

Before I could react, one of his lackeys shoved me hard, sending me crashing onto the ground. My back hit the rough bark of the acacia tree, pain shooting through my spine. Fear gripped me as I looked up at them, my hands shaking. 

Then, a voice cut through the tension. 

**"Hey! Leave her alone."** 

Everyone turned to see a boy stepping forward. I had never seen him before. His uniform was crisp, his presence unfamiliar—but his confidence was undeniable. 

Tyron scoffed. **"And who do you think you are?"** 

The boy crossed his arms. **"Someone who doesn’t like bullies."** 

**"Are you rich? Who are your parents? Why are you interfering?"** one of Tyron’s goons asked. 

The boy only smirked. **"None of that matters. But yeah, she’s my friend. Got a problem with that?"** 

*"Friend? We had never even spoken before."* 

Then, he turned to me. **"By the way, nice ribbon."** 

I blinked. **"Wait… are you saying I’m pretty?"** 

He burst into laughter. **"No, I meant the ribbon. It’s the only nice thing going on for you."** 

I scowled. **"Excuse me?"** 

**"Can I have it?"** 

**"Why do you want my ribbon?"** I asked, frowning. 

**"Because it doesn’t suit you,"** he teased. 

I gasped. **"What?! My grandma said red ribbons look good on me!"** 

**"Yeah? Well, to me, you look like Mickey Mouse’s wife."** 

Instead of being offended, I found myself laughing. No one had ever joked with me like that before. 

I pulled the ribbon off my hair and handed it to him. **"Fine. But what do I get in return?"** 

He smirked, tossing me a clean, white handkerchief. **"A trade."** 

*"That was the first time someone stood up for me. The first time someone saw me beyond my weakness. But before I could even ask for his name, he was already gone."* 

That night, as I sat at the kitchen table, my mother poured herself a cup of coffee. 

**"How was school today?"** she asked. 

I played with the white handkerchief in my hand, a small smile forming on my lips. **"It was… different."** 

She raised an eyebrow. **"Did something happen?"** 

**"Tyron’s gang tried to bully me again."** 

Her eyes widened. **"Oh no, are you okay?"** 

**"Yeah, I’m fine. Someone defended me."** 

She leaned forward, curious. **"Really? Who?"** 

I opened my mouth to answer, but then I froze. 

*"I never asked for his name."* 

Out of all the things I could forget, why did it have to be his name? 

I sighed and clutched the white handkerchief a little tighter. 

*"I guess fate will have to bring us together again."*