Naive Hearts

“Shoot!” Reeha screamed as she jumped out of bed, heart racing. Her alarm had been ringing for over an hour, but instead of waking up like a responsible human being, she had chosen to roll lazily under her covers, trying to ignore the cramps stabbing at her abdomen all night.

Now, regret came crashing down.

Dragging herself out of bed, she ignored the pain. Missing the compulsory morning meeting for potential prefects was not an option—not after coming this far. Perfect attendance was a strict requirement, and failure to comply meant automatic disqualification from the Head Girl race.

And Reeha? She wasn’t about to lose her lifelong dream to a stupid snooze button.

With the speed of light and a groggy head, she brushed her teeth, jumped into the shower, and got dressed. One glance in the mirror, and she nodded—satisfied. As she dashed out of the room, she stopped abruptly, frozen mid-step on the stairs.

Something clicked in her memory.

Turning swiftly, she ran back up, scanned her dressing table, and picked up a small item before tucking it into her bag with a grin. “I am obsessed,” she said to herself, smiling wide.

Downstairs, the aroma of breakfast greeted her.

“Good morning, Mom,” she said quickly. “I’ll have to skip breakfast today. There’s no food for a lazy man—and today, that lazy man is me.”

Her older sister, Eva, who was setting the table, chuckled. “You mean lazy young lady, not man.”

Rolling her eyes, Reeha shot back playfully, “Okay, Miss-I-Know-It-All.” She grabbed the lunchbox their mom had packed.

“Thanks, Mom. You’re the best in the world,” she added, planting a quick kiss on her mom’s cheek.

“Don’t forget to take your pain relief. It’s in your bag—after eating, alright?” her mom called after her.

“Got it! Bye, Mom. No bye for you, Eva!” she yelled, slamming the door behind her.

She arrived at the bus stop just as the white school bus slowed down. “Thank goodness, I’m just in time,” she muttered, hopping on with a few other students. But her relief was short-lived.

The seats were all taken.

She sighed, preparing herself to stand the entire ride, when she heard her name from the back of the bus.

“Huh?” she turned and smiled instantly.

It was Asher—her Big Bro, her person. He waved her over with a casual smile, and her steps quickened toward him.

Pointing to the seat beside him, she asked with mock seriousness, “Is this mine, please?” She even threw in her best puppy-eyed look.

“Yes,” he said with a teasing grin, “but on one condition.”

She raised a brow. “What condition?” Leaning closer so no one else could hear, Asher whispered dramatically, “Be my Valentine’s date. Please.”

“Huhhh?” Reeha blinked, dumbfounded. Her cramps disappeared for a second.

“You must be joking,” she said, still trying to read his face.

“Maybe not. But have your seat first before you collapse. You should see your face right now,” he replied, barely holding back a laugh.

Truth was, Asher didn’t care much for events like this. But the Val Night was a big deal at Royal High. It was an annual tradition for final-year students—a night to celebrate, confess, or just make memories. And he needed a date.

Not a random girl who’d overthink the gesture. Reeha was perfect. Like a sister. No strings, no pressure, no drama.

Still, she didn’t seem convinced.

“I’m sure this is one of your usual pranks. Thank your stars I’m not in the mood this morning,” she said, slipping into the seat and patting his shoulder playfully. “Thanks for saving my life.”

“Ouch. I really thought I could win you over,” Asher said with a mock pout. “But seriously, I do need a date. No way I’m showing up with just vibes.”

“Oh, poor boy,” Reeha teased, pulling out her manifesto jotter from her bag. “It’s not my problem. I’ve got bigger things to worry about.”

He scoffed. “Says the girl who’s pretending not to know she’s the most eligible candidate for Head Girl.”

Reeha rolled her eyes. “Says the guy pretending he doesn’t have a fan club. A whole Asher of Royal High? I bet girls are already lining up for you.”

“That’s the problem,” he muttered, adjusting the window. “I’m not picking someone who’ll make it weird later. I’ll probably fake being sick.”

Reeha gave him a long, knowing look. “You’re impossible,” she muttered, flipping open her jotter. But just as she began revising her speech, the bus came to a halt.

“Oops! Gotta run!” she gasped. “I can’t be late for the prefectship orientation!”

She scrambled out of the seat, weaving her way to the door with urgency.

Asher shook his head, watching her rush off, her ambition burning bright like always.

Then something caught his eye. A small pink notepad lay on the floor near her seat. Curious, he bent to pick it up and flipped it open.

Her handwriting. Her doodles.

“I didn’t know Miss Serious had a thing for girly stuff,” he smirked, sliding it into his bag. “Can’t wait to tease her with this.”

After what felt like an eternity of stiff backs and tired minds, Mr. Sammy finally gave the closing remarks at the prefects’ orientation. Reeha exhaled heavily, grateful for the end of yet another session of repeated dos and don’ts.

Her stomach grumbled, a sharp contrast to the dull cramps still plaguing her abdomen. Clutching her side subconsciously, she made her way out of the hall and toward her classroom, praying she still had a few minutes to eat and take the painkillers her mom had packed.

As she neared her door, she paused.

Across the hallway, through the open door of the Grade 12 classroom, she spotted Asher—sitting tall and still, completely focused on whatever the teacher was saying. His brows were furrowed in thought, eyes locked on the board.

Biology, she guessed. His favorite subject. He had always excelled in the sciences—actually, in everything. Asher of Royal High was nothing short of a legend. Distinctions from junior school t