You've always been the one for me

PROLOGUE

"Good morning, Ma'am."

"Good morning, 9-Ruby," I said, while adjusting my laptop and books on the desk. Even though it was just a simple routine, I could feel my heart racing—each beat echoing like a drum in my chest.

 First day of the school year, and this is the first section. I had to look composed, but inside... my adrenaline and nerves were clashing like a storm.

I wrote my name on the whiteboard carefully, each letter slow and deliberate, trying to keep my fingers steady:

Azalea R. Clemente

"This is my full name," I said, facing the class. Curious, skeptical, slightly amused eyes stared back at me. It almost felt like they could hear my heartbeat. "I will be your English teacher for the whole year. Please address me as Ms. Clemente."

I bit my cheek to calm myself. The heat in my palms, the faint stickiness of sweat, the sound of zippers, whispers, and laughter—it all collided, amplifying my nerves. This wasn't just nervousness. There was tension, excitement... and a little fear.

I picked up the attendance sheet and started calling names. Typical Grade 9 energy—some shy, some loud, some barely awake.

"Ang, Jessica."
"Santos, April."
"Present, Ma'am."

And when I reached the letter T, my mind froze.

Tuazon?

The surname felt... too familiar. Is this his child? Impossible. I'm just twenty-four. He's twenty-five. Grade 9 students are barely fifteen or sixteen. It couldn't be.

My chest tightened. My palms were sweaty. My stomach twisted into a knot. My mind went haywire.

Why am I thinking about this? Focus, Zea. Be professional.

"Tuazon, Miles."
"Present, Ma'am."

I forced a smile, though a dull ache pressed against my chest. I took a deep breath, trying to calm my body, trying to ignore the whirlwind of emotions spinning in my head.

"Class dismissed."

As I stepped out of the classroom, my body felt heavy, drained, even though it was only the third section. Hunger, stress, and anticipation—they all mingled together.

Walking down the hallway, I could hear the click of shoes on the tiles, students' laughter, whispers of the latest memes. The world around me moved fast, but I felt frozen, like I was in slow motion. An invisible wall separated me from everything.

"Hoy!" a familiar voice shouted.

Sapp. My best friend. My chaos.

I turned and saw her signature grin—wild, curious, teasing.

"Arat na, gaga. Bakit ang sungit ng mukha mo agad?"

I forced my face into a relaxed expression. She had no idea.

"Ms. Castillo, baka nakalimutan mong teacher ka na?" I said, trying to sound calm.

"Relax ka, mhie. Wala namang tenga ang mga upuan dito," she laughed. "Sa section ko kanina, a love team formed instantly. Kids these days—faster than WiFi."

I smiled faintly. "Just like you back then, huh? Fifteen and you already dating. what his name again? oh Vince? Yung pinagpalit ka sa mas matanda."

"Ms. Clemente, pasmado ata 'yung bibig mo," she said, tapping my arm. "Gusto mo buhusan kita ng alcohol para ma-disinfect?"

I laughed, though the heaviness in my chest hadn't gone away.

Back on campus, we swiped our IDs and walked toward the faculty area.