WHISPERS OF FIRST LOVE _ BOOK 1

Crescent High buzzed with preparations for the cultural festival. Paper lanterns floated from ceilings, colorful signs lined the walls, and music rehearsals spilled into the hallways like a heartbeat building up to something grand.

But behind the curtains and color… something else stirred.

In the quiet hallway beside the student council office, Su Rina stood by the mirrored glass, adjusting her hair. Her reflection was flawless: high ponytail, soft pink lip gloss, skirt perfectly pressed. To anyone passing by, she was calm. Friendly. That charming front-desk girl always ready to smile.

But inside, something prickled in her chest every time she saw Lia Chen near Kai Yoon.

Especially when Kai looked at her.

"You've been watching them again," a soft voice said behind her.

Su Rina didn't turn. "I don't know what you're talking about, Mei Ling."

Mei Ling walked up beside her, arms crossed. She had long, silky hair and sharp almond-shaped eyes. "Don't play coy. That's your guilty look."

"She's not his type," Su Rina said after a beat. "She's too... soft. Too quiet."

"And yet, he's watching her," came another voice—this time from Yara, Su Rina's other friend. Yara had caramel-brown curls, perfectly lined lashes, and a voice like sweet venom. "Everyone sees it. Even the juniors are whispering."

Su Rina turned from the glass at last, her jaw tight. "I just want to know if it's true."

Mei Ling raised a brow. "That's why you're pretending to be her friend?"

"She's new. She doesn't know the history," Su Rina said quietly. "She probably doesn't even know I used to date Kai."

Yara snorted. "Oh, come on, Rina. The entire school knows. They just don't talk about it because they're scared of you."

"That's not true."

"Isn't it?" Mei Ling said, softer. "You're the type of girl people admire and avoid at the same time."

Su Rina let the silence settle.

Yes, it was true—she and Kai had dated last year. It had started quietly, built on years of shared classes, mutual responsibilities, family pressure. People called them perfect. Untouchable. Royal.

But they weren't.

Kai had grown cold. Distant. He'd never raised his voice, never been cruel—but his silence had cut sharper than anything. Eventually, it ended. Su Rina told everyone it was mutual. Kai said nothing at all.

That silence hurt more than the breakup.

And now, Lia Chen—the quiet, wide-eyed girl who wore oversized sweaters and clutched a sketchpad like it held her soul—was stealing his attention without even trying.

"She's not even interesting," Su Rina said, bitterness rising. "She barely speaks. What does he even see in her?"

"Peace," Mei Ling said simply.

That word stung.

Su Rina looked away. "I just need to know if I'm being replaced. Then I can let it go."

Yara leaned against the wall. "Be careful. Getting close to her might make you feel bad later."

"I'm not going to hurt her," Su Rina said. "I just want to know what she is to him."

Mei Ling raised a brow. "And if she is something?"

Su Rina's gaze hardened. "Then I'll remind Kai what he's walking away from."

---

Later that day, Su Rina found Lia at the terrace, sitting alone, sketchpad open, drawing what looked like the festival stage.

"Hey, stranger," she said lightly, slipping onto the bench.

Lia looked up and smiled. "Hi, Rina."

"You've been quiet lately."

"I've just been working on the backdrop. There's a lot to finish before next week."

Su Rina peeked at the sketch. "You're amazing, you know. This? It's beyond what we expected."

Lia flushed slightly. "Thanks. I just… want to do a good job."

"You are," Su Rina said with a soft smile. "Honestly, I'm really glad we became friends. You're different."

"Different good or different weird?"

Su Rina laughed. "Good. Definitely good."

They sat in silence for a moment, watching a group of students set up a string of paper butterflies nearby.

Then, with careful curiosity, Su Rina asked, "So… you and Kai. Are you two close?"

Lia's pencil slowed. "What?"

"I just mean—you've been working together a lot. I was just wondering."

Lia shrugged gently. "Not really. He doesn't talk much."

Su Rina smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Yeah. That's always been his way."

Lia blinked. "You sound like you know him really well."

There was a long pause.

"I used to," Su Rina said.

Then she stood up, brushing off her skirt. "Anyway, I'll let you get back to your sketch. But just know… if you ever need anything, I've got your back."

Lia smiled faintly. "Thanks."

But as Su Rina walked away, the softness in her eyes faded—replaced by something unreadable.

And across the school grounds, Mei Ling and Yara watched silently from the balcony.

"She's starting to play," Yara said.

"She always plays beautifully," Mei Ling replied.

"But even beautiful games can get ugly," Yara murmured.

And neither of them noticed that Kai Yoon was leaning against a pillar nearby—his eyes dark, expression unreadable, having heard everything.