Chapter 2

Hale's pov

As I arrived in front of our academy, I made my way to the parking lot and parked my baby. I sent Noah a message that says:

                             "Goofball 💙"

Me: Noah, wait for me, okay?

                        Goofball: Where are you now?

Me: Just finished parking. Meet me at the corridor.

                           Goofball: Okay, hurry up.

I walked briskly down the corridor of Lumiere Academy, my mind consumed with thoughts. The chatter of passing students and the shuffle of papers filled the air around me but I hardly noticed, lost in my own world.

As I turned a corner, a strange sensation washed over me

– a feeling of deja vu so strong it stopped me in my tracks. It was as if time itself had paused, and I was transported back to the moment I first met Cassandra.

(Flashback)

I never believe in love at first sight. It always seemed like something out of a fairy tale, too fantastical to be real. But then, I met Cassandra De Luca and everything changed.

I've always been used to turning heads, especially among girls. No one has ever made me stop dead in my tracks, my heart pounding so hard it feels like it might burst out of my chest. Until I saw her.

There she was, walking on a simple yet graceful manner that seemed to command attention without even trying. Just being in her presence felt like a stroke of luck, as if I had stumbled upon a rare gem amidst a sea of ordinary stones. Her eyes lit up like stars in the night sky, and her smile radiated warmth like the sun on a cold winter's day.

It sounds dramatic, I know, but in that moment, nothing else mattered. It was as if the world around us faded away, leaving just the two of us in our own little bubble of existence. And for the first time, I found myself believing in the possibility of love at first sight.

(End of flashback)

I shook my head, trying to shake off the sensation, but it lingered, wrapping around me like a comforting blanket.

With a deep breath, I continued down the corridor.

                                     ***

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Noah and I were already settled in our classroom, situated at the back next to the window. Just like what I have mentioned earlier, the name of our academy is called Lumiere Academy. It's a pretty good school, accessible as long as you pass the entrance exam or pay the tuition fee. One thing I appreciate about Lumiere is its egalitarian ethos – it doesn't matter if you're the president's son, a business tycoon's daughter, or from a regular family, everyone is treated equally.

"AHEM" The atmosphere buzzed with anticipation as students settled into their seats, notebooks and laptops at the ready. Professor Xander, a young professional teacher in the academy, stood at the front of the room, exuding an aura of knowledge and authority.

"Good morning, class," he began, his voice carrying across the room.

"Today, we're going to delve into the intricacies of strategic management."

The students leaned in, eager to absorb every word. The professor paced back and forth, gesturing animatedly as he spoke.

"As future business leaders, it's crucial to understand how strategic management can drive organizational success," he continued. "We'll explore topics such as competitive advantage, corporate strategy, and performance measurement."

Throughout the lecture, the room hummed with discussion and debate as students exchanged ideas and perspectives. Some took diligent notes, while others engaged in lively conversations with their classmates.

As the class drew to a close, the professor left the students with a thought-provoking question to ponder until their next meeting. With minds buzzing and curiosity piqued, the students filed out of the room, eager to apply their newfound knowledge in the dynamic world of business.

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"Hale...Hale!!...HALE HAWKSLEY!!!"

I snapped out of my reverie. "What the frog!? Why are you shouting!?" Seriously, this guy, he just yelled!

"The class is over, I've been calling your name for a while now," he said, clearly annoyed.

"Oh really? Sorry, hehe," I said, trying to play it off.

"Stop it, you look like an idiot. You're probably daydreaming about Cassandra again," he teased.

"Cassandra? Oh, Cassandra! Let's go to the canteen, I'm sure she's there!"

"Here we go again," Noah muttered.

"Come on, I'll treat you. Pretty please?" I pleaded.

"Free food? HEHEHEHE why didn't you say so earlier? I'm easy to convince. Let's go, you miss her, don't you? What are you waiting for, Christmas?"

And there he goes, pulling me towards the canteen. The way that he is acting, you'd  literally think that he's broke when he's actually nottt.