Serene stood in the shadow of the wall, her heart pounding against her chest like a drum. The warm afternoon sun bathed the school field in golden light as she watched her crush, Lucas, laughing and talking with his teammates during their soccer practice.

She tightened her grip on the envelope in her hands, the soft crinkle of the paper grounding her. Inside was a letter she'd spent hours perfecting, pouring her heart onto the page in words she could never say out loud.

"Come on, Serene," she whispered to herself. "You can do this."

She waited, her eyes glued to Lucas, until his teammates began to pack up and leave, leaving him alone on the field. He was wiping the sweat from his forehead with the hem of his shirt, his back turned to her. It was now or never.

With a deep breath, Serene stepped out from behind the wall and approached him. Each step felt heavier than the last, but she forced herself forward. When she was close enough, she hesitated for a moment, then gently tapped his shoulder.

Lucas turned around, his familiar smile lighting up his face. "Oh, hey, Serene!" he said, his voice warm and casual. "What's up?"

Her throat went dry, and she gripped the envelope tighter. "H-Hey, Lucas. I, uh… I wanted to talk to you about something."

"Sure," he said, tilting his head slightly, his expression curious.

Serene felt the blood rush to her cheeks. "I—I wrote this for you." She held out the envelope, her hands trembling slightly. "It's just… something I wanted to say."

Lucas took the envelope, glancing down at it before looking back at her. "You didn't have to go through all this trouble," he said with a small laugh.

"It wasn't trouble," she said quickly, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just… I wanted to be honest."

He looked at her for a long moment, his smile softening. "Thanks, Serene. I'll read it later, okay?"

Her heart sank a little. "Sure, no worries," she said, her voice laced with nervous hope.

"Cool, I'll let you know," Lucas added as he left the field, waving at her.

Serene sighed in relief as she turned away, clutching her bag. She couldn't tell if the weight in her chest was from nervousness or something else entirely.

Was it the right time? Should I have waited? she wondered, biting her lip.

At least he didn't outright reject me… she thought, trying to find comfort in that sliver of hope.

She walked across the school grounds, the chatter of students and the rustling of leaves filling the warm afternoon air.

Her steps quickened as she neared the gazebo, a cozy wooden structure tucked away near the edge of the campus.

"There they are," she muttered to herself as she spotted Mia and Ava sitting on the bench, engrossed in their usual banter.

Mia, ever the artist, had her sketchbook open, her pencil darting across the page with practiced ease. Ava, on the other hand, was leaning back, her phone in hand as she scrolled through social media.

"Serene!" Ava called out, noticing her first. She waved dramatically, as if Serene were miles away instead of a few steps. "Took you long enough! What were you up to?"

"Finally!" Mia exclaimed, looking up and spotting Serene. "What took you so long? Did you get lost in a book again?"

Ava smirked, tucking her phone into her pocket. "Or were you stalking Lucas on the field?"

Serene froze for a second before giving them a sheepish smile. "Not stalking. Just… observing," she said, dropping her bag onto the bench and sitting down.

Mia raised an eyebrow. "Observing, huh? And how did that observing go?"

Serene hesitated, then sighed. "I gave him the letter."

Both Mia and Ava gasped in unison.

"You what?" Ava nearly shouted, leaning closer. "You actually gave it to him? Like, handed it over?"

Serene nodded, fidgeting with her hands. "Yeah, I mean… I had to. I couldn't keep waiting for the perfect moment. It just felt right, you know?"

"And what did he say?" Mia asked, her voice quieter, filled with curiosity.

"He said he'd read it later," Serene replied, trying to keep her tone casual.

Mia exchanged a look with Ava before turning back to Serene. "And how do you feel about that?"

Serene leaned back, staring at the gazebo's wooden beams. "Relieved… and terrified. I mean, I've never done anything like this before. What if he doesn't feel the same?"

Ava reached out and patted her shoulder. "Hey, at least you were brave enough to tell him how you feel. Besides, this isn't your first time confessing to someone."

Serene let out a soft laugh, though it lacked humor. "Yeah, but it never gets easier, does it? Every time, it feels like my heart's about to burst out of my chest."

Mia, who had been quietly listening, set her sketchbook aside and looked at Serene with a small smile. "That's because you care, Serene. You've always put your whole heart into everything, and honestly, that's a beautiful thing."

Serene tilted her head toward Mia, her lips twitching into a faint smile. "Sometimes I wonder if I care too much. Maybe that's why it hurts so much when things don't work out."

Ava rolled her eyes playfully. "Okay, let's not turn this into a pity party. You're amazing, Serene. And if Lucas doesn't see that, it's his loss."

Serene sighed, leaning her elbows on her knees. "I just wish I could stop overthinking everything. It's like, I replay every word, every moment, wondering if I did something wrong."

Mia reached over and squeezed Serene's hand. "You didn't do anything wrong. You were honest, and that's more than most people can say. Lucas is lucky to have someone like you in his life, whether or not he realizes it."

Ava smirked and crossed her arms. "Besides, if he messes this up, Mia and I will handle him. Right, Mia?"

Mia chuckled. "Absolutely. We'll give him the cold shoulder until he learns how awesome you are."

Serene laughed softly, their lightheartedness easing the weight in her chest. "Thanks, guys. I don't know what I'd do without you."

"You'd probably be a sad little puddle of feelings," Ava teased.

"That's what friends are for," Mia added, grinning.

"Have you guys heard? A girl confessed to Lucas earlier in the field," one said.

"I heard he politely rejected her," another added, followed by a burst of laughter.

"Can't blame him, Lucas is way out of her league. Besides, isn't he dating Stephanie Willowbrook?" asked another.

"Wait, that popular girl from Redwood High? No way," the other said, sounding surprised.

"Yeah, maybe that's why he rejected her. Thank goodness for that because he already caught a hottie," they laughed.

"Aww~ so that means Lucas isn't available?" another said.

"Duh~ he isn't, you idiot. Don't think you have a chance with Lucas either, not even that girl," another snapped as they walked off.

Serene stood frozen, her heart sinking with each word they spoke. She could feel the heat rising in her cheeks, but her body was too numb to react.

The laughter, the cruel comments—they felt like a weight pressing down on her chest.

Her hands trembled as she clutched her bag. "I gotta go," she said, her voice barely audible, before turning and quickly leaving the gazebo.

As she walked away, with each step, her tears slowly fell down her cheeks, unnoticed by anyone around her.

She could feel her heart aching, the weight of rejection and ridicule too heavy to bear.

Eventually, she found herself on the rooftop of the school, where the world seemed a little quieter, a little more distant.

The cool breeze brushed against her tear-streaked face as she leaned against the railing, staring out at the horizon.

"How can I be this stupid!" She shouted, her voice cracking as she threw her bag onto the ground.

It landed with a dull thud, but it was her own pain that echoed louder. She clutched the railing, the tears now falling freely, mixing with the frustration and hurt she had been holding inside for so long.

"Why do I keep doing this to myself?" she whispered, her voice trembling. "Why do I keep giving love to people who don't even care?"

The rooftop was silent, the only sound the soft rustle of leaves in the breeze. For a moment, Serene allowed herself to break down completely, her body shaking with the release of everything she had been holding in.

She tried to be strong, to put on a brave face, but it was too much. The endless cycle of unreturned love, of hoping for something that would never come, had finally worn her down.

As her sobs slowed, she wiped her eyes, her hands still trembling. "Maybe I'm just not meant to be loved," she whispered to herself, the words tasting bitter in her mouth.

She had always believed that love, given freely, would find its way back to her. But right now, it felt like all her love had been spent, and all she had left was emptiness.

Serene took a deep breath, wiping her face one more time as she stood up. She needed to go back, needed to put on a mask and pretend that everything was fine.

But as she walked back towards the door to leave the rooftop, the door suddenly swung open. There stood Lucas, panting and out of breath, as if he had been searching for her.

"There you are," he said, his voice laced with concern, his eyes wide with confusion and maybe a hint of guilt.

Serene froze for a moment, her heart pounding in her chest. She hadn't expected him to follow her, especially after everything that had just happened.

She quickly wiped the last of her tears, her hands still trembling as she turned to face him. "Lucas, what are you doing here?" she asked, her voice shaky but trying to sound more composed than she felt.

"I've been searching for you all over campus," he said, stepping closer, his tone more serious now. "I should've been honest with you earlier. I didn't mean to hurt you, Serene."

Her heart skipped a beat at his words. *Honest?* Was he really going to explain himself now, after everything? After she'd overheard the gossip, after the rejection? Part of her wanted to pull away, to avoid the pain of hearing more of what she didn't want to hear. But there was something in his eyes, something that made her hold her breath and wait.

"Honest?" she repeated quietly, almost as if she couldn't believe it. "About what?"

Lucas ran a hand through his hair, frustration and guilt evident in his expression. "About how I feel. I wasn't clear before, and I shouldn't have kept you in the dark. I didn't want you to think that I didn't care or that you weren't important to me."

Serene's heart pounded in her chest. She had heard those words before—I didn't want you to think I didn't care—but they had always been followed by the same painful rejection. Could it be different this time?

"Then why did you..." She paused, struggling to find the right words. "Why didn't you reject me earlier? You could've just said it to my face, rather than hearing it from others."

Lucas looked at her, his eyes softening with regret. "I never wanted to hurt you, Serene. I was scared. Scared of ruining what we had, scared of losing you as my friend."

Serene's chest tightened, a wave of conflicting emotions washing over her. "Well, not only did you lose a friend, I've also lost respect for you."

There was a long silence. Lucas stepped closer, his eyes searching hers, and Serene could see the sincerity in them. But part of her, the part that had been rejected too many times before, was afraid to believe him.

"Serene," he said softly, reaching out to gently take her hand. "I don't want to lose you, and I'm sorry for making you feel like I didn't care. I liked you, but not in a romantic way. I've already got a girlfriend."

Serene's heart sank when she heard the word *girlfriend*. The words felt like a heavy weight on her chest, suffocating her. It wasn't just the rejection—it was the realization that all the feelings she had, all the hopes she'd built up over the years, didn't matter in the end.

She pulled her hand away from his slowly, her breath catching in her throat. "A girlfriend?" she whispered, the words tasting bitter on her tongue.

Lucas nodded, his gaze avoiding hers for a moment. "Yeah. I didn't mean for it to happen like this. But I really do care about you, Serene. You're important to me, more than you know."

Serene felt tears threatening to spill again, but she held them back, her throat tight with emotion.

She had always tried to be understanding, to give without expecting anything in return. But this... this was different. This hurt in a way she hadn't prepared for.

She took a shaky breath, forcing a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "I guess that's all I needed to know," she said, her voice faltering.

Turning away from him, she made her way toward the door of the rooftop. As Serene walked through the hallways, her tears fell freely, each step feeling heavier than the last. She barely noticed when she bumped into someone, her gaze fixed downward.

"Hey, are you okay?" a voice called, gentle yet firm.

Serene looked up, startled, to see the student council president standing before her. His name was Ethan Cruz, known for his calm demeanor and easy smile.

He was always the one who seemed to have everything figured out—someone who could balance academics, leadership, and personal life with ease.

He was also the second most popular guy on campus, just behind Lucas. His confidence and natural charm had earned him a spot in the hearts of many, but to Serene, he was something more.

Ethan had always been her second crush—the one she admired from afar, though she never dared to act on those feelings.

Her heart raced, but not from the usual butterflies she felt when he was near. This time, it was something different. Something unfamiliar.

She tried to wipe her tears quickly, hoping he hadn't noticed the vulnerability she was exposing.

"I'm... fine," Serene muttered, quickly wiping her tears, though they seemed to come faster with each word.

Ethan frowned, sensing something wasn't right. "You don't look fine," he said, his gaze softening. "Did someone hurt you?"

That was it—Serene couldn't hold onto her tears much longer. They spilled over, flowing freely as she burst into quiet sobs.

She hadn't meant to, but the weight of everything—the rejection, the hurt, the disappointment—finally overwhelmed her.

Ethan's expression softened even more, his protective instinct kicking in. "Hey, hey, it's okay," he murmured, stepping closer. "Why don't we talk in my office for some privacy?"

He gently guided her down the hallway, his presence a steadying force as he led her to a quieter part of the school.

Ethan's office, tucked away in a corner near the student council room, was a safe space for both students and him alike.

When they entered, Ethan closed the door behind them, giving her a moment to breathe. "Take your time," he said, his tone calm and reassuring, as he gestured for her to sit down.

He then sat across from her, his eyes focused on her, waiting for her to speak when she was ready.

"Here's some tissue and some water," Ethan said gently, offering both to Serene. His voice was calm, a soft contrast to the storm of emotions she was feeling.

Serene took the tissue, wiping her tears, though they continued to fall as the weight of her feelings pressed on her chest. She accepted the water, grateful for the kindness he was showing. It was a small comfort, but right now, it felt like a lifeline.

Ethan didn't rush her, letting her take her time. He sat across from her, his eyes compassionate but not prying, giving her space to breathe and process everything.

"Ready to talk?" he asked softly.

Serene nodded, taking a deep breath before speaking.

"So, what happened?" Ethan asked again, his voice steady.

"I was crying because I got rejected. I gave my confession letter to this guy, and he didn't feel the same way. Turns out, he already has a girlfriend," she explained, her voice shaky as the hurt she had been holding in came to the surface.

Ethan's expression softened, his gaze sympathetic but understanding. He leaned forward slightly, his tone gentle as he spoke. "I'm sorry you had to go through that, Serene. Rejection can sting, especially when it's unexpected."

Serene nodded, wiping her eyes again. "I should've known better, but I couldn't help it. I thought maybe… just maybe he'd feel the same way."

Ethan sat in silence for a moment, considering her words. "It's not always easy to understand how someone feels, especially when emotions are involved," he said. "But that doesn't mean your feelings aren't valid."

She looked up at him, his words sinking in slowly. For the first time today, she felt like maybe—just maybe—she wasn't as foolish as she had been feeling.

"Do you think I'm stupid for doing it?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Ethan shook his head, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "No, I think it takes a lot of courage to put yourself out there, to be vulnerable like that. Not everyone can do it."

Her heart lightened a little at his words, though the ache still lingered. "How about you, President Ethan? Have you been in the same situation?" she asked. Her question caught him off guard. "Oh, I didn't mean to pry into your personal life. I was wondering if you've been in the same situation."

Ethan paused, clearly taken aback by her question. He ran a hand through his hair, his usual calm demeanor shifting for a moment.

"Well," he began, his voice thoughtful, "I guess I've been in situations where things didn't work out the way I hoped. But, it's not the same as what you're feeling."

Serene noticed a flicker of vulnerability in his eyes, a rare moment of openness that she hadn't expected from someone like him.

He seemed to consider his words carefully before continuing, "It's different when you care about someone deeply, but sometimes... things just don't align. You have to accept it and move on, even though it hurts."

She nodded slowly, understanding what he was saying. "But how do you move on?" she asked softly, her voice trembling.

Ethan gave her a small, reassuring smile. "One step at a time," he said gently. "I usually distract myself with the things that matter—like leading the student council, for example."

Serene listened intently, feeling a bit comforted by his words. She could see how focused and dedicated Ethan was to his responsibilities, and it made her wonder if she could try doing the same—throwing herself into something productive to take her mind off the hurt.

"That makes sense," she said quietly, her gaze drifting to the floor for a moment. "I guess I need to find something to distract myself too."

Ethan nodded. "If you'd like, you can join the council. I've been looking for a replacement for my secretary."

She raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "What happened to your secretary?"

"She parted ways with the council," he explained. "So, are you willing to take it?"

Serene hesitated, her thoughts swirling. It was a big decision. "Shouldn't you consult this first with the rest of the council?" she asked, unsure if such an important position could be decided so quickly.

Ethan smiled. "I've already spoken to them, and they're on board. I've been keeping an eye on you since freshman year. I've seen how you handle everyone in your class and how active you are." His tone was sincere, and his eyes held a kind of quiet confidence.

Serene felt her heart race at his words, a mix of surprise and uncertainty flooding her. "You've been keeping an eye on me since freshman year?" she asked, her voice soft, a little caught off guard.

Ethan nodded, his expression warm but focused. "You've always had a natural way of organizing and leading, even when no one was looking. I saw the way you handled situations, especially in the organization. It stood out to me."

Serene couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, her earlier tension easing. "Well, it *does* sound a little weird," she teased, tilting her head with a playful smirk. "But I'll take it as a compliment… I think."

Ethan rubbed the back of his neck, his usual confident demeanor replaced with a slightly awkward one. "What I meant to say is that I've noticed your leadership skills and the way you handle situations. It's… impressive," he clarified, his tone more serious this time.

Serene's cheeks warmed at his words. *Did he really mean that, or is he just being nice?* she wondered, still a little overwhelmed by the unexpected turn of events.

"Thank you," she said softly, her voice more sincere now. "I guess I'll try not to let you down as your new secretary."

Ethan's smile returned, his confidence seemingly restored. "I know you won't. And if you ever need help or guidance, I'm just a call or text away."

Serene felt her heart skip a beat. "Right," she replied, quickly looking down to hide the blush creeping up her face.

"I'll do my best," she said, meeting his eyes with renewed determination.

"That's all I ask," Ethan replied warmly, standing up from his chair. "We'll have a meeting tomorrow after class to officially introduce you to the team. I'll send you the details later."

Serene nodded, feeling a strange mix of nerves and excitement. "Okay, I'll be there."

As she left Ethan's office, she went straight to her classroom, where she saw Mia and Ava chatting together.

When they saw her, they called out to her.

"Where have you been?" Ava asked, worried.

"Yeah, we've been looking all over for you, but then the bell rang, so we decided to head back to class," Mia added.

"Well, after I left, I went to the rooftop to calm myself, but then Lucas arrived," she explained.

Mia and Ava exchanged surprised glances before Ava leaned in, her voice filled with curiosity. "Wait, Lucas? What did he say?"

Serene sighed, placing her bag on her desk before sitting down. "He said he didn't want to hurt me and admitted that he liked me, just not in a romantic way. Apparently, he already has a girlfriend."

Mia gasped, her hands flying to her mouth. "No way. Lucas has a girlfriend? Since when?"

"Yeah, and to make it worse, the girls earlier at the gazebo—the ones we overheard—were right about him having a girlfriend." Serene crossed her arms, frustration flickering across her face. "It was humiliating and embarrassing."

Mia's jaw dropped as she stared at Serene in disbelief. "Those girls? Ugh, they were so smug about it too. I can't believe they were right."

Ava frowned, her expression filled with sympathy. "That's awful, Serene. I can't imagine how hard it must've been to hear that, especially after everything."

Serene shrugged, trying to mask her emotions, though the pain was still evident in her eyes. "It's whatever now. I can't change what happened. I just wish he'd been honest with me sooner instead of letting me find out like that."

Serene shrugged, trying to mask her emotions, though the pain was still evident in her eyes. "It's whatever now. I can't change what happened. I just wish he'd been honest with me sooner instead of letting me find out like that."

Mia leaned forward, resting her chin on her hands. "So, what happened after? You said he came to the rooftop. Did he say anything else?"

Serene hesitated for a moment, debating whether to share the rest of the story. "He apologized and said he didn't want to lose me as a friend. But honestly, I'm not sure I can even look at him the same way anymore."

Ava nodded, understanding. "It's hard to bounce back after something like that. You deserve better, Serene."

"Exactly," Mia agreed, crossing her arms. "Forget about Lucas. He's not worth your time."

Serene gave them a small smile, grateful for their support. "Thanks, guys. I appreciate it. But that's not the only news I wanted to share."

"There's more!?" they both shouted, leaning in eagerly.

"Yes," Serene said, drawing out the suspense. "After I left him on the rooftop, I bumped into someone more mature than him. Wanna guess who?" She grinned mischievously, her tone teasing.

Mia squinted suspiciously. "More mature than Lucas? Who even qualifies for that?"

Ava tapped her chin in thought before her eyes widened. "No way—it couldn't be Ethan Cruz, could it?"

Serene's grin widened as she crossed her arms triumphantly. "Bingo! The one and only student council president."

Mia and Ava gasped, their eyes widening in disbelief.

"Ethan Cruz? You mean *the* Ethan Cruz? The second most popular guy on campus?" Mia asked, her voice rising in excitement.

Ava nudged Serene playfully. "Girl, how are you casually dropping this bomb on us like it's nothing? Spill the details!"

Serene laughed, her cheeks flushing. "Okay, okay! So, I was crying in the hallway after leaving the rooftop, and I accidentally bumped into him. He noticed I wasn't okay and offered to talk in his office."

Mia gasped dramatically, clutching her chest. "He *took you to his office*? That's so professional yet intimate!"

Ava smirked, raising an eyebrow. "What happened next? Don't leave us hanging!"

Serene hesitated for a moment, unsure how much to share. "Well, he was really kind. He listened to me and even gave me tissues and water while I vented about Lucas. Then... he offered me a position as his secretary in the student council."

Both Mia and Ava screamed in unison, drawing the attention of their classmates. Serene quickly shushed them, laughing at their overreaction.

"Secretary? That means you'll be working with him closely, like, all the time!" Ava exclaimed, her voice hushed but still brimming with excitement.

Mia grabbed Serene's arm, her eyes gleaming. "Did you say yes? Please tell me you said yes!"

Serene smiled shyly. "I said yes."

The two erupted into cheers again, ignoring the curious glances from their peers.

Ava leaned closer, a sly grin on her face. "So... does this mean Ethan Cruz is your new crush now?"

Serene's face turned bright red as she stammered, "I-I don't know! I mean, he is my second crush after Lucas."

Ava's eyes lit up with delight. "Second crush? Oh, this just keeps getting better!"

Mia smirked, leaning in closer. "So, Lucas was your first crush, and now Ethan? Girl, your taste is top-tier."

Ava gasped dramatically, grabbing Serene's arm. "Destiny is working overtime for you, girl!"

Mia giggled, nudging Serene playfully. "Well, at least this time, you're starting with a professional relationship. Who knows? Maybe you'll make it to something more."

Serene groaned, burying her face in her hands. "You two are impossible! It's not like that."

Ava leaned back in her chair, crossing her arms with a sly grin. "Oh, come on, Serene. You can't blame us for being excited. It's not every day our best friend gets noticed by *the* Ethan Cruz."

Mia nodded eagerly. "Exactly! And now you'll be his secretary, which means you'll be spending loads of time with him. Late meetings, brainstorming sessions, maybe even walking to class together..."

"Stop!" Serene exclaimed, her face practically glowing red. "I'm only doing this because he asked me to, and besides, I'm trying to distract myself from the drama."

As Serene tried to regain some composure, her friends continued to tease her, making her feel embarrassed.

But before she could say anything else, the door to the classroom opened, and their professor walked in.

"Alright, class," the professor said, her voice cutting through the chatter. "We will be having a group activity. Group yourselves into five, starting by counting from Ms. Serene," she pointed out.

"One," Serene shouted while raising her hand.

"Two," Ava called out, smiling mischievously as she raised her hand.

"Three," Mia added with a wink, already anticipating how the group dynamics would unfold.

The professor continued, "Four," and "Five."

Serene found herself grouped with her other classmates who weren't Ava and Mia. They were placed in different groups, much to her relief, as it gave her a bit of space to focus. Her new group consisted of a mix of students she barely knew, which made her feel slightly uneasy.

The group activity began with the professor giving out tasks. "Alright, now that everyone is in their respective groups, for your activity, you'll be creating a short film about romance. Since Valentine's Day is fast approaching, it will be good to have you join in with the love fest," she instructed. "This will be an opportunity for you to be creative and have fun at the same time."

Serene's eyes widened in surprise at the assignment. A short film about romance? It sounded exciting but also a little intimidating, especially since she had no experience in filmmaking.

The thought of working with classmates she barely knew made her feel even more anxious. Well, it's a group project, I'll just have to do my part, she thought, taking a deep breath.

The professor continued, "You'll be working together to plan the storyline, write the script, and even act in it. Remember, creativity is key. Each group will present their final project next week. So, get ready to collaborate and have fun!"

Serene glanced at her group members, who seemed a little more at ease than she felt. A guy named Mark, who sat at the front, smiled at her. "So, Serene, how do you think we should start?" he asked, taking a seat at the table. His tone was friendly, which helped calm her nerves a little.

Serene pushed her hair behind her ear. "Uh, well, we need to come up with a theme first, right? A love story, but it could be something unique… like a twist on a typical romance." She gave a tentative smile, hoping the idea would resonate with the others.

One of her groupmates, Lara, nodded enthusiastically. "I like that! How about a love story that starts out cliche but takes an unexpected turn? Like, maybe the couple falls for each other in the end, but it isn't the typical 'happily-ever-after'?"

Mark raised his hand. "I agree, let's add some drama to it. We could even make it a bit comedic, too."

As the group started brainstorming ideas, Serene felt herself relax a little. She wasn't entirely sure where this project would lead, but she was starting to enjoy the creative process.

Her nerves settled as she realized that the more they worked together, the more she could feel the group chemistry beginning to form.

The activity was turning out to be more engaging than she'd expected. With each suggestion from her groupmates, Serene became more excited about how their film could turn out.

As the bell rang, signaling the end of the class, she couldn't help but smile. Well, that wasn't so bad after all, she thought, gathering her things.

As she walked out of the classroom, she reminded her members to check their socials because she'd be creating their group chat for the film.

That reminds me, I have a meeting at the student council. It's the first time that I'll officially introduce myself to them. She then quickly made her way to the student council.

As she walked down the hall towards the student council office, Serene felt a mix of nerves and excitement.

It was hard to believe she was about to meet the rest of the council members officially, especially with her new role as Ethan's secretary.

The pressure of making a good first impression weighed on her, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand.

When she reached the student council room, she took a deep breath and knocked on the door.

"Come in!" a voice called out from the other side.

Serene opened the door to find a group of students sitting around a large table, with Ethan at the head, looking up at her with a welcoming smile.

"Ah, Serene, you made it," Ethan said, gesturing to the empty seat beside him. "Come on in, we've been waiting for you."

She nodded and walked over to take her seat, trying to keep her cool. As she sat down, the other council members greeted her with friendly nods and smiles.

There was a sense of camaraderie in the room that made her feel a little more at ease.

Ethan gave her a quick, reassuring glance before turning back to the group. "Alright, let's get started," he said. "First, let's introduce ourselves properly."

Serene could feel the weight of the moment, but she was ready to embrace it.

As the council members introduced themselves one by one, Serene observed each of them carefully. There was Harvey, the vice president, who had a confident, almost authoritative air about her. Then there was Armand, the treasurer, who looked like he had a great sense of humor but always kept things professional.

Sarah, the events coordinator, seemed to be the energetic type, always quick to suggest new ideas. Lastly, there was Bobby, the communications officer, who looked like he was constantly deep in thought, scribbling notes in a small notebook.

When it came to her turn, Serene felt her nerves spike again. She cleared her throat, smiling at the group. "Hi, I'm Serene. I'm the new secretary. I'm excited to be here and to help however I can. I've been part of the school for a while now, so I'm familiar with most of you, but I'm looking forward to working closely with everyone."

There was a brief pause before Harvey smiled warmly. "It's nice to have you with us, Serene. I've heard great things about you."

"Same here," Armand added with a grin. "Ethan's told us you're pretty organized."

Serene felt herself blush slightly. "I try my best," she said, feeling a bit shy under their attention.

Ethan nodded approvingly, then glanced around the table. "Alright, now that we've all introduced ourselves, let's move on to the agenda. We've got a few things to discuss, including planning for upcoming school events and assignments for each member."

As the meeting continued, Serene tried to focus, taking notes and listening intently. She was determined to prove herself as a valuable member of the council.

Ethan's presence next to her kept her grounded, but there was still a subtle tension she couldn't shake.

Once the meeting wrapped up, Ethan turned to her with a small smile. "You did great," he said quietly, just loud enough for her to hear.

"Thanks," Serene replied, her heart fluttering at his compliment. "Looking forward to working with all of you."

As they all left the meeting room, Serene was gathering her things when Ethan came up to her.

"Uh, Serene, do you want to walk home together?" Ethan hesitated, rubbing the back of his head, adding, "If it's okay with you, since it's getting dark and I'd rather you not walk home alone."

Serene blinked, caught off guard by his sudden invitation. Her heart skipped a beat. "Oh, um…" She hesitated for a moment, glancing at the clock on the wall. It was getting late, and the thought of walking home alone in the dark didn't sit well with her. Ethan's offer was a relief, but she couldn't help but feel a little nervous at the prospect of spending time with him outside of the council meeting.

"I mean, sure, I guess that would be nice," she said, her voice soft but appreciative. "Thanks for offering, Ethan."

Ethan's face brightened at her response, his usual cool demeanor replaced by a more approachable expression. "Great! Let me grab my stuff, and we can head out together," he said, giving her a warm smile before turning toward the desk.

Serene felt a rush of nerves flood her, but she quickly gathered her things, trying to focus on the task at hand. Walking home with Ethan—it wasn't exactly what she had imagined, but maybe it would be a good chance to get to know him better outside the student council.

Once Ethan was ready, they both made their way to the exit. The cool evening air greeted them as they stepped outside, and the quiet of the school campus felt different now that it was just the two of them.

"So, uh… how was your day?" Ethan asked casually, trying to start a conversation as they walked side by side.

Serene chuckled nervously. "It was alright, just a little overwhelming. We had this group project where we have to make a film about romance for Valentine's Day, and I'm the leader of my group."

Ethan raised an eyebrow in surprise. "A film about romance? Sounds interesting. Do you have any ideas for it yet?"

Serene shrugged, her nervous energy still present. "Not really. We just started, so we're still figuring it out. But it's kind of exciting, you know? I've never done something like this before."

Ethan nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "I'm sure you'll do a great job. You seem like the type who takes charge and gets things done."

Serene's cheeks flushed at the compliment, and she quickly glanced away. "I'm just trying to keep everything organized. But I'm glad that my groupmates aren't that hard-headed. They're the ones who made me feel comfortable because I'm usually used to being with Mia and Ava."

Ethan smiled, nodding in understanding. "Yeah, I can imagine it must be a bit different working with people you're not as close to. But it sounds like they're a good group. I'm sure you'll all figure it out together."

Serene relaxed a little at his reassurance. "Yeah, they seem nice. I guess it's just the first time I've taken charge of something like this. It feels a bit overwhelming, but I'll manage."

Ethan gave her a supportive smile. "You definitely will. Say, do you want to grab dinner before heading home?" he asked.

Serene hesitated for a moment, surprised by the invitation. She hadn't expected Ethan to suggest grabbing dinner. "Uh, sure," she said, smiling shyly. "I could use a break after all that brainstorming."

Ethan grinned, clearly relieved that she was open to the idea. "Great! There's this little street stall down the street that makes the best tteokbokki and fishcakes. I think you'll like it."

Serene's eyes lit up at the mention of tteokbokki. "Ooh, I love tteokbokki!" she said with excitement, her earlier hesitation fading away. "I've never had it from a street stall, though. It sounds delicious."

Ethan chuckled, clearly pleased by her enthusiasm. "Trust me, it's amazing. The sauce is just the right balance of spicy and sweet."

They walked down the street together, the cool evening air wrapping around them as they chatted about their favorite foods. Serene couldn't help but feel more at ease with each step.

Ethan's casual attitude and easy smile made it easier for her to relax and enjoy the moment.

When they arrived at the street stall, the smell of sizzling fishcakes and the sweet, spicy aroma of tteokbokki filled the air. Serene's stomach growled at the tempting scent, and she smiled at Ethan. "You weren't kidding, this place smells amazing."

Ethan grinned. "I told you. You're in for a treat."

They ordered a couple of servings, and as they sat down at a nearby bench, Serene took her first bite of the tteokbokki.

The chewy rice cakes in the rich, flavorful sauce were just as delicious as Ethan had promised.

"This is so good!" she exclaimed, her face lighting up with enjoyment. "I definitely need to come here more often."

Ethan laughed, clearly happy that she was enjoying the food. "I'm glad you like it. I've been coming here since I was a kid."

They continued to eat and chat, the conversation flowing easily between them.

For the first time that day, Serene felt completely at ease, and the tension she had been carrying with her seemed to melt away.

It was just her and Ethan, sharing a simple meal and enjoying each other's company.