Kiana paced in the library, her mind racing with debate strategies. Crisanto sat across from her, scribbling notes.

"Hey, you okay?" Crisanto asked, concern etched on his face.

"I don't know if I can do this," Kiana admitted, stopping her pace. "Sid's unbeatable."

"Nah, you're just as good," Crisanto reassured. "We've got this."

But Kiana's fear lingered. She glanced at the clock – 48 hours until the debate.

"What if I mess up?" she whispered.

Crisanto covered her hand with his. "You won't. We've prepared for every scenario."

Just then, Sid walked by, confidence radiating from his stride.

"Looks like someone's ready to take the crown," Crisanto muttered.

Kiana's anxiety spiked. Sid's smirk seemed to say, "You're no match for me."

"Let's focus," Crisanto urged ignoring Sid, his voice steady. "We can do this, Kiana."

With newfound determination, Kiana nodded. "You're right. Let's show him what we're made of."

But as they delved back into prep, Kiana couldn't shake off Sid's piercing gaze, etched in her mind like a warning.

Time was running out.

Sid's eyes narrowed as he watched Kiana and Crisanto huddled together, their heads bent in unison. His jaw clenched.

"Why does she need him?" Sid muttered to himself.

Emily, standing beside him, noticed his gaze. "Sid, focus. We have a debate to win."

Sid's attention snapped back. "I am focused."

But his mind lingered on Kiana. Their rivalry dated back to freshman year, when Crisanto had bested him in a class debate. Sid had vowed to surpass him since.

Now, with Kiana by her side, Sid sensed a threat. In no way does he want Kiana to be upset but he can't even go against his team who has worked harder to reach this point "She thinks she can take me down with his help?" Sid's competitive fire ignited.

Emily raised an eyebrow. "You worried about them?"

Sid's expression turned cold. "I'm worried about winning."

As the debate drew near, tensions escalated.

Kiana, sensing Sid's glare, quickened her pace. "Crisanto, we need to perfect our argument."

Crisanto nodded. "We've got this."

But Sid's presence loomed, casting a shadow over Kiana's confidence.

Sid's hand slammed down on the book, the pages fluttering shut with a resounding thud. The sound echoed through the library's hushed atmosphere, drawing curious glances from nearby students.

The book's cover creaked under the force, its spine straining in protest. Sid's fingers, still grasping the book, whitened with tension.

For a moment, he sat frozen, his eyes fixed on the closed book. Then, with a swift motion, he pushed back his chair and stood up.

"Done," he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible. He was now sure about his feelings towards Kiana. He can't see her with another man rather than him. And he vowed to make her his in any condition.

Emily, seated nearby, looked up from her notes. "Sid, wait!"

But Sid was already striding away, leaving the library's silence in shambles.

Kiana, seated across the room, felt the vibrations of the thud. Her gaze drifted toward Sid's retreating figure, a mix of curiosity and unease swirling within her.

Crisanto followed her gaze. "Guess someone's feeling the pressure."

Kiana's attention snapped back to their prep work. "Let's focus."

Yet, Sid's abrupt departure lingered in her mind, like an unspoken challenge.

Time skips to the day of debate...

Kiana stood outside the debate hall, her heart racing like a marathon runner. She clutched her notes, the papers trembling in her sweaty palms.

Crisanto, beside her, offered a reassuring smile. "You've got this, Kiana. We've prepared for every scenario."

But Kiana's nerves refused to settle. She glanced around, spotting Sid and Emily near the entrance. Sid's confident gaze met hers, sending a shiver down her spine.

"Showtime," Crisanto whispered, nudging her forward.

As they entered the hall, the moderator's voice boomed through the microphone. "Welcome to the annual debate competition! Today, four teams will clash on the topic: 'Climate Change: Individual Responsibility vs. Government Accountability.'"

Kiana's stomach twisted into knots. She took a deep breath, mentally rehearsing her opening statement.

The teams took their positions at the podiums. Sid, opposite Kiana, flashed a cold smile.

"Let's begin," the moderator announced.

The debate erupted into a cacophony of arguments, counterarguments, and rebuttals. Kiana's voice trembled initially, but Crisanto's encouraging nods steadied her.

As the debate raged on, Kiana found her footing. Her confidence grew with each articulate point, each persuasive phrase.

But Sid remained unfazed, his counterarguments razor-sharp.

The audience watched, transfixed, as the battle of wits unfolded.

Kiana stood confidently at the podium, her voice ringing out across the hall. "Climate change is a collective responsibility. Governments and individuals must work together."

Sid countered, his tone sharp. "Individual actions are meaningless without systemic change. Governments must take the lead."

The judges nodded, intrigued.

Someone from behind whispered to Emily, "Kiana's losing steam."

Emily smiled slyly. "Sid's got this."

Kiana's voice wavered. "But—"

Sid interrupted, "We can't rely on individual goodwill. Policy change is crucial."

The audience applauded.

The judges deliberated, their expressions stern.Finally, the moderator spoke. "And the winner is... Sid."

The hall erupted into applause.

Kiana's face fell, disappointment etched on her features. She doesn't like to lose.

Sid's triumphant smile sparked Crisanto's anger.

"You won this time," Crisanto said, "but I'll take you down next time."

Emily's eyes gleamed with malice. "We'll see about that."

Kiana was gathering her essentials, her face scrunched up in a pout. Sid watched her, a stumble smile spreading across his face.

He can't help but notice how adorable she looks when she pouts. As he gazed at her, an overwhelming urge struck him.

"If only I could pinch that pout right now," Sid thought, his fingers twitching with the desire.

Just then, his friends swarmed him, congratulating him on his win.

“Congrats bro!” Brian jumped on him, nearly knocking him over.

After the congratulatory chaos died down, Sid felt a soft touch on his shoulder. He turned to see Emily smiling sweetly.

“Congrats, Siddharth. We got this.”

Sid nodded, his gaze drifting back to Kiana. She stood before him, her face still a picture of displeasure.

“Well done, Sid,” Kiana said, her voice laced with sarcasm.

Sid’s smile widened, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Thanks, Kiana. You pushed me hard.”

Kiana’s pout deepened, her voice tinged with frustration. “I’ll make sure to push harder next time.”

Sid’s gaze lingered on her face, his thoughts drifting back to that irresistible pout.

“My baby. Just wait a little bit until I make you fall in love with me,” Sid thought, his heart skipping a beat.

Emily’s voice cut through the tension, her tone sweet but laced with an undertone. “Sid, let’s celebrate. We deserve it.”

Sid nodded, his attention still on Kiana. “Later, Emily. I need to...bask in my victory.”

Kiana rolled her eyes, turning to leave.

“Kiana,” Sid called out, his voice low.

She turned back, her eyebrows raised.

Sid’s smile turned mischievous. “Don’t be too hard on yourself. You’re still amazing.”

Kiana’s cheeks flushed, her expression softening just a little bit before she again turned around.

Emily’s gaze narrowed, her smile faltering.

Brian intervened, clapping Sid on the back. “Let’s go, champ! Celebration awaits!”

As Sid stood up, his eyes never left Kiana’s face.

Finally after it felt like a long time they left the debate hall. Even after failure Kiana's team decided to celebrate their hardwork in a club.

As Kiana, Clara, and their friends entered the club, the pulsating music and vibrant lights enveloped them. They made their way to the bar, ordering drinks and laughing.

Meanwhile, Sid's team, including Emily and Brian, arrived at the same club. Sid's eyes scanned the crowd, locking onto Kiana's group.

"Looks like fate wants us together tonight," Sid whispered to himself, a sly smile spreading.

Emily noticed Sid's gaze and followed it to Kiana. Her expression darkened.

The two groups coincidentally grabbed adjacent tables. Crisanto, sensing tension, positioned himself near Kiana.

Sid sauntered over, his eyes locked on Kiana. "Mind if we join you?"

Kiana's hesitation was brief, she didn't want Sid to join, but couldn't do anything in front of her friends. Not at all.

Clara raised an eyebrow. "The debate king wants to party with us?"

Sid chuckled. "Even kings need to unwind."

As the night wore on, the groups mingled, laughter and conversations flowing.

As night wore on Kiana excused herself going towards the bathroom, soon after Crisanto followed her.

Sid's eyes narrowed, his smile vanishing. "What's Crisanto up to?"

He excused himself from the celebration, citing a need for fresh air. Emily's gaze lingered on him, suspicion flickering in her eyes.

Sid trailed behind Crisanto and Kiana, his footsteps silent.

"Crisanto thinks he can get close to her?" Sid's thoughts are seethed with possessiveness. "She's mine."

As he walked, Sid's mind replayed the debate, Kiana's determination and passion igniting a fire within him.

Crisanto turned back, his eyes locking onto Sid's. A challenge sparkled in his gaze.

Sid's jaw clenched. "Back off, Crisanto."

Crisanto fell back, his voice low. "You think you've won, Sid? You've only just begun."

Sid's eyes flashed. "Stay away from her."

Crisanto smirked. "Or what? You'll lose your cool?"

Sid's fists clenched, his control wavering.

"I honestly didn't think my enemy would be into a girl, and that's to Kiana," Crisanto said with a sly smile on his face. "Alright, now I want to fight for real. And I will win. Mind it."

Sid's eyes blazed with intensity as he grasped Crisanto's collar, his voice low and menacing. "Stay away with your dirty gaze from Kiana. She is mine only. Fucking set it in your brain."

Crisanto's eyes flashed with defiance. "Or what? You'll silence me like you did in the debate?"

Sid's grip tightened on Crisanto's collar. "You're pushing your luck."

Kiana emerged from the bathroom, her footsteps halted as she was met with a tense scene. The thumping music and laughter enveloping the club receded into the background, replaced by the sound of her own heartbeat.

Before her, Sid's towering figure loomed, his broad shoulders squared, and his chiseled features set in a fierce scowl. His eyes blazed with a fiery intensity, the golden flecks in his irises sparkling like embers.

Crisanto, smaller in stature, stood undaunted, a sly smile spreading across his face.

Sid's hand clenched around Crisanto's collar, his knuckles white with tension. The veins on his forearm bulged, evidence of the restraint he exercised.

Kiana's gaze locked onto Sid's, her eyes widening as she took in the raw emotion etched on his face. His jawline was tense, lips pressed into a thin line, and his nostrils flared.

"Stop it!!!" Kiana screamed, her voice piercing through the music.

Sid's gaze snapped to hers, the fire in his eyes softening slightly as he took in Kiana's alarmed expression.

Crisanto seized the moment, breaking free from Sid's grasp. "Thanks for the intervention, Kiana."

Sid's gaze never left Crisanto's face, his eyes blazing with unspoken threats. His jaw clenched, the muscle ticking.

Kiana stepped between them, her hands on Sid's chest, her voice firm. "What's going on?"

Sid's gaze shifted to Kiana, his eyes locking onto hers. Time seemed to freeze as he stared, possessiveness dripping from his gaze like honey.

Minutes ticked by, the music and laughter swirling around them, yet the trio remained suspended in silence.

Kiana's cheeks flushed, her eyes searching Sid's for answers. "Sid?"

No response.

Sid's stare deepened, his eyes burning with unspoken emotions.

Suddenly, he turned, his movements fluid and deliberate. Without a word, he walked away, disappearing into the throng of people.

Kiana hesitated, her eyes darting between Crisanto's knowing smile and Sid's retreating back.

She followed Sid, her heart racing.

As they vanished into the crowd, Crisanto's whisper echoed: "This isn't over."

The scene fades to the main hall, where Sid and Kiana navigate through the sea of people.