Hey. I'm Natan.
From the Philippines.
And honestly… I've got a problem.
I'm in love with a girl.
Her name's Recs.
She's smart. Like, top-of-the-class smart.
Pretty. Confident.
Everyone knows her. Everyone wants to be near her.
And then there's me—
Just a regular dude. Kinda above average, but not really the "main character" type.
Back in 9th grade, we became classmates.
The moment I sat near her, I knew I wanted to be better. To be seen.
So I made a promise to myself:
"I'm gonna beat her in the rankings."
But…
It's not that easy.
There's something pulling me down—my friends.
They joke around. Talk nonstop.
I swear I tried to stay focused.
But distractions? They don't ask permission.
They just pull you in.
---
First Day of School
Recs: "Hey! Are you new here?"
Me: "Kinda. I was here last year. You?"
Recs: "I moved in Grade 7. From the capital. You?"
Me: "From Nueva Ecija."
Recs: "Ohh, nice."
She smiled and walked away.
I froze.
Me (thinking):
She talked to me. She really talked to me. My whole day's already made.
What do I have to do… to make her notice me again?
---
John (my friend): "Yo, Natan! I heard she's one of the top students here."
Me (thinking):
That's it. I'm gonna beat her in acads.
John: "Wait, why are you blushing? You like her, don't you?
Bro... you better fall in line. The list of guys who like Recs? LONG."
I didn't answer. Just walked away.
---
Later That Morning
Teacher: "Alright, we're starting with a Pre-Test.
Let's see what you remember from last year.
One whole sheet of paper, please."
I stared at the paper.
Heart pounding.
Time to show her what I've got.
---
After the Test
Me: "Recs, what'd you get?"
Recs: "Perfect. You?"
Me: "Same. 50/50."
Recs: "Wow! Congrats!"
Teacher: "Who got a perfect score? Raise your hand."
I raised mine.
So did Recs, Rheyah, Russunny, and Jhodella.
Teacher: "Only five of you? Not bad."
Rheyah: "That was easy."
Yeah… Rheyah.
She's something else. Valedictorian back in Grade 6.
Almost always scores 99s.
Even Recs looked impressed.
I glanced at Recs again.
She's so pretty.
Why do I feel like I wanna impress her more than anyone else?
---
Then Came the Big One: The Periodical Test
This was it.
The one that decides our average.
The one that decides who gets on the honor list.
Recs was focused.
Silent. Serious.
I matched her energy.
This time, I was all in.
---
A Week Later
Teacher: "Here are the top scorers for this quarter."
1. Rheyah – 97 (High Honors)
2. Russunny – 93
3. Recs – 92
4. Tie: Natan & Jhodella – 91
I smiled… but it didn't last.
I didn't beat Recs.
Even though my raw score was slightly higher than Jhodella,
Recs still beat me.
And it hurt.
But weirdly…
I didn't feel like giving up.
---
Recs: "Nice try."
Me: "Ugh… I didn't beat you."
Recs: "It's fine. I didn't beat them either.
But I think your friends… they distract you a lot."
Me: "Should I avoid them?"
Recs: "That's up to you.
I just wanna say…
You're not a 'nothing' to me, Natan.
You're someone worth talking to."
Me: "…Thanks."
---
Me (thinking):
So what now?
My friends... or Recs?
Fun... or focus?
What do I choose?