"Una na ako ha. Kita na lang tayo mamaya!" Nica said, flashing a tired smile. She's my friend.

I let out a sigh. These past few days have been so exhausting. We're having a hell of a week right now, and our professors keep skipping activities.

But it's not just the school stuff wearing me down. One of the reasons is Brent.

He's known as a playboy on campus. Handsome, dark-skinned, tall, and that flirtatious, devil-may-care attitude… yet girls still swoon over him.

He's been teasing me for a few days now. Maybe it’s 'cause I’m... soft? Some people say I’m a little too soft. Maybe that’s why it’s so easy to catch me off guard.

“Hayyy! Kailan niya ba ako titigilan?” I muttered.

I rushed to stuff my things in the locker.

Then I felt his presence. So close, I could smell his cologne. The heat from his chest just a breath away.

“Hi,” he said.

I turned to face him slowly, and our noses almost touched. My heart skipped.

I couldn't bring myself to meet his gaze, but I felt the warmth bloom across my cheeks. And when I finally looked up, his smug little smile made it worse.

“Kay Ma'am Santos next class mo, 'di ba?” he added with a smirk. “Hatid na kita,” he added smoothly, hooking my bag from my shoulder.