New Friend, New Enemy

Picture this: You in a bizarre world that made absolutely no sense. Life got pretty wild for me with spies, magic, and a lunch break that made no sense.

I couldn't shake off the memory of the bizarre event that led me to this strange place. It all started with a test that felt like I was on the brink of death. I was in the middle of the exam when suddenly, I felt like I was gasping for air and about to pass out. That moment stuck with me for quite a while.

Mr. Drails, the guy running the show, had mentioned that the test was all about showing how danger could pop up out of nowhere. And I gotta say, I totally bought it. I couldn't help but wonder why I had been put through such a trial right after arriving. So, was that some sort of initiation? Was I just having a stroke of bad luck?

The place I ended up in was pretty overwhelming. Man, the tech, the folks, the whole shebang—it felt like I stumbled into a hidden realm I never even knew about. I didn't even have a moment to wrap my head around everything.

On top of everything, I hadn't been trained for any of this. Seeing those wizards do their thing didn't automatically turn me into a cool-headed decision-maker when my life was on the line. Realizing what was to come left me feeling completely unprepared for the future.

It was time for lunch, but things were a bit different this time. It was one o'clock, and that meant it was time for lunch in this quirky place. Heading to the cafeteria, I noticed students socializing and engaging in some friendly banter.

Next thing I noticed was this one dude with brown hair that just casually flopped to the side. He had a bunch of people around him, but it seemed like most were fans rather than pals.

I grabbed my food, which seemed like someone actually cared about making it, and went over to get some lemonade. While fixing myself a drink, I couldn't help but notice how much better the food was for the spy mages compared to the usual high school cafeteria options.

I plopped down at a table that was pretty empty, feeling the nerves starting to kick in. Just being around other people made me feel sick to my stomach. I thought about bolting from the cafeteria, but I made myself stay right where I was.

As I was about to give up on having lunch alone, someone shouted my name. "Hey there!"

I stood there, heart racing in my chest. Gathering all my bravery, I glanced over to spot a guy with stylish black hair slicked forward. He wore a button-down shirt and pants, striking a balance between not too bulky and not too slim. His skin had a warm, milk-chocolate hue, and his smile was brighter than freshly fallen snow.

"Hey," I mumbled, my tongue feeling like it was stuck.

"Hey, you're the fresh face around here?" he inquired, his grin shifting from warm to a tad mischievous.

I gave a nod, pretty amazed at how fast gossip spread in this place. "Sure thing, I suppose."

I couldn't shake the feeling that I'd always be remembered as the one who flunked the gas test. This place is really starting to make me second-guess my choice to be here.

"I'm Tisiah," he said, reaching out his hand. After giving it a good shake, I said, "I'm Connor."

He gave a nod, his smile growing even bigger. "Hey, what's up? What's the story?"

I found myself stuck in a corner, not knowing what to say. Tisiah let out a little laugh. "So, you're a spy mage now; spill the beans, we can handle it."

Now that I don't have to keep it a secret anymore, I can finally speak up. "So, I kinda just ended up in your thing with a bunch of guys in vests, probably TSA." So, this TSA agent decides to go all ninja on me, starts choking me out of nowhere. I had to bolt, and next thing I know, they're hot on my heels. And then, Mr. Drails rescued me and brought me on board.

Tisiah's eyes grew wide with surprise. Well, that's quite the entrance you've made. "And you've picked up a couple of buddies on your journey."

With a slight nod, I finally dug into my burrito. Once I dug in, I just couldn't seem to put the fork down!

"What's the plan once we're done here?" "So, what's the deal?" I inquired with a mouthful of food.

"We take a break to stretch our legs, and then it's back to classes." But you'll have to wait until tomorrow to join. Arriving during lunch means you won't be starting today.

"Well, well, well," I muttered, nodding in agreement. "That makes sense."

Well, at least I can relax without any more tests for a while. Right when I was thinking about it, the bell went off, and everyone sprang up and headed straight for the exit to the field.

The field was huge, with a basketball court and a road, all surrounded by security fencing to prevent anyone from getting out. Well, it totally made sense, given the weird situation of this place.

As I glanced around, there was this one person who really caught my eye. Her eyes met mine, and in that instant, everything else seemed to blur in comparison to her breathtaking presence.

Her hair changed color as she moved, her skin looked healthy, and her lips were full and painted with red lipstick. Her slim body had curves that definitely caught my attention.

Sure thing, I'm still a teenager. It's totally normal to respond like that.

Out of nowhere, someone blurted out, "Hey, it's September."

I let out a surprised yelp, even though I could tell it was Tisiah who had spoken. I was taken aback by his unexpected arrival.

"September Carvery, one of the most popular girls in the entire school," Tisiah said with a grin. "But it's like she only wants people who fit her criteria." Wouldn't even think about Malachi, to be honest.

"Malachi?" I inquired.

"That dude with the brown hair over there," Tisiah replied. "He's the one everyone's talking about - the master spy mage."

"He must be quite something if he's that well-liked," I thought to myself. Well, that totally adds up.

Tisiah gave a nonchalant shrug. "He's got some skills in a brawl, but when it comes to planning, he's not the sharpest tool in the shed." "He's just the type to roll with it."

"Well, I suppose that's why he's so popular," I mused. Well, it just made sense.

Tisiah shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "Hey, I think we should take a seat. You don't have to stand for the whole break."

As we strolled along, I couldn't help but spot Malachi making his way towards the exit. I attempted to prevent him, but he ended up crashing into Tisiah, and at that moment, we had no option but to shrink back in fear.

Tisiah glanced up, putting on a brave front, though his actions revealed his true feelings as he began to back away.

"Hey, be careful," Malachi grumbled, his eyebrows furrowed in annoyance, his clenched fist speaking volumes.

I thought I might have an accident on the spot, but Tisiah just raised his hands and said, "Sorry, you can leave now."

Malachi shot a fierce look down at him, towering over Tisiah by a good half a foot, creating quite an intimidating scene. As he strolled off, Tisiah mumbled words that I wouldn't have had the guts to utter to someone as imposing as Malachi.

"...punk."

While we were mostly inside, Malachi suddenly spun around, his face contorting with even more rage. "Wait, what was that again?"

With his friends closing in behind him, Tisiah realized he was in a bit of a pickle, backpedaling.

"Oh, it's nothing."

"Come on, spill it!"

Out of nowhere, Malachi leaped ahead and landed a solid punch, knocking Tisiah to the ground.

"Say that one more time!"

I quickly jumped into action, managing to avoid another punch, and surprisingly, it worked. "Hey, no need to stress, everything's fine," I reassured. "He didn't say a word." Believe me, he didn't utter a word.

Malachi shot me a look, our eyes locked in a tense standoff. I thought I was going to turn into a puddle, but I stayed strong.

"Watch out who you're sticking up for," he cautioned, his voice filled with foreboding. "Well, you know, sometimes you end up sticking up for the wrong person."

He left, his buddies following, and there I was, pondering the strange world I had found myself in.