Lia’s P.O.V

Before I met him, we were complete strangers at the review center. We sat close to each other, yet it felt like we were miles apart. I never thought I'd fall in love again, but that all changed the moment Jake was called up to sing in front of everyone. That's when it truly began. From then on, I started to notice him more and more. There were moments when I'd secretly glance around, searching for him, hoping to spot where he was sitting and catch a glimpse.

From that point forward, I never expected to feel the way I do about him. He's everything I've always admired—smart, kind, and the kind of person who can put you at ease with just a smile. I don't know when it happened exactly, at first, I convinced myself it was just a harmless crush. He's always been so nice, and I thought maybe I was reading too much into it. But then, there were moments when he'd look at me and I couldn't help but wonder if he felt something, too. Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but it's been a long time since I've felt this way about anyone.

Still, there's this nagging feeling in the back of my mind, telling me something's off. Mia and Hannah have noticed it, too. Mia keeps reminding me to be cautious, to not let myself fall too quickly, but it's hard when Jake is just so... Jake.

But there's also this air of mystery about him. He never talks about anything personal, especially relationships. What if he's already with someone? What if all of this—the smiles, the laughter—is just his way of being friendly? I'm stuck in this confusing place, unsure of what's real and what's only in my head.

I guess I'll just have to wait and see. But waiting is the hardest part. Every day that passes, I feel myself getting more attached, and the fear of being wrong about everything terrifies me.

"Are you going to stare at him the whole time, or are you still with me?" Mia asked, snapping her fingers in front of my face.

"Huh, what? I wasn't staring at him," I replied, stuttering slightly.

"Sure you weren't," Mia said sarcastically. "Anyway, are we still up for a group study at my house?"

"Yeah, I'm in. I'll just ask my parents for permission so they don't worry," Hannah chimed in.

"Me too, I'm definitely down," I added, a little too enthusiastically, as I snuck another quick glance at Jake.

Mia rolled her eyes and smirked. "Uh-huh, you're definitely "not" distracted."

Hannah giggled softly, shaking her head. "You're not exactly subtle, Lia. But hey, who am I to judge?"

I felt my cheeks heat up as I shifted uncomfortably. "Okay, fine, maybe I was looking... a little," I admitted, trying to play it off.

Mia crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow. "A little? Girl, you've been stealing glances at him all day. If you stare any harder, you'll burn a hole through him."

I sighed, knowing there was no point in denying it. "He just... I don't know. There's something about him."

"Yeah, we noticed," Hannah said with a teasing smile. "Just be careful, okay? You never know what's going on with someone."

Mia nodded in agreement. "Exactly. He seems nice and all, but don't get your hopes up too high without knowing the full story."

"I know, I know," I said, trying to brush it off. "It's not like I'm planning anything. I just... I'd like to get to know him better because he seems fun to be around, you know?"

Mia gave me a look. "Well, just make sure you're still around "us" for that study session later. We can't have you daydreaming through it."

I laughed, feeling a bit more at ease. "I'll be there. Promise."

"Good," Mia said with a grin. "Just make sure you bring more focus to studying than you do to Jake."

Hannah smiled warmly. "We'll see you there, and remember, we've got your back, whatever happens."

I nodded, feeling a little more confident, but as Mia and Hannah kept talking, I couldn't help but sneak one more glance in Jake's direction.

Original Lia:

"Do you think it's wrong if I gave him a note saying I want to be friends in person rather than just online? I mean, we're already friends on social media, but we're not that close yet. Do you think it's too much?"

Angel Lia:

"Not at all! It's sweet and thoughtful. If you want to get to know him better in person, that's totally fine. A note is a nice, low-pressure way to show him how you feel. You're just being honest, and there's nothing wrong with that!"

Devil Lia:

"Whoa, slow down! You're really going to give him a note? What is this, middle school? You don't want to come off as desperate or weird. You barely know the guy! Just play it cool and don't make a big deal out of it."

Original Lia:

"I've been holding onto the note for how many hours? but I'm too nervous to approach him. He's friendly, sure, but what if he finds it weird? I don't want to make him uncomfortable."

Angel Lia:

"If he's as nice as you think, he'll appreciate the gesture. You're just trying to form a real connection. Being vulnerable can be scary, but it's also how you make genuine friendships. It's not like you're confessing your love—You just want to be friends with him."

Devil Lia:

"Vulnerable? More like setting yourself up for rejection! What if he's not interested in being friends? Or worse, what if he thinks you're coming on too strong? Why risk making it awkward? Just keep things as they are."

Original Lia:

"But I don't want to stay social media friends forever. I want to actually get to know him. Isn't that worth the risk?"

Angel Lia:

"Exactly! Life's too short to avoid taking little chances. You'll never know unless you try. Even if he doesn't feel the same, at least you were brave enough to put yourself out there."

Devil Lia:

"Or you'll just end up feeling foolish. Why not wait for him to make the first move? If he wants to be closer friends, he'll come to you. No need to jump in with a note."

Original Lia:

"Ugh, I'm so conflicted. What if it goes wrong? What if it changes everything between us?"

Angel Lia:

"Or what if it goes *right*? You won't know unless you step outside your comfort zone."

Devil Lia:

"Or you could just stay inside your comfort zone, where it's safe and no one gets hurt."

Original Lia:

"Sigh... Maybe I'l hold onto the note a little longer. I'm just not ready yet."

Angel Lia:

"That's okay. When you are ready, remember—you're braver than you think."

Devil Lia:

"And it's fine to take your time. No need to rush into anything. Play it smart."

Original Lia:

"I'll think about it... but why does this have to be so complicated?"

Lia sighed as she headed to the bathroom, her thoughts consumed by Jake. Just as she reached the sink, she spotted him leaning against the wall, engrossed in his phone. Her heart raced—could this be her chance to give him the note?

Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself and approached him. The moment felt both exhilarating and terrifying. For a brief second, she hesitated, contemplating whether to back out, but then she decided she had to go for it.

"Hey, Jake," Lia said softly, gently tapping his arm to catch his attention.

He looked up, surprised, and smiled. "Oh, hey, Lia! What's up?"

Gathering her courage, she pulled the note from her pocket. "Um, I wanted to give you something," she said, holding it out to him.

Jake raised an eyebrow, curiosity glimmering in his eyes. "What's this?"

"It's just a little note," she said, her cheeks flushing pink as she handed it over, "I want you to read it." Without waiting for his response, she rushed out of the bathroom, her heart pounding, eager yet nervous to see how he would react.

After what felt like forever, the bathroom door creaked open, and he stepped out, a big ol' smile on his face, giving her a thumbs up.

Relief and a rush of emotion flooded through Lia as she smiled back, her heart settling as she realized his reaction was exactly what she had hoped for.

Had she really taken that step? She could hardly believe it. Maybe this was the start of something special after all.

"Did that really happen?" Lia wondered to herself as she leaned against her chair, a wave of dizziness washing over her. It felt as though she had briefly stepped outside of herself, watching the moment unfold from a distance. She could hardly believe that she had actually tapped Jake's arm and handed him the note. Her heart raced, and her palms felt clammy.

"Okay, breathe, Lia," she whispered, squishing her stress ball. "You did it. You actually did it." The memory of Jake's smile lingered, warming her despite the chaos swirling in her thoughts. But with that thrill came a wave of anxiety. What would he think when he read the note? Did he feel the same way she did?

"Was this a good sign?" But as she glanced back at the bathroom door where Jake had exited, a flutter of nerves danced in her stomach. She couldn't shake the feeling that everything was about to change, for better or worse.

Avery paced back and forth in the hallway, her thoughts swirling. "Should I tell her about Jake's relationship with Emily, or let her figure it out on her own?" Just then, Steve, Jay, and Evan walked up, their expressions serious.

Steve leaned against the wall. "What's going on, Avery? You look stressed."

Avery hesitated, glancing toward Jake, who was deep in conversation with some other friends. "It's about Lia. I'm worried that Lia thinks Jake is interested in her, but he's with Emily. They've been together for over a year, and I don't know if I should say something."

Jay furrowed his brow. "So, Lia is getting the wrong idea? That could lead to a lot of drama if she thinks Jake wants more than friendship."

Evan crossed his arms. "Yeah, and if Jake's feelings for Lia are purely platonic, we need to make sure he's clear about that. It wouldn't be fair to either of them if Lia gets hurt."

Avery sighed, the weight of her decision heavy. "But Jake loves Emily. He's been with her for a while now, and I don't want to cause issues between them. What if I'm overreacting?"

Steve shook his head. "You're not overreacting. If Lia thinks there's something more, she deserves to know the truth. It's better for everyone involved to be upfront. Otherwise, we might end up in a mess."

Jay added, "Plus, Jake needs to know how this is going to affect Lia. If she's approaching him thinking there's a chance for something more, it could complicate things for everyone."

Avery nodded, feeling a mix of anxiety and responsibility. "What if Jake misinterprets Lia's intentions? She just wants to be friends, and everyone is misreading her. We don't want to create unnecessary tension."

Evan leaned in. "Exactly! If Lia is only looking for friendship and Jake is leading her to think otherwise, it's going to blow up in his face. He needs to clarify his intentions with Lia."

Just then, Jake walked over, sensing the serious vibe in the air. "Hey, what's going on? You guys look like you're planning something."

Steve straightened up, deciding to be direct. "We need to talk to you about Lia. It's important."

Jake raised an eyebrow, intrigued but cautious. "What about her?"

Jay stepped forward. "Lia thinks you might be interested in her, but you're already in a relationship. You need to be clear with her before this gets out of hand."

Jake frowned, processing what he was hearing. "I didn't mean to give Lia the wrong impression. I only see her as a friend. I care about Emily—I've been with her for over a year. I love her, and I don't want to mess that up."

Evan nodded. "Then you need to talk to her. Lia deserves to know where you stand. It's not fair to Lia if she's left in the dark."

Jake sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're right. I need to have a conversation with Lia and let her know I value her friendship, but that's all it is."

Avery looked relieved. "Good. Just be honest with her."

Jake nodded, determination in his eyes. "I'll do it. I don't want anything bad to happen to Lia. I appreciate you guys looking out for me."

As Jake walked away, the friends exchanged hopeful glances. They knew Jake had a lot to figure out, but the first step toward clarity had been taken.

Inside the review center, the atmosphere buzzed with excitement as students gathered for an impromptu karaoke session. The energy in the room soared as Jake sat on stage with two girls, his easy smile and relaxed demeanor captivating everyone around him. Just then, Lia felt a sudden push from behind as the staff playfully urged her forward.

As the performance came to an end, the room was filled with applause and cheers. Everyone was clearly impressed, but Lia couldn't bring herself to join in. Sitting beside Jake, she kept her face hidden behind her hands, her cheeks burning with embarrassment. She could barely bring herself to look at him, let alone make eye contact.

Jake, meanwhile, glanced over at her with a small smile, clearly amused by her reaction. He leaned in slightly, whispering, "Relax, Lia. It wasn't that bad."

Lia groaned softly, still covering her face. "Easy for you to say," she mumbled, her voice muffled by her hands.

Just then, the lecturer, Mr. Reyes, stepped to the front of the room, his voice cutting through the noise. "All right, everyone, let's settle down." The chatter in the room slowly died down as the students turned their attention to him. Mr. Reyes smiled, then turned his gaze toward Lia and Jake. "Lia, since you were brave enough to hand Jake the letter, why don't you tell us how you feel about him now?"

"I, uh..." Lia stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. She desperately tried to find the right words, her mind racing. "Well, I... I just thought he deserved to know. I mean, it wasn't anything serious, just... something I wanted to share."

The room was quiet, the tension palpable. Mr. Reyes smiled encouragingly, trying to ease her discomfort. "And how do you feel now that you've given him the letter?"

Lia took a deep breath, finally glancing at Jake, who was watching her with a soft, understanding smile. She felt a strange mixture of relief and lingering embarrassment. "I'm still a little embarrassed," she admitted, her voice more steady now. "I was just sleeping awhile ago, and all of a sudden I got dragged in front. My letter... my letter wasn't intended in a malicious manner; I just wanted to be friends with him, that's all. Nothing more."

Mr. Reyes smiled gently at Lia's words, sensing her nervousness. He then turned his attention to Jake. "Jake, you've heard what Lia had to say. How do you feel about it?"

Jake, still maintaining his relaxed smile, shifted slightly in his seat. "Honestly, it's all good. I don't mind at all. If she wants to be friends, that's perfectly fine with me." His tone was light, and the sincerity in his voice made the atmosphere in the room feel a bit less tense.

Mr. Reyes nodded approvingly before a thought seemed to cross his mind. He leaned forward, looking at Jake with a curious expression. "Do you have a girlfriend, Jake?"

The room collectively held its breath for a moment, all eyes on Jake. He paused for a beat, then gave a small, calm nod. "Yeah, I do," he replied, his smile unwavering.

The response caused a ripple of surprised whispers among the students. Mr. Reyes, unfazed, simply turned his attention back to Lia. "And what about you, Lia? Do you have a boyfriend?"

Before Lia could even open her mouth, a few of her classmates—always eager to stir things up—answered for her. "She doesn't!" one of them called out teasingly, followed by a chorus of others confirming, "Nope, she's single!"

Lia felt her face grow hot again, the embarrassment creeping back. She bit her lip, glancing down at her hands for a moment before nodding slightly in agreement. "Yeah, I don't have a boyfriend."

Mr. Reyes smiled knowingly but didn't press further. He gave both of them an approving nod before shifting the discussion back to the rest of the class.

Lia, still feeling a bit flustered, glanced over at Jake, who met her gaze with a reassuring look. Despite the awkwardness of the situation, there was a quiet understanding between them now—one that made Lia feel a little more at ease.

Lia stood in front of the bathroom mirror, splashing cool water on her face. She still couldn't believe what had just happened in class. *Why did things get so awkward?* she thought, staring at her reflection, cheeks still flushed from the embarrassment.

Just as she was about to calm down, the bathroom door creaked open. She turned quickly, startled, only to see Jake step inside, looking slightly awkward himself.

"Uh, sorry," Jake said, rubbing the back of his neck as he stepped in. "I just wanted to check if you were okay. I know that whole thing was... pretty intense."

Lia felt her face grow warm again, this time from the sudden appearance of Jake. She quickly looked away, focusing on the sink instead of his face. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... a little embarrassed, that's all."

Jake nodded, leaning against the doorframe, his usual calm demeanor softened by the situation. "I get it. That was kind of unexpected, huh?"

Lia let out a small laugh, shaking her head. "You think? I just wanted to sit quietly in class, and then suddenly, everyone's talking about my letter and asking if I have a boyfriend."

Jake chuckled too, the sound light and reassuring. "Yeah, that escalated fast. But hey, no big deal, right? I mean, we're cool. No need to be embarrassed."

Lia glanced at him briefly, her shyness still lingering. "Thanks. I just didn't want you to think the letter meant anything more than just... friendship."

Jake's smile was easy and understanding. "Don't worry, I didn't take it that way. I'm glad you were honest about wanting to be friends. That's totally fine with me."

Lia felt a small weight lift from her shoulders, appreciating how casually he handled the situation. "I'm glad to hear that. I just didn't want things to be weird between us, especially after the way the class reacted."

Jake shrugged, offering a friendly grin. "Nah, no weirdness here. People can be dramatic, but it's all good. If anything, it's kinda funny."

Lia finally looked up at him, managing a genuine smile. "Yeah, I guess it is when you think about it."

There was a moment of comfortable silence between them, the tension from earlier melting away. Jake then shifted his weight and gave her a playful nudge. "Anyway, don't hide in here too long. I don't think anyone's thinking about it as much as you are."

Lia laughed softly, nodding. "Okay, I'll be out in a sec. Thanks, Jake."

He nodded, giving her one last reassuring smile before turning to leave. "See you out there," he said as he exited the bathroom, leaving Lia feeling a little more at ease.

After class, Lia, Mia, and Hannah walked together toward the center gate, discussing their plan for a study session at Mia's house. The late afternoon sun bathed the review center in a warm glow, and the girls were excited to spend the evening together, determined to make real progress with their review materials.

"We seriously need to focus today," Hannah said, adjusting her bag. "We can't keep getting distracted like last time."

Mia grinned. "Hey, that wasn't my fault! The snacks were calling to us."

Lia laughed, feeling more relaxed now that the awkwardness from earlier had faded. "Yeah, well, no distractions this time. We've got exams coming up, and I don't want to fail."

As they continued talking, they didn't notice the group of guys walking just a few steps behind them—Jake, Jay, Steve, and Evan. They were chatting and laughing, but it wasn't long before Jake spotted Lia ahead. His smile faltered for just a second before he quickly regained his usual laid-back demeanor.

Steve nudged Jake with a teasing grin. "Hey, isn't that Lia up there?" he asked, gesturing toward her.

Jake rolled his eyes but smiled. "Yeah, we had a... thing in class earlier. It was interesting."

Evan asked. "Are you going to say hi?"

Jake hesitated briefly, then shrugged. "Yeah, sure. Just don't make it weird."

The boys quickened their pace, closing the gap between them and the girls. Mia, distracted as she rummaged through her bag, didn't notice them until Jake's voice interrupted their conversation.

"Hey, study group?" Jake asked casually as he and his friends caught up to them.

Lia turned, surprised to see him. "Oh, hey! Yeah, we're heading to Mia's for a study session."

Jake nodded, his friends lingering behind with amused expressions. "Sounds productive. Mind if we join? We could use some motivation to study."

Lia hesitated, glancing at Mia and Hannah, who exchanged curious looks. Mia, never one to turn down an opportunity for fun, grinned. "Sure, why not? The more, the merrier."

Hannah raised an eyebrow but didn't protest. "As long as everyone's actually serious about studying."

Jake's friends laughed, one of them nudging him playfully. "We'll be good. Promise."

With that settled, the group made their way to Mia's house. The atmosphere felt lighter than expected, and Mia leaned over to Lia, whispering, "Are you okay with this? You know, after earlier?"

Lia smiled, her tone soft. "Yeah, it's fine. It's kind of nice that things feel normal again."

Overhearing them, Hannah added with a grin, "Just remember—no distractions. We need to actually study this time."

Lia laughed, feeling more at ease. Maybe having Jake and his friends around wasn't such a bad idea after all.

When they arrived at Mia's house, they divided into smaller groups, settling in with their notes and textbooks. The mood remained light, with occasional banter between the boys and girls, but to everyone's surprise, they managed to stay focused on studying.

As the evening wore on, it became clear that this impromptu study group—though unexpected—was exactly what they needed to prepare for their exams.

Later that night, while everyone was busy studying and sharing answers, Jake's phone rang, breaking through the chatter of their study session. He glanced at the screen and saw Emily's name flashing.

"Excuse me for a second," he said, standing up and stepping away from the group. Lia watched him curiously as he walked to the corner of the room, holding the phone to his ear.

"Hey, Emily," Jake said, lowering his voice slightly. "What's up?"

Lia tried to focus on her notes, but she could still hear Jake's end of the conversation.

"Oh, I'm just at a study group with some friends," he continued. "Yeah, it's going well—lots of studying and a little bit of fun." He chuckled at something she said, and Lia felt a twinge of curiosity.

"Wait, hold on. You're in Mazaki City? As in, you're here?" he asked, his tone suddenly more animated. "So, what do you want to do? Oh, that sounds good. We could grab a bite to eat or something."

As he listened, Lia couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions. She wondered how serious Jake was about his girlfriend and whether it would affect their friendship.

"Okay, cool. I'll text you when I'm done here," Jake said before hanging up. He walked back over to the group, wearing a casual smile. "Sorry about that," he said. "Just had to take a quick call."

Lia tried to act normal, but she felt slightly uneasy. "No problem. Everything okay?"

"Yeah, just planning to meet up with Emily later," Jake replied, settling back into his spot. "Nothing major."

Mia glanced up from her notes, raising an eyebrow. "Isn't she your girlfriend?"

Jake nodded, adding, "Yeah, she is. We've been together for about a year now, and she's here in Mazaki City."

Lia nodded, trying to hide her thoughts. She focused back on her studying, but the conversation lingered in her mind. Jake and Emily had something special, and it felt like a barrier between her and Jake.

Hannah, sensing the tension, decided to lighten the mood. "All right, who needs help with this math problem? Because I'm officially lost."

The group burst into laughter, and Lia forced a smile, grateful for Hannah's distraction. They continued studying, but Lia couldn't shake the feeling that things might be more complicated than they seemed.