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The classroom was buzzing with feminine chatter when Rocky approached the group of girls with calm steps.
Lavinia was standing among them,
holding in her hands the white Greek dress she had just chosen.
She didn't notice his presence until she heard his calm voice say:
"Can I see the dress you're holding?"
She turned around quickly
and was shocked to find him standing in front of her.
He looked, as always… elegant, polite, and radiant in a way that made the heart stumble before the tongue.
Lavinia felt a hot blush rise to her cheeks.
She didn't understand why her heartbeat sped up so suddenly, but she extended her hands and gave him the dress without thinking.
Rocky held the white fabric gently, examined it with his beautiful honey-colored eyes, then smiled: "Is this the one you chose?"
Lavinia nodded shyly, unable to speak.
Rocky said with open admiration: "Wow… I love it. It's truly amazing."
Before she could sink further into her embarrassment,
another blow came from behind when "Lola," their classmate, commented mischievously:
"Wow, Rocky… you love everything Lavinia chooses."
Rocky froze, turned quickly, and began to stutter noticeably: "I… no! I just… liked her taste in dresses, nothing more."
His face grew redder with every word, while Lavinia stood frozen in place, feeling as if the ground beneath her feet had turned scorching hot.
The girls burst into laughter,
and whispers started spreading among them like fire.
One girl leaned toward another and whispered so softly no one else could hear: "Don't you think they suit each other?"
The other replied with a smile: "Yes… I totally support their relationship."
The bell rang suddenly, ending the teasing atmosphere, and everyone began returning to their seats.
Lavinia sat in her place, staring at the desk.
She felt something heavy filling her chest something like warmth, like confusion, like jealousy…
She whispered to herself in fear: "Do I… love him? Or not?"
Her heartbeat rose like war drums: "Why does my pulse race every time I see him? And why… do I feel jealous sometimes?"
She suddenly hit the desk with her hand and said anxiously in her mind: "Damn it!"
The teacher was explaining the lesson calmly, and everyone was paying attention.
Suddenly,
Lavinia screamed unintentionally: "Ah! Damn it!"
All heads turned toward her, dozens of eyes staring, even the teacher stopped and looked at her with shock and anger.
The teacher said, gripping her chalk irritably: "Lavinia… again?"
Lavinia laughed shyly and said: "Sorry, teacher, I didn't mean to…"
The teacher interrupted her sternly: "Outside… now. Stand behind the wall."
Lavinia left the room, lifting her hands in the air like someone surrendering in a lost battle, then sat on the ground next to the door and said in embarrassment: "Damn… this is so embarrassing."
But she couldn't stay sitting like a punished child for long.
So she quietly slipped under the window and sneaked away from the classroom.
She began walking through the long hallway where silence filled the place,
and the only sound was chalk scratching on distant blackboards.
Before turning toward the stairs, she bumped into three first-year students.
One of them said shyly: "Ah… Lavinia! Hello, big sister."
She greeted them and waved, and they quickly passed by her, but one whispered to his friend, thinking she wouldn't hear:
"Wow… that's Lavinia from the upper class… she's amazing! This is the first time I've been this close to her."
The other replied even more quietly: "Yeah… very beautiful… but Michael is always with her. He doesn't let anyone get close. He gives me death stares every time!"
Lavinia chuckled softly as she continued walking: "First-year students… so polite. I like their respect."
After a short walk, she returned to her punishment spot just seconds before the bell rang.
As soon as the teacher came out, she began scolding her in front of everyone passing by:
"You, Lavinia… why are you so troublesome?"
Lavinia bowed slightly and said: "Sorry, teacher… it won't happen again."
She entered the classroom afterwards.
And the moment she sat down… the whole class burst into laughter.
Michael said, resting his head on the desk teasingly: "Ah… can't you stay quiet for just one period?"
Karen laughed and said: "Lavinia, you are so entertaining!"
Lavinia raised her hands and said: "Yes, yes… calm down already!"
Then her eyes met Rocky's…
He was leaning on his wrist, staring at her with a calm smile…
He smiled lightly at her, while she simply lowered her head, her face burning red.
In the evening
The basketball court was lit with bright lights reflecting off the shiny floor.
Michael was at the center of the court, moving naturally and lightly jumping, dodging, grabbing the ball, and shooting it back with power.
His athletic body glistened with sweat,
and his clothes clung to him while his wet brown hair slid over his forehead.
On the side, Chloe, the club manager, was watching him silently.
Her gaze wasn't that of a manager…
but of a girl in love.
To her, Michael was the most handsome boy in the world…
Michael lifted his shirt slightly to wipe the sweat off his forehead, revealing his well defined abs…
Chloe's heartbeat raced wildly, her ears turned red, and she swallowed hard.
But someone else was watching her…
George, a third-year student, the team captain,
and one of the well-known bullies.
He saw Chloe looking at Michael, and anger ignited in his chest. He clenched his teeth tightly.
He stepped forward…
grabbed the ball forcefully…
and threw it into the air, aiming it straight at Michael.
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