CHAPTER 1

The bell rang, signaling the start of lunch at Oakwood High School, sending the students pouring in corridors like floodgates had opened.

At the center of all the chaos ,Alex Chen walked down the hallway like he owned it—because, to many people, he kind of did. As the student body rep, class president, and unofficial heartthrob of Oakwood High, he was used to attention.With his easy grin and disheveled hair that somehow always looked good, he was the kind of guy everyone knew—even if you didn’t want to

He was known for his effortless charm and leadership skills, which had earned him a spot in the student council.Flashing his signature crooked grin, he high-fived a sophomore, fist-bumped a basketball teammate, and offered a polite wave to a teacher passing by

On the other side of the hallway—moving against the tide—was Sophia Patel, head held high, books clutched to her chest, and lips silently moving as she rehearsed lines for the regional debate tournament. While Alex thrived on applause and popularity, Sophia thrived on precision, logic, and a little bit of caffeine. The debate team captain didn’t have time for idle chatter. Her goal? Crush her next opponent in five minutes flat.She led the debate team and had a reputation for being… well, a little intense. But not in a scary way

Their eyes met at the edge of the cafeteria. Predictably, Alex struck first.

“Hey, Debate Queen!” he called, lounging against the doorway like it was a throne. “Saving the world with speeches again?”

Sophia rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "At least someone's got their priorities straight, Mr. Popularity," she shot back, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

Their friends, trailing nearby, exchanged knowing looks. Here we go again.

Alex raised an eyebrow. “Ouch. Did you rehearse that one, or was it off the cuff?”

“Why waste rehearsals on someone who improvises life like it's a talent show?” she fired back, sliding into her usual spot near the vending machines.

They volleyed playful jabs back and forth, like tennis pros with verbal rackets. This wasn’t new. In fact, it was their thing. Ever since middle school, they’d been academic rivals, sniping at each other during class discussions,competing over test scores. But what neither of them knew was that their worlds were far more entwined than they realized.

After lunch, Alex headed to the student council meeting, still smiling from his spar with Sophia. The meeting buzzed with ideas for the upcoming school festival.

“We should do something big,” he said, drumming his fingers on the table.

"Something wild!"

"Like your last relationship?” someone quipped.

Alex pointed. “Exactly!"

Groans and grins followed.

Across campus, in the debate room, Sophia adjusted her glasses and outlined counterpoints on the whiteboard. Her team listened, occasionally scribbling notes, occasionally zoning out.

“Okay, remember,” she said, pacing. “Don’t just argue. Engage. Make them listen. Imagine you’re convincing your parents to let you stay out past curfew. Now channel that energy.”

They laughed, and Sophia smiled. She loved this part—when logic turned into performance, and words had weight.

Their paths crossed again after school at their lockers. As Sophia shut hers, Alex leaned against the one next to it, holding a half-eaten granola bar.

“You ever get tired of being the smartest person in the room?”

She glanced over. “Only when you walk in.”

"Touché.”

They stood in silence for a beat. Not awkward silence. Just... a pause.

Then she said, “Your school festival idea? Not bad.”

Alex raised an eyebrow. “Was that a compliment?”

“Don’t let it go to your bedhead.”

He smiled, and for a second, the air shifted.

....................

That night, two very different scenes unfolded in two very similar bedrooms.

In one, Alex kicked off his shoes, cracked open a soda, and logged into Eternal Realms, a fantasy MMORPG that had been his go-to escape for the past year. His avatar—Starlight, a rogue-mage hybrid with white armor and a glowing blade—materialized in the game's city square.

He instantly grinned. A message had popped up.

DarkEmpress: Took you long enough.

He typed back quickly.

Starlight: Good things take time. Like me arriving.

In her own bedroom, Sophia chuckled to herself as she leaned over her desk, gaming headset snug over her ears. She pushed her hair back.

Together, they entered the Dark Forest, a notoriously tricky dungeon filled with traps and monsters—and opportunities for over-the-top flirting that neither of them would ever dare say out loud in real life.

"Behind you!”Dark empress shouted .

“Got it!” Starlight answered. “Also, you're welcome for me saving your life. Again.”

“I saved your life first!”

“Technicality.”

They worked seamlessly as a team, their strategies in perfect sync. When DarkEmpress dropped a rare boss with a critical hit, Starlight typed:

Starlight: You’re kind of amazing, y’know?

Sophia paused. Her cheeks flushed a little.

DarkEmpress: You’re not bad yourself… for someone who hoards gold like a dragon"

Neither knew who was on the other end. Not really. Not the name, the school, or the fact that they saw each other every single day and couldn’t go five minutes without rolling their eyes in class.

And yet here—in this world—they weren’t rivals. They were partners.

Maybe even… something more.

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