Planet Blue Star — Dragon Kingdom, Lumina City
The sun hung high over Lumina City, casting a golden shimmer across the skyline. Amidst the towering buildings stood Mystic High School, an imposing structure that buzzed with life. The lunch bell had rung minutes ago, and the hallways were now filled with chatter and the clatter of benches.
Inside one of the classrooms, a boy sat by the window, his gaze distant, lost beyond the glass.His name was Rey.
Of average height and slender build, Rey's black hair fell in unruly waves over his forehead, partially veiling a pair of sharp eyes that held an unusual depth—mysterious, almost haunting. Though surrounded by classmates, he seemed detached from it all, as if he walked a path only he could see.
He looked out the window quietly, unmoving.And yet, a storm of thoughts swirled behind his still eyes.
Suddenly, the door burst open.
A blond-haired boy strode in, exuding energy, followed by a quieter, slim boy with black hair and brown eyes.James and Evan.
James scanned the room, quickly locking eyes on Rey by the window.
"Told you he'd be here," James muttered, yanking Evan along as he marched over.
He slammed his hands on Rey's desk, staring down at him with exaggerated frustration.
"Hey! Do you even know how long we've been looking for you? Evan didn't believe me, but I knew you'd be right here!"
Evan sighed. "James, seriously? People are staring. You're making it look like we're staging a drama or something."
Rey let out a soft chuckle. "Sorry. I wasn't feeling great today, so I came here for some quiet."
"No worries," Evan replied. "We just came to ask if you're joining us. We're heading to the game center—James' treat today."
"Yup! Got my allowance early," James added with a grin. "We'll play for hours. And hey, the owner's a buddy of mine. Might sneak in a few extra rounds."
1st Person POV (Rey)
I was about to respond when a voice cut in.
"James, my man! It's my birthday today. Come celebrate with us!"
We all turned to see Jonny, a boy with too much confidence, standing with a group of girls.
James didn't hesitate. "Sorry, Jonny. Already got plans with my friends. Gonna have to skip."
Jonny glanced at Evan and me, eyes narrowing slightly. "Hanging with them? Seriously? You're ruining your image."
A few others—boys and girls—chimed in, backing Jonny up with fake smiles and petty remarks. But James didn't budge. Instead, he waved them off and told them to leave.
Some of the girls gave us death stares like we'd committed some unforgivable sin. Eventually, they walked out.
Here's the thing—James is the popular guy. Handsome, smart, confident, from a good family. He's the guy every clique wants on their side.But despite all that, he hangs out with Evan, the quiet one, and me—someone most people don't even notice.
Plenty of girls had asked James out, only to be politely rejected. And yeah, they kind of hold a grudge.
We even told him once, "Go have fun, man."But he always refuses.And for that… we've got his back.
The classroom fell into an awkward silence after the commotion. James shrugged it off with a chuckle.
"They act like they're from some royal club or something. Whatever. So, what were you about to say?"
I looked up and smiled, but there was weight in my words.
"Actually… I can't come today. I took a part-time job at a convenience store near my place. Gotta help my mom with some stuff."
Their smiles faded a bit.
My family's been through a lot.We were a normal middle-class household once—until the day my dad, Max, passed away. We lost everything. Our home, our stability... all of it gone.
My mom picked up the pieces. Took job after job to make ends meet. But it still wasn't enough.
So I stepped up.
"I see…" James said after a pause. He and Evan exchanged a glance before nodding.
"Well, if you ever need anything, just say the word, okay?"
I smiled. "Thanks. Now come on, the break's almost over, and you two still haven't eaten."
Laughing, they headed out.
But none of us noticed the shadow behind the classroom door.A presence that had been watching.Eyes burning with quiet hatred.
To Be Continued…
Author's Note:
Hey everyone! This is my first time writing a novel, so thanks for checking it out! I'm still learning, so forgive any small errors—I'll keep getting better with every chapter. The action is coming soon, so stick around. Drop a comment if you enjoyed it, and let me know your thoughts!
Have a great day, and see you in the next chapter! 😊