TO CHERISH AND BE LOVED

"Hi, gals. Have you seen Lucas anywhere?" Daniel asked as he approached Jade and Maya, looking around the busy room.

Jade crossed her arms, smirking. "Oh, he's around. Somewhere on stage, tying ribbons and making himself useful."

Maya chuckled, gesturing toward the stage. "Let's just say he's making his presence known in front of Sophia and… Ethan."

Daniel raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Ethan? You mean the guy who's been sticking to Sophia like glue?"

"That's the one," Jade replied with a knowing nod. "And let me tell you, the tension up there is thick enough to cut with a knife."

Daniel sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Of course Lucas would end up in the middle of this. Typical."

Maya leaned in slightly, teasing. "Your friend might be trying to prove something, you know. Maybe he's feeling the heat from Ethan."

Daniel chuckled, shaking his head. "Lucas? Nah. He's too laid-back to get worked up over something like that. Unless..."

"Unless?" Jade prompted, raising an eyebrow.

"Unless he actually likes Sophia," Daniel finished with a sly grin.

Jade and Maya exchanged a look, then burst out laughing.

"Daniel, hate to break it to you, but your friend isn't as subtle as you think," Jade said.

"Yeah, we kind of picked up on that vibe already," Maya added, still giggling.

Daniel groaned, throwing his hands up in mock surrender. "Great. Well, I guess I better go check on him before this turns into a full-on soap opera."

He turned to walk toward the stage, muttering under his breath, "Lucas and his grand ideas…"

Jade and Maya watched him go, amused.

"Should we place bets on how long before this love triangle—or square—explodes?" Jade asked, her tone playful.

Maya grinned. "Oh, definitely. But my money's on Sophia remaining oblivious the entire time."

Meanwhile, back at the end of the stage, Damien's friends, Marco and Clarence, stood leaning against the wall, watching the scene unfold.

Marco crossed his arms, his expression a mix of concern and amusement. "You know, for someone who acts like he doesn't care, Damien's really bad at hiding how he feels."

Clarence chuckled, nudging Marco with his elbow. "Yeah, it's almost painful to watch. Look at him—he's practically glaring holes into Ethan right now. He's gonna burn out his retinas at this rate."

Marco shook his head, smirking. "You think he'll actually do something about it, or just keep sulking in the corner like this?"

Clarence shrugged, a grin forming on his face. "Knowing Damien, he'll wait until the worst possible moment to say or do something. Probably when it's the most dramatic."

"Like a true protagonist of his own soap opera," Marco added with a chuckle.

The two friends shared a laugh before Clarence tilted his head toward Damien, who was still pretending to adjust decorations while occasionally shooting annoyed glances at Ethan.

"Think we should intervene?" Clarence asked.

"Nah," Marco said with a wave of his hand. "Let him stew for a bit. It's kinda entertaining, honestly. Besides, this is a lesson he needs to learn on his own."

"Fair point," Clarence replied, leaning back and crossing his arms. "But if he snaps and makes a scene, I'm blaming you."

Marco grinned. "Hey, I'm just here for the show."

The two of them continued watching Damien, who was clearly struggling to keep his emotions in check, while the drama surrounding Sophia continued to simmer.

Maya and Jade, who had overheard every word of Marco and Clarence's conversation, exchanged a quick look before approaching them with mischievous grins.

"How would you guys like a bet?" Jade said, her grin widening as she stood confidently in front of the two boys.

Marco raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "A bet? What kind of bet are we talking about?"

Maya crossed her arms, smirking. "Something to make this whole situation even more entertaining. You two seem to know Damien pretty well, so... who do you think he'll confess his feelings to first—Sophia, or no one at all?"

Clarence laughed, shaking his head. "You're really putting us on the spot here. What's in it for us if we win?"

Jade tapped her chin playfully. "Hmm... how about free drinks at the café for a week? Losers pay, of course."

Marco tilted his head, considering it. "And what happens if we lose?"

"You buy us lunch for a week," Maya chimed in, a glint of excitement in her eyes.

Clarence glanced at Marco, then back at the girls. "Alright, you've got a deal. But for the record, I think Damien will chicken out and never confess. He's way too stubborn."

Marco smirked. "I'll take the opposite. I say he confesses—eventually—but only because someone pushes him to do it."

Jade grinned. "Interesting choices. Maya and I are betting he'll confess, but only after the inter-school event."

"Guess we'll see who's right," Maya added with a playful shrug.

The four of them shook on it, their shared amusement making the bet feel like the perfect way to pass the time during the brewing drama.

Meanwhile, Damien, still oblivious to the plotting behind his back, continued glaring at Ethan from across the stage.

"We wanna bet also, but for Lucas, of course," Daniel suddenly appeared, with Ryan following closely behind him.

Jade and Maya exchanged surprised glances before turning their attention to Daniel.

"Oh? You're betting on Lucas?" Maya said with a raised eyebrow. "I didn't expect that from you, Daniel."

Daniel grinned. "What can I say? Lucas might be a little shy, but I've got a feeling he's got this."

Ryan, who had been quietly observing, leaned in and added, "Honestly, I think Lucas will make a move before Damien. He's just been quiet about it."

"Is that so?" Jade smirked. "Well, the stakes are high, gentlemen. If you win, you get free drinks, but if you lose, lunch is on you for a week."

"Deal," Daniel said, shaking Maya's hand with confidence.

Ryan chuckled. "Looks like we've got ourselves a little competition then."

Marco and Clarence, who had overheard the conversation, exchanged amused looks. They hadn't expected the stakes to rise so quickly.

"Seems like the game is on," Marco said, chuckling. "Let's see if Lucas can pull it off before Damien does."

The playful banter continued as everyone secretly kept an eye on the unfolding drama, with Sophia blissfully unaware of the growing competition surrounding her.

"Let's create a group chat so that we can keep each other updated if something comes up," Jade suggested.

"Sure, that'll help, especially since the event will last for five days," Daniel agreed, pulling out his phone.

Ryan nodded. "Good idea. We'll need all the coordination we can get."

Jade quickly set up the group chat, adding everyone to it. "Alright, we're all in. Let's make sure we stay on top of things during the event."

As the group chat was created without Damien, Lucas, Ethan, and Sophia, the members of the group exchanged messages, making sure to keep their conversation light and playful.

Jade: *"Alright, guys, let's keep it low-key for now. We don't want to give away anything to the others."*

Maya: *"Agreed. We can keep our bets going without raising suspicions. Just make sure you don't slip up and start acting weird around them!"*

Ryan: *"Haha, don't worry. I'm pretty good at hiding it. But, seriously, what are the stakes here?"*

Daniel: *"How about the loser buys everyone lunch after the event? That'll make it interesting."*

Jade: *"Perfect. I'm definitely betting on Lucas."*

Maya: *"Same. It'll be fun to watch."*

The chat continued to fill with laughter and playful remarks, each person eager to see how things would unfold during the event.

They knew that with Sophia, Damien, Lucas, and Ethan all unaware of the bet, they could enjoy watching the drama without any pressure.

Jade then sent a final message: *"Alright, let's keep it cool. Time to focus on the event, but we'll be keeping an eye out for anything interesting."*

The messages stopped, and everyone went back to their tasks, knowing that no one would suspect the group's hidden agenda.

They would enjoy the upcoming inter-school event to its fullest, and, maybe, just maybe, some unexpected outcomes would make it all the more interesting.

The second day of the event arrived with a sense of anticipation hanging in the air. After the opening ceremony, the energy had only intensified, and both Northwood Academy and Harbor Academy were fully immersed in the various activities and competitions planned.

The event's schedule was packed, and everyone was excited to see how things would unfold.

Sophia, still the poised and confident student council president, was running around coordinating last-minute details.

She had been managing the event seamlessly, but her mind kept wandering to the three boys: Damien, Lucas, and Ethan.

She couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, but with everything going on, she pushed those thoughts aside. Her focus was on ensuring that the event went smoothly for everyone involved.

Meanwhile, Lucas and his friends were scattered around the campus, observing the different activities.

Although they had all agreed to keep their focus on the event and not get tangled in the drama, each of them found their attention drifting toward Sophia every now and then.

Lucas, especially, couldn't help but notice how effortlessly she seemed to handle the pressure of being in charge.

Her confidence was undeniable, and despite the tension between them, he felt a pull toward her that he couldn't ignore.

"Hey, stop staring," Daniel teased, nudging Lucas as they walked through one of the hallways. "You're acting like you've never seen her before."

Lucas rolled his eyes. "It's not like that, okay?"

Ryan, who had been quietly observing, gave him a knowing smile. "Sure, sure. Whatever you say."

At the same time, Damien was pacing near the event booths, his eyes narrowing every time he caught sight of Lucas or Ethan. He was trying to maintain his composure, but the rivalry between them, especially over Sophia, was starting to get under his skin.

He hated feeling this way, especially since he had been so focused on his responsibilities as a council member, but there was something about Lucas that just rubbed him the wrong way.

And then there was Ethan—quiet, observant, and with an air of confidence that Damien couldn't quite figure out.

"Focus, Damien," he muttered to himself as he glanced at his phone. He had another task to complete for the event, but he couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen. Something he wasn't prepared for.

Back at the student council headquarters, Sophia was getting a briefing from her team about the day's upcoming events.

Her phone buzzed with a message, and she glanced down at it—another reminder that the day was going to be filled with more work than she could handle.

Still, she pressed on, knowing that this event was important for her school and her role as president.

As she walked to the main event hall, she couldn't help but feel a strange energy in the air. It was the same feeling she had yesterday, but now it felt stronger, like the calm before a storm.

She tried to push the thought away, but it lingered, and she couldn't quite figure out what was bothering her.

"I hope today goes as smoothly as yesterday," she whispered to herself, before taking a deep breath and entering the hall, where the preparations for the day's activities were already in full swing.

The clock ticked down to the next round of competitions, and the atmosphere grew more competitive. There was something about today that felt different. The energy was charged, and the stakes felt higher.

With everything happening at once, Sophia focused on keeping the event running on track, though her mind kept returning to the boys—especially Lucas, who had been so quiet lately.

As the day wore on, their paths would inevitably cross once again. And whether they realized it or not, the second day of the event would be the turning point.

Tension was building, and something was about to break—just as everyone, including Sophia, was starting to feel it.

The second day of the event had barely begun, and Sophia already felt the weight of responsibility pressing down on her. As the president of the student council, she had been juggling tasks, answering endless questions, and putting out small fires since the early morning. Still, she kept her composure, determined to ensure that everything went as smoothly as possible. After all, the success of this inter-school event was a reflection of her leadership.

She stood near the main stage, clipboard in hand, reviewing the schedule for the day. Her mind wandered briefly to the events of yesterday—the unexpected encounters and the growing tension she couldn't quite put her finger on. Lucas, Damien, Ethan… It was like they were orbiting around her, each with a different energy that made her uneasy. She shook her head, forcing herself to focus.

*"This isn't the time to be distracted,"* she thought, tightening her grip on the clipboard. *"There's too much to do."*

As she walked through the venue, checking on the various booths and activities, she couldn't help but notice how effortlessly the students from both schools interacted. Seeing the camaraderie forming between them gave her a small sense of relief. Despite her personal distractions, at least the event itself was a success so far.

Sophia's thoughts were interrupted when one of her council members approached her, slightly out of breath.

"Ms. President, we've got a small issue with the debate competition schedule. Two teams are requesting time changes, and we need your approval," they said, handing her a revised schedule.

Sophia nodded, quickly scanning the paper. "Alright, I'll approve it, but make sure the moderators are informed immediately. We can't afford any delays."

The council member rushed off, leaving Sophia with a moment of quiet. She took a deep breath, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts in her head.

She glanced around the venue, her eyes unintentionally searching for familiar faces. She spotted Damien near the game booths, his arms crossed as he talked to Marco and Clarence.

Lucas was over by the arts section, helping set up a display, his calm and quite clumsy demeanor as steady as ever. He fumbled with a few art pieces, earning light laughter from some of the students around him. Despite his occasional awkwardness, there was something endearing about how he carried himself, determined to contribute in whatever way he could. He even stopped to help a younger student who was struggling to carry supplies, his easygoing nature shining through.

And then there was Ethan.

Ethan was stationed near the main stage, coordinating with a few other students on the final touches for the performance props. Unlike Lucas's slightly scattered energy, Ethan exuded confidence and precision. His voice was calm but firm as he gave instructions, and his presence seemed to command attention without effort. It was clear that he was someone people naturally gravitated toward—his approachable demeanor made him a favorite among his peers.

Sophia found her gaze shifting between the two of them, unbidden thoughts creeping into her mind. Both of them had been so present in her life recently, each bringing something different to the table.

*"Why am I even thinking about this? I don't have time for distractions,"* she reminded herself for the hundredth time.

She tore her gaze away and refocused on her tasks, but the nagging feeling that something significant was on the horizon refused to leave her.

Sophia shook her head, trying to dispel the distracting thoughts as she moved to the registration table, where Maya and Jade were stationed. They were busy managing the list of participants for the day's competitions, but their sly smiles didn't go unnoticed.

"What now?" Sophia asked, narrowing her eyes at them.

"Oh, nothing," Jade said with a sing-song tone, tapping away on her phone.

"Yeah, nothing at all," Maya chimed in, though her smirk betrayed her.

Sophia groaned. "You two are acting suspicious again. Spill it."

Before either of them could respond, a voice called out from behind her.

"Sophia!"

She turned to see Ethan approaching with a clipboard in hand, his usual confident stride making him stand out amidst the bustling crowd. "We're having a slight issue with the sound system for the stage. Do you think you could come take a look?"

Sophia sighed, grateful for the distraction. "Sure, let's check it out."

As she walked away with Ethan, she caught the not-so-subtle whispers between Maya and Jade.

"Another point for Team Ethan," Maya muttered, earning a stifled laugh from Jade.

Sophia chose to ignore them, focusing on Ethan as they navigated through the crowd. When they reached the stage, Lucas was already there, fiddling with the wires of the sound system.

"Oh, hey, Sophia," Lucas said, glancing up with a sheepish smile. "I think the issue might be with the connection here, but I'm not great with this kind of thing."

Sophia arched a brow at Ethan, who gave a small shrug.

"I thought it'd be better to have you decide what to do," Ethan explained.

"Alright," Sophia said, crouching beside Lucas to inspect the wires. As she worked, she couldn't ignore the subtle tension between Lucas and Ethan, both of whom lingered a little too close for comfort.

"You're really good at this," Lucas said after a moment, his voice soft but genuine.

Sophia glanced at him briefly, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Thanks. It's just a matter of figuring out where the problem is."

Ethan crossed his arms, his eyes fixed on the two of them. "She's not just good—she's the president for a reason."

The comment wasn't harsh, but the underlying competitiveness was hard to miss.

Sophia sighed inwardly. *Why does everything feel like a competition lately?*

Sophia worked quickly, her hands moving deftly as she reconnected the wires. The sound system crackled to life with a faint hum, drawing a small cheer from Lucas.

"See? Told you she could handle it," Ethan said, his tone casual, though his glance at Lucas spoke volumes.

"Thanks, Sophia," Lucas added, his smile sincere as he took a step back to give her space.

"No problem," Sophia replied, standing up and dusting off her hands. "Let's try to keep everything running smoothly, alright? We've got enough on our plates without more technical issues."

Lucas nodded, looking sheepish. Ethan, however, seemed unfazed.

"Well, I'll stay here and make sure it doesn't act up again," Ethan offered. "You've got plenty of other things to handle, Sophia."

"I can stay and help too," Lucas added, his gaze flicking to Ethan briefly.

Sophia sighed. "I appreciate it, but I think both of you should focus on your assigned tasks. Don't you think you should be helping your school instead, Lucas? And Ethan, you've got to check on the logistics for the next activity."

Lucas raised his eyebrows slightly, caught off guard. "I was just trying to help," he said, his tone calm but with a hint of defensiveness.

"I know, and I appreciate it," Sophia replied, her voice softening. "But you have your responsibilities, and I have mine. Let's not overcomplicate things."

Ethan smirked, clearly enjoying the subtle jab. "Guess she's right, Lucas. Can't have you slacking off on your school's watch, can we?"

Lucas shot him a glance but said nothing, his jaw tightening slightly as he nodded. "Alright, I'll head back. But if you need anything, Sophia, just let me know."

"Same here," Ethan added quickly, his gaze lingering on her a little too long before he turned to leave.

Sophia watched them go, exhaling deeply once they were out of earshot. She knew she was walking a fine line with both of them, and the last thing she needed was unnecessary drama.

Jade appeared beside her with a knowing look. "That was intense," she said, crossing her arms. "You've got two knights in shining armor, and they're both ready to joust for you."

"More like two distractions I can't afford," Sophia muttered, shaking her head.

Maya joined them, holding a clipboard. "You might want to brace yourself," she said, a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Because it looks like the day's only getting more complicated."

Sophia groaned. "Great. Just what I needed."

Sophia groaned as she left them and made her way to the student council room, hoping to escape the brewing chaos. Meanwhile, Maya and Jade exchanged amused glances before pulling out their phones.

In the group chat labeled **"Operation Sophia Drama"**, Maya quickly typed:

**Maya**: "Update—Lucas and Ethan are up to 2 points each. Both went full-on knight mode earlier trying to help Sophia. 🫣"

Jade followed up:

**Jade**: "Sophia shut them both down, though. Classic. 😂 Anyone got eyes on Damien? Is he even trying?"

Marco chimed in almost immediately:

**Marco**: "He's too busy sulking over by the sports arena. Clarence is trying to get him to snap out of it."

Ryan replied next:

**Ryan**: "Typical Damien. Meanwhile, Lucas is killing it in the arts section. Pretty sure the teachers are impressed."

Daniel added:

**Daniel**: "Let's not forget Ethan. Heard he's handling logistics like a pro. It's making him look responsible, which might score him bonus points with Sophia."

Jade laughed as she read the updates.

**Jade**: "Looks like it's still anyone's game. Let's keep tabs and see if Damien decides to step up. Three days left, people. Anything can happen."

The group chat buzzed with laughter and speculative comments as they plotted their next moves, each member keeping a close eye on the trio.

Meanwhile, the event carried on, with Sophia completely unaware of the secret "bet" unfolding behind the scenes. She remained focused on her duties, running from one activity to the next, determined to make the event a success.

Lucas, Ethan, and Damien continued to cross paths, each trying in their own way to earn Sophia's attention—whether through subtle gestures, helpful actions, or sheer persistence.

Little did they know, their every move was being cataloged and analyzed by a mischievous group of spectators who were eagerly awaiting the next twist in the drama.

Sophia arrived at the student council room, pushing the door open with a sigh of relief. She paused upon seeing someone already inside, bent over a stack of papers.

"Oh, I didn't think anyone was in here," she said, her voice carrying a mix of surprise and curiosity.

The person straightened up, revealing Ethan, who was busy sorting through documents. "Well, someone has to make sure these are in order," he replied with a small smile. "Didn't expect to see you here, though. Shouldn't you be resting after all the running around earlier?"

Sophia raised an eyebrow, crossing her arms. "That's… considerate of you. But, I don't want to be rude or anything, Ethan, this room is for student council members only. I can't risk any important documents getting leaked or lost."

Ethan's smile faltered for a moment before he nodded in understanding. "Fair enough," he said, standing up and gathering the papers he had been working on. "I didn't mean to overstep. I just thought I'd help, but I'll leave you to it."

Sophia watched as he moved toward the door, his usually confident demeanor subdued. A pang of guilt crept into her chest as she realized how her words might have come across.

"Ethan," she called out before he could step out.

He turned around, eyebrows raised.

"Thanks for trying to help," she said, her tone softening. "It's just… things have been chaotic lately, and I'm trying to keep everything in order. I didn't mean to sound harsh."

Ethan smiled faintly, nodding in acknowledgment. "No worries. Let me know if there's anything I can do—officially or unofficially."

With that, he walked out, leaving Sophia to exhale a long sigh before returning to the pile of work waiting for her on the table.

Sophia sighed, her hand pressed to her forehead as she cursed under her breath. "I should've done that," she muttered to herself. Without thinking twice, she turned on her heel and rushed out of the student council room, determined to catch up with Ethan before he disappeared down the hallway.

She rounded the corner just in time to see him walking toward the exit.

"Ethan!" she called, her voice a little breathless as she jogged toward him.

He stopped and turned, his expression unreadable for a moment before it softened. "Sophia?"

"I'm sorry about earlier," she said, her eyes meeting his. "I didn't mean to shut you out. I appreciate that you were trying to help."

Ethan paused, a small smile tugging at his lips. "It's alright. Really. I get it. You've got a lot on your plate."

Sophia hesitated for a moment before stepping closer, her gaze softening. "Still, I should've been nicer about it."

Ethan raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by her change in tone. "Well, I'm glad you're saying that now."

Sophia smiled faintly. "I guess I just didn't want to add to the chaos. But I don't want you to feel like you're not welcome to help, Ethan."

His eyes softened, and he nodded. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind."

They stood there for a moment, an unspoken understanding passing between them before Sophia nodded, a little more confident in herself. "Anyway, I should get back to work. The event's just around the corner."

Ethan chuckled lightly. "Yeah, no kidding. I'll let you get to it."

As he turned to leave, Sophia watched him for a moment, feeling a sense of relief and perhaps even a spark of something else. She quickly shook the thought from her head. There was no time for distractions, especially not now.

From a distance, hidden behind a group of students, Jade and Maya watched the entire exchange between Sophia and Ethan. Maya raised an eyebrow, a mischievous grin slowly forming on her face.

"Looks like things are getting interesting," she whispered, nudging Jade who was standing beside her, trying to suppress her giggles.

Jade smirked, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "I knew there was more to their little interactions. The tension between them is undeniable."

Maya leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "I bet Sophia doesn't even realize what's going on. She's too focused on everything else."

Jade nodded, her grin widening. "She has no idea, does she? It's like a game of who's going to make the first move. Ethan's definitely got some interest in her."

Maya shrugged. "Well, so does Lucas... and Damien. It's only a matter of time before one of them finally makes a bold move."

Jade's eyes glinted with excitement. "And we get front-row seats to all the drama."

They exchanged a look, both of them thoroughly enjoying the spectacle unfolding right in front of them. With the event still three days away, there was plenty of time for things to escalate. They couldn't wait to see how it all played out.

Jade took out her phone and quickly typed a message into the group chat.

Jade: *"Sophia and Ethan just had a moment. Who do you think will make a move first?"*

Maya read over her shoulder and snickered, sending her own reply.

Maya: *"This is getting good. Let's keep our eyes on them. The event's only going to make things more intense."*

They both looked back toward Sophia and Ethan, silently agreeing that they would continue to keep track of their every move.