TO CHERISH AND BE LOVED

Sophia stepped into the quiet student council room, the door clicking softly behind her. It felt oddly still, the silence pressing against her as she glanced around the empty room. She let out a small sigh, the weight of the day settling on her shoulders.

The other council members were busy outside, most likely finalizing preparations for the event, and Sophia was left alone with her thoughts. She walked toward her desk, feeling a strange mix of exhaustion and anticipation. The conversation with Ethan earlier still lingered in her mind, though she tried to push it aside. It wasn't the time for distractions, not with everything going on with the inter-school event.

She sat down in her chair, resting her elbows on the desk and running a hand through her hair. As she looked over the papers scattered before her, the quietness of the room seemed almost suffocating. Despite all the chaos around her, here in the council room, everything was still—almost too still.

Sophia glanced out the window, her mind wandering. She hadn't expected things to get this complicated. Between her responsibilities as president, the pressure of the event, and the unexpected tension with Ethan and Lucas, everything felt like it was spiraling out of her control. Sophia could feel the weight of it all pressing down on her, like each decision she made was leading her down a path she wasn't entirely sure she was ready to walk.

She thought about Ethan's sudden attention, how different he seemed now compared to when they first met. And Lucas, whose quiet support had somehow become more noticeable, lingering at the edges of her mind even when she tried to focus on her tasks. The thought of the two of them—and Damien, with his protective nature—left her feeling conflicted. She couldn't figure out what exactly she felt, or why their actions were making everything more complicated.

She sighed, rubbing her temples. *Focus, Sophia.* The event was days away, and she couldn't afford to let these distractions get in the way. Yet, despite her efforts, her mind kept drifting back to Ethan and Lucas, each of their actions weighing on her more than she cared to admit. What was going on between them? And why was it suddenly so hard to ignore?

Sophia looked up, slightly startled by Damien's sudden entrance. She hadn't expected anyone to find her alone in the room, let alone Damien. He stood there, holding a tray of snacks and drinks, a soft smile on his face as if he were trying to offer some comfort.

Her first instinct was to decline politely, wanting to keep her focus on the upcoming event, but then she realized how long she had been cooped up in the council room, trying to sort through her thoughts. The day had been exhausting, and the stress was catching up to her.

"Thanks," Sophia said, her voice softer than she intended as she gestured for him to set the tray down on the table. She couldn't remember the last time someone had done something this considerate for her. "You didn't have to do this, but… I appreciate it."

Damien smiled, setting the tray down before taking a seat beside her. "I know you've been running around all day. I figured you could use a break," he said, his voice gentle, though there was a certain hint of concern in his eyes. "How are you holding up? Looks like everything's been a bit chaotic."

Sophia sighed, rubbing her forehead. "It's just... everything. The event, the responsibilities, and... other things I can't quite figure out," she admitted, her thoughts again drifting to Ethan and Lucas. The tension between them was only adding to her stress. "I don't know how to keep everything together."

Damien sat quietly for a moment, then spoke in a calm tone. "You're doing your best, Sophia. That's all anyone can ask of you. And you're not alone, you know. You've got people who are willing to help, me included." He paused for a second, meeting her gaze. "Sometimes, you just need to take a breath and let others take on some of the weight."

Sophia nodded, grateful for the support. She knew Damien had always been reliable, even if his protectiveness sometimes made things more complicated. But in moments like this, she realized how much his presence mattered.

"Thanks, Damien. I really needed that." She took a deep breath, letting the brief moment of peace wash over her. "I'll try to keep it together."

Damien gave her a reassuring smile. "You will. And remember, if you ever need a break, I'm always here."

"Thanks, Damien," Sophia smiled, holding his hand in appreciation as she tried to open the bottle of drink. The simple gesture made her feel a little lighter amidst the chaos of the day.

"Here, let me," Damien said as he easily opened the bottle cap, his fingers brushing against hers for a moment. He then smiled and asked, "Snack?"

Sophia's eyes brightened, grateful for the small comforts. "You know me too well." She reached for a snack, feeling the weight of the day lift just a little. Damien was always there, offering support in the simplest ways, and that meant more than she could express.

He chuckled, watching her. "I try." His tone was playful but genuine, and he seemed content in just being there with her, helping her unwind.

Sophia took a sip of her drink, feeling more grounded with each passing moment. "I think I really needed this break," she admitted, her voice softening. "The event, the pressure, everything… it's been a lot."

Damien leaned back, watching her with understanding. "You're doing a great job, Sophia. You don't have to carry all of it alone. I'm here. And I'll always be here when you need a break."

Sophia smiled at his words, feeling a warmth spread through her. It was nice to know she wasn't alone in this. "Thanks, Damien. I don't say it enough, but I really appreciate you."

"No need to thank me," he replied, his voice gentle. "I just want you to feel supported."

The moment hung between them, quiet but comfortable, as the noise of the busy event seemed to fade into the background.

It was just the two of them, and for once, Sophia allowed herself to relax, to let the world outside feel a little less heavy.

Sophia looked up at Damien, surprised by his words. Her heart skipped a beat as she tried to process what he was saying.

"I know we've always been like cats and dogs," Damien continued, his voice earnest and full of sincerity. "But I really want you to see that I'm more than that. I want to change for you because you've helped me a lot, Sophia."

Sophia paused, her breath caught in her throat. She had always known Damien as someone who teased and joked around, but this was different. This side of him was more vulnerable, more real. Her mind raced as she searched for the right words to say, but she couldn't find any.

"Damien, I...," she started, but the words didn't come out right. Her emotions were tangled, and the weight of everything in her life—the pressure of the event, the confusion with Ethan, and now this—seemed to crash over her all at once.

Damien stepped closer, his eyes soft but steady, as if waiting for her to process what he said. "I'm not asking for anything, Sophia. I just want you to know that I'm here for you, no matter what. And maybe… maybe I could be someone you rely on more than just a friend."

Sophia's heart fluttered, but she didn't know how to respond. There were too many emotions swirling in her chest, too many unanswered questions about her own feelings. But one thing was clear: Damien cared about her more than she had realized.

"Damien, I—" she began, but before she could finish, they both heard the sound of someone approaching the door. It was a familiar voice.

"Everything okay in here?" Maya asked, poking her head around the corner, breaking the moment.

Sophia quickly wiped away any traces of uncertainty and smiled. "Yeah, everything's fine," she said, trying to regain her composure.

Damien gave her a small, understanding smile, clearly aware of the shift in the air. "We'll talk later," he said softly, before turning to leave.

Sophia watched him go, her heart still racing, unsure of what to make of everything that had just happened.

Sophia stood there for a moment, her mind a whirlwind of thoughts. She hadn't expected Damien to open up like that, and it left her feeling conflicted. There was something about his sincerity that touched her, but at the same time, she wasn't sure if she was ready for any of this.

Maya, who had been standing by the door, looked at Sophia with a raised eyebrow. "Are you okay? You seem... distracted."

Sophia nodded, trying to shake off the lingering tension in the room. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just... a lot on my plate right now." She tried to smile, but it didn't quite reach her eyes.

Maya stepped inside and closed the door behind her. "Sophia, you're going to have to deal with this sooner or later. You can't keep pretending everything's fine if it's not."

Sophia let out a sigh, rubbing her forehead. "I know. It's just... I'm not sure what to do about Damien. I didn't expect him to say that, and I don't want to lead him on if I don't feel the same way."

Maya nodded thoughtfully. "It's complicated. But you can't ignore how he feels, and you can't ignore your own feelings either. You need to figure out what you want before it gets any messier."

Sophia bit her lip, thinking about what Maya said. It wasn't just Damien—there was also Ethan, and Lucas, and the confusion she was feeling about each of them. But she knew she couldn't make decisions based on everyone else's feelings. She needed clarity on her own.

"I'll figure it out," Sophia said finally, her voice firming up as she made a decision. "But right now, I just need to focus on the event. The speech tomorrow is the most important thing."

Maya gave her a supportive smile. "You've got this. Just take it one step at a time. We're all here for you."

Sophia gave a small nod in return, grateful for Maya's support. As she turned back to the desk to review her notes for the speech, the weight of everything didn't feel as heavy as it had before. Maybe things were complicated, but she could handle it. For now, she just needed to focus on the task at hand.

The inter-school event was just around the corner, and everything would have to wait until after that.

Meanwhile, Maya quickly typed a message in the group chat, her fingers hovering over the keyboard with a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"5 points for Damien. I may have ruined their moment earlier in the council room," she typed, sending the message before sitting back with a satisfied grin, eager to see the reactions.

Almost immediately, the group chat began buzzing with responses.

"Nice move, Maya!" Jade responded with a laughing emoji, clearly enjoying the unfolding drama. "This game is getting even better."

"Points for the dramatic timing," Daniel added, also laughing. "I can't wait to see how Damien handles this."

Maya chuckled to herself. She had no intention of letting things settle too easily, and with her small interference, things were only getting more complicated for Sophia, Damien, and the others. The game was on.

Maya's fingers flew across her phone screen as she added to the group chat: "I also overheard about Damien confessing to her earlier."

The message sent, and she leaned back, waiting for the response. It didn't take long for the group to react.

"Whoa, wait—Damien confessed?!" Ryan's message came through, full of surprise. "Is this the same Damien who could barely say a sentence to Sophia without arguing with her?"

Jade quickly replied, "That's a plot twist! 10 points for the drama. This is getting so juicy!"

Daniel added, "I'm shocked. Damien's serious about this. Wonder if it'll change things with Lucas."

Maya smiled to herself. She had a feeling things were only going to get more interesting as the days went by.

With the event still ongoing, the tension between the group was thickening, and she couldn't wait to see who would win this game of hearts.

Maya quickly checked her phone and tapped out a response. "Nothing new on Ethan's end. He's been focused on the event logistics. But I think he's still keeping an eye on Sophia. He's always close by, just waiting for his moment."

Jade added, "Yeah, he's definitely playing it cool. Can't be too obvious with a confession like Damien's, though. It's like he's biding his time."

Daniel chimed in next, "I don't think Ethan will give up that easily. He's too invested in this...and Sophia might not even realize it yet."

Maya sighed, feeling the excitement build. "This is going to be a rollercoaster. Let's keep an eye on them and see who cracks first."

The group collectively agreed to stay alert, knowing that with every passing day, the drama would unfold even more.

As the event continued, the stakes were rising, and it seemed like anything could happen.

Sophia sat there in the student council room, her mind swirling with the words Damien had just spoken. His confession had caught her off guard, and now, as she tried to process it, she couldn't help but feel a mix of confusion and hesitation.

*Did Damien just confess?* she thought, running her fingers through her hair. She had never seen him like that before—vulnerable and honest. It wasn't just the usual teasing or banter they had. This was different.

But then, another thought crept in: *Do I even have time for romance?* The event, the student council responsibilities, the pressure—it all seemed so overwhelming. How could she possibly add a relationship into the mix? She barely had time for herself, let alone someone else.

Sophia leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling as she tried to organize her thoughts. *Maybe it's just all too much right now. Maybe I need to focus on myself first before anything else.*

Yet, she couldn't ignore the flutter in her chest at the thought of Damien. She had always known there was something more to their interactions, but now, seeing him like this, made her question everything. Could she afford to let herself feel something for him while everything else was going on?

The door creaked open, pulling Sophia from her thoughts. She quickly wiped any expression from her face, not wanting anyone to see how conflicted she truly felt.

The door opened fully, and in walked Ethan, his usual confident stride faltering slightly when he noticed the serious atmosphere in the room. His eyes quickly shifted between Sophia and Jade, sensing that something had shifted in the air.

"Hey, I didn't mean to interrupt," Ethan said, his tone casual but his eyes searching Sophia's face for any clues as to what was going on. "I just wanted to check in and see if everything's alright for the event tomorrow."

Sophia, still processing her conversation with Jade, gave him a small nod. "Yeah, everything's fine," she replied, though she wasn't entirely sure herself. "Just... a lot to manage with the event and other things. I'm sure it'll all work out."

Maya, ever perceptive, shot Ethan a teasing smile. "Don't worry, Ethan. We're just talking about Sophia's fan club," she said with a wink, clearly referring to the drama that had unfolded earlier with Damien and his confession.

Ethan raised an eyebrow, his expression a mix of confusion and amusement. "Fan club? What fan club?"

Sophia, flustered by Maya's comment, quickly tried to brush it off. "It's nothing," she said, avoiding eye contact. "Just... some stuff with Damien."

Maya grinned knowingly, but didn't press further. "Oh, I see," she said playfully. "Well, let us know if you need any help managing your admirers, Sophia. We'll be here to offer support."

Sophia rolled her eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "I think I'll manage," she replied, though a hint of nervousness lingered in her voice.

Ethan, sensing the tension but not quite understanding all of it, gave a small shrug. "Alright, I'll leave you two to it. Just wanted to check in and make sure everything's good for tomorrow," he said, offering a friendly smile before stepping toward the door.

Sophia nodded, grateful for his understanding. "Thanks, Ethan. Everything's fine. We're just... working through some things."

As Ethan left the room, Maya couldn't help but giggle. "This is getting interesting, isn't it?" she teased, crossing her arms and giving Sophia a sly look.

Sophia groaned, running a hand through her hair. "I don't even know what's going on anymore," she muttered, feeling the weight of the upcoming event and everything else on her shoulders.

Maya's grin softened. "Hey, we're here for you. But... if you ever need advice on how to handle your fan club, just ask," she said, her tone light but sincere.

Sophia managed a small chuckle, grateful for her friend's support. "Thanks, Maya. I'll keep that in mind."

Without Sophia looking, Maya slid a text on her phone to the group chat: *3 points for Ethan. Just Ethan checking up on Sophia.*

She quickly put her phone down and resumed talking to Sophia, pretending like nothing had happened. Meanwhile, Jade had also noticed Maya's subtle actions and chuckled to herself.

The competition was heating up, and it was only a matter of time before everyone would have to make their moves.

As Maya and Jade continued to chat casually, Sophia sat in a daze, her thoughts swirling around everything that had happened—Damien's confession, Ethan's subtle gestures, and her overwhelming responsibilities as president. It was almost too much to process all at once.

"So, who among the three impresses you the most because obviously they're falling for you?" Maya said, her voice teasing but curious, breaking through Sophia's swirling thoughts.

Sophia blinked, caught off guard by the question. Her heart skipped a beat as the weight of Maya's words sank in. She had known that things were complicated, but hearing it laid out so plainly made everything seem so much more real.

"I—uh..." Sophia stuttered, trying to find the right words, but she couldn't form a coherent response. Each of the three boys—Damien, Ethan, and Lucas—had shown different sides of themselves that she found intriguing in their own ways. But she couldn't let herself get caught up in that right now.

"I don't know, Maya," she finally said, her voice quieter than usual. "I haven't really thought about it. I don't have time to think about it."

"So, you *haven't* thought about it at all?" Jade pressed, leaning in with a mischievous grin.

Sophia sighed, glancing at her friends. "I'd be impressed if they were like one of the guys in my books, thank you very much," she replied with a smirk, trying to deflect the conversation.

Maya raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Oh, so you like the fictional guys more, huh? That's a bold statement."

Sophia shrugged, a faint blush creeping up her neck. "Well, the ones in my books know exactly what they want, and they're not afraid to go after it. They know how to balance being sweet and assertive at the right moments."

Jade chuckled, glancing at Maya. "Sounds like someone's got a high standard."

Sophia rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at her lips. "Maybe. But it's nice to think about it, right? Real life's too complicated right now for me to think about relationships."

Maya and Jade exchanged knowing glances, but neither pushed the topic further. They could tell how much pressure Sophia was under with the event, her role as president, and everything else going on. Still, Maya couldn't resist one last comment.

"Well, whatever happens, just remember you deserve someone who treats you like a heroine in a romance novel," Maya said, grinning. "But for now, let's focus on surviving this event."

Sophia chuckled softly, feeling a sense of comfort in her friends' support. "Thanks, guys. I'll survive. And maybe one day, I'll find someone who fits that book-worthy guy standard. But until then, let's just get through this event."

With that, the three of them shifted their focus back to the tasks at hand, though the teasing undercurrent of their conversation still lingered, leaving Sophia to wonder just how much of her feelings she could push aside for the moment.

Will I ever find a guy like the ones in my romance novel? Sophia thought to herself as she gazed down at the well-worn pages of the book in her hands. The story was her escape, a world where love always found its way, where grand gestures and heartfelt words brought people together.

Her fingers traced the edges of the book absentmindedly, her mind drifting. Those fictional guys—so sure of their feelings, so determined to fight for what they wanted—seemed so far removed from the reality she was facing. Real life felt messy, uncertain, and complicated.

Sophia let out a soft sigh and leaned back in her chair. "Maybe it's silly to think someone like that could exist," she whispered to herself. But still, she couldn't shake the tiny spark of hope that one day, someone might step into her life with the same clarity and passion as the characters she admired so much.

With a faint smile, she closed the book and placed it back on her desk, her responsibilities calling her back to reality.

For now, the romance in her novels would remain her quiet sanctuary, a reminder that maybe—just maybe—there was still room for a little magic in her life.

"I don't get why those three would be falling for me," Sophia murmured, more to herself than anyone else. Her gaze drifted to the romance novel on her desk, the worn edges a testament to how many times she'd escaped into its pages. "I just want a peaceful life with no worries, just like in my books."

She leaned back in her chair, staring at the ceiling, the weight of everything pressing down on her. The responsibilities of being student council president, the chaotic whirlwind of the inter-school event, and now the unexpected attention from three different guys—it was too much.

"When this event is over," she said with a sigh, her voice firmer now, "I'll go back to reading my books. At least there, things make sense."

Sophia closed her eyes for a moment, trying to find solace in the idea of returning to her quiet life. A life where she could lose herself in fictional worlds without the chaos of real-life emotions.

But deep down, she couldn't ignore the small voice in her head whispering, *What if life could be as magical as those stories?*

"Ah, Sophia," Maya said, snapping her out of her thoughts. "Freya just texted that they need us at the field right away. I think there's a fight going on."

Sophia's eyes widened as she quickly stood up, grabbing her blazer from the back of her chair. "A fight? During the event? That's the last thing we need right now."

Maya nodded, already heading toward the door. "Yeah, Freya didn't give details, but it sounds serious. Let's hurry before things get worse."

Sophia followed her, her mind racing. She knew tensions were high with the event and all the rival schools gathered, but a fight breaking out could jeopardize everything. As they reached the field, the sound of raised voices became clearer.

"What's going on here?" Sophia demanded as she stepped into the middle of the commotion, her authoritative tone cutting through the noise.

The field was filled with students from both Northwood and Harbor Academy, some standing around with curious looks, others clearly agitated. In the middle of the crowd stood Damien and Lucas, glaring at each other, their fists clenched. Ethan was off to the side, trying to de-escalate the situation, though his efforts seemed to be in vain.

Sophia groaned internally. Of course, it had to be them.

"Enough!" she yelled, stepping between Damien and Lucas. "What is going on here?"

Damien, still fuming, glanced at Sophia but didn't say anything. Lucas, however, let out a frustrated sigh. "Ask him," he said, jerking his thumb toward Damien. "He's the one who started it."

"I started it?" Damien shot back, his voice rising. "Maybe if you weren't so busy trying to act like a knight in shining armor, there wouldn't be a problem."

Sophia held up her hands, her patience wearing thin. "Stop it, both of you! This isn't about you two. This is about the event and making sure it runs smoothly. What part of that don't you understand?"

Ethan stepped forward, placing a hand on Lucas's shoulder. "Look, this isn't the time or place for this. Let's cool off and deal with it later."

Lucas shrugged off Ethan's hand but didn't argue. "Fine. But someone needs to tell him to stop acting like he owns everything," he muttered, glaring at Damien one last time before walking off.

Damien crossed his arms, refusing to budge. "I'm just looking out for Sophia. Is that so wrong?"

Sophia sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Damien, I can handle myself. I don't need you or anyone else fighting over me. Now, both of you, go back to your tasks before I report this to the advisers."

Damien hesitated, then nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But if he pulls something like this again, don't expect me to stand by and do nothing."

Ethan gave Sophia a small nod before following Lucas to ensure he didn't cause more trouble. As the crowd dispersed, Maya and Jade exchanged knowing glances from the sidelines, clearly entertained by the drama unfolding.

Sophia stood there for a moment, feeling the weight of the situation settle on her shoulders. She had hoped the event would run smoothly, but with the way things were going, it seemed like it would be a miracle to get through it without more chaos.

"Maya, make sure Lucas stays in his school booth. I don't want him or Damien crossing over again. Jade, please let Marco and Clarence keep Damien under control," Sophia ordered. "And Freya, can you check on Ethan for me? Make sure he's focused on logistics and not getting caught up in unnecessary drama."

Maya nodded quickly, already pulling out her phone. "Got it. I'll keep Lucas occupied. If he even thinks about leaving the booth, I'll handle it."

Jade smirked, crossing her arms. "Marco and Clarence? Easy. I'll make sure they keep Damien on a leash. That boy needs to chill."

Sophia turned to Freya, who gave her a calm, understanding nod. "Don't worry, I'll take care of it. You've got enough on your plate already," Freya reassured her with a smile.

Sophia sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Thanks, everyone. Let's just get through this day without another scene, okay?"

As the group split up to carry out their tasks, Sophia stood still for a moment, trying to gather her thoughts. **This wasn't just about managing an event anymore—it was about keeping three unpredictable guys and their emotions in check while ensuring everything else didn't fall apart.**