Chapter 8: A Normal Freshmen Day

It was quiet in Shooting Star, cold winds of zephyr were blowing from the west, and the fresh morning light still hadn't pierced through the curtains. Two days have passed since Ryan's arrival, Wendy and Joseph both loved talking to him during their break time and during their working hours, he would catch up with Lucas and ask him about his days. The lad woke up at exactly 3 AM to do his daily routine, Tai chi, seeing that it is one of his favorite routines to do with Ronald. He went downstairs and headed to the living room where he stretched a bit to wake his body before closing his eyes as he started doing the slow movement with his arms followed by his body. His movements were calm and flexible like a gentle flow of water across the rockless stream. He could feel the life energy that was coursing through his whole body, being one with his mind and soul as this also helped him focus on his primary task, helping Lucas with his work. Suddenly the lad heard faint noises coming from the Storage room where they kept their extra stock of antiques. Without hesitation, Ryan opened the door slowly and switched on the light, he expected it was Lucas but to his surprise, he saw Wendy collecting small antiques and putting them in a box she was carrying around her waist. "Wendy?, What are you doing here so early?" Ryan asked, surprised to see Wendy at this hour. The girl was shocked as well, seeing she didn't expect anyone to be up so early in the morning.

"Oh Ryan, you scared me a bit. I always come here early on weekdays, I got to school today so I'm putting the new antiques on the other Isle in advance so I won't have to deal with them later. How about you? Why did you wake up so early?" The girl asked with a small smile as she placed the small antiques in the box.

"I always wake up early as well, I guess we have something in common" Ryan replied as she kept her smile, nodding as a response. "Let me help you with that"

"Oh, no it's alright I got this"

"It's alright, I like to help out," Wendy thought for a moment before sighing with a smile as she handed him the box filled with antiques. Both of them exited the storage room, Ryan placed the box on the floor next to one of the Isle while Wendy closed the storage room before locking the door.

"Thanks, Ryan" Wendy thanked the lad, still keeping that smile of hers.

"Are you excited to go to school?" Ryan asked Wendy, hoping to start a small conversation.

"Not so much, I mean it's cool there, seeing that it's one of the only places I can relax and think but... There are days I wish that I rather be in this store than in that school."

Ryan gazed at Wendy with a sympathetic look and smile, placing a warm hand over her shoulder before responding. "Well, you can always talk to me when you're having trouble, I promise to do my best to understand your problems"

She instantly blushes, knowing that she didn't expect Ryan to suddenly place a hand over her shoulder but she was grateful that it's too dark for him to see her reddened face.

"T-thanks... I'll try to talk to you if I am having one of those days again... How about you Ryan, you excited for your first day in school?."

Ryan Raised his right eyebrow in a confused response. "What do you mean?"

"Lucas enrolled you at Shooting Star High. He didn't tell you?"

Ryan's chest suddenly felt a bit heavy. The boy was once bullied in his previous school so he was suddenly nervous, thinking that he might have to go to school again. "Uncle Lucas didn't tell me about that"

"Oh, he must be planning on surprising you then, sorry if I ruined the surprise." She then noticed that the face Ryan was making felt off, the usual cheery vibe that she always felt towards him suddenly disappeared "Ryan, are you alright?"

"Oh... Yeah, I'm fine.."

"Are you sure...?" Wendy was suddenly worried for the lad, wanting to help him with his state, she grabbed him by the hand and pulled him towards the living room where they both sat on the same sofa. "Tell me what's wrong, dude. I can see in your face that something is wrong"

"To be short... I don't work... Well in... School" Ryan responded with a faint voice.

"Are you nervous seeing that you'll be a freshman?"

"No, it's not that... It's just... I had trouble, making friends and was bullied a lot so I had to switch to homeschool" Ryan admitted but he made his response vague, there was something from his past school that he will never tell anyone about.

"I see... It's alright, dude. You already have me and Joseph as a friend. We'll always have your back" Ryan felt a bit relieved hearing that from a girl he just met two days ago.

"Yeah... I guess you're right, thank you" Ryan replied with a faint chuckle before both of them stared at each other's eyes. Wendy slightly blushes from the sight and slowly brushes her front hair to the back of her right ear while avoiding his somehow mesmerizing eyes. He suddenly noticed that Wendy looked a bit like his old friend Selena when she brushed her hair like that, once more he tried to rid his mind off the girl that disappeared and focused on what's in front of him... "Wendy do you have a boyfriend?" He boldly asked Wendy with a calm look.

Wendy's eyes suddenly widened in shock and surprise, her face turned red after hearing Ryan's sudden question. " N-no I don't have a boyfriend! Why would you ask that?!" Wendy replied with a loud voice, her embarrassment was taking over her mind as she can only think of shouting to hide her rising emotions.

Ryan tilted his head sideways, confused on why she was still single.

"Why? I mean you're beautiful, I thought you would have a Boyfriend by now unless you're not looking for one." Wendy's face was now comparable to a Tomato when she heard his compliment.

"You think I'm beautiful...?" She asked shyly but Ryan failed to hear her faint voice.

"I'm sorry did you say something? I couldn't hear that, also are you alright your face is Red?" Ryan noticed her reddened face, the rising light of the morning sun was slowly shining upon them through the window. He was indeed dense to see why she was like that or maybe something else is preventing him from noticing, something supernatural or he is really just dense. He gently placed his right palm on her forehead, checking if she has a sudden fever but Wendy, whose body suddenly felt hot due to the moment, suddenly stood up from where they sat and grabbed her backpack that she hung on the coat hanger and headed towards the door in a rush. "Don't worry about that! I'm gonna go now, still got school bye! " She laughed awkwardly and quickly exited the store with her face still red. Ryan smiled at her softly and placed the Antiques on their proper shelves for her since Wendy forgot. Hours have passed the morning light already pierced through the Curtains. Ryan cooked Scrambled eggs with tomatoes and pancakes for his Uncle. Lucas came down and was surprised to see his Nephew cook. The man tasted the eggs and spoke "Wow, These are the best eggs I've ever eaten. Where did you learn to cook like this?" Ryan started eating the pancakes and looked over at Lucas to respond to his question.

"From Ms. Sasha, my Foster parent's maid, she was an excellent cook and raised me with love and care. " Both of them continued on eating after his reply. Lucas enjoyed eating his Nephew's cooking before Ryan asked a question in return.

"I heard from Wendy that you enrolled me in this town's school?"

Lucas was already done with his Breakfast when Ryan asked him a question. He took a long sip from his warm morning coffee and calmly replied. " Yes, I was planning on surprising you though. I know that you are still 18 so I wanted to enroll you at this town's school where they have a K to 12 programs, so you could make some new friends and meet other people... Not to mention discover yourself"

"Oh... I see..."

"Is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong, it's just I have been homeschooled so I'm a bit nervous"

"Ahhh, don't worry. I already spoke to the principal, he'll take good care of you"

"Thanks, Uncle Lucas"

"I've prepared your backpack, it's already filled with the necessary school supplies, it's on the couch." Ryan finished his Breakfast and took a sip from his glass of cold water, he still felt nervous and Lucas noticed that.

"Hey kid, don't worry. You won't be alone, Wendy will accompany you on your way" Lucas spoke with a reassuring tone as he grabbed both of their plates from the table.

"Wendy's coming?"

"Of course she is, she asked me yesterday that she would accompany me. I told her that it's okay and I would accompany her instead but she became aggressive with her words and insisted so I just had to agree with her" Lucas laughed after speaking and headed towards the kitchen to wash the dishes.

Ryan smiles along the way when Lucas said Wendy would accompany him willingly, using it as something to boost his self-confidence, he stood up from the chair and headed upstairs to change his clothes. He wore his grey jacket with a black shirt underneath and a pair of blue jeans and black shoes before heading back downstairs, grabbing the backpack on the couch and saying goodbye to Lucas as he exited the Shop to see Wendy outside, waiting for him. "Took you long enough." Wendy approached him with a smile on her face. "

"If you were going to accompany me in the end, why did you have to leave earlier? You could have waited for me inside"

"W-well... It doesn't matter now, let's just go before we're late" Wendy suggested before Ryan nodded and walked with her down the road. On their way there, Ryan shifted his head from side to side, gazing at the pleasant and calming view of the trees beside the road, he truly missed the sight of trees surrounding him. "Hey… Ryan sorry about earlier….. you know for just leaving immediately…" She apologized with a low voice.

"Don't worry about it Wendy, I'm not upset" Ryan responded with a positive tone and looked over at Wendy. " I missed this sight... trees, and nature everywhere, sounds of the birds chirping and calm winds blowing from the side of the forest. I used to live in a small forest before... before I moved into the city"

"What's the life there?"

"Hard... Really hard, but eventually, you will learn to never give up and push through the obstacles... You may think that you're alone but in the end, you're never alone"

"Wow, I think you don't need school anymore because of that wise advice" Both of them laughed softly after she said that and gazed at each other once more.

"You know... You're actually the first girl I ever walk with in a very long time... So thank you for accompanying me"

The girl beside him slightly blushes after what Ryan just said and smiled towards him before turning her head to face the arriving town.

"Jeez, you don't have to make a big deal about it"

Wendy replied but deep down she loved the thought of what he said. They managed to arrive at the large public school, seeing the other students of the school entering the gates. Ryan admired the outside view of the house of learning before they went inside. It was indeed large and spacious insides anyone could have guessed by just staring outside. Soon a tall man wearing formal clothing walked towards Ryan and Wendy before greeting them.

"Welcome to Shooting Star High, you must be Ryan Cunningham. Lucas told me a lot about you I hope you find it relieving in here, if you have any problems or questions, feel free to ask the other teachers or ask me, personally"

"Thank you, sir"

"Oh, such formality. Lucas was right when he said that I would like you. Also, colored contact lenses and Dyed hair is against the rules"

"Apologies about that sir but I'm afraid I can't do that, I was born with this hair and eyes, changing them would mean that I do not accept myself for who I am"

"Hmm, a bit aggressive there but I like you. Wendy accompanied him to your class, I already told Me. Claire that she will have a new student"

"Alright, come on Ryan"

"Thank you so much, sir," Ryan said his farewell as both of them headed towards their class. The moment she opened the door, half of the class inside turned their look towards Ryan, the others were weirded by his appearance while the others were bedazzled by the way he looked, mostly the females in the class. Ryan waved shyly at his soon-to-be classmates before sitting on an extra chair in the front row as Wendy sat on a chair behind him, placing her backpack on her desk as she pulled out her English Literature book. Soon a female teacher walked inside the classroom and stood behind her desk before announcing Ryan.

"Alright Class, I know Autumn is almost coming, but we have a new student joining us. Would you stand in front of the class and introduce yourself?" The teacher asked as she. Turned her eyes directly at Ryan. Ryan hesitated at first but stood up in the end and walked towards the front of the class where he could see all the student's gaze at him. It was indeed one of the scariest things a teenager could do on their first day, but Ryan wasn't afraid, just slightly nervous.

"Hello, I'm Ryan Cunningham, I used to live in the big City but I moved in with my Uncle here in Shooting Star"

"This shouldn't be required, it's pointless. Just sit down so this class could finally be over, idiot" Said one of the students that were far back in the row, the teacher didn't respond and ignored what he said but not Wendy, the girl didn't like how he said that to Ryan.

"Bruno, cut him some slack. What's your problem anyway? Can't you just be quiet?"

"Oh, sure I'll be quiet, for something in return, a kiss maybe?" The male replied with an irritating laugh, Ryan felt angry towards the disrespectful student but he didn't want to cause a scene, not after what happened last time he was in school.

"That's enough, Ryan you can sit down now. Alright, Class open your books to page 214 and answer the guide questions below" The teacher announced before Ryan sat back in his seat and leaned back to reach Wendy for a whisper.

"Wendy, who's that?"

"Bruno, he's a total asshole... Just ignore him"

"Why didn't the teacher do anything?"

"Because his dad is responsible for half of this school's income, so he abuses the power and gets away with anything, if he was to ever be called to the principal's office, he would just lie to his father to make him refuse to give the school money... So technically it's blackmail" Ryan stared at Bruno who was also staring back at him with a smirk.

The first period has ended, students are packing their books inside their lockers as Ryan and Wendy prepare for their next subject, biology. Ryan suddenly felt the urge to go to the bathroom, as he went inside the male's bathroom, he could tell that someone was following him. He locked the door behind him and made a leak on the toilet before exiting to see Bruno and two other male students beside him, standing in front of Ryan with a serious look.

"What do you want?" Ryan asked, walking past them to wash his hands.

"What is Wendy to you?" Bruno asked, calmly.

"A friend"

"Hmm, a friend huh? Stay away from her if you know what's good for you, she's mine"

"She is not yours, she can make her own decisions and I can tell she won't choose you"

"Hey, watch what you're saying, freshmen!" Said one of the students with Bruno. Ryan wiped his hands with tissues before gazing at the student who threatened him.

"Or what?" Ryan asked before the student threw a right elbow across his face but Ryan swiftly leaned back to avoid it before striking the student's throat with one strike. The other one attempted to tackle Ryan but he got ahead of the situation and kicked the other one on his crotch before striking his chin with his knee as he watched the two fall on the cold bathroom floor in pain. Bruno just stood from where he was, looking calm despite what happened.

"This was self-defense, and stay away from Wendy"

"Or what?"

"Or I will kill you" Ryan replied showing no fear but hatred in his eyes that surprised the man in front of him before exiting the Bathroom.

"I'll make him pay for talking to me like that"

After a few hours, the school bell finally rang, signaling the lunch break at Shooting Star High. Ryan bought food from the cafeteria and was now looking for a place to sit and eat. He could feel a thousand eyes watching him as he searched for a place to sit, luckily Wendy called out his name, signaling him to sit with her and Joseph who was reorganizing his deck of Yu-Gi-Oh cards. Ryan felt relieved that he found Wendy. The lad made his way towards their table, but suddenly he was tripped and caused him to fall on the ground, staining his jacket with the food he ordered. The crowd's attention was placed over at him as Wendy rushed in to help him up.

"Ryan are you ok? You're an asshole Bruno!" Wendy shouted as Bruno raised his eyebrows, lying his way out of the situation.

"Me? Why would I do that? Did you see me do it?" Bruno responded as he laughed along with his crew of delinquent-looking students.

Ryan suddenly snapped out and was fueled with Rage, turning to face Bruno as he yelled with a very loud voice that was heard around the whole cafeteria. "You think you're funny?! Let see what you got without your lackeys backing you up!"

Suddenly the crowd was shocked at how Ryan aggressively yelled at Bruno, no one has ever stood up against that tyrant and Ryan was the first. Bruno slowly stood up from his table and walked towards Ryan, tall and dominant was one of the few words to describe Bruno but Ryan has been through much worse. "Alright then, City Boy. Throw the first punch, do it"

"Ryan, just let it go..." Wendy suggested, worried for the lad.

"No, he needs to be thought a lesson"

"Alright everyone, pay your attention to the Freshmen, let's see how tough he thinks he is" Bruno shouted as he gazed over at Ryan with a triumph smirk.

With the rage coursing through Ryan's veins, he Clenched his fists and attempted to throw a punch at Bruno, but he suddenly paused as a glimpse of memory appeared on his mind, a memory that flushed all of his rage and anger down the drain of Guilt and Despair. Closing his eyes as he let out a deep breath before shaking his head sideways like waving his hands as hello. "No... This isn't right...."

Then all of a sudden, Ryan was seen falling hard onto the ground after getting hit by a powerful right hook by Bruno in a flash. "Heh, you're weak. Can't even throw a punch after talking so brave earlier, stay away from me and Wendy freak"

"Bruno! You son of a-" Ryan cut off Wendy by gesturing her with an open palm. Feeling a surge of pain from his right cheek, he pushed himself up slowly by his hands and knees before muttering a sentence.

"What... Did you call me?"

"You heard me, I said you're a freak. Just like the girl in the Library. You talk a big game, killing me? Ha! You can't even throw a punch, how weak!" The crowd was still silent but deep down, they wanted Ryan to stand up. The moment Ryan raised his voice at him gave the students hope that there would finally be someone to stand up against Bruno and that was Ryan. He picked himself up but remained gazing at the floor, his left eye was glowing just like the time with Selena.

"Manners... Maketh... man... Without manners then what is stopping us from being compared to animals outside?" Ryan muttered once more.

"The hell are you saying?"

"Whatever I am about to do to you... Is Self defense... Whether I break your bones or not, you hit first so I hit you back... Harder..."

"Oh? So come on then throw a punch!"

Suddenly in a blink of an eye, Bruno failed to process Ryan's sudden Roundhouse kick seeing that he was so fast, probably even comparable to a grandmaster of Martial Arts. He was knocked back as his nose suddenly started to drip with blood. The spectators were shocked as well, they were late to realize how Ryan did that move so quickly. Bruno was suddenly filled with Rage and aimlessly threw another punch. Ryan anticipated that he would do that and quickly dashed forward to Bruno, letting his punch pass him by across the shoulder before planting his feet in-between Bruno's legs, grabbing his fist, and bending downwards as he executed a perfect shoulder throw. Still holding his wrist, he twisted the wrist to the left, if he were to continue then the wrist will surely break.

"In the count of three, I will break your wrist unless you surrender... One... Two... Three..." As Ryan counted slowly, Bruno could see a soulless gaze on his split-colored eyes, feeling the first sudden rising emotion he ever felt, it was not rage, it was not hatred, it was something worse... It was fear. Not wanting to have a broken limb, Bruno tapped the floor three times with his free hand as a son of surrendering. Ryan huffed and released him from his grasp before the principal arrived on the scene.

"Alright everyone gets back your Classes! Ryan, come with me to my office" The principal spoke aggressively before walking out of the cafeteria as Wendy and Joseph walked towards Ryan.

"Ryan are you alright?" Joseph asked.

"I am, I'll see you guys later"

"I'll wait for you..." Wendy stated before he followed the Principal towards the office while Bruno's lackeys assisted him up and towards the nurse's office.

"I expected more from you, It's just your first day but you already managed to cause a mess like this..." The principal spoke as he stood in front of the window, gazing at the calming view of the town.

"I am truly sorry for what I did and I regret it so much... If you are to expel me then I take full responsibility" Ryan replied proudly as the Principal sighed and sat on the chair, facing Ryan up close.

"No, I will not expel you. To be honest, I am relieved that Bruno got what he deserved, he has been traumatizing the other students since he enrolled here..."

Ryan was shocked, he never expected that kind of response from someone who owns the school. "Why don't you punish him? Or tell his father"

"Because his father gives half of the money that this school makes... If we are to lose Mr. Rodriguez then this school will be bankrupt..."

"How much money does this school need?"

"Quite a lot, why?" The Principal asked as Ryan suddenly made a quick phone call to Ronald.

"Hello? Master Ryan?" Ronald asked through the call.

"Hello, Ronald. It's been a while"

"How is Shooting Star?"

"It's been wonderful I hope you and Ms. Sasha is doing alright"

"Pay no worries, we are happy here. I am relieved to hear your voice again. Do you need something?"

"Actually, yes I do. Uncle Lucas enrolled me at a public school in Shooting Star but the principal requires more school funds, So I hoping-"

"Say no more, Master Ryan. I will handle the current problem. Tell the Principal the Manor's address and I will handle the required payments"

"Thank you so much, Ronald. Goodbye and tell Ma. Sasha, I miss her"

"Will do"

Ryan hung up and Wrote the Manor's address on a plain piece of paper using a black pen he carried in his pocket.

"Here, sir. Go to this address and my butler will discuss with you the school's currency problems"

The principal's eyes widened after what he just said.

"Ryan you don't have to do this, I can think of other ways"

"Don't worry, I want to help improve this school... Ronald will help you. He used to be my foster parent's assistant so he is Financial"

"... What you're doing is something I can never repay... But Thank you so much, Ryan"

"You're welcome, sir"

"Please, call me Mr. Alex. You're free to go, I promise I will discuss Mr. Rodriguez with his so"

Ryan nodded his head as a response before leaving the area and saw Wendy the moment he opened the door.

"How was it? Were you sent to detention?" Wendy asked with a concerned look as he closed the door behind him.

"No, I'm off the hook. Thanks for worrying" Wendy Sighed as part of her response before they headed back to their class.

The last hour of school has passed and the students were finally free to leave. Ryan separates from Wendy and Joseph and heads back to the shop seeing that Wendy and Joseph both live in separate houses. As he walked down the same road he took earlier, a sudden occurrence of a thick fog appeared from nowhere, anyone could get lost but luckily he remembered the past he took on his way to school with Wendy. Soon he heard a strange faint noise, first, it sounded like a deer or an elf before a loud growl was heard, sleeting the lad. His eyes suddenly widened as his feet started to shiver without a reason, the memory of his past childhood occurred and took control of his nerves. But he clenched his fist and avoided the noise but the deer Cry opened his eyes and heart as he only found himself dashing into the foggy forest. He had no idea why he was doing this but deep down he felt this was the right thing to do. He searched for strange noises for a while before he saw a Large male deer, lying on the ground with a very large wound on its stomach as if a large beast took a single bite. He then noticed that there are arrows stuck on the trees as if someone fired them or, someone fought something. He ignored the arrows for now and walked towards the dying deer, it was a deer larger than any deer he ever saw on TV.

"It's too big to be a bear or a wolf... What happened...? Who did this to you, friend?" Ryan muttered as he crouched to reach the Deer's level. He placed his right palm gently on the Deer's head and slowly gave it a rub and a gentle pat. "You lived a long Majestic life... You can rest in peace with your ancestors now..."

The deer gazed at Ryan's pupils for a short second before tears were seen in the Deer's eyes. Soon its eyelids started to get heavy and not so long later, they were fully shut, no longer breathing. It was dead and lifeless. Ryan stood up, he couldn't just leave something so majestic like that so he dug up a large hole on the ground and hurried the deer properly, but little did he know, a tall hooded figure was standing on a branch of a tree, staring at him from behind before disappearing into the fog. Ryan soon finished the Deer's burial and headed back on the road. Time slowly passed, Ryan eventually arrived back in the shop. Lucas greeted him and asked him about his day. Ryan didn't tell him about the incident in the cafeteria, just told him how fun he had learned with Wendy. Lucas wasn't content with his response but he could tell that Ryan has been through a lot, seeing a viable food stain on his jacket and his hands covered in dirt. At first, he was suspicious of him but seeing nothing is easy when you're a freshman so he shrugged off the thought and said "You should get some rest, for now, I'll handle dinner"

Ryan nodded as a small response before walking inside his room, closing the door behind him and flopping onto his bed as he quickly fell asleep, hoping that tomorrow would be another normal day like this, no tragedy, no mystery, just a normal hard knock life. Or so he hoped...