Naya's POV
Hi, my name is Naya Austin. I am eighteen years old, and I live with my parents. My parents are both doctors, and because of their shifts, I often stay home alone. Sometimes, my best friend, Nora Williams, comes over for sleepovers. She's been my childhood friend for as long as I can remember. Her parents are extremely rich, and we both attend a prestigious school called Cambridge. I got in through a scholarship.
For the past three years, I've had a crush on the hottest boy in school—Lucien. But I never told him. I mean, if I confess, wouldn't he just make fun of me?
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Mrs. Austin: "Naya! Naya! Naya!"
Naya: "I'm here, Mom!"
Mrs. Austin: "I thought you were still sleeping. You know you have to be early on your first day of school this session."
They both said in unison.
Naya: "Mom, you say that every time."
Mrs. Austin: "You know I'm just worried."
Naya: "I know, Mom. Uhmm, where's Dad?"
Mrs. Austin: "He left early."
Naya: "Okay, I'll get going."
Mrs. Austin: "Let me take you to school."
Naya: "Don't worry, Mom, I'll take the bus."
As she stepped outside, she heard her mother's voice behind her.
Mrs. Austin: "Naya! You didn't take your food!"
Naya: "I'll eat it later!" she shouted.
She checked the time and gasped.
Naya: "Oh no! I'm late for the bus!"
She ran as fast as she could, reaching the bus stop just as the bus was already moving. Panicked, she chased after it, shouting—
Naya: "Please wait! Wait, wait!"
Luckily, the bus stopped, and she quickly hopped in.
Naya: "Thank you, sir."
She walked to the back seat, plugged in her earphones, and stared out the window. About twenty minutes later, the bus came to a stop.
As she got down and walked toward her school, she spotted her best friend, Nora, waiting outside the school gate. Excited, she ran forward and hugged her so tightly that Nora could barely breathe.
Nora: "Do you want to break my bones?"
Naya quickly released her.
Naya: "I missed you so much!"
Nora: "Same here. Are you not going to say sorry? You almost crushed me!"
Naya: "Okay, sorry, my little kitty."
Nora: "Stop calling me that! ... Oh, isn't that your crush?"
Naya immediately looked back.
Naya: "He's so hot."
As she was staring at him, Lucien suddenly looked in her direction. Her face turned red instantly, and she quickly averted her gaze. But before she could react, someone smacked a book against her head.
Naya: "Ouch!"
Jessica, the school's mean girl, smirked.
Jessica: "What are you looking at?"
Then, she strutted forward and linked her arm with Lucien's, walking into the school with him.
Nora: "Are you insane?!" she shouted after them before turning to Naya. "Sorry."
Naya: "It's okay, let's go."
The two girls entered the school together.
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Once inside, Nora and Naya had to part ways as they had different classes.
Nora: "See you later, my princess!"
Naya: "See you later, Kitt—"
Nora: "Don't even dare!"
Naya: "Oh, sorry, I forgot. Bye!" She waved.
Nora also waved before heading to her class.
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Author's POV
Naya walked through the hallway toward her locker. She grabbed her books, but just as she was about to leave, Jessica bumped into her, making all her books fall to the floor.
Jessica laughed. "Watch where you're going, stupid." She flipped her hair and walked past Naya.
Rolling her eyes, Naya bent down to pick up her books. Just as she reached for them, she saw someone else's hand helping her gather them. She looked up and was surprised to see an unfamiliar face. Quickly, she stood up.
The boy handed her the books.
???: "Here."
Naya: "Thanks."
She took her books and was about to walk away, but the boy suddenly grabbed her wrist. Startled, she turned back to him.
???: "Have we met before?"
Naya: "No."
The boy squinted as if trying to remember something.
???: "But you look familiar… Oh! My neighbor!"
(Naya, in her mind: Dang it!)
She let out an awkward laugh.
Naya: "Ha ha ha..."
???: "Wow. By the way, my name is Kelvin. What's your name