Romance With My Dragon Prince

STELLA  The classroom was noisy, filled with students talking and shuffling their books. I was focused on my notes, my pen moving swiftly across the page as I tried to finish before the bell rang. The words blurred slightly from my rushed handwriting, but I didn’t care as long as I got everything down in time. Just as I was about to complete the last line, a voice rang out, clear and unmistakable. “Stella!” My fingers froze around my pen. I slowly lifted my gaze, and there, standing at the entrance of the classroom, was Kieran. He held a bunch of small roses in his hands, his expression calm yet gentle. My heartbeat quickened. The entire classroom went silent, all eyes shifting between him and me. Kieran strode forward with confidence, his footsteps echoing in the sudden hush. My hands gripped the edge of my notebook as he stopped right in front of my desk. And then, to my utter disbelief, he got down on one knee. “Stella, I like you,” he said, his voice clear and unwavering as he held out the roses. “Will you be my girlfriend?” My mind went blank. I sat there, frozen, unable to process what was happening. Around me, whispers and giggles filled the air, but I could barely hear them. My focus was locked onto Kieran and his unwavering gaze. He called my name again, snapping me out of my daze. I swallowed hard, my hands tightening around my pen. “I… I’m not interested,” I blurted out, my voice barely above a whisper. My own words surprised me, but I didn’t take them back. Without waiting for his reaction, I hastily closed my notebook, grabbed my bag, and stood up. The weight of the stares around me was suffocating, but I forced myself to walk out of the classroom, ignoring the murmurs and whispers behind me. By the time I reached the school bus stop, my heart was pounding. I stepped onto the bus, my movements stiff, and settled into a seat by the window. The scenery outside blurred as I stared out, trying to calm the storm of emotions inside me. My chest felt tight, my thoughts tangled. It was the first time anyone had ever confessed to me, and I didn’t know how to handle it. The feeling was strange, unfamiliar, and unsettling. When the bus reached my stop, I got down and walked home, my mind still caught in a haze. As soon as I stepped inside, I let out a long breath and set my bag down. Freshening up, I started focusing on my homework, trying to push the day’s events to the back of my mind. At dinner, my parents sat across from me, their usual warmth filling the room. “How was school?” my mom asked, passing me a plate of vegetables. I gave a small smile. “It was fine.” “Are you eating enough, sweetheart?” my dad asked, his eyes filled with concern. “You’re not skipping meals, right?” “I’m eating well, Dad,” I assured him quickly, not wanting to add more vegetables to my dinner. “Good girl,” my mom said approvingly. “Keep working hard. Exams are coming up, and we’re counting on you to do well.” I nodded. “Okay, Mom.” I didn’t mention the confession. I didn’t see a reason to. It wasn’t something I wanted them to worry about. I told myself it didn’t matter, that it was just a fleeting moment I needed to forget. Later, lying in bed, my mind drifted back to the scene in the classroom. Kieran’s voice, his expression, the way he had looked at me—it all played over and over in my head. I squeezed my eyes shut, willing myself to push it aside. It was nothing. Just a moment. Nothing more. The next morning, I followed my usual routine, grabbed my bag, and caught the school bus like always. When I arrived at school, however, something felt different. Unfamiliar gazes followed me, whispers floating through the air. A chill ran down my spine, but I kept my head down and made my way to class. I told myself I didn’t care about Kieran’s confession. He was known for his playful nature, for charming girls and moving on. There was no way he truly liked me. Yet, what surprised me was how persistent he was. Every break, he came to my class, sitting on the edge of a desk and chatting with me like it was the most natural thing in the world. Even when I didn’t respond, he stayed. Days passed like this. Strangely, I started getting used to his presence. During the exam period, when he wasn’t around, I found myself noticing the empty space he left behind. I hated to admit it, but I had started to like having him around. The realization scared me. How could someone like him really like me? He barely knew me. And yet… a part of me wanted to believe in the possibility. By the last day of exams, I had made up my mind. As I walked out of the building, I spotted Kieran waiting at the school gate. My heart pounded, but I forced my steps forward. “I’ve though through it,” I said, keeping my voice firm. “I’ll give us a chance.” Kieran’s face lit up instantly. He almost stepped forward to hug me but seemed to notice my hesitation and held back. Instead, he grinned warmly. “That’s all I needed to hear,” he said. “Let’s go on a trip to my favorite place. We’ll get to know each other better. I promise I won’t cross any lines or do anything that makes you uncomfortable.” I nodded, feeling a mix of nervous and excitement. That evening, as I helped my mom in the kitchen, I finally spoke up at dinner. I also told them about his playboy nature. “Mom, Dad,” I began cautiously. “Kieran proposed to me, and I’ve decided to give him a chance. He had previously had many girlfriends and he has a playboy nature, but for some reason I want to believe his love for me and our future.” My father’s expression turned serious. “Stella, are you sure? Boys like him—” “I know, Dad,” I interrupted gently. “That’s why I’m being careful. He said we’d go on a trip, but only if you can track where we’re going. I’ll be safe.” My father sighed before nodding. “Alright. But if anything feels wrong, call us immediately. Be careful.” “I will,” I promised. Later that night, as I went downstairs for a glass of water, I overheard my parents talking. “I hope Kieran is a good boy,” my dad murmured. “At least she told us instead of hiding it.” A small smile tugged at my lips. “It’s because of our love and trust towards her, that she is always willing to share her feelings and thoughts,” my mother’s voice was warm. As I stood in the dimly lit kitchen, the cool glass of water in my hand, I heard my mother’s warm voice carrying through the quiet of the night. “Our family has always trusted intuition,” she said gently. “It was mine that made me marry you despite your family’s opposition… and my own family's worries about your playboy nature. They feared I would be cheated on, that I was making a mistake. But in the end, it gave me a happy life and a precious gift—our daughter, Stella. I believe her intuition will bring her happiness too.” A soft chuckle escaped my father, followed by a sigh. “I just hope she won’t have to face the struggles we did. But if she does, I hope she’s strong enough to get through them.” Hearing their words, a warmth spread through my chest. It was comforting, knowing they believed in me. My heart felt lighter, the unease I hadn’t even realized I was holding slowly fading away. Quietly, I finished my water and tiptoed back to my room. The bed felt softer than before, the weight of my thoughts no longer pressing as heavily on my mind. As I pulled the blanket over myself, a sense of peace settled in. With my heart at ease, I closed my eyes and drifted into sleep.