Marcaus' POV
I swear, walking through the hallways of this school felt like a red carpet event I didn't ask for.
The moment we turned the corner toward our building, I heard the murmurs before I even saw the faces. Girls lining up by their lockers, fixing their hair, pretending not to look—but they always did. Like clockwork.
Damian walked on my left, cool and unbothered as always, earbuds tucked into his shirt collar just for the look. Renzo was behind us, hoodie half-on, eyes scanning the floor like it owed him money. And me? I just kept walking, head up, face blank.
Then came the swarm.
"Oh my god, it's them!"
"Hi Marcaus! You're so tall today—did you grow again?"
Another girl elbowed her friend, eyes practically sparkling. "That's Marcaus. I swear he's even hotter this year."
A girl tried to shove a polaroid into my hand. Another literally slipped on her own feet trying to keep up. I moved to the side, avoiding another grabby hand that aimed for my arm. Every day, it was like this. They either wanted your attention, your number, or your blood type.
I just kept walking.
"Back off a bit, can you?" I muttered under my breath, pushing past one who looked like she was about to faint.
Renzo didn't react. Damian flashed a quick smile at a group of girls, his way of softening the blow.
We finally reached the classroom, and as expected, the squealing inside got louder. Giggling and whispering exploded like fireworks. Girls swarmed at us instantly.
One girl gasped so hard you'd think she saw a celebrity. "They're here!"
"Marcaus! You finally came back! Did you miss me?!"
"Renzo, smile just a little, please!"
"Damian! Can I take a picture with you? Just one!"
I smirked as if this chaos was normal and my everyday reality.
"I missed you all, I swear."
"Let's hang out during recess, okay?"
Beside me, Damian simply smiled-calm and gentlemanly. He nodded at the girls politely but didn't say much, Just squishing his stress ball.
Renzo, the one behind, quiet. Headphones hung around his neck. He didn't even flinch at the chaos-just kept walking, eyes forward, totally unbothered.
We struggled to go to our seats. Girls were clinging, passing love notes, even tossing little gifts.
I had to duck when a cupcake flew past my head.
"Seriously?" I muttered.
'What's the matter with this bitch?'
Finally, we reached our seats and dropped down like exhausted celebrities escaping paparazzi. I sat at my seat at the back, closest to the windows. Damian slid into the chair next to mine. Renzo took the one behind us and slumped into it like he didn't care if the world ended in five minutes.
The teacher hadn't arrived yet, so the noise level was insane. People tossing paper balls, laughing, taking photos.
That's when the door opened again.
SLAM!
Mrs. Zulueta entered, with an arms full of folders and papers.
"Good morning, class!"
The noise died down fast, like someone had pressed pause on, forcing the whole class to settle up in less than two seconds.
"As usual, first day, self-introductions," she said with a clap. "Let's start from the front."
One by one, students stood and introduced themselves. Some were shy, others too loud. One boy even tried to rap his name, earning groans and laughs from the class.
I didn't care—until she stood up.
I recognized her instantly.
The girl from the hallway.
The one who shoved past me earlier like I didn't exist. Chin high, eyes blank, not even sparing me a second glance. She walked like she owned the floor. I remembered the way her perfume lingered for a split second—something expensive and cold. Her whole energy? Off. Too unreadable.
And here she was again.
My jaw clenched.
"Look," Damian murmured, leaning closer, "The new girl. The hallway chix."
"You think?" I muttered dryly.
'Tsk, hallway chix, Huh?!'
She stood calmly and slowly, arms crossed while holding a book, like this was a waste of her time. No nervous fidgeting. No fake smile.
"I'm Rein," she said flatly.
Everyone was silent, waiting for more.
'That's it, only Rein?'
No last name. No backstory. Just her name. Like we were supposed to fill in the blanks ourselves.
"Anything else?" Mrs Zulueta ask.
"Nope." She answered.
The class blinked. A few students laughed. Mrs Zulueta blinked, confused, didn't expect that answer and raised an eyebrow.
"Is really that all?"
"Yes, Miss."
Mrs Zulueta paused, then eventually nodded. She signed. "Alright then. Please sit down." and moved on, but I was stuck.
Rein, the girl nodded and sat. Before the next student stood up. Suki leaned toward her and whispered, Rein just smirked lightly and turned a page in her book.
The moment lingered awkward and shock, because that was the first time Mrs Zulueta let the student slide.
That attitude? Arrogant. Cold. Unbothered. Like she knew something we didn't.
And I hated it.
People like that always thought they were above everyone. She wasn't interesting. She was rude. That hallway run-in wasn't just a fluke—it was who she was.
Damian looked at me again. "Something wrong?"
"Nothing," I muttered, eyes on Rein. "She just reminds me of someone I don't like."
LUNCH BREAK
Cafeteria time in this school was like survival of the fittest. Elbows out. Eyes peeled. Plates flying. I wasn't even hungry, but routine was routine.
As we walked in, the attention we got doubled.
"Marcaus! Sit with us!"
"Renzo, say hi naman oh!"
"Damian! Damian! Smile!"
I flashed a small smile, just enough to stop them from chasing. We didn't slow down, pushing through tables like a wave.
"I missed you all, promise," I said, voice smooth.
Damian just offered small nods, smiling politely. Meanwhile, Renzo-earphones hanging around his neck-looked dead inside, clearly ignoring the chaos.
"Renzo, your hoodie's so cute today!"
"Damian, I saved you a seat!"
Girls reached out like we were celebrities on tour. I dodge when someone throwing herself at me.
"Seriously?" I muttered irritedly.
"Why do they act like we're famous?" I whispered, pushing open space with my shoulder.
"Because we are," Damian replied casually, grabbing a bottle of water from a vending machine.
We reached our usual table at the back corner. Some freshmen girls were sitting next to our table, giggling. Renzo gave them one look and they scattered like pigeons.
I dropped into my seat and let out a breath.
Then I saw her again.
Rein.
Sitting with Suki, Elie, and Janelle at the far corner.
She looked different now. She tied her hair loosely, sleeves rolled up, book on the table. Her friends were chatting, but she wasn't listening. Her eyes were on her food.
I stare at her, Not in awe. Not in flirtation.
Just… stare. Maybe she feel my stare.
Her eyes were scanning the room—fast, sharp, like she was on recon or something.
And then her gaze landed on me.
Her eyes just… cold.
And uninterested.
Like I was just another piece of furniture.
I stared back, letting the corner of my lip curl up just a little.
She didn't react.
Didn't flinch.
Didn't even blink.
She looked away like I wasn't worth the time.
'That—?'
That annoyed the hell out of me.
There were hundreds of girls in this school who would lose their minds to get five seconds of my attention. And yet she—She made it look like I didn't exist.
Like I wasn't even in the room.