Frances was glowing the next day, positively radiant. Her usual confident strut was now almost a skip, and her friends noticed the extra sparkle in her eyes and the way her ponytail swayed with purpose. She hummed softly under her breath as she tapped her pen against her desk, the minutes dragging by as she awaited the end of class. Her whole body buzzed with energy, like someone who had just received exciting news.
She could barely wait to see Rain again. A silly grin played on her lips as she thought about the excuse she'd come up with: beg for food.
God, I'm ridiculous, she chuckled inwardly. I could literally hire the chef myself… but that'd ruin my excuse to see him.
Frances glanced over at Rain from time to time. He sat there with his head lowered, shoulders hunched slightly inward like he was trying to fold into himself. He didn't talk to anyone as usual, just scribbled notes and occasionally adjusted his glasses. She noticed the stiffness in his movements today. Something was off.
Still… she thought, maybe I can get him to smile again.
The moment the class ended, Frances leapt from her seat and made a beeline toward Rain's desk. Her grin stretched ear to ear, as if she'd waited a lifetime for this exact moment.
"Rain, is there an extra food today?" she asked, practically bouncing in place. But Rain didn't meet her eyes. He shook his head slightly, avoiding her gaze altogether.
"Fallon," he said, a little too quietly. His bodyguard, looming nearby, walked up silently and set the lunch pack on Rain's table. The sleek black box glistened under the classroom lights.
Frances' face instantly lit up as she flipped open the lid like a child unwrapping a birthday gift.
"Steak? He made steak wow! I love steak!" she exclaimed, her voice full of giddy surprise.
Rain forced a weak smile, a twitch of his lips that didn't quite reach his eyes.
"That's good to know," he said.
Frances paused mid-bite, her fork hovering. Her brow furrowed, lips slowly curving downward. Her sharp eyes scanned his face, and her cheerful grin faded into concern.
"What happened to your face?" she asked, reaching out instinctively toward the faint bruise forming under his glasses.
Rain jerked back, gripping her wrist gently but firmly.
"It's nothing!"
"Did someone bully you?" Her voice sharpened.
"Oh no, no," he deflected quickly, too quickly.
Frances narrowed her eyes but didn't press further.
Then she frowned.
"Where is the watch that I gave you? You don't like it?" Her voice softened with disappointment, and Rain's heart slammed against his ribs.
He swallowed hard, throat burning with shame. His eyes darted downward, and he couldn't bring himself to speak the truth. The watch, a symbol of her affection, gone. Ripped from his wrist by his cousin's greedy hands.
"I left it at home… I didn't come with it," he lied.
Frances tilted her head slowly. Her brows pulled together, suspicion flashing through her eyes. But she didn't call him out.
"Some thieves probably took the watch from him," she thought, sighing to herself.
"I'm going to eat now!" she said, walking slowly back to her seat. Just as she sat down, the classroom door flew open and Evie burst in, eyes wide, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Frances!"
"What's wrong, baby?" Frances looked up lazily, still chewing her steak.
"You promised that you will get into a relationship before we finish high school, right?" Evie squealed loud enough for the entire class to hear.
Several heads snapped up at once. Rain's back stiffened. His pulse surged.
He stood before he even realized it, heart racing. His hands fidgeted at his sides.
"I didn't promise y'all, I just said that I will."
"Oh no, you promised and you must fulfill it!" Evie clapped his hands.
Laughter rippled through the classroom. Frances looked only slightly flustered but played along with a grin.
"I haven't seen a boy that I would like to chase yet."
"Why do you need to chase any boy? There's a lot of boys who like you! Just check them out and start a relationship with them!"
Frances waved her fork casually. "No no! I need to like the boy first, then chase him down to earth. That's what will make me feel a sense of accomplishment."
Someone in the back gave a dramatic "Ooooohhh!" and another student laughed.
"What type of boys do you like?" Evie leaned in, plopping onto Frances' desk with gleaming curiosity. The classroom hushed slightly, ears perked.
"Pretty face. Intelligent. A good cook because I don't know how to cook. Must love me to death, loyal! Because if I catch you cheating, it's trouble. Must be open for marriage because you can only marry me once I chase you."
"That sounds cool. Do you have anything that turns you on in men?" Evie teased, waggling his brows.
Frances gave him a horrified face. "What kind of disgusting question is that?!"
The whole class exploded with laughter.
"I'm serious, Frances! Be serious!"
"I would like my man to wear a piercing. Lastly, lastly, please be mysterious. I don't want no popular hunk as a boyfriend."
"Don't worry, I will find you one immediately!" Evie shouted and darted out of the class like a whirlwind.
Frances burst into laughter, shaking her head. "Look at this idiot. I will find one myself soon."
Students around her continued to chuckle, already pulling out their phones to spread the hot new scoop.
And within hours, the whole school was buzzing.
Frances is looking for a boyfriend.
She wants someone with a pretty face.
She likes mystery, intelligence, and loyalty.
Students whispered about who Frances might chase.
But Rain… Rain sat frozen, heart sinking with each passing minute. He stared at his desk, vision blurring.
He had already lost the precious gift she gave him.
Now, she was open to love, open to anyone but him, he thought. His fists clenched under the desk. Shame and heartbreak twisted like knives in his chest.
Everything was falling apart.
And he had never felt smaller.