Julia
We entered the noisy classroom like a wave of energy crashing through the door.
"Hoy! Class rep! We can start submitting the assignments, right?" Jason shouted across the room.
"Good morning to you too, Jason. Yes, just drop them on my desk," I replied, heading to my seat.
One by one, books started piling onto my table. Everyone complied—well, everyone except one. No surprise there.
"Jeremy," I said, turning to him, "your assignment?"
Jeremy grinned, flashing that charming, lazy smile of his.
"Heyyy, come on, Jules… I'll submit it tomorrow. Put in a good word for me with the teacher, yeah?"
I sighed and shook my head. Classic Jeremy.
I glanced at my watch. A few minutes to the bell.
"All right, settle down everyone! The bell's about to ring!" I called, and the room scrambled into some form of order.
Right on cue, the bell rang, and Mrs. Carter—our overly chipper homeroom teacher—swept into the class, followed by two unfamiliar boys.
"Good morning, everyone! I trust you had a good weekend. I'll take attendance now," she beamed, far too happy for a Monday morning. Was she even human?
As she called out names, I couldn't help sneaking a glance at the new students. Not that I cared much—I was too busy trying to remember how to breathe like a normal person with Raven sitting directly behind me. Every time he shifted, I felt like my whole spine went stiff.
"Okay, everyone's present. That's great!" Mrs. Carter smiled. "I'm sure the news about our new students has gone around by now."
She turned to the boys. "Why don't you introduce yourselves?"
The blonde one with striking green eyes stepped forward.
"Hi, I'm Alvin. I'm gay and I love doing gay stuff," he said brightly.
The class chuckled.
"Thank you, Jamie," Mrs. Carter said without missing a beat.
"Julian," corrected the other boy with a neutral expression.
"I'm Julian."
The class waited for more. Silence stretched. Realizing the awkwardness, he cleared his throat.
"Um… I hope we get along well."
Mrs. Carter clapped her hands. "All right, that's enough. You two can find seats. If you need a tour or have questions, speak to your class rep. Julia?"
I raised my hand.
"Good. And everyone, behave yourselves. Jeremy and co., I'm especially looking at you. No detentions this week—I've had enough lectures from the principal." She sighed, gathering her things. "Study session begins now. Have a good day."
As soon as the door closed, I gathered the assignment books and marched to the front.
"Looks like everyone submitted. Except Jeremy." I shot him a look. "I'll inform the teacher you're submitting tomorrow—please actually do it this time."
With that, I left for the staff room.
After dropping the assignments on the desk, Miss Joy called out.
"Julia!"
I turned. "Yes, Miss Joy?"
"On your way back, please call the class rep from 3-C. Thank you."
"Will do."
Ah, 3-C. The kingdom of rich, arrogant snobs. I sighed and climbed the stairs.
At their door, I pasted on my best fake smile and stepped in.
The room went silent the second I entered. Eyes turned.
"Jeez," I muttered under my breath.
"Aaron, Miss Joy asked me to call you," I announced quickly and turned to leave.
"Julia! Wait!" he called after me.
I stopped.
"Thank you," he said with a smile.
What? Why was he smiling like that? I stared, confused.
He must've seen my expression because he laughed lightly. I nodded and walked away.
Back in class, study hour had begun. Sort of. Nobody actually studied during this hour—except me and a select few.
The room buzzed with small groups chatting and laughing. I clapped my hands.
"Guys, the noise is getting a bit much. Let's tone it down, please."
Surprisingly, they listened.
I turned to Kim. She already had her AirPods in, watching her usual K-drama. Jake was chatting with Alvin.
Guess I was on my own.
I opened my bag and groaned. My pencil case had been ransacked—again. Only highlighters and half an eraser remained.
My siblings were dead meat.
I tapped Kim.
"Got a spare pen?"
She scoffed. "Me? Take notes? You know I just snap pages or record."
Of course. I sighed.
A gentle tap on my shoulder made me freeze.
Raven.
I turned slowly. He offered me a pen.
"Oh my gosh, t-thank you," I stammered, accepting it with a smile that probably looked more like a grimace.
He smiled politely. My heart did a full gymnastics routine. So cute.
I turned back, plugged in my AirPods, and tried to study. But I felt it—eyes on me.
I looked around. And there he was.
Julian.
He was staring. Again.
I raised an eyebrow, silently asking what is your deal? He didn't flinch. I looked away and tried to focus.
Weird, mysterious guy.
Lunch Break
"Ahhhh… lunch. My favorite part of the day," Jake sighed, stretching and revealing his stomach.
Kim smacked his tummy. "Tempting."
"Ow! What was that for?" he pouted.
"You're welcome," she said smugly.
"I wonder what's for—hi, Julian," Kim added suddenly.
"You're so—hi, Julian?" I asked, confused.
Jake leaned in. "He's right behind you."
I turned—and nearly fell out of my chair. Julian was inches from my face.
"Christ! You scared me! Why were you so close?!"
He blinked. "Sorry."
A man of few words. Lovely.
"Can I help you?" I said, standing up. He stepped back.
"I was hoping you could give me a tour of the school."
"Now? It's lunch. I need to eat."
"Can you do it after school then?"
"Heck no."
"Then do it now. Lunch is an hour. A tour takes 20 minutes—you'll have 40 left to eat."
Wow. Longest sentence he's uttered.
"Fine," I grabbed my bag. "You guys go ahead. I'll catch up," I told Kim and Jake, who were giving me smug looks.
We walked in silence. I tried to read his mind again.
Blank.
No thoughts. No aura. No energy.
Even newborns have more presence.
He had to be sick. Really sick.
I peeked at him. Still blank expression.
Poor guy.
We wrapped up the tour in 15 minutes and reached the cafeteria.
"This is the cafeteria. You get your lunch at the counter. Dispose of leftovers over there. Warning bell rings at 12:45. Final bell at 1."
I pointed to where Alvin was seated. Julian said nothing. Not even a nod.
I patted his shoulder and walked off.
At my table, I dropped my tray and slumped.
"Rough tour?" Kim asked, fixing my hair.
"Not the tour. The person I gave the tour to!" I bit into my sandwich.
"Talk too much?"
"I wish! He barely talks! You know how we're used to people who laugh, argue, frustrate you, keep things lively? Now imagine being with someone whose entire vibe screams silence and boredom. It was draining."
Jake chuckled. "He can't be that bad."
"He's too hot to be that quiet," Kim mused. "Maybe he just didn't want to talk to you."
"Oh, and I tried reading his mind—nothing. Blank."
Jake sat up. "That's never happened before."
"Exactly! I thought maybe he was psychic too, but his aura? Dim. Energy? Weak. Like, dangerously weak. He's either very sick or…"
Kim raised an eyebrow. "Or maybe he's just ordinary. Not everything's supernatural."
"Eat up," Jake said, popping a grape in my mouth. "Don't let this mystery ruin your lunch."
I nodded, chewing slowly.
But one thing was clear—Julian wasn't ordinary.
Something was up with him.
And I was going to find out.