Aurelia High School was known as one of the more elite schools in the district—
at least until someone named Rayan Albrecht walked in.
By the time they entered 10th grade, Rayan had grown taller, more handsome, more popular… and definitely more chaotic.
One thing never changed:
Liana was still the center of his universe.
While Liana blossomed into a graceful, feminine girl admired by many boys,
Rayan became her unofficial bodyguard—
without ever admitting that he wanted to guard her not as a friend, but as something more.
During the first orientation day, most students listened attentively to the school counselor.
Liana sat in the front row, posture neat, taking notes like an angelic model student.
Meanwhile at the back…
Rayan—sitting with his two best friends, Nate and Soren—was busy flicking wadded paper at people's heads.
"Ray… focus," Soren whispered, covering his face with his notebook.
"I am focused," Rayan replied casually while chewing on his pen cap.
"Focused on annoying people," Nate added.
Liana turned around with the sharpest glare she could muster—
the classic stop-or-I-will-pull-your-ear glare.
Rayan instantly straightened up as if lightning struck him.
Nate and Soren snickered.
"You really lose to a girl," Nate whispered.
"Shut up," Rayan muttered.
And so, their high school life began in the most predictable way.
The Strange News in Liana's Classroom
During lunch break one day, Liana was putting books back into her bag when her classmate, Mira, barged in breathlessly.
"Liana! Do you know what Rayan is doing right now?!"
Liana looked up fast.
"What now?"
"He's—HE'S IN A FIGHT!"
The entire classroom turned.
Liana jumped up so hard her chair nearly toppled.
"WHAT?!"
Mira nodded dramatically.
"Behind the workshop building! With a kid from the next class! They insulted his old motorcycle!"
Liana held her forehead.
Of course.
That rusty motorcycle was Rayan's pride and joy—
even though the exhaust sounded like a dented tin can.
"Oh, Rayan… not again…"
She immediately rushed out of the classroom.
The Most Ridiculous "Fight" Ever Witnessed
Behind the workshop building, the scene looked intense…
…or rather, it was supposed to look intense.
Instead, Liana found this:
Rayan—tall, handsome, trying to look badass—was rolling up his sleeves in a dramatic slow-motion manner.
His opponent stood five feet away holding a tiny stone…
spinning it around like he didn't know how fighting actually worked.
Nate and Soren stood on the side with their hands in their pockets, looking bored to death.
"Two more minutes and I'm going home," Nate muttered.
"Agreed. This is like watching kindergarteners fight over crayons," Soren replied.
Kids from other classes had formed a circle, all shaking their heads.
Someone whispered,
"Is this a fight or a comedy show?"
Rayan yelled,
"You insult my bike ONE more time and I'll punch you!"
"Your bike deserves the insult! When you accelerate, the wheels look like they're about to fall off!"
"That's called character!" Rayan snapped.
"It's called TRASH!"
Rayan clenched his fists, ready to charge—
"RAYAN ALBRECHT!"
The shout froze everyone.
Including a bird sitting on the roof.
Heads turned toward the entrance.
Liana stood there, expression a mix of anger, worry, and pure disappointment.
Nate and Soren exchanged glances.
"…Oh no."
"He's dead."
Rayan, who had been acting cool five seconds ago, immediately panicked.
"L-Li… hey… this isn't a fight… it's just… um… reflex training—"
"REFLEX TRAINING?!"
Liana stormed toward him, sandals hitting the ground like war drums.
His opponent instantly took three steps back.
Nate raised a hand lazily.
"Just let him be, Liana. He's in his feelings about his tin-can motorcycle."
"MY MOTORCYCLE IS NOT A TIN CAN!" Rayan shouted defensively.
Liana scanned him from head to toe:
the rolled-up sleeves, clenched fists, red face, slightly labored breathing.
Then she said in the deadliest calm tone:
"Rayan… you're tall, handsome, and the whole school looks at you.
But the way you fight looks like an elementary kid arguing over a pencil."
The crowd:
"…."
His opponent:
quiet snickering.
Nate and Soren turned away to hide their laughter.
Rayan exploded,
"LI, PLEASE—DON'T EMBARRASS ME LIKE THAT!"
Liana grabbed his wrist.
"Let's go. Before you actually get hurt."
Rayan tried to protest, but one look at her face and he instantly gave up.
"Okay… okay… just don't pull my ear."
As she dragged him away, Liana noticed how big he had grown,
how tall he stood beside her,
and how his breathing sounded slightly uneven—
as if his chest hurt more often lately.
She sighed.
"If you faint because of this stupid fight, I'll be the one stressed out," she muttered.
Rayan smiled softly, warmth in his eyes.
"If I faint, you'll catch me… right?"
Liana smacked his arm.
"Stop joking!"
The boys behind them watched with knowing eyes.
"Yeah… he's definitely in love with her," Soren whispered.
"Absolutely," Nate replied.
Meanwhile, the audience stood in stunned silence.
The fight ended.
No punches thrown.
Drama ruined.
And the so-called "gangster leader" was dragged away by a tiny angry girl.