Part 1
Hawthorne University.
A university that existed in almost every student's dreams.
Getting accepted here was nearly impossible. Thousands applied every year, yet only a small percentage received the famous acceptance letter. It was known for producing future CEOs, famous researchers, successful lawyers, and brilliant entrepreneurs. For students across New York, studying at Hawthorne wasn't just an achievement—it was a dream that many spent years chasing.
The campus itself looked unreal.
Tall brick buildings covered in green ivy stood proudly under the bright sky. Elegant pathways lined with cherry blossom trees connected every department. The central garden was filled with colorful flowers, while the enormous marble fountain in the middle of the campus sparkled beautifully under the sunlight.
Students sat on the grass, some studying, some gossiping, and some simply enjoying the peaceful atmosphere.
Everything looked perfect.
But Hawthorne wasn't famous only because of its academics.
It was famous because of its people.
More specifically...
The Sun and Moon of Hawthorne University.
Everyone knew them.
Everyone talked about them.
Even the professors knew their names.
They were practically celebrities on campus.
And among all the chaos, there was one duo that somehow managed to become everyone's daily source of entertainment.
---
"Guys, where is Zezu?"
Isabella Hart, better known as Bella, walked toward her friends while adjusting the strap of her bag.
Ana looked up from her phone.
"I honestly have no idea. I haven't seen her since morning."
Before anyone else could answer, another voice suddenly appeared.
"Good morning, Bell."
Bella froze.
Slowly turning her head, she found Wes standing there with his usual annoying smile.
Wonderful. Exactly what I needed today.
"Please don't speak."
Wes dramatically placed a hand over his heart.
"That hurts. What if one day I disappear?"
Bella smiled sweetly.
"Then my life would finally become peaceful."
Ana immediately laughed.
Wes let out a dramatic gasp.
"You wound me."
"I wish."
"You know, your violent tendencies are slightly concerning."
"And your existence is extremely concerning."
Wes sighed.
"Still beautiful as ever."
Bella rolled her eyes.
"Can you stop flirting with every living thing?"
"I don't flirt with everyone."
"You literally flirted with the librarian yesterday."
"In my defense, she has very nice handwriting."
Bella looked disgusted.
"You are unbelievable."
"As you say, my lady."
"Stop calling me that."
"Never."
Bella groaned in frustration.
Meanwhile, Ana suddenly looked around.
"Wait... where is Zoey?"
Wes suddenly tried to hold back a laugh.
A very bad sign.
"What?" Bella narrowed her eyes.
Wes pointed toward the main corridor.
"I think you should look over there."
Before anyone could ask why—
A loud scream echoed throughout the entire campus.
---
"STOP RUNNING, YOU OVERSIZED T-REX!"
Several students immediately turned around.
Some sighed.
Others smiled.
Because they already knew exactly who it was.
"I SWEAR I'M GOING TO END YOUR ENTIRE BLOODLINE!"
A girl came running through the corridor while trying to catch a tall boy.
Her long dark hair was a mess, and she looked seconds away from committing murder.
Zoey Hart.
The queen of chaos.
And unfortunately for her—
The boy she was chasing seemed to be enjoying every second of it.
Yaan Hayes.
Also known as:
The Human Headache.
Or according to Zoey—
T-Rex.
Because he apparently had the emotional intelligence of a dinosaur.
Yaan looked over his shoulder and grinned.
"First of all, Quack, catch me before making threats."
Zoey looked offended.
"Don't call me that!"
"But it suits you."
"It absolutely does not!"
"It does."
"No!"
"You literally sound like an angry duck whenever you're yelling."
"I DO NOT!"
"You kind of do."
"I HATE YOU!"
Yaan smiled.
"Aw. I hate you too, Quack."
Zoey almost lost her mind.
In his hand was her notebook.
Her precious notebook.
The one she had spent three sleepless nights completing.
"Give my notes back!"
"Hmm..."
Yaan pretended to think.
"What do I get in return?"
"You get to stay alive."
"Tempting offer."
"I'm serious!"
"So am I."
Zoey glared at him.
Several students had already stopped walking just to watch the scene.
A few people were even recording.
This wasn't unusual.
Everyone at Hawthorne knew these two.
They argued almost every single day.
No one understood how they always found each other.
And no one understood why Yaan enjoyed annoying her so much.
"Yaan Hayes!"
"Yes, Quack?"
"If my notes get damaged, I will personally make sure your future children hear horror stories about you."
Yaan laughed.
"You've already planned my future children?"
Zoey nearly screamed.
"You are impossible!"
"And yet, you keep talking to me."
"Because you keep stealing my things!"
"I prefer the term borrowing."
"You stole my coffee last week!"
"I returned the cup."
"You also ate my sandwich!"
"You weren't finishing it."
"I had taken one bite!"
"There was plenty left."
Zoey looked ready to throw herself off the nearest building.
"You are the worst person I have ever met."
Yaan placed a hand on his chest.
"That hurts."
"It should."
The chase continued until they reached the central garden.
Unfortunately for Zoey...
The grass around the fountain was slightly wet.
And unfortunately for Yaan...
Zoey finally managed to grab him.
Both of them lost balance.
And within seconds—
Splash!
A loud sound echoed as they both fell directly into the fountain.
Water splashed everywhere.
The entire garden became silent.
And then—
Laughter erupted.
Even Bella couldn't stop herself from laughing.
Ana was nearly crying.
Wes looked delighted.
"This is cinema."
Meanwhile, inside the fountain, Zoey slowly blinked.
Her hair was soaked.
Her clothes were wet.
Then she looked down.
Her notebook.
Completely ruined.
Silence.
Very slowly...
She looked up at Yaan.
Yaan smiled nervously.
"...Hi?"
"You ruined my notes."
"Technically, gravity ruined them."
Zoey stared at him.
"You have exactly three seconds before I drown you."
"That's a little dramatic."
"I spent three nights making those notes."
"Oh."
"OH?"
"Okay, maybe we're slightly in trouble."
"We?"
"Yes. Because if you fail, you'll haunt me."
Zoey looked like she was considering murder.
For a brief moment, neither of them moved.
Their faces were suddenly very close.
Too close.
Water droplets slowly slid down their faces.
Yaan blinked.
Zoey blinked.
The world around them somehow became quieter.
For the first time all day—
Neither of them said anything.
Zoey's dark brown eyes widened slightly.
Yaan simply stared at her.
A strange expression crossed his face.
One that even he didn't understand.
Around them, the students suddenly became suspiciously quiet.
Wes slowly looked at Ana.
"Are they... having a moment?"
Ana covered her mouth.
"Oh my God."
Bella immediately shook her head.
"No. Absolutely not."
Inside the fountain, Zoey suddenly realized how close they were.
Her eyes widened.
She immediately stood up.
"T-You—"
She pointed at him dramatically.
"This isn't over, T-Rex!"
Yaan finally snapped out of it.
"What?"
"You are dead!"
"That seems slightly extreme."
"I am serious!"
Without another word, she grabbed her ruined notebook and stormed away.
The students watched her leave.
Then everyone slowly looked toward Yaan.
Who was still sitting inside the fountain.
Completely confused.
Wes walked over with the biggest grin on his face.
"So..."
Yaan looked up.
"...What?"
"You stared at her."
"I did not."
"You absolutely did."
"I was simply thinking."
"For two whole minutes?"
"Yes."
"About what?"
Yaan opened his mouth.
Then closed it.
"...I don't know."
Wes looked horrified.
"Oh no."
"What?"
"It's happening."
"What is happening?"
Wes dramatically pointed at him.
"The mighty T-Rex has finally encountered emotions."
Yaan threw water at him.
"Shut up."
Wes only laughed harder.
