CHAPTER 1: THE NOISE I DIDN'T ASK FOR
Seren Aveline Marquez's POV
Have you ever fallen in love with someone who just showed up in your life like a storm—loud, unexpected, and impossible to ignore?
Because I haven't.
Not yet.
I've never had a boyfriend. Never even liked anyone seriously.
I guess that's just how I am. Focused. Quiet. Careful.
But maybe... just maybe, that's about to change. And I'm not sure I'm ready for it.
---
I'm used to silence. I actually prefer it. No noise. No distractions. Just me, my racket, and the shuttlecock. The sound of an empty gym? That's music to me. Peaceful. Still. My kind of world.
But today? That peace got wrecked.
Out of nowhere, I heard the loud roar of a motorcycle from outside the gym. It wasn't just a regular "vroom-vroom" sound. It felt like a whole parade was about to enter the court.
When I looked at the entrance, there he was — A guy wearing a black leather jacket, helmet tucked under his arm, walking like the world moved in slow motion just for him. Confident. Too confident.
And worse? All the girls started screaming.
"Oh my God, it's Kael!!!"
"Hi Kael!"
"You're so hot, grabe!"
"Kael, kiss me!"
I stopped mid-serve, eyebrows furrowed.
Kael? Who the heck is Kael? And why does everyone seem to know him?
He just walked in like he owned the place, sat down on the bench like he paid rent, and gave a small wink to the girls cheering for him.
I didn't get it. Who is this guy?
He turned his head toward me — just for a second — and our eyes met. Maybe for 0.2 seconds. No sparks, no slow music, no romcom moment.
But there was something. Something I couldn't explain… Something annoying.
"Nice serve," he said casually.
I looked at him.
"Excuse me?"
"It's a compliment. Don't be so defensive," he said, with a smile that seemed too used to getting reactions.
Ugh. I rolled my eyes.
He stepped a bit closer. Not too near, but enough for me to feel his presence.
"You're new here?" he asked.
I sighed. "Been here two weeks."
"Ah, no wonder. I didn't notice you before."
I raised an eyebrow. "I don't need to be noticed."
"Didn't mean it that way," he said. "I'm just curious. What's your name?"
"Seren. Seren Aveline Marquez."
He nodded. "Nice name."
"Thanks. Can I go back to practicing now?"
"Sure," he said, walking back to his bench… but he kept looking.
Irritating.
It's not like he did anything wrong. But some people just show up in your life out of nowhere and suddenly they're loud. Not just literally — their presence is loud. Uninvited. Unwelcome.
And I hate that.
Then my friends arrived — Bea, Lia, and Ira.
"Girl, what happened?" Bea asked, already suspicious.
"Nothing," I said. "There's just this guy…"
"Wait. Don't tell me that's Kael Ronin Navarro," Lia cut in.
"Kael… Ronin?" I repeated.
"Sh*t. That's him," Lia said. "The biker boy. Rumored playboy. Rich kid. Messy."
"What's he doing here?" Ira added, crossing her arms.
"I don't know. He just sat down and... commented on my serve," I mumbled.
"Be careful. That guy's a walking red flag," Bea said, clearly annoyed. "And his friends? Worse."
I nodded. "Don't worry. I don't even know him."
But truth is… I was curious.
Not because he was famous. Not because he was "hot" or whatever they say.
I just wanted to understand why people like him existed — people who can steal everyone's attention without even trying. People who seem to belong in every room, even when they don't say a word.
Why do they always feel so... loud?
---
Kael's POV
If you ask me, I never really wanted to be the center of attention.
But it always happens. Especially when I show up with my bike.
People start shouting. Taking photos. Asking questions. I've gotten used to it.
But today? Today felt different.
There was a girl on the court who didn't look at me when I walked in. She didn't care. Didn't scream. Didn't even glance. Just kept practicing her serve like I was nothing.
And that — that was new.
So I said something. Just a simple, "Nice serve."
And she threw it right back.
"I didn't ask for feedback."
Ouch.
Most girls melt at just one sentence from me. But her? Cold. Blunt. Unbothered.
Part of me wanted to be petty and say, "Didn't ask you either, Miss Ice Queen." But I didn't. I just smiled.
When she said her name — Seren Aveline Marquez — something clicked in my head. I don't know if it was the name, her vibe, or her voice. She felt like the quiet type. Independent. Not the kind to chase the spotlight.
The complete opposite of me.
Maybe that's why I'm interested.
There's something about her that makes me want to know more. Not because she's pretty (though yeah, she is). Not because she's different. But because…
She didn't look at me like I was someone special. She looked at me like I was the noise she didn't want to hear.
And weirdly… I want her to hear more of me.
---
More Background: Seren Aveline Marquez
She's not your average high school girl. Scholar. Top student. Regional badminton champ. Daughter of public school teachers. Not rich, but solid middle-class, hardworking and practical.
Her life is scheduled to the minute — 5AM jog, 6AM training, 8AM class. No makeup. No gossip. No mess.
Her best friends — Bea, Lia, and Ira — are the only people she trusts.
Bea grew up with five siblings and a single mom. They don't have much, but Bea always has a joke ready to lighten the mood. She works part-time in the campus library.
Lia is the serious one — quiet, sharp, and sometimes cold. Her parents work abroad and she practically raised her little brother alone. Money isn't a problem, but love and presence? That's her struggle.
Ira is the soft-hearted artist. Her dad left when she was young and her mom's sick most of the time, but Ira never complains. She sketches during lunch, her escape from reality.
Together, they're Seren's safe zone.
They've seen her fall. Seen her cry. Especially last year… When she lost someone. A boy who said he loved her. Then disappeared. And when he came back — too late — she told him she didn't remember. Pretended the pain was gone. But it wasn't.
And now, Kael's presence threatens to open that door again.
---
More Background: Kael Ronin Navarro
Kael was born into luxury. His parents own resorts in Cebu. He rides imported bikes. Lives in a condo. Can travel on a whim.
To the world, he's that mysterious, rich heartbreaker who lives life in the fast lane. But only a few people know the real Kael.
Jace, his childhood best friend, came from nothing. They bonded over motorbikes and broken homes. Jace is loud, flirty, and fiercely loyal.
Reign, the mom of the group, is from Davao. Rich too, but she hides behind jokes. Her brother died two years ago, and she never talks about it — except to Kael.
Theo, the brains. Straight-A student, half-Japanese. Quiet, sarcastic, and tired of people assuming he's perfect. He hates parties but shows up anyway, just to make sure Kael doesn't get in trouble.
Miles, the artist. Painter. Guitarist. Struggled with depression. Kael once found him crying in the school rooftop at 2AM. Never left his side since.
Kael's circle is loud. Wild. Misunderstood.
But with Seren, Kael doesn't want to be wild. Doesn't want to be loud.
He wants to be seen.
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✨ TO BE CONTINUED... ✨