Warrior princesses also need knights,
every day.
The night shook as a distant eruption shattered the silence, jolting Ingrid awake. Sweat clung to her skin as she gasped, her dream of molten rock too vivid to ignore.
A fiery glow lit her window. With a deafening whoosh, a blazing stone hurtled toward her, radiating heat yet sending a chill down her spine. The air crackled with something ancient, alive.
Torn between fear and fascination, Ingrid whispered, "I dream of this often… is this why I have this power?" A soft voice answered, "Control it, and all will be well." The stone crumbled. Silence remained.
At school, she avoided judgmental classmates, relieved her hacked account was inaccessible and the damaging post deleted. But the ordeal wasn't over. Determined, she vowed, "I will find who did this. I must make things right."
The Following Day
In the bustling classroom, Maria and Teresa huddled together, their Math assignment forgotten as whispers of gossip danced through the air.
"Is it true that Mrs. Venus had an affair with her assistant?" Maria leaned in, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What?" Teresa exclaimed, glancing around to see who might be listening. "No way!"
"Yeah, and it was posted by Ingrid!" another classmate chimed in, eager to share the latest scandal. "Seriously? What the hell is that about?" Teresa frowned, shaking her head in disbelief. "Ingrid would never do something like that!"
Their gossip was abruptly interrupted by the entrance of another student, who had clearly overheard their conversation. "It's the Vice-President! Kaeli - Vine Kaeli Guerrero!" someone whispered, excitement lacing their tone.
Kaeli stands out with her long, flowing light purple hair and fair complexion, accented by freckles that add to her approachable charm. Her expressive hazel eyes reflect her determined and strong-willed nature. Known for her tenacity, she tackles challenges head-on and inspires others to join her. Though occasionally stubborn, her caring heart shines through as she supports and encourages her friends.
Ingrid had been absent since the day before, and in her place, the Vice President would assume her responsibilities. Kaeli, a close friend of Ingrid's, stood tall, determination etched across her face as she faced the murmuring crowd. She and Ingrid had bonded over their shared experiences in the Student Government, forming a strong friendship that transcended mere titles.
"Hey, everyone," Kaeli said, her voice steady as she caught the attention of the room. "Let's not fuel this issue any further. I believe Ingrid couldn't possibly make such posts. Not just because she's my friend, but because she's a responsible leader."
Kaeli and Ingrid are classmates from Grade 11 - Platinum. Their classroom was just beside the section Gold where Maria and Teresa are, so that is why Kaeli happened to get inside there. But why did Kaeli hear so clear what their classmates talked about?
As Kaeli spoke, Maria and Teresa exchanged glances, sensing the tension in the room. With a firm yet respectful tone, Kaeli stated, "We're working with ICT experts to find the hacker. Let's support Ingrid instead of spreading rumors."
Her words hung in the air, momentarily silencing the room. The confidence in her voice seemed to dispel the unease.
Maria finally spoke, her skepticism fading. "Yeah, that's right! We should have her back instead of jumping to conclusions." Teresa nodded, her expression softening. "You're right. We should help her, not talk behind her back."
With that, Kaeli felt a glimmer of hope. She was determined to defend her friend, knowing that the truth would eventually come to light. She now prepares to head back to her own classroom.
After Kaeli's words, a heavy silence filled the room. She bowed slightly before leaving, and as the door shut, the students exchanged uneasy glances before slowly returning to their seats. The usual chatter was replaced by quiet tension. Maria and Teresa remained, staring at each other as the weight of the situation sank in. The excitement of the first day had faded, replaced by uncertainty and rumors. Teresa's once-curious expression turned cold and contemplative.
As the recess bell rang, Ingrid skipped school, focused on finding the hacker. Hidden in a quiet café, she sipped espresso, scanning her phone under her red cap.
The door swung open - Kaeli entered, spotted Ingrid, and smiled in relief before sitting across from her.
"Ingrid… how are you?" Kaeli asked, concern etched across her face.
"I'm fine, but I think getting help from the experts will be a challenge. Their fees are way out of my budget," Ingrid admitted, frustration bubbling beneath her calm exterior. "Maybe there are students here who can help us."
"I think so too, but we should be careful," Kaeli replied, glancing around to ensure they were still undetected. "This isn't the place for us to discuss our plans. Let's go outside. Someone might recognize you."
"Okay, let's get out of here," Ingrid agreed, her heart racing at the thought of being discovered. Together, they slipped out of the coffee shop. As they moved further away, Ingrid felt a flicker of hope. With Kaeli by her side, she was determined to uncover the truth behind the rumors and regain her place at the academy.
Ingrid, cap low, walked ahead, unaware of students entering. Before Kaeli could warn her, she collided with someone, her cap flying off to reveal bright pink curls.
She tumbled, landing atop her victim. Scrambling up, mortified, she found herself staring at Dominic Montenegro, who groaned, rubbing his head.
Ingrid scrambled to her feet, bowing her head in embarrassment. "Oh-oh… my… I am so sorry!" Dominic brushed himself off, irritation flashing in his eyes. "You need to be more careful, my dear! Look at what you've done!"
Ingrid's heart sank as she noticed the dark splash of coffee staining his pristine white school uniform. "Oh no…" Kaeli quickly offered her a handkerchief, urging Ingrid to clean up the mess, but before she could act…
Dominic waved her off. "No need," he said curtly, a hint of annoyance in his voice. Rainier, Dominic's younger brother, stepped forward with a curious smile. "Wait. You're the Academy's president, right? Ms. Defensor? Pleased to meet you."
Dominic crossed his arms, his tone sharpening. "So, you're skipping school because of the mess you've made?"
Kaeli interjected, her voice firm yet pleading. "Wait! I already announced this morning that someone hacked her account. Please, we're asking for your understanding."
Rainier raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Alright, but how are you going to prove you weren't behind the posts?"
Ingrid's expression hardened as she stood her ground. "That's none of your business. We'll gather the evidence to clear this up. Again, Mr. Dominic, I'm truly sorry about the coffee. Let me clean that up for you."
Dominic was taken aback by her sincerity. Despite being the Academy's president, Ingrid remained humble, refusing to use her authority to dominate the situation. Her unwavering humility struck a chord with him, and a sly grin spread across Dominic's face as he saw an opportunity.
Ingrid glanced at Kaeli, urgency in her voice. "We need to go."
"Wait!" Dominic called out, stepping in their path. Kaeli looked at him, confusion etched on her face. "Is there something you need?"
"I can help you find the hacker you're so eager to uncover," Dominic offered, his tone unexpectedly serious. Ingrid's eyes widened in disbelief. "W-what?!"
"I'm serious," Dominic said, his expression unwavering. "But I have one condition." Kaeli and Ingrid exchanged nervous glances. "Condition?" they asked in unison.
Dominic chuckled, sensing their unease. "Why are you two so serious? Hahaha. I'm an expert in ICT, and I can also ask my father for help from the authorities... If you agree to go on a date with me and pretend to be my girlfriend. Deal?"
Kaeli gasped. "What? What kind of deal is that?"
"Think about it," Dominic continued, his tone persuasive. "I've heard you're facing expulsion from this academy. Finding someone to help you will be tough without me."
Ingrid sighed, realizing she had little choice. "Deal!... But promise me something!" Dominic raised an eyebrow. "What promise, Ms. President?"
Ingrid's expression hardened. "It's just pretend, right? So know your limits!" "Absolutely," Dominic replied, a sly grin on his face. "See you this afternoon at Sol Boulevard."
After Ingrid and Kaeli left the café, the atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension.
"H-hey," Tristan called out, breaking the silence. He glanced at Dominic, a hint of concern in his eyes. "What's on your mind? Why did you make that deal with her?"
Dominic leaned back against the bench, staring into the distance, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his usually confident demeanor. "I simply like her. From the moment I knew hear a year ago, something about her caught my attention." He sighed, running a hand through his hair, frustration evident in his voice.
"And then there's my father. He wants me to marry someone I don't even like. He's already struck a deal with the Villanueva family to wed their heiress someday. It's all about their wealth for him, you know?"
Gabriel, ever the observer, interrupted, a thoughtful expression crossing his face. "Villanueva… Hmmm. You mean Ms. Brigette Pearl Villanueva? The Miss BCA (Bais City Academy)?"
Sol Boulevard
The boulevard pulses with life as pedestrians wander beneath a canopy of sprawling trees. Dappled light dances on the pavement, mingling with the scent of blooming flowers.
As the sun sets, golden hues bathe the street, and vintage lampposts flicker to life. Laughter, music, and the rhythmic click of heels fill the air.
Even as night falls, the boulevard remains alive - lovers stroll, performers enchant, and glowing shop windows invite lingering. A timeless magic lingers, weaving past, present, and future into one.
Dominic and his friends sat on a wooden bench, anticipation thick in the air as they waited. The serene surroundings were undisturbed, with only a few passersby seeking quiet refuge - an ideal setting for their planned meeting. Moments later, Ingrid and Kaeli approached, their arrival disrupting the stillness.
Ingrid's face lit up as she spotted them. "We're here! Good afternoon!" she called, her voice bright and filled with relief.
Dominic turned to her, a playful grin spreading across his face. "Good afternoon, my girlfriend!"
Kaeli raised an eyebrow, skepticism lacing her tone. "Girlfriend, huh?"
"Have a seat," Dominic invited, motioning to the space beside him, his eyes glinting with mischief.
As Ingrid settled in, the weight of past events began to lift, offering a flicker of hope amid the challenges ahead. Yet, deep down, uncertainty remained - could this ruse truly uncover the truth behind the chaos threatening her future?
Noticing the moment, Dominic discreetly signaled his brothers to leave. Kaeli, catching on, stepped away, creating a space charged with unspoken words. An awkward silence settled between Dominic and Ingrid, the air thick with tension.
"Ms. Defensor," Dominic began, his voice steady but sincere, "I would like to apologize for the trouble you've found yourself in."
Ingrid crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly. "What are you sorry for? Do you have something to do with this hacker? Just tell me directly."
He sighed, the weight of the situation evident on his face. "Somebody got jealous of you, which is why she decided to ruin your reputation by hacking your account and posting things against our principal."
Ingrid felt her heart race. "So why the apology? Who is this person? Do I know her?"
Dominic hesitated, glancing away as if gathering his thoughts. "It's someone my family has been rooting for, yet someone I've always avoided. She is Brigette Pearl Villanueva."
Ingrid's brows furrowed in confusion. "Pearl? Why would she do this to me? What have I ever done to her?"
"You've done nothing," Dominic assured her, his tone earnest. "It's me who's responsible for this. I told her frankly to stop pestering me. Honestly, I admire you, and I don't know how she found out. Upon investigation, it turned out she was the one who hacked your account. She's just envious of you."
Ingrid's heart sank as the pieces fell into place. "So, to put an end to her pursuing you, you want me to pretend to be your girlfriend?"
"Exactly!" Dominic replied, a hint of sheepishness creeping into his expression. "I'm sorry to admit my feelings. It's just admiration. We'll just pretend, okay?"
"Okay," Ingrid said, letting out a breath she didn't realize she was holding. "Well, thank you very much. I owe you."
"It's nothing," he replied quickly. "I should be the one apologizing for this mess. It's not your fault. Don't worry - your name will be cleared, and you won't be kicked out."
A sudden rustling from a nearby bush caught their attention, the unmistakable sound betraying the presence of two unexpected eavesdroppers - Maria and Teresa! Unable to contain herself, Maria felt an itchiness creep over her, forcing her to shove Teresa out of their hiding spot.
Earlier, while wandering along Sol Boulevard, the two had noticed Ingrid and Kaeli behaving suspiciously. Curiosity got the best of them, leading them to follow and unknowingly stumble into the unfolding situation.
Ingrid blinked in surprise as she caught sight of the two girls peeking out from the bush. "Oh! You two, what are you doing?" she exclaimed, a mix of confusion and curiosity in her voice.
"I-I'm sorry," Teresa stammered, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment.
Dominic crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. "Did you hear anything?"
Maria, with a nervous laugh, replied, "Of course! B-but… trust us. We won't tell anyone! We promise!"
Ingrid felt a flicker of relief. "So, you heard that I'm not the culprit, right?"
Teresa nodded earnestly. "We believe in you, Ingrid. We actually followed you here because we were intrigued by the whole situation. We want to help you."
Kaeli smiled at the two girls. "That's good to hear. Thank you, ladies. Your support will help set the record straight with your classmates."
As if on cue, the remaining brothers approached, adding to the gathering with an air of camaraderie, as though they were all part of an impromptu group date.
Maria's eyes widened with excitement as she glanced at the brothers. "Wow… I didn't realize I'd be so close to the brothers. They're sooo captivating."
"Mary… ssshh," Teresa hissed, shooting her friend a fierce look, but the corners of her mouth twitched, betraying her amusement.
Rainier grinned, leaning slightly forward. "Well, thank you, Miss… for that compliment!"
Gabriel chimed in, a teasing glint in his eyes. "And who are you, by the way?"
Maria puffed out her chest, a spark of confidence igniting within her. "I am Maria Imee Caballero, and this is Ara Teresa Guerrero. We're classmates and best friends from Grade 11 - Gold. Pleased to meet you, schoolmates!"
Maria caught a glimpse of Tristan and Teresa exchanging meaningful glances, though Teresa quickly averted her gaze, a hint of defiance in her eyes.
"Oh, it seems you already know him, don't you?" Maria teased, raising an eyebrow at Teresa.
"W-well," Teresa stammered, her cheeks turning pink, "Since everything is settled, we'll head home now. See you tomorrow. And we assure you that we'll help you in any way we can."
As they turned to leave, storm clouds churned, thunder shaking the ground.
Lightning struck close - Dominic pulled Ingrid near, Gabriel shielded Kaeli, Tristan swept Teresa to safety, and Maria clung to Rainier. A warm glow enveloped each pair, hinting at something deeper.
Dominic met Ingrid's gaze. "Are you all right?"
"I… I think so," she breathed, the glow between them pulsing.
"We need shelter," Gabriel urged, eyeing the swirling sky.
As they fled, the glow faded, leaving them shaken. The storm raged on, but the connection forged in that moment lingered.
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