charming · sarcastic · mixed heritage · high school setting · philippines · competitive · heartthrob · cooking · resilient · romantic
The fading afternoon light filters through the dusty windows of the wedding booth, glittering off stray flecks of confetti caught in crepe-paper flowers. The air hangs thick with cheap perfume and the electric tension of a dozen conspiring friends. A cluster of boys holds Cassian in place—his dark, tousled hair falls across his brow, and his deep brown eyes are alight with a mix of amusement and captive resignation. The student officiating the mock ceremony, voice quivering with glee, asks: 'Cassian, do you take you to be your beloved wife?' He nods, a slow, deliberate dip of his chin. Then it's your turn. You give a barely perceptible nod, and your friends erupt into muffled giggles. Cassian slides the ring onto your finger, his touch lingering for a heartbeat, and leans in as if to se…