Wednesday :

The next morning arrives way too quickly, and I wake up with my stomach tied in knots. The anxiety about my Spanish class hasn't let up, and despite Isabella's reassurances last night, I feel like a complete mess. I get ready on autopilot, throwing on a comfortable sweater and jeans, and hope that the caffeine from my morning coffee will somehow make me magically fluent in Spanish.

When I walk into the Spanish classroom, it's already buzzing with energy. Students are chatting in rapid, fluent Spanish, and I immediately feel out of place. I take a seat near the back, clutching my notebook as if it can protect me from the impending disaster. Everyone else seems so relaxed, so confident, and I'm just trying not to hyperventilate.

Señora Alvarez, our professor, commands instant respect. She claps her hands, and the room falls silent. "¡Buenos días, clase!" She greets us, her voice strong and clear. (Good morning, class!)

What follows is a blur. She speaks rapidly in Spanish, and I'm only able to pick out a few words here and there. The sentences swirl around me, and I feel like I'm sinking. By the time Señora Alvarez finishes explaining the first half of the class, I'm mentally exhausted. I've taken notes that are probably gibberish, and I have no idea what's going on. I glance around, noticing how everyone else seems to be nodding along, perfectly at ease. Meanwhile, I'm wondering if it's too late to escape out the back door.

"Y ahora," Señora Alvarez announces, her voice cutting through my spiraling thoughts, "quiero hablar sobre nuestro proyecto para este año." (And now, I want to talk about our project for this year.)

I sit up straighter, feeling my stomach twist. She goes on, explaining in a mix of Spanish and occasional English that the class will be participating in a year-long project about our future career paths. And the kicker? It's going to involve a two-week immersion trip to Costa Rica in mid-December. A whole two weeks of speaking Spanish, doing research, and exploring the culture.

The room buzzes with excitement, but I'm frozen in place. Did she just say two weeks in Costa Rica? And did I hear correctly that this class is not just for one semester but an entire year? I feel like my world is tilting. I didn't sign up for this level of commitment—or this level of terror.

"Este proyecto será una parte importante de su calificación," Señora Alvarez continues, her eyes sweeping the room. (This project will be an important part of your grade.) "Y ahora, voy a anunciar sus parejas." (And now, I'm going to announce your partners.) My stomach drops even further.

When she gets to my name, I brace myself. "Amber Lee," she calls out, and then pauses for what feels like an eternity. "Tu pareja es Bryan Munzo." (Your partner is Bryan Munzo.)

No. Way.

I look up just as the door swings open, and in walks Bryan Munzo himself. His dark hair is slightly tousled, and he carries himself with an air of arrogance that makes everyone turn their heads. He's calm, composed, and exudes that infuriating, untouchable confidence that I've always found intimidating. His gaze sweeps the room, and when it lands on me, he raises an eyebrow, as if the universe has just handed him the most annoying inconvenience of the day.

I sink lower in my seat, heat rushing to my face. Of all the people in this class, I got paired with him. The same Bryan that has that permanent "don't mess with me" aura. The same Bryan whose reputation for having a bit of a temper and zero patience precedes him.

Class ends, and everyone starts packing up, buzzing with excitement about the project and the trip. I sat there for a moment, trying to pull myself together. I have no idea how I'm going to survive this. Finally, I mustered up the courage to approach Señora Alvarez.

"Um, Señora Álvarez?" I say, my voice small.

She looks up from her desk, her expression firm but not unkind. "Yes, Amber?"

I fidget with the strap of my backpack. "I... I didn't realize this was an advanced class. I was supposed to be in the beginner's, but it was full, and I don't understand much of what's going on. Is there any way I can catch up or... transfer out?"

She gives me a thoughtful look. "This class is intensive, and it will be a challenge. But it's also an opportunity for growth. Work with your partner, Bryan. He's a native speaker and can help you. Don't be afraid to ask for support. Learning isn't about perfection; it's about persistence."

I nod, feeling equal parts reassured and terrified. "Thank you," I manage, though my voice wavers.

As I turn to leave, Bryan is waiting near the doorway, his arms crossed and his expression bored and irritated. His dark eyes narrow slightly when he sees me approach.

"Well, isn't this just the luckiest day of my life," he says, his voice dripping with sarcasm. He crosses his arms, giving me a look that makes me want to sink into the floor.

I swallow, trying to keep my cool despite the blush creeping up my neck. I may be shy, but I'm not about to let him steamroll me. "Yeah, I'm sure partnering with me is exactly what you were hoping for," I shoot back, my voice soft but laced with sarcasm. "Sorry to disappoint."

He raises an eyebrow, clearly not expecting sass from the quiet girl in the back of the class. "At least you're self-aware," he mutters, glancing down at his phone as if this conversation is already old news. "Let's get something straight," he says, still looking at his phone. "I'm busy. Practice, games, a life—maybe you've heard of those?"

I stare at him, crossing my arms. "Yeah, I know what a life is. I have one too, believe it or not."

"Good," he says, finally looking up at me. "So let's agree to keep things simple. We'll split up the project—separately. No meeting up, no awkward study sessions. Just you doing your part, and me doing mine."

His dismissive tone makes my cheeks burn with irritation. "You're joking, right? This project is literally about working together."

Bryan just shrugs, looking entirely unbothered. "That's your interpretation. Mine's more like... let's avoid spending time together." He smirks, clearly pleased with himself.

I clench my jaw, forcing myself to stay calm. "Fine," I say, my voice sharper than usual. "But when the project falls apart because you were too busy to actually do it, don't expect me to cover for you."

"Wow," he says, raising an eyebrow. "Didn't expect you to have a backbone."

I glare at him, my cheeks turning even redder. "You're not the only one who's busy, you know."

He looks at me for a second, his expression unreadable, then smirks. "Good. Then you'll be fine with this arrangement."

Before I can respond, he turns and walks away, leaving me fuming. My first day in this class has already turned into a nightmare, and my "partner" seems determined to make it worse.

I stand there, watching him go, a thousand retorts buzzing in my head. This project is going to be a disaster, and I already know that I'm stuck with the most insufferable person on campus.

—

✨ Thank you so much for reading until the end of Chapter Five! I know it's a bit of a shorter chapter, but I really wanted to introduce some new and exciting developments—like the Spanish project announcement that's sure to shake things up! 

Your thoughts and theories are always welcome, so drop a comment and let me know what you think about Amber's latest challenges! I love hearing from you all, and your feedback means the world to me. 💬💕

If you enjoyed the chapter, don't forget to vote and add the book to your library so you're always in the loop for future updates. Trust me, there's a lot more drama, humor, and heartfelt moments coming your way!

Thanks for sticking with the story, and I can't wait to share more soon! 📚✨