Dom watched from a distance, his brows tightening as Carl stepped toward the girl. What is he doing? A knot formed in his stomach—part worry, part disbelief. Carl had marched straight toward the one girl on campus who acted like even the most popular guys were invisible.
Dom's chest sank.
Is he trying to humiliate himself? His pride is going to shatter like an egg.
He wanted to look away, but he couldn't.
To his surprise, the girl actually turned. She faced Carl with the same blank, unreadable mask she always wore.
"What do you want?" she asked, her voice cold enough to frost glass.
Carl froze. For a second, even from where he stood, Dom saw the shock flicker across his friend's face. That tone—it was probably the iciest thing Carl had ever heard in his life.
But, just as quickly, Carl straightened his posture, forcing composure back into his voice and expression.
Carl flashed a playful grin. "Well, my friend would like to talk to you."
Dom's stomach dropped.
My… friend? Oh no.
His cold expression shattered, replaced by horror. Did he approach her because of me? Why would he do that? His heartbeat quickened, panic tightening his chest.
Now I look like a stalker…
The girl turned her gaze back to Carl, her voice sharp and emotionless.
"Then why didn't your friend come to talk to me himself?"
Dom's throat dried up. He couldn't even lift his head.
Carl's grin faded, and his tone shifted, suddenly serious.
"Well, you didn't seem to give him any attention."
Anyone else might think Carl was about to scold her on Dom's behalf. But Dom knew that look—Carl was up to something, and Dom had no idea how to stop it.
"You two seem to like the same things. I know it. Give the guy a chance and you won't be disappointed," Carl said.
The girl said nothing. Her face remained unreadable—cold, distant, impossible to read. Dom felt his heartbeat rise.
Come on… say something…
Anticipation gnawed at his chest as he waited for her answer.
Carl tried again, his voice softer this time.
"What I mean is… give him a chance to be your friend."
Five long minutes passed. The silence was suffocating.
Then, without a word, she turned her back to them and walked away. No rush. No hesitation. No glance over her shoulder.
Dom watched her leave, feeling the weight of rejection settle in his stomach, while Carl just stood there, staring at the beautiful figure slowly fading from sight.
"Well, that went well," Carl said, turning toward Dom with a grin.
He didn't get to finish that thought.
Dom's fist came down on his head with a sharp thump. Carl yelped, clutching the spot as curses burst from Dom in a low, furious whisper.
"What the hell did you do that for?" Dom snapped, his voice harsh but quiet enough not to draw attention. The anger in his chest refused to settle.
He actually made me look like some creep…
"For you, stupid!" Carl hissed back at Dom.
Carl groaned, fingers rubbing the forming bump beneath his thick red hair. Dom didn't wait for sympathy.
"Thanks, but I didn't need your help," Dom muttered, already walking away. His shoulders were stiff, embarrassment still burning through him.
"Now you really made me look like a stalker."
"I thought you didn't care anymore," Carl said, his voice tight with pain and confusion.
Dom didn't answer. He just kept walking, eyes fixed ahead, wanting the moment to die and disappear.
"Oi—wait up!" Carl called, stumbling forward as he hurried after him.
***
"All right, everyone, let's get this class started," Professor Kelly said in her usual enthusiastic tone. She loved mornings like this, even though her students rarely shared her energy.
"With the usual morning announcements…" She cleared her throat. "There will be a one-week holiday globally in respect to the new MMORPG game, Dreamz."
Instantly, chatter filled the room. Many students were thrilled — some because they loved gaming, others simply because they wanted a break from school. Even the quiet ones felt a spark of relief.
"The holiday will start tomorrow," Professor Kelly continued. "So in preparation, there will be no class today."
Joy spread across the room. The students were already imagining the free time ahead — games, sleep, and escape.
But that wasn't all.
"There will also be a competition against universities in two weeks' time," Professor Kelly continued.
"It's a big national event where students from different universities will showcase a rare invention of their own. Winners will be recognized as the best in the country and move on to the regionals."
Dom's eyes lit up instantly. His mind began racing, sketching ideas before he could even stop himself — exclusive inventions, mind-blowing concepts, something no one had ever seen…
But Professor Kelly's next words struck him like a blow.
"Oh, I almost forgot — a core member of Robocon, the world's most successful robotics company, will also be present."
The classroom fell silent. Dom didn't need to look up to feel the stares drilling into the back of his head. He kept his gaze forward, but his thoughts tangled into knots.
Mom or Dad… are going to be there?
His chest tightened.
This just became personal.
Dom couldn't shake the thought from his mind.
This is my chance to impress them.
His determination burned brighter with every passing second. He was going to stand above everyone in the school, then the country, then the entire world—not as the son of ROBOCON's core members, but as Dominic "Dom" Sanchez. That name alone would be enough.
"Alright everyone, do your best to get noticed by them and make the school proud!" Professor Kelly said, her voice full of energy.
Cheers erupted across the classroom, but Dom hardly heard any of it. His mind was already racing, planning, building, dreaming.
"Class dismissed!"