I woke up to the blaring sound of my alarm clock on the bedside table, groggily hitting the snooze button before pulling the blanket over me. The chill in the air made it tempting to stay in bed a little longer. Just as I was dozing off, my phone rang loudly, jolting me awake. Terry's frantic voice pierced through the line, "Where the hell are you, Lara?!" It felt like she wanted to yell through the screen. "Lara, you're late again!" I hurriedly got up and headed to the bathroom, assuring Terry that I was on my way as I pretended to be driving. I cut the call short, quickly brushing my teeth, and was about to rush out when Mom called out, "Lara belle!" I rolled my eyes playfully, greeted her with a hug and a kiss, and explained that I was running late for school.

I hopped into my car, started it quickly, and within less than ten minutes, I was in front of the school.

"Gotcha!" I muttered, and the guard opened the gate for me.

"Good morning, ma'am!" he greeted me. I just smiled at him and drove my car into the campus.

Many heads turned as I drove past, the tires screeching on the road as I maneuvered the car towards the parking lot before turning off the engine.

"Hey, there's Lara!" I overheard a group of guys say.

"Wow, she's really beautiful," one of them added.

That's how they looked at me, as if I should give each of them a bucket to catch their drooling. Because I'm Lara Belle Montellano, considered a goddess by all, for my beauty, intelligence, and sexy allure.

I was met with envious stares from some girls standing in the corridor.

I just ignored them. What's the point of paying attention to them? It will just ruin my day if I engage with them.

I quickly entered our building and made my way to my classroom.

But my feet stopped at the door when I realized that the class had already started.

"Ms. Montellano, you're late again?!" our instructor scolded me.

I just smiled sweetly at him and brushed some hair away from my face. I slowly walked towards him before speaking.

"I'm very sorry, sir, it won't happen again," I murmured softly.

He swallowed at my words, cleared his throat, and gestured for me to take my seat.

"You're really something else, Lara," Japs whispered to me as I sat down.

I just smiled at him and took out my notebook and pen.

Clara, one of my seatmates, nudged me. "Have you heard?"

"What?" I furrowed my brow.

"The new transfer student is coming in, which means the famous vocalist from the Logistic Band will be our new classmate," she whispered.

My eyes widened at her words, finding it hard to believe. Until I heard the class erupt in noise.

My gaze was fixed at the door where the guy who sent a thousand volts through my body stood. The guy who has been the reason I wake up every day.

I pinched my arm. If this was just a dream, I didn't want to wake up. But he's real, he's really here in our section.

"You're late too, Mr. Del Torre!" Mr. Colminar's voice boomed through the class, silencing everyone.

The guy didn't flinch and still stood confidently at the front of the room.

"Introduce yourself to the class!" Mr. Colminar commanded authoritatively.

I crossed my palms and placed them on my chest, still in disbelief.

He cleared his throat and spoke.

"I'm Rexon Del Torre. I'm your new classmate." He introduced himself before glancing out the window to avoid looking at those in front.

“OMG, he's so handsome!" My flirty classmates couldn't help but exclaim.

"Hi, I'm Karen!" one of my classmates introduced herself eagerly.

I saw him grin at Karen's flirting eyes,, making her almost faint from excitement.

"Quiet! Quiet class!" Mr. Colminar shouted, slamming his hand on his desk.

The whole class fell silent out of fear.

"Mr. Del Torre, you can sit next to Ms. Salamera."

I couldn't help but feel rebellious since he wasn't seated right next to me where there was an available seat on my right. But it was fine as he was placed beside Candice, who is quiet and reserved.

Perhaps he noticed that I was watching him, which made me flustered when he glanced back at me.

I held my breath as our eyes met... My heart pounded strongly at his melting gaze. But it was fleeting, as his gaze quickly shifted back to the front.

I felt like I was on cloud nine during those moments because of the excitement I felt.

I never expected that my crush, Rexon Del Torre, would become my classmate.

Feeling annoyed, I slurped on the contents of the Slurpee I bought at 7/11 outside the campus while gazing at the vast field of Saint Carmen University this afternoon.

"Go, Alex! You got this!" Terry shouted beside me, almost fainting from excitement as she watched the soccer game.

I finished it off, straightened up, and sat back, gazing into the distance.

"Oh!"

I almost fell off my seat at her loud shout.

"Terry, seriously, you startle me!" I irritably remarked.

"Sorry, friend, Alex tripped. I hope he's okay," she said, mimicking her line.

My God, after years of friendship, I knew this line by heart whenever we watched soccer practice at the university.

She scowled at me before looking back at the field.

I sighed heavily before returning to daydreaming, waiting for the boring game to end... If she weren't my best friend, I would've left her and gone home by now.

"Yay! Alex, my love, you're amazing!" I covered my ears as her scream felt like it could shatter my eardrums.

I saw his group glance in our direction, waving to Terry. My companion quivered with excitement.

I rolled my eyes at her, flicking my bangs away from my face.

"Let's go, Lara!" She grabbed my hand and led me down the bleachers to catch up with Alex's group.

I walked quietly beside her, following her lead.

"Alex!" my flirtatious best friend called out as she reached him.

"Hi, Terry!" he waved to his girlfriend and then glanced at me.

"Hi, Lara!" Alex's group greeted me, but I just nodded at them without a smile.

Finally, Terry let go of my hand, approaching the sweaty Alex and giving him a tight hug.

"Eww... Disgusting, this couple!" I whispered to myself, watching them.

Yes, this couple has been together since high school. I'm happy for my friend because I know Alex is loyal to her.

Terry is undeniably beautiful, being half British and half Filipina.

She's just a few inches taller than me, with blue eyes that complement her mahogany hair and porcelain skin.

I would say Alex hit the jackpot with her. I'm not saying he doesn't love my best friend because I've seen how much he truly cares for Terry.

"Ah, babe, I'll just shower, okay? Will you wait for me?" she sweetly asked Terry.

"Yes, babe, I'll be here." He blushed and waved to the guy heading to the men's room.

Meanwhile, I felt utterly fed up. Am I always the third wheel with these two? I can't blame them because as their best friend, I support them both, which explains why I'm here enduring watching Alex's practice.

"Terry, I'll head out first, looks like you and Alex still have plans?" I excused myself, unable to resist.

"Ah... sure, Lara, thanks for coming along!" she said to me.

I just nodded, waved at her, and began stepping towards the exit of the open field.

I went straight to my locker room to grab my remaining belongings and decide to head home.

But I abruptly froze upon hearing faint moans emanating from somewhere.

I furrowed my brow at the sound. Out of curiosity, I cautiously walked towards the closed door where the moans grew louder.

My feet halted at the utility room door, the source of the moans, so I pressed my ear against it. The muffled moans grew louder and continuous.

I nervously opened the door. Since it was late in the day and students were gone, the lights were off, making it hard to see what was going on. Just as I was about to flip the light switch, I heard a woman's voice.

"Dawson!" The woman whimpered softly.

Driven by curiosity, I inched closer. But my eyes widened in shock at what I saw. My body froze as I stood rooted to the spot.

"Oh, you're so hot, baby," the man groaned, the woman having her back to him.

I didn't need the light to know what miracle they were performing at this hour.

The woman was almost pressed against the locker, held by the man around her waist.

Damn! They were having sex right there in the utility room!

"Shit, someone's here!" the woman said frantically as she noticed my presence.

The man turned his gaze towards me. Those hot but dangerous eyes pierced through me like a dagger.

I couldn't afford to make a mistake. I knew him! He just grinned at me, releasing the woman who was his companion in the dark.

The woman quickly composed herself, while the man zipped up his pants with his back to me

I stood completely still for a moment, my heart racing, unable to tear my gaze away.

"Lara?" Karen called out to me upon recognizing me.

I snapped out of my daze upon hearing her voice. Damn, it's Karen, one of my classmates from another subject.

My mind raced. I turned around, leaving the door open, my heart pounding rapidly. I was out of breath by the time I reached my car in the parking lot.

My hands trembled as I inserted the key into the ignition.

"Fuck!" I exclaimed loudly. Finally starting the car, I sped out of the campus.

I went straight to my room and collapsed on the bed. The image of the earlier scene played over and over in my mind. I shuddered as I vividly recalled how he moved his hips behind Karen while she looked up.

Damn! I closed my eyes, the image of that intimate moment invading my thoughts.

"Pervert," I muttered to myself.

I clenched my lips tightly and decided to step into the bathroom for a shower to clear my mind.