The Start of Her Second Chance

The gates of Veridian National University glimmered under the morning sun — tall, proud, and almost intimidating. The school of heirs, prodigies, and a few “lucky scholars,” they called it. Jazlyn Celeste Mercado stopped in front of the gate, taking in the familiar sight.

The smell of freshly cut grass, the sound of students laughing — everything was the same. The only thing that had changed was her.

She clenched her fists and whispered under her breath, her voice cold but steady.

“I’ll start again. And this time… you’ll all pay for what you did.”

The guard nodded at her, recognizing the Mercado name, and she walked through. Her heels clicked against the pavement — every step a quiet reminder that she wasn’t the naïve girl she used to be.

“JAZLYN!”

She turned and saw Jane Rivera, waving with her usual big smile. Jane was one of the few people who never betrayed her — even in her first life. Seeing her again brought a soft warmth to Jazlyn’s chest.

“Jane,” Jazlyn greeted, smiling faintly.

“Girl, you look like a boss today! New hair, new energy!” Jane teased, linking arms with her. “What happened to my sleepy bestie?”

Jazlyn chuckled. “Guess I finally grew up.”

Jane laughed. “Or finally had breakfast?”

They both giggled as they walked toward the Business Hall. For a brief second, Jazlyn forgot about revenge — just a girl going to class with her friend.

Inside the hall, students were already crowding the bulletin board. A senior was announcing loudly, “No classes this morning! Teachers’ meeting for intramurals prep!”

“YES!” Jane almost screamed. “No classes means coffee time!”

Jazlyn smiled. “Library, not café. We can get ahead on our report.”

Jane groaned dramatically. “Fine, fine. But you owe me a caramel latte after this.”

They headed toward the library, chatting about upcoming events, when a too-familiar voice stopped them cold.

“Well, look who decided to bless us with her presence.”

Jazlyn froze for half a second before slowly turning her head. Standing by the basketball court’s fence was Adrian Navarro, his grin as sharp as ever. Beside him, clinging like a shadow, was Camille Santos — the girl Jazlyn once called her best friend.

“Adrian,” Jazlyn greeted flatly.

Adrian smirked. “You still remember my name. I’m touched.”

Camille giggled, her voice dripping with fake sweetness. “Jazlyn, you’re on your way to the library, right? Be a dear and buy us some water bottles. We’ve been practicing and we’re dying of thirst.”

Jane scoffed. “You’ve got legs, don’t you? Buy them yourself.”

Camille rolled her eyes. “Oh, relax. It’s just water. Don’t be so sensitive.”

Jazlyn raised her hand slightly to calm Jane. “It’s fine,” she said coolly. “I’ll get it.”

Jane grabbed her wrist. “Jaz, you don’t have to—”

Jazlyn gave her a small, calm smile. “Don’t worry. It’s just water.”

Her tone was soft but there was something in her eyes — sharp, unreadable.

---

A few minutes later, Jazlyn returned holding four bottles of cold water. Adrian and Camille were still lounging by the court, laughing with their little group of friends. They didn’t even notice her walking past them.

Jane followed behind, whispering, “You’re seriously going to give it to them? They don’t deserve it.”

Jazlyn didn’t answer. Her gaze had already found someone sitting at the far corner of the bleachers — a tall guy in a plain black hoodie, one earbud in, head slightly bowed as he read a book.

Something inside her chest tightened.

That face.

Her heartbeat slowed, then raced. She could never forget that face — the man who had tried to save her before the fire consumed everything.

Sebastian.

She remembered his voice shouting her name, his hand reaching out through the smoke. And now he was here — alive, calm, and completely unaware that she already knew him.

“Jazlyn?” Jane called softly, confused. “Where are you going?”

Jazlyn didn’t answer. She kept walking, straight toward the guy. Every step made the chatter around the court fade away.

When she stopped in front of him, Sebastian looked up, removing one earbud. His eyes — clear, steady, unreadable — met hers.

She swallowed, forcing her voice not to shake.

“You looked thirsty,” she said softly, handing him the bottle.

Sebastian blinked, slightly surprised. “Oh… uh, thank you.”

He took the bottle, and their fingers brushed. His hand was warm — too warm, like fire remembered.

Around them, whispers began.

“Wait, isn’t that the new transfer student?”

“Why is Jazlyn Mercado giving him water?”

“Didn’t Adrian ask her to buy drinks?”

Even Jane’s mouth dropped open. “Jaz… what are you doing?” she whispered.

Adrian’s voice cut through the noise, loud and angry. “JAZLYN!”

Everyone turned. Adrian stormed over, Camille following quickly behind him.

“What the hell was that?” Adrian demanded. “I told you to buy water for us!”

Jazlyn turned to him slowly, her expression calm and distant. “And I did.”

Camille crossed her arms. “Then why give it to him?”

“Because,” Jazlyn said, looking straight into Adrian’s eyes, “he actually looked like he needed it.”

The court went silent.

Even Sebastian looked up, one brow slightly raised, a flicker of amusement crossing his face.

Adrian clenched his jaw. “Are you kidding me right now?”

Jazlyn tilted her head. “Do I look like I’m kidding?”

The crowd murmured again, half in shock, half in delight at the brewing drama.

Camille stepped forward, pretending to look hurt. “Jazlyn, what’s gotten into you? We were just joking earlier—”

Jazlyn’s gaze turned cold. “I’m not in the mood for jokes.”

Adrian scoffed. “You’ve changed.”

“You just never bothered to see me clearly before,” she replied.

Jane tugged lightly on Jazlyn’s arm, whispering, “Jaz, maybe let’s go—”

But Jazlyn stayed still, facing Adrian like she’d been waiting for this moment.

Adrian sneered. “So what, you’re into random guys now? You don’t even know who he is!”

Jazlyn’s lips curved slightly. “I don’t need to. I can already tell he’s better than you.”

Gasps erupted around them. Camille’s fake smile vanished.

“Excuse me?” Adrian barked.

Jazlyn smiled faintly. “You heard me.”

She turned slightly toward Sebastian, her voice softening without her meaning to. “Thanks for taking the water.”

Sebastian blinked again, unsure how to react. “You didn’t have to.”

“I wanted to,” she said quietly.

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