It was my first day at Brilliance Academy, and guess what? I wasn't even at the gate yet and there was already drama.
I was just walking, wearing a uniform so elegant it felt like it wasn't meant for someone like me, when I suddenly heard a voice.
"Say that again?!"
I stopped and turned.
There he was—a blond-haired guy with ear piercings, wearing a hoodie, and fuming while facing off with two students who looked like they just walked out of a modeling agency. I mean, one of them had such smooth skin it looked like he'd never had a pimple in his life.
But the guy making a scene? Definitely bad boy vibes.
And of course, because I'm Yeli—instead of walking away, I stopped and eavesdropped.
"You know him?" whispered a girl who passed by me.
"That's River. One of the top students in the Star Section, but always caught in some trouble. A genius, they say, but also kinda crazy."
Genius? That guy? Doesn't look like it.
I glanced again at the bad boy—apparently named River. Raised eyebrows, clearly pissed, but he had this presence. The kind that makes even the most hardened teachers sigh deeply when he walks into the faculty room.
He looked in my direction for a second. Just a split-second—but it felt like something slammed into my chest.
Okay, Yeli. No swooning over troublemakers. This isn't a K-drama.
I shook my head and kept walking.
When I entered the Star Section classroom, I was stunned. Not because the room was pretty—well, it was—but because of the atmosphere. So quiet. Was this a library? The air practically screamed "Only smart people allowed." Like if you sneezed without permission, you'd get kicked out.
As I looked around, that's when I saw him.
Kairo Drevan Salcedo.
Wearing glasses. Neatly combed hair. Quietly reading some... what was it, Quantum Something Something?
Idol.
Yes, he's my idol. I saw him once in a magazine called The Brilliant of the Brilliance. I was seriously impressed with his credentials when I read it.
I glanced at him again. His face was so serious. Like he didn't even know how to smile. But let's admit it—he had that commanding aura.
Our eyes met.
I swear, just for one second. But for me, it felt like background music started playing.
He didn't smile. Didn't look away either. Just stared... then went back to reading.
Okay. I don't know what that stare meant, but I felt like I was about to faint from it.
The teacher cleared her throat.
"Class, this is our new student, Miss Dunque."
I smiled even though I was dying inside.
"She's... special. Treat her well."
Special, huh? She didn't even explain why! Nice save, ma'am!
The whole room was silent. No applause, no reaction. It felt like they were analyzing my brain just by looking at me.
This is so nerve-wracking!
I just sat in the vacant seat at the back. Took a deep breath.
Okay, Yeli. It's just the first day. No recitations yet. Chill.
But honestly? I couldn't chill. Because in just fifteen minutes, I already crossed paths with a genius bad boy and a silent intellectual who looked like he could solve equations just by staring at them—my idol, no less.
And here I am... hoping no one notices that my notebook has a drawing of a unicorn.
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