I Was Just The Rehearsal

I first saw him in the cafeteria.

Almar Rodriguez.

Leaning back in his chair, smirk effortless, tossing a napkin at someone across the table like he owned the place. Loud laughter, confident gestures he didn't even know I existed yet, and already he looked....impossible to ignore.

I rolled my eyes, trying to focus on my lunch. But my gaze kept slipping back. There was something in the way he carried himself, careless and boastful, that made my chest tighten without warning.

And then...my worst surprise.

"Hey-you're in my class," someone whispered.

I blinked. Slowly, my heart sank. That boy. That boy from the cafeteria. My classmate. And I had a feeling, I didn't know how or why that he was about to become my first love.

We didn't talk much at first. He was "Almar Rodriguez" loud, charming, untouchable. And I was...me, quietly humming along in the background, noticing the way his fingers drummed on the table, the way his laugh made the room brighter.

Little did I know, that guy would soon invade my every thought, my every song, my every heartbeat.