Amy pulled her dark hood lower, praying the thick wool would block out the midday glare. In a world where a single sun-kiss could reveal your deepest secrets—and turn your hair into the glowing blue of the forbidden class—the daylight was her greatest enemy. But as the crowd surged forward in the market square, a sudden hand snagged her sleeve, ripping the hood away. The golden light hit her face.
Just as she was about to be exposed, someone covered her, and only her face was lit by the sun. As Amy looked up, she found herself staring into the eyes of Justin Morello—her enemy since childhood, and her rival in every class.
Amy's POV:
But something was different about him this time. He didn't care about us being enemies anymore. Justin's usual arrogant grin was completely gone. His hand gripped my shoulder, pulling me deep into his shadow.
"Don't move," he commanded quietly, looking over my head at the surrounding crowd. "If you change color here, you won't make it out of this square alive."
My heart was beating really fast, and I looked away. I could feel him smirking when I looked away. "Jerk," I said in my mind. But somehow he seemed to read my thoughts when he said, " I will deal with you later, princess. But for now, walk faster, but don't be suspicious."
We walked until we were out of the crowd, and I immediately pushed him away from me. How did you find out about my hair? I asked him while glaring. "That's for me to know and for you to figure out", he said.
Ugh, why is he always such a jerk?
"You're going to tell me, Justin," I said, stepping closer to him, refusing to back down. He leaned against the brick wall, looking completely unbothered. "I'll tell you under one condition, princess. You're going to help me pass the upcoming Academy trial, or I'll let the sun catch you tomorrow."
What the? No way Justin Morello, my rival, is asking for help? "Tss", pathetic. I said.
But seriously, why are you asking for help when you can do it by yourself?
He didn't answer, but he kept pacing back and forth for some reason, and I got annoyed and started to walk away until he called my full name "Amy Voldek Duke", and when I looked in the back, he was on his knees.
Did he just kneel? I wondered to myself, confused and surprised by his actions.
Something is wrong. I started walking back to him, but he was still kneeling. I didn't know what was going on, but this isn't the Justin I know.
Justin, what are you doing? I asked him, but he didn't answer.
"Justin Morello," I immediately said his full name while furious, and he immediately looked up and said, "Yes, my love?"
My love? Did he just say my love? I muttered while looking shocked, and looking at him.
Something was wrong, and he looked like he was about to burst out laughing.
Then I noticed him looking at a corner, and there stood one of his friends, "Mendez Walter," also my best friend Kierra's rival. Then I suddenly had an idea. "Since you want to go there, then let's go there."
I immediately started to fake cry and said, "My love, are you okay?" When I said it, he looked shocked. But I kept going and going until he started to get up and tried to come and comfort me, but his pride was holding him back. But just as he was about to come and comfort me, I immediately tripped him, and he fell flat down.
Mendez burst out laughing and covered his mouth to make sure I didn't hear him, but I did. I pretended not to have heard him.
Meanwhile, Justin was on the floor and immediately acted nonchalant and got up to distract me just so I wouldn't hear Mendez laughing.
These idiots, seriously, how are they still not in the lower class? I muttered.
Seriously, they really are best friends. "Another idiot leading another." Geez.
I walked away and left them behind, and as soon as I left, they were fighting like a married couple. 💀🥊💀.
ENDING OF AMY'S POV:
❝ THE NEXT DAY — JUSTIN'S POV ❞
The morning sun was a blazing sheet of gold, and for the first time in my life, I actually hated it.
Every beam of light hitting the Academy cobblestones reminded me of the glowing, forbidden blue hair I'd hidden in my shadow yesterday. It also reminded me that Amy Voldek Duke had face-planted me into the dirt in front of Mendez. My jaw still ached from hitting the brickwork, but my pride was bruised way worse.
"She tripped you, bro. Flat on your face," Mendez unhelpfully chimed in, leaning against the courtyard archway. "The fearsome Justin Morello, taken down by a girl in a wool cloak.
"Shut up, Mendez," I snapped, adjusting the collar of my uniform. "It was a tactical retreat. And I was playing a part."
"Right. A part that involved kneeling like a lovesick puppy," Mendez snickered. "Though, honestly, you deserved it for that 'yes, my love' line. Smooth, real smooth."
"I ignored him, my eyes scanning the courtyard as the midday bells began to chime." Students were scrambling, pulling their hoods tight as the sun reached its peak glare. That was when I saw her.
Amy was walking fast, her dark hood pulled so low it practically covered her nose. She looked tense, a walking ball of anxiety wrapped in heavy fabric. I felt a strange tug in my chest. She was infuriating, stubborn, and currently holding my academic future in her hands—but she was also a single sun-kiss away from the execution square.
I stepped out of the shade, purposefully cutting off her path. "Morning, princess," I said, leaning into her space so my shadow fell over her face. "Sleep well? Or were you dreaming of more ways to assault your savior?"
She looked at me, and my heart was racing, but she rolled her eyes at me. Typical princess.
What do you want this time? She asked.
" You, of course," I said and winked at her. But I immediately got roasted, and trust me, it wasn't what I was hoping for.
Eww, tf you're so delusional. Seriously, man, did you hit your head too much yesterday that you became even more stupid? She replied.
My smile immediately faded away. Geez, she was so mean. I bet she has no heart at all. 🤧
What a heartless girl. But that's what makes her different. Most importantly the reason why I fell for her. 😁
She started to walk away, and I tried to catch up with her, but she disappeared out of nowhere.
So what now Ms.Princess is avoiding you again? Mendez says while laughing.
Shut up, Mendez, only I get to call her that. I said while glaring.
Okay, okay, chill, man. No one is going to steal her away.
If only she knew how much I love her, but I can't bring myself to tell her. "She needs to focus on her future rather than talking to me." I will only drag her down. I said to myself.
"Mahal Kita, Amy."
Mahal kita, Amy. Ikaw ang dahilan kung bakit hindi ko pa rin makalipatan ang nakaraan natin. Kung wala ka sa tabi ko, ang tanging naaalala ko ay kung gaano kasakit ang mga araw na iyon. 🫶
Mahal kita, aking Koreanang babae. 🥹