The Guardian of Room F

The day after the basketball game, the whole school was still talking about it.

San Isidro had crushed Westfield Academy, and of course, everyone was saying it was because of Zayn Monteverde. His skills on the court had completely stolen the spotlight, and girls couldn't stop gushing about him.

"Did you see that shot he made in the third quarter?"

"He's literally the best player we've ever had."

"I swear, I think he winked at me during the game."

Lira rolled her eyes as she made her way to her locker. It was way too early to be hearing about Zayn again.

Mara appeared beside her, smirking. "Speaking of Zayn, someone couldn't stop staring at you last night."

Lira groaned. "Not this again."

Mara wiggled her eyebrows. "Oh, it is this again. I swear, I saw him looking at you like, at least five times."

Lira huffed. "You're imagining things."

"Am I?" Mara crossed her arms. "Because I also noticed how you couldn't take your eyes off him when he fell. You literally ran onto the court, Lira!"

Lira's face heated up. "That was just—just instinct! He was hurt!"

Mara giggled. "Suuuure. Keep telling yourself that."

Before Lira could respond, the classroom door opened, and their homeroom teacher, Ma'am Rivera, stepped inside.

"Alright, class, listen up," she said, clapping her hands. "We have an important event coming up—the Literary and Arts Festival. You'll all be participating in a performance, whether it's poetry, acting, or dancing."

The class groaned.

"Since we don't have much time, I'll be pairing you all up randomly," Ma'am Rivera continued. "No complaints, okay?"

Lira sat up straight, suddenly very nervous. Group projects were never a good idea.

Ma'am Rivera started calling out names.

"Mara and Jace," she announced.

Mara fist-pumped. "Let's gooo."

"Reina and Josh."

"Eunice and Carlo."

Lira tapped her fingers on her desk, waiting for her name. Please let it be someone normal.

"And lastly…" Ma'am Rivera glanced at the list. "Lira and Zayn."

Lira froze.

Wait. What.

She turned her head so fast she almost hurt her neck. Across the room, Zayn raised an eyebrow at her, a slow smirk forming on his lips.

Mara screamed. "LIRA, THIS IS YOUR LOVE STORY IN THE MAKING."

Lira, meanwhile, wanted to disappear.

After Class – Library

Lira sighed as she walked into the school library, knowing she had no choice but to meet with Zayn for their project.

She found him sitting at a table near the window, leaning back in his chair like he didn't have a single care in the world. He was flipping through a book, clearly not even reading it. When he saw her, he grinned.

"Took you long enough."

Lira rolled her eyes and sat down. "Let's just get this over with."

Zayn leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand. "Why do you always act like you don't like being around me?"

Lira huffed. "Maybe because you're annoying?"

Zayn chuckled. "Or maybe because I make you nervous."

Lira's face heated up. "As if."

Zayn smirked but didn't push further. Instead, he picked up the list Ma'am Rivera had given them. "So, we're supposed to do a dramatic skit. Any ideas?"

Lira groaned. "Of course, it had to be something dramatic."

Zayn shrugged. "Could be worse. We could've been assigned a dance."

Lira imagined herself having to dance with Zayn and immediately shook her head. "Okay, fine. A skit is better."

For the next few minutes, they actually managed to brainstorm ideas. Zayn was surprisingly serious about it—well, at least, when he wasn't trying to distract her.

"Okay," Lira said, writing in her notebook. "So, it's a scene about childhood friends who lost contact and reunite years later."

"Sounds good," Zayn said, stretching his arms. "Who's playing who?"

Lira hesitated. "Well… I guess I'd play the girl, and you'd—"

"So we're love interests?" Zayn cut in, his smirk returning.

Lira froze. "W-What? No! I mean—maybe, but—it's just acting!"

Zayn grinned. "Relax, Lira. I was just asking."

Lira wanted to throw her notebook at him.

This was going to be a long project.

Later That Evening – Phone Call

Lira had just settled into bed when her phone buzzed. She picked it up and nearly dropped it when she saw the name on the screen.

Zayn Monteverde is calling…

Lira hesitated before answering. "Hello?"

"Hey," Zayn's voice came through, smooth as ever. "I just had an idea for our project."

Lira sat up. "Right now? Couldn't this wait till tomorrow?"

Zayn chuckled. "What, am I interrupting your daydreams about me?"

Lira groaned. "I swear, I'm hanging up—"

"Wait, wait," Zayn said, laughing. "I'm serious this time."

Lira sighed. "Fine. What's your idea?"

Zayn paused. Then, in a softer voice, he said, "What if we make it… more personal?"

Lira frowned. "What do you mean?"

Zayn hesitated, then finally said, "What if our skit is about something real? Something that actually happened."

Lira was silent for a moment.

Because the way he said it… it almost sounded like he was talking about them.

"…Zayn," she started. "Are you—"

"Goodnight, Lira."

And with that, he hung up.

Lira stared at her phone, her heart pounding.

What did he mean by that?

And why… did it feel like there was something more to Zayn Monteverde than he was letting on?