The boys were still trying to process the chaotic scene that had just unfolded. Silence hung in the cafeteria like a thick fog, only to be shattered by Mia. She rose with deliberate grace, her gaze locked onto Zen. Without hesitation, she reached out and took his hand.
"Do you believe in love at first sight?" she asked, her voice trembling with a mix of excitement and vulnerability. "Because I fell for you the moment I saw you. Will you be my boyfriend?"
Zen froze, his mind blank. He stared at her, utterly unprepared, his chest tightening with an unfamiliar tension.
Mia shook his hand slightly, leaning closer. "Answer me!" she demanded.
Zen jerked his hand free, his expression darkening, his eyes icy. "Look," he said, his voice low, cutting, "don't ever try to approach me like this again. We don't know each other. I have no interest in… love at first sight. So don't waste your time. And don't you dare block my way again."
He turned his gaze to Roby. "I'm heading to the cafeteria."
Roby nodded, his eyes following Zen as he strode away. That's when he noticed Ashley watching him, her face a mix of hope and impatience. She seemed certain this time, confident that maybe he wouldn't reject her.
But Mia, undeterred, grabbed Zen's arm again. "How dare you, Mr. Zen! You rejected me in front of the whole college! Don't you know who I am?"
Zen's glare was instantaneous, lethal. His husky voice cut through the tension like a whip. "Remove your hand. Don't ever do that again or face the consequences." Without another word, he left, his steps measured, deliberate, leaving Mia trembling in disbelief.
Ashley, desperate, tried her luck with Roby. "I like you, okay? Don't you understand what I feel?"
Roby's tone was cold, husky, final. "You like me. I don't like you. If you have even a shred of self-respect, step aside now." He left her standing there, stunned and humiliated.
Ana's lips curved into a triumphant smile, her tension melting into giddy relief. She grabbed Jennifer's hand, dragging her toward the cafeteria, both of them laughing softly under their breath. Meanwhile, the hallway reverberated with whispers, laughter, and embarrassment Mia and Ashley were a picture of mortification.
At the cafeteria, Roby and Zen sat together at a table. Ana and Jennifer approached, slipping into seats beside them. For several moments, the air was heavy with unspoken thoughts, each of them still processing the chaotic morning.
Jennifer broke the silence with crisp authority. "I don't know if you guys are in the mood to talk, but we don't have time to waste. If anyone has ideas for the project, now's the time to share." Her eyes gleamed, commanding attention.
Zen's low, rich voice responded, catching her off guard. "Miss Jennifer, whether we're in the mood or not doesn't matter. We're focused."
Roby raised a brow, intrigued. "So… do you have any ideas?"
Jennifer smiled, opening her laptop with fluid precision. "I have several. I've already done research on a few concepts. But first, I want to hear your ideas."
Ana's jaw dropped slightly, unable to conceal her astonishment. "I don't think I can be friends with someone this prepared," she muttered under her breath.
Zen leaned closer, unable to hide his admiration. Smart… he whispered softly. Jennifer caught it and smirked faintly.
Roby took her laptop, scrolling through her work with interest. Zen and Roby's eyes widened with each page. The depth, precision, and creativity of Jennifer's research left them utterly stunned. Ana, unable to contain herself, clapped enthusiastically. "A round of applause for you, ma'am! Seriously… woah!"
The boys joined in, their light applause making Jennifer's cheeks flush a delicate pink. Ana continued to marvel at Jennifer's brilliance for nearly an hour, leaving everyone else speechless.
Zen returned her laptop with a composed expression. "I'll share my ideas after college," he murmured, almost coldly.
"Mr. Cold," Ana whispered, rolling her eyes in playful exasperation.
Jennifer hummed softly, her gaze serene. Then the bell rang, slicing through the lingering tension. Classes resumed, the day pressing forward, but the electricity of the morning refused to fade.
As the day drew to a close, Ana and Jennifer lingered by the college entrance, chatting idly. Zen and Roby approached, their presence immediately shifting the dynamic.
"We've finished our work," Roby announced. Zen handed over his laptop.
"When do you want to review it?" Zen asked, voice steady.
"Ask her," Ana interjected, smirking. "She's always busy with her books."
Jennifer pinched Ana lightly. "Ouch! Careful."
"The weekend is free. We won't get a chance to share this at college," Jennifer began, before Roby cut her off. "If you don't mind, come to my place. We can discuss everything there."
Zen's voice broke in smoothly. "I don't mind."
Ana, eager, added quickly, "Neither do I." She shot Jennifer a playful smirk, earning a mock glare in return.
Jennifer nodded, giving Roby a small, reluctant smile. "Okay. We'll meet at your place, Roby. Timing?"
Roby's lips curved ever so slightly. "Morning works best. Let's meet at nine."
The four of them exchanged glances, the unspoken tension thick between them charged, electric, and impossible to ignore.
Something told Jennifer, Ana, Zen, and Roby… this project would be far more than academics.