The next morning, Serene was woken up by the sound of her alarm. She groaned as she tried to turn it off, her hand fumbling for the snooze button.
The warmth of her blankets made it hard to leave the comfort of her bed.
She just wanted a few more minutes of sleep, but the busy day ahead left her with no choice but to get up.
"Sweetie, breakfast is ready," her mom called out from downstairs, her voice filled with warmth.
"Be right there," Serene mumbled, rubbing her eyes and finally pushing herself out of bed.
As she moved toward the bathroom, her mind still lingered on the events from the night before—dinner with Ethan, their easy conversation, and the way he had made her feel at ease.
She couldn't help but blush deeply as she kept replaying the moments over in her head.
After quickly getting ready, she joined her mom at the dining table.
The smell of freshly made pancakes filled the air, and the familiar sight of her mom humming in the kitchen gave Serene a sense of comfort.
She smiled and sat down to enjoy the meal, though a part of her was still distracted.
"Did you confess to that Lucas guy you were talking about?" her mom asked, pouring syrup over Serene's pancakes.
Serene's face turned bright red, and she quickly looked down at her plate, suddenly feeling flustered. "Mom, not now!" she mumbled, hoping the conversation would shift.
"What, I'm just asking," her mom added, a teasing smile on her face.
"She got dumped by that guy," Liam said as he walked down the stairs while still stretching.
"Liam!" Serene shouted, mortified.
"I just told Mom what she wanted to hear. Also, I overheard about it last night when you were on a call with Mia and Ava," he added as he took some pancakes from the stack.
"Why, you little!" Serene shouted, standing up from her seat as if she were about to charge at him.
Her mom quickly intervened. "Hey, no fighting!" she warned, raising her hand to stop Serene.
The revised paragraph with grammar corrections:
Serene sat back down, her face still flushed from embarrassment. She crossed her arms over her chest, trying to ignore her brother's smirk as he dug into his pancakes.
"I'll kill you," she muttered under her breath.
"But not today," Liam replied nonchalantly, clearly enjoying the attention. "I'm gonna head out first. Later, sis," he added, then left.
Serene stormed out of the kitchen, her frustration still bubbling inside her. She muttered under her breath, "I swear, one of these days..."
Her mom's voice called after her in a teasing tone, "Bye, you two~!"
Serene didn't turn back, only waving her hand dismissively as she stepped outside, still fuming over Liam's antics.
She could already feel her day starting off on the wrong foot, and she wasn't in the mood to deal with any more embarrassment from her brother.
Liam, on the other hand, was already straddling his motorcycle, revving the engine in his usual cocky manner. He gave Serene a wave over his shoulder before pulling out of the driveway.
"See ya later, sis!" he shouted, his smirk evident even from a distance.
"Just wait, Liam..." Serene muttered to herself as she began walking down the street. Despite her irritation, a small part of her was glad he wasn't in the same school as her, or else she'd be living in a nightmare throughout high school.
The cool morning air greeted her as she made her way toward the school. The walk gave her time to clear her head and settle down before facing the day ahead.
She focused on the rhythm of her steps, the sounds of the bustling neighborhood around her, and tried to push aside the embarrassment her brother had caused.
It didn't take long before she noticed a familiar car driving beside her, honking persistently. The window lowered, and to her surprise, she saw Harvey, the SSC vice president.
"Serene, hop in. I'll give you a ride to school," Harvey said.
Serene hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to accept. She wasn't used to this kind of attention, especially from someone like Harvey. His easygoing smile and friendly demeanor made it hard to refuse, though.
"Uh, are you sure? I mean, I don't want to bother you," she said, glancing nervously at the car.
"Of course, I'm sure!" Harvey replied with a laugh. "I'm on my way anyway. Besides, walking to school when you have a ride is overrated."
Serene couldn't help but chuckle at his remark. She took a deep breath and nodded, stepping off the sidewalk as Harvey opened the car door.
"Thanks," she said softly as she slid into the passenger seat.
"No problem," Harvey said, flashing her a reassuring grin as he returned to the driver's seat and pulled back onto the road.
The drive was filled with light conversation, with Harvey doing most of the talking while Serene relaxed in the comfortable atmosphere he created.
Harvey nodded thoughtfully, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel as he drove. "That sounds like a solid start. A good director and proper equipment are definitely important, though. If it's okay with you, I can help with filming and stuff. And Sarah's really good with directing; she's handled a few school plays before. I'm sure she'd love to help out."
Serene's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? You'd help with the filming? And Sarah might be interested in directing?"
"Yeah, absolutely," Harvey replied with a grin. "I mean, it's not like I'm a pro or anything, but I've done some work with cameras before. And Sarah's a natural at bringing stories to life—she's been itching for a creative project. I can ask her if you'd like."
A wave of relief washed over Serene, and she couldn't help but smile. "That would be amazing. Thank you so much, Harvey. I was starting to feel a little overwhelmed with everything."
"Hey, that's what teammates are for," he said warmly. "Just let me know the details, and we'll figure it out together."
"Okay, I will," Serene replied, her gratitude evident in her tone. "I really appreciate it."
"Don't sweat it," Harvey said with a casual shrug. "Now, focus on making that script as awesome as possible. We'll handle the rest."
Serene nodded, her mind already racing with ideas for how to incorporate Harvey and Sarah into the project. For the first time in days, she felt like the project was finally coming together.
They slowly arrived at the school gates as Harvey parked his car.
"Thanks for the ride, Harvey," Serene said with a warm smile, taking her bag from the seat.
"No worries. If you ever need a ride, just let me know," Harvey replied, grinning as they both stepped out of the car. "Oh, and don't forget to let me know about your project. I'll talk to Sarah later. See you around."
With a wave, he walked toward the council office, leaving Serene standing by the gate, feeling lighter than she had in days.
But her peace didn't last long. A few minutes later, Mia and Ava appeared out of nowhere, practically ambushing her.
"What are you doing with the vice-president of the council, hmm?" Ava asked suspiciously, her arms crossed and a teasing glint in her eyes.
Mia chimed in, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. "Did we miss some secret developments between you two? Spill!"
Serene's face turned a bright shade of red as she stammered, "I-It's not what you think! He just gave me a ride to school, that's all."
"Oh, just a ride?" Ava drawled, clearly not buying it. "Since when do you casually get rides from Harvey, of all people?"
"Exactly!" Mia added, leaning closer. "Something's definitely up. Are you two working on some top-secret council mission? Or is it... something else?"
Serene groaned, burying her face in her hands. "You two are overthinking it. He offered to help with the film project, okay? He's even going to ask Sarah to help with directing."
Ava raised an eyebrow. "Wow, recruiting the council royalty for your project. Impressive, Serene."
"Seriously, though, that's amazing," Mia said, her teasing tone softening. "But are you sure there's nothing more going on? He seemed pretty friendly with you."
"Harvey's friendly with everyone," Serene countered, trying to downplay the situation. "There's nothing going on. Now, can we please just get to class before you two make me any more flustered?"
Mia and Ava exchanged knowing looks but decided to let it go—for now. "Fine," Ava said with a sly grin. "But we're keeping an eye on this."
"Ugh, you two are the worst," Serene muttered, but a small smile crept onto her face as she walked alongside her best friends.
Despite their teasing, she couldn't help but feel grateful to have them by her side.
As they arrived at their classroom, Serene quickly went to find her groupmates to share the good news.
"Mark, Lara," she called out to them. "I have something to tell you about the project."
Mark and Lara quickly approached Serene, their expressions curious.
"What's up? You look excited," Mark asked, his voice upbeat.
Lara gave her a friendly smile. "Yeah, what's the news?"
Serene grinned, feeling a little lighter now that she had some good news to share. "So, Harvey—yeah, the vice-president—he offered to help with filming, and Sarah is going to help with directing."
Mark's eyes lit up. "Really? That's awesome! Having someone with experience is going to make the project so much better."
Lara nodded enthusiastically. "That's such a relief! We were starting to worry about the technical side of things. Harvey and Sarah are perfect for this. Good call!"
Serene's smile grew wider at their reactions. "I'm glad you think so. Harvey's even going to talk to Sarah about it later, so everything should be set."
Mark patted her on the back. "Looks like you're really pulling this project together, Serene."
Lara raised an eyebrow with a teasing grin. "Yeah, and looks like you've got the vice-president wrapped around your finger."
Serene's face flushed slightly. "It's not like that! He's just helping with the project, okay?"
Mark chuckled. "Sure, sure. We believe you." He winked, then turned to Lara. "Let's just hope the film turns out as well as the rumors surrounding it."
Serene smiled, feeling reassured by Lara's confidence. "Yeah, we really do. Thanks, Lara." She felt a wave of relief wash over her as she realized how much smoother everything was starting to go.
As they settled into their seats, Serene felt more excited than ever about the project. With Harvey helping with the filming and Sarah directing, everything was finally starting to come together. All they had to do now was focus on the remaining details.
The teacher walked into the room, signaling that class was about to begin. Serene glanced over at her groupmates, her thoughts already back on their project, eager to make it the best it could be.
"Alright, let's do this," she whispered to herself, determined to keep the momentum going.
"Alright, class, settle down," their professor said, trying to get their attention. "So, today, we will not have a class because I'll be giving you your free time to talk and gather about your projects. That will be all," she added, then left the classroom.
The students buzzed with excitement as their professor left the room, and Serene felt a mix of relief and determination wash over her.
With the free time now available, she immediately turned to Mark and Lara, her mind already racing with ideas for their project.
"Okay, we've got a good head start with Harvey and Sarah helping us. Let's use this time wisely and get everything in order," Serene said, her voice filled with focus.
Mark nodded, pulling out his notebook. "Right, we can start finalizing the script and make a list of what we need to do next."
Lara grinned. "I'm excited! This is going to be great."
Serene smiled, feeling more confident now that everything was falling into place. "I have the scripts here. I want you guys to read them and let me know if there are any changes or something to add," she added.
Lara and Mark nodded as they read through her script. While they were busy gathering the scripts together, a tap on her shoulder startled her. It was Ava, who was smiling widely as she pointed toward the door. There, she saw Harvey standing in front of their classroom.
Serene stood up and went toward Harvey. "Harvey, what are you doing here?" she asked.
"I wanted to give you an update on your project. So, I've already gathered my camera for the filming, and I've already talked to Sarah about it, and she said yes," he explained.
Serene smiled, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "That's great! Thanks for handling everything so quickly. I really appreciate it."
Harvey grinned, his usual confident demeanor still in place. "No problem. I told Sarah that we need to make sure everything's set before we start filming, so she's on board. We'll meet up later to finalize some things."
"Awesome," Serene said, feeling a lot more at ease. "I'll let Mark and Lara know. They're working on the script right now."
"Perfect," Harvey said, giving her a thumbs up. "Just keep me updated, and we'll be good to go."
Serene nodded. "Will do. Thanks again, Harvey."
As Harvey turned to leave, Serene returned to her groupmates, who had already finished reading through the script. She gave them the update.
"Great news, guys. Harvey's got the camera, and Sarah's confirmed for the direction. We're all set to start filming soon," Serene said with a smile.
Mark and Lara both looked relieved and excited. "We've got this in the bag now," Mark said, clapping his hands together.
Lara added, "I'm so glad everything's coming together. Let's make this film amazing!"
Serene couldn't help but smile at their enthusiasm. With everything falling into place, she was feeling more confident about their project than ever before.
"So, when can we start?" Mark asked.
"This week, we can already start, but first, we need to gather our costumes for the film, the script, and assign our roles," Serene explained, adding, "Hopefully, Janiah and Jason can finally join us. Lara, can you message them to see if they're fine?"
"Sure, I'll message them right away," Lara said as she messaged them through the group chat.
Lara quickly typed a message in the group chat, asking Janiah and Jason if they were available to join the project. She hit send and waited for a response, tapping her fingers on the desk nervously.
"Now we wait," Serene said, glancing at the clock. "We should be able to get everything ready for filming once we confirm with them."
Mark stretched in his seat, looking thoughtful. "Do you think the costumes will be hard to get together? We can start looking for ideas if you want."
Serene smiled, feeling grateful for her team's enthusiasm. "I think we'll manage. We just need to be creative with what we have, and maybe look through some thrift shops or online stores for anything we need."
"That sounds like a good plan," Lara said, just as her phone buzzed. She quickly checked it and smiled. "Janiah and Jason are in. They'll be ready to join us this afternoon to discuss everything!"
Note: Janiah and Jason were out sick when they group themselves for the project.
"Perfect!" Serene said, her excitement returning. "Let's meet up after school and finalize everything. We're making great progress!"
With their plan set in motion, the group felt more energized than ever to bring their film project to life.
Later in the afternoon, Serene was already with Harvey and Sarah as they met up with Mark, Lara, Janiah, and Jason at a nearby café. The group gathered around a table, excited to finalize the details of their project.
"We're almost there, guys," Serene said as she set down her bag and pulled out the scripts. "I'm glad you could make it, Janiah and Jason."
Janiah grinned. "Of course! I'm glad we're not sick anymore. We're excited to get started. What's the plan?"
Serene flipped through her notebook, where she had written down the schedule and what still needed to be done. "Well, we need to finalize our roles, go over the script, and make sure we're all set with the costumes. Once that's sorted, we can begin filming this week."
Jason nodded. "Sounds good. I'll help out with whatever's needed—whether it's acting or running the camera."
Harvey leaned in. "We can get started on filming as soon as you guys are ready. I'll bring the camera and equipment, and Sarah can help direct. Just let me know when and where."
Sarah added, "I'm ready whenever you guys are. We'll make sure everything runs smoothly."
Lara looked around the table, her eyes bright with excitement. "So, let's assign roles first. Once that's sorted, we can dive into the costume planning."
They spent the next few minutes discussing and assigning roles, with everyone taking on a part that suited their strengths. Serene felt a surge of confidence seeing how everyone was so committed to making this project a success.
After a brief discussion, they assigned roles for the film. Serene felt a wave of relief as everything seemed to be falling into place.
"We're good to go," Serene said with a smile. "Now for the costumes. Everyone should look through their closets and see what they can use."
Once the roles were settled, Mark spoke up. "Alright, now that we've got the roles, that'll work. Everyone should bring a few options to the next meeting so we can figure out what works best."
Serene nodded in agreement. "Exactly. We want everyone to feel comfortable in their roles, and the costumes need to fit the character's personality and vibe."
Janiah raised her hand, a mischievous grin on her face. "I've got a ton of stuff that might work, but I'm pretty sure we'll need to do a little bit of shopping for some of the more specific looks."
Lara laughed. "Same here. I'm not sure my closet has anything close to the theme we're going for."
Harvey smiled, looking at his phone. "I'm sure we'll make it work. Worst case, we can go shopping together. We've got time, so no need to rush."
"Alright, I think we're good for now," Serene said, her heart swelling with pride as she looked around at her team. "Let's meet up in a couple of days, finalize everything, and then we can get started with filming."
"Sounds like a plan!" Mark agreed enthusiastically.
With their plans set, the group finished up their drinks and started heading out. There was a sense of excitement in the air, and Serene couldn't help but feel grateful for how well everything was coming together.
She was starting to believe that they might actually pull this off.
As they parted ways outside the café, Serene found herself smiling when, all of a sudden, someone tapped her shoulder. It was Harvey.
Serene turned around, slightly startled, but quickly relaxed when she saw Harvey standing behind her with a smile.
"Hey, I just wanted to make sure everything's good for the shoot," he said, his tone light but focused. "Do you need any help with anything else? Or are we all set for the next steps?"
Serene thought for a moment, grateful for his offer. "I think we're good for now, but I'll let you know if anything comes up. I'm just really glad you're helping us out with everything."
Harvey gave a small chuckle. "Of course, happy to be involved. It's gonna be fun to see how it all comes together."
Serene smiled. "Yeah, I think it's going to be great. Thanks again, Harvey. I really appreciate it."
Harvey waved off her hesitation with a casual shrug. "Yeah, I'm sure. It's no trouble at all. Plus, it'll give us a chance to talk more about the Valentine's Day event and the project."
Serene smiled, grateful for his offer. "Okay, I guess it wouldn't hurt. Thanks, Harvey."
As they made their way to his car, Serene couldn't help but feel a sense of relief mixed with excitement. The idea of having their project showcased at the Valentine's Day event felt like a game-changer.
She could already imagine the possibilities—how it would bring their hard work to a bigger audience, and how the recognition could give everyone a huge confidence boost.
Once inside the car, Harvey started the engine, and they drove off. "So, have you thought about how you want the screening to go?" he asked as he pulled out of the parking lot.
Serene thought for a moment. "I think we could make it interactive—maybe have a Q&A afterward where we can talk about the process and what went into making the film. It could make the experience more engaging for the audience."
Harvey nodded, clearly liking the idea. "I love that. It'll make the screening feel more personal and give everyone a behind-the-scenes look. It'll be a great way to connect with the audience."
As they continued driving, Serene felt a sense of excitement growing within her. This was no longer just a class project—it was evolving into something much bigger, and she couldn't wait to see where it would go.
As they slowly approached Serene's house, she noticed her mother waiting outside.
"Oh no, my mom's outside," Serene said, her voice tinged with concern.
"Is that a bad thing?" Harvey asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.
"Yes, if she sees you with me. She'll think you're my boyfriend," Serene explained, a hint of embarrassment creeping into her voice.
"I wouldn't mind that," Harvey joked, winking playfully.
"Oh, stop that," Serene said, rolling her eyes as they got closer to her house.
She unbuckled her seatbelt and opened the car door, preparing to face her mom.
"Hi, Mom~" she said nervously, offering a small smile.
"Serene Isabel Alvarez Dela Cruz," her mother said sternly, using her full name. "Who is that?" She raised an eyebrow, looking between Serene and Harvey.
Before Serene could answer, Harvey got out of the car and approached her mom.
"Good evening, Ma'am," he said politely, blessing her hand. "My name is Harvey James Ibanez. It's nice to meet you, Ma'am," he added with a respectful bow.
"Good evening to you as well, Harvey," her mom replied with a smile. "Are you leaving already?" she asked suddenly.
"Yes, Ma'am," Harvey said, nodding.
"Why don't you stay for a while and have some dinner first?" her mom suggested, motioning for him to come inside.
Harvey and Serene both exchanged a brief look, a mixture of surprise and amusement on their faces, before stepping out of the car and following her mother inside the house.
"Thank you, Ma'am," Harvey said politely as he entered the living room, his gaze quickly scanning the cozy space.
Serene's mom smiled warmly, already heading toward the kitchen. "No need to thank me. It's not every day Serene brings someone home. You must be special," she said, her tone teasing as she glanced back at the two of them.
Serene's cheeks flushed, and she quickly shook her head. "Mom, it's not like that!" she exclaimed, hoping Harvey wasn't taking her mom's teasing too seriously.
Her mom chuckled. "Alright, alright. But dinner's ready, so make yourselves comfortable." She motioned for them to sit at the table.
Harvey smiled, trying to ease the tension. "Thank you for the invitation, Ma'am. I really appreciate it."
As they sat down, the warmth of the home and the casual conversation quickly made Serene feel at ease again. She couldn't help but notice the genuine kindness in her mother's demeanor toward Harvey, and it made her wonder just how much her mom already liked him.
"So, Harvey," Serene's mom began as she served the food, "How do you know Serene?"
Serene froze slightly, unsure of what Harvey would say, but he only smiled and looked at Serene with a calm expression.
"We're both in the student council. I'm the vice president of the council while she's our new council secretary, and I've also been helping her with her group project," Harvey replied, his voice steady and friendly.
Serene's mom raised an eyebrow, clearly impressed. "Vice president, huh? That sounds like a big responsibility. And helping with a group project, too? You must be quite the dedicated student."
Harvey chuckled modestly. "I try my best. The project's been a team effort, though. We all pitch in where we can."
Serene's mom smiled, looking between the two of them. "Well, I'm glad to see you two working together so well. It's good to have reliable people around when things get busy."
Serene could feel the tension easing in the room, and she let out a quiet sigh of relief.
"Anyway, thank you again for dinner, ma'am. It was delicious," Harvey added, standing up from the table.
Her mom nodded. "You're welcome, Harvey. It was a pleasure having you here."
As Harvey stood to leave, Liam arrived home just in time to meet him at the doorstep. Serene's brother gave Harvey a curious glance, his expression neutral but his posture slightly rigid.
"Hey, Serene," Liam greeted, his voice a little too casual as he looked between her and Harvey. "Who's this?"
"This is Harvey, the vice president of the student council. He's been helping me with my group project," Serene quickly explained, hoping to avoid any awkwardness.
Harvey extended a hand, offering a polite smile. "Hi, I'm Harvey. Nice to meet you."
Liam hesitated for a moment before shaking Harvey's hand. "Liam," he replied, his tone a bit guarded. "Nice to meet you too."
Serene could feel the tension rising, the unspoken questions hanging in the air. She quickly stepped in to ease the situation. "Liam, Harvey's just leaving. I'll catch up with you later."
Harvey, sensing the slight discomfort, gave a short nod. "I'll see you at school, Serene." He turned to Liam and added, "Take care, man."
With that, Harvey left, and Serene closed the door behind him, feeling the weight of the moment settle in.
Liam crossed his arms, his gaze narrowing slightly as he looked at Serene. "So, what's going on with you two?" he asked, his voice teasing but with an underlying tone of protectiveness.
Serene sighed and rolled her eyes. "Nothing. He's just helping with the project. You know, student council stuff."
Liam raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Uh-huh. Sure. Just checking."
Serene shook her head, heading toward the kitchen. "You're so nosy, you know that?"
Liam grinned mischievously. "Hey, it's my job as your little brother."
Serene rolled her eyes, unable to suppress a smile. "You're not even that much younger than me, you know."
Liam shrugged with a playful smirk. "Still, I'm the one with the 'little brother' title, and I'm going to use it to my advantage."
Serene shook her head, but the lighthearted banter helped ease the tension that had built up earlier. She grabbed a glass of water from the kitchen, her mind still partly on Harvey's unexpected visit.
"So, did you like him?" Liam asked casually as he leaned against the doorframe, clearly still curious.
Serene paused, setting the glass down. "He's nice," she said, trying to sound nonchalant. "We're just working on the project together."
Liam grinned. "Uh-huh. Sure. But you didn't blush when he was around, did you?"
"Stop it," Serene said, her face turning slightly red despite herself. She could feel her brother's teasing gaze on her as she walked past him to her room.
"Seriously, I've never seen you so happy after that Lucas drama. But hey, who am I to judge?" he said before heading to his room. "You know, you two looked good together, but be sure he's really the one you like. I know you have many crushes; just pick one," he added.
Serene stopped in her tracks for a moment, feeling her heart skip a beat at her brother's words. She turned back to him with a small frown.
"What's that supposed to mean?" she asked, trying to sound indifferent, but her voice betrayed her curiosity.
Liam grinned from the doorway of his room. "You've always had a thing for the boys who are nice to you, sis. Just make sure you're not rushing into anything because it feels good right now. Take your time. Don't end up in another Lucas situation."
Serene's cheeks flushed, but she quickly recovered, giving her brother a playful glare. "I'm not like that, Liam. I know what I'm doing."
"Sure, sure," he said with a wink. "Just remember, I'm here if you need advice. You know, the wise little brother."
Serene rolled her eyes but couldn't help the chuckle that escaped her. "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say, Mr. 'Wise Little Brother.'"
As she entered her room, she found herself thinking about Liam's words. Was she rushing into things with Harvey? She had to admit, there was something about him— *Do I have feelings for Harvey?*
But he's not the one I liked. I liked Ethan. Maybe the reason why I feel comfortable around Harvey is that he's very caring and nice. Maybe I just like his personality and nothing more?
Maybe Liam was right. Curse these feelings, I hate it when he's right. Maybe I easily fall in love with guys, especially when they're being nice.
Serene sighed as she fell onto her bed while staring at the ceiling. She then called Mia and Ava about her situation.
Mia picked up the phone on the second ring. "Hey, Serene, what's up?"
Ava's voice could be heard in the background. "Is everything okay? You sound a little off."
Serene exhaled deeply, trying to gather her thoughts. "I don't know... I'm just really confused right now."
Mia's tone turned concerned. "Confused about what? Did something happen with Harvey?"
Serene hesitated for a moment before speaking. "It's not really about Harvey—well, sort of. I think I have a crush on Harvey. I think."
Mia and Ava both gasped audibly on the other end of the line.
"A crush on Harvey?" Mia repeated, her tone somewhere between shock and excitement. "Serene, are you serious?!"
Ava quickly chimed in, "Oh my gosh, this is big! But wait, I thought you liked Ethan?"
Serene groaned, running a hand through her hair in frustration. "I *do* like Ethan—or at least I *did*."
Mia's voice softened. "Okay, let's take a step back. What changed? Did something happen between you and Ethan, or... did Harvey do something to make you feel this way?"
Serene sighed, pacing her room. "I don't know. Ethan hasn't really been around much, and I've barely talked to him lately. But Harvey… he's been there. He's been helping me with the project, driving me home, and just… being really nice. I can't help but feel something, but I don't know if it's real or just because of how kind he is."
Ava chimed in, her voice thoughtful. "It sounds like you're drawn to how Harvey treats you, and that's not a bad thing. But you have to ask yourself—are these feelings just because he's paying attention to you, or do you genuinely like him for who he is?"
Mia agreed. "Exactly. Sometimes it's easy to mistake kindness for something more. But that doesn't mean your feelings aren't valid. You just need to figure out if what you're feeling for Harvey is genuine or if it's just because of the way he's been treating you lately."
Serene sighed, leaning back against her bed. "Yeah, I guess you're right. It's just so confusing. Harvey's been really kind and supportive, and it feels... different. But at the same time, I don't know if I'm just overthinking everything."
Ava's voice softened. "It's okay to be confused. Feelings are messy like that, and it's better to sort through them than to make a decision you're not sure about."
Mia added, "And don't pressure yourself. Focus on your project, your friendship with Harvey, and how you feel when you're around him. That should give you some clarity."
Serene nodded, even though they couldn't see her. "You're both right. I'll try to take things one step at a time and not let my emotions mess everything up."
"Exactly," Ava said, her tone cheerful again. "And don't forget, we're here for you. Whether it's to talk about Harvey or just hang out, you've got us."
Serene smiled, feeling a little lighter. "Thanks, guys. I really needed this."
"Anytime," Mia said. "Now, get some rest. Tomorrow's another day."
As the call ended, Serene stared at the ceiling, her mind still swirling with thoughts about Harvey, Ethan, and her own feelings. She knew her friends were right—it was best to take it slow and let things unfold naturally.
With a deep breath, she closed her eyes, determined to focus on her project and the moments ahead, hoping the answers she sought would come in time.
The next morning, Serene woke up early for a change, without her mom having to call her multiple times. She felt refreshed, determined to make the day productive.
Heading to the kitchen, she decided to surprise her family by preparing breakfast. The smell of sizzling bacon and freshly cooked eggs soon filled the air. As she plated the food, she heard the soft shuffle of footsteps behind her.
Her mom appeared in the doorway, a look of surprise on her face. "Serene? You're up early—and cooking?"
"Good morning, Mom," Serene greeted her with a cheerful smile, flipping the last piece of bacon onto a plate. "Sit down, breakfast is almost ready. Eggs and bacon are on the menu today."
Her mom raised an eyebrow, still processing what she was seeing. "Did I wake up in the wrong house? You're never up this early, let alone cooking breakfast."
Serene laughed lightly. "I know, I just... felt like starting the day right. Plus, I wanted to give you a break for once."
Her mom smiled warmly as she took a seat at the table. "Well, this is a lovely surprise. Thank you, sweetheart. It smells delicious."
As Serene placed the plates on the table, her brother Liam walked into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes sleepily. He stopped mid-step when he saw Serene bustling around. "Wait, am I dreaming? Serene, cooking? This is rare."
"Ha-ha, very funny," Serene said, rolling her eyes but smiling. "Sit down, breakfast is ready."
Liam grinned and plopped into a chair. "You know, I could get used to this."
As they sat together, eating the breakfast Serene prepared, her mom couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. "You've really matured, Serene. Whatever motivated you this morning, keep it up."
Serene nodded, feeling a small swell of pride herself. She didn't know what the day ahead would bring, but for now, everything felt just a little bit brighter.
"I'll take you to school today, just a little thank you for making breakfast," Liam said with a grin, his mouth half-full of bacon.
Serene raised an eyebrow, smirking at him. "Wow, what a generous offer. Are you sure it's not because you want to show off your motorbike again?"
Liam chuckled, leaning back in his chair. "Hey, it's not my fault the bike looks good and I look even better on it. But no, seriously, I'm just being a good little brother today. Don't make me regret it."
Her mom smiled at their banter, sipping her coffee. "It's nice to see you two getting along for a change. Maybe I should expect breakfast from Serene more often if this is the result."
"Don't push it, Mom," Serene joked, though her smile stayed in place. She finished her plate and stood up, gathering the dishes. "But thanks for the offer, Liam. I'll take you up on that."
Liam raised his coffee mug in a mock toast. "Good choice, sis. Let me know when you're ready, and we'll head out."
As Serene cleaned up the kitchen, she felt a rare sense of calm and contentment. It wasn't a perfect morning, but it felt close enough.
After finishing the dishes, Serene went to her room to grab her things. She glanced at the clock and saw that she still had some time before she needed to leave for school. As she gathered her bag and checked her phone for any messages, her mind wandered back to the conversation she'd had with Mia and Ava last night.
She couldn't help but replay their words in her head. *Take things slow, focus on your project, and see how you feel when you're around him*. The advice was solid, but part of her still felt conflicted about her growing feelings for Harvey.
A few moments later, Serene heard Liam's voice from downstairs, calling her to hurry up.
"Serene! Are you coming or what?" he shouted.
She sighed, grabbed her jacket, and headed downstairs. "I'm coming, I'm coming!"
When she reached the door, she saw Liam standing there, grinning as usual. "Ready to roll?" he asked, holding the door open.
"Yep," she replied, giving him a small smile.
As they made their way outside, Serene felt a rush of cool morning air greet her. Liam was already straddling his motorbike, adjusting his helmet with a confident grin. Serene reluctantly took her seat behind him, tightening her grip on the sides of his jacket as they started the engine.
"Hold on tight!" Liam shouted over the noise of the engine, and with that, they zoomed off towards school.
The ride was fast and exhilarating, the wind rushing past her, but in the back of her mind, Serene couldn't shake the thoughts of Harvey and her uncertain feelings.
When they arrived at the school, the loud rumble of Liam's motorbike immediately drew the attention of everyone nearby. As they pulled into the parking lot, Serene could already feel the eyes of her classmates on them.
Liam grinned, clearly enjoying the attention, and quickly removed his helmet. As he stood up, several girls near the bike started whispering and giggling. One of them even waved at him, calling out, "Hey, Liam, looking good as always!"
Serene rolled her eyes but couldn't help the small chuckle that escaped her lips. *Of course, this happens every time.* Her brother had that effortless charm that seemed to draw people in—especially the girls.
She quickly swung her leg off the bike, trying to avoid any more unnecessary attention. But, it was impossible. As she stood up, she overheard a group of girls nearby whispering among themselves.
"Wow, Serene's brother is so handsome. Look at him!"
"Yeah, he's like a total heartthrob. I wonder if he's single."
Serene couldn't help but shake her head. "This is exactly why I don't let him give me rides to school," she muttered to herself as she started walking towards the school entrance.
Liam caught up with her, his grin widening as he noticed the admiring glances. "You know, Sis, you should be proud of me. Who wouldn't want a brother like me?" he teased, his eyes sparkling with amusement.
Serene groaned. "You're impossible."
"You love me," he teased, nudging her playfully as they walked through the gates.
"Thanks for the ride to school, now, leave before you get caught in traffic and are late again," Serene added, a smirk playing on her lips as she watched Liam start his bike.
Liam gave her a dramatic salute, clearly enjoying his role as the big brother. "Alright, alright. You're welcome, big sis! Don't miss me too much," he teased before revving the engine and zooming off, the sound of his motorbike slowly fading away.
Serene watched him leave with an exasperated but fond smile. *Typical Liam,* she thought. *Always a show-off.*
She shook her head and adjusted her bag, making her way toward the school entrance. As she walked, the usual buzz of her classmates filled the air—gossip, laughter, and the occasional flirtatious glances sent her way. Serene couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed as she passed by a group of girls who were giggling and whispering behind her.
*Must be about Liam,* she mused, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. It wasn't uncommon for her brother to steal the spotlight. He had that effect on people.
When she finally stepped inside, she was greeted by the familiar clatter of lockers and the bustle of students heading to class. She quickly made her way to her locker, trying to shake off the thoughts about Liam's attention and her lingering feelings of confusion.
*Focus on your project,* she reminded herself again. The last thing she wanted was to get caught up in any drama today.
As she gathered her things and headed to class, Serene's mind still wandered back to the conversation with Mia and Ava. *Maybe they're right. I shouldn't rush into anything with Harvey. I should take time to figure out what I really want.*
The bell rang, signaling the start of the school day, and Serene slipped into her seat, ready to face whatever came next.