Chapter 1: The Confession Heard 'Round the School

It happened between the second bell and the cafeteria stampede, when life should've been predictable. The day my childhood friend Derek Mason confessed to me, my whole world tilted sideways like someone had yanked the floor out from under my sneakers.

Even before my brain caught up with the shock on my face, I could almost hear the digital chorus—phones buzzing in lockers, notifications popping like popcorn across Maple Heights. It was that instant, viral group chat hysteria, the kind that happens after prom night drama or a homecoming proposal gone wrong. The noise was everywhere, a static hum of cafeteria gossip on full blast.

[Honestly, I ship these two way more than the main couple who never talk.]

[It’s all staged—remember, the supporting guy is only confessing to the supporting girl to help the main girl get valedictorian.]

[Supporting girl, just say yes already! The redemption arc later is so good!]

It was like my life was a TV show, and everyone had popcorn but me. But a redemption arc only works if there’s love to begin with.

And I don’t like Derek Mason.

1

Derek, basketball in hand, cornered me in the hallway. His usually handsome face was tinged with rare shyness.

He was still in his Maple Heights Mustangs jersey, sweat glistening at his hairline. For a second, he looked almost nervous—like the cocky point guard suddenly stuck at the free throw line with everyone watching.

“Rachel Foster, I like you.”

It was right after gym, so the hallway was packed. The scent of old gym floors, wet sneakers, and someone’s leftover Axe body spray clung to the air. Someone elbowed my backpack, and Derek’s words dropped like a brick in a pond, rippling through the crowd.

[Popular jock and cold-faced top student? What kind of childhood sweethearts teen drama is this?]

[See? I always thought there was something going on between Rachel and Derek.]

A couple of cheerleaders paused mid-sentence to stare. Some cross-country guy almost tripped on his own shoelaces. The whispers swirled around me, making my head spin.

What’s Derek up to now?

Not long ago, he said he liked the new transfer student, Lily Brooks, and was planning to ask her out.

I could practically see his half-cocky grin, the way he’d joked with his friends about which flowers to bring—lilies, obviously, because he thought he was being clever. Now there was a thin sheen of sweat on his forehead—was it nerves or something else?

Before I could react, the group chat comments started again.

[Even while confessing to someone else, he can’t help but sneak glances at the main girl?]

[Derek, you rascal, don’t love so hard.]

[Main girl, don’t be sad. Derek is only confessing to Rachel to help you get valedictorian.]

Following Derek’s not-so-subtle gaze, I caught a flicker of gloom in Lily’s eyes. She quickly swapped it for her usual gentle face the second she noticed me looking.

She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and forced a smile so perfect it could’ve been for the yearbook. “Wow, you two? That’s... unexpected. But hey, you do you, Rachel.”

For a split second, I wondered if she actually meant it, or if I was just the villain in someone else’s story.

Me: “……”

What do you mean, a perfect match?

My mind scrambled for an answer, but my body was already moving. I took two steps back, dodging Derek’s hand as he reached for me. His fingers brushed my sleeve and I jerked away, heart racing like I’d just missed a step on the stairs.

“Derek.”

I let out a breath. “Seriously, Derek? Finals are next week and you’re pulling this now? Priorities, man.”

My voice sounded steadier than I felt, echoing off the lockers. I skirted around him and headed back to class. Derek just stood there, looking dejected—like a big dog left behind at the shelter.

A freshman, trying not to stare, whispered, “Harsh.”

The group chat leapt to his defense.

[I knew the so-called ‘mean’ supporting girl wasn’t simple. Could it be she likes the main guy too?]

……

I slowed my steps, puzzled.

So, who exactly is the main guy?