Velcrest Academy Inauguration [2]

Asher stepped into his bedroom and shut the door behind him with a quiet click.

He exhaled, running a hand through his hair before rubbing his temples. His head had already begun to throb, albeit slightly, despite not being exhausted.

He was just irritated, annoyed at everything.

It wasn't his problem. Naomi, her friends, future outings, or even his own friends, if anything, he couldn't care less about any of them.

But the memories, the ones that seemed blurry yet refused to leave him alone, and the responsibilities that had unfortunately come his way…

That was the most frustrating part. The emotions tied to those memories were affecting him, even when he had nothing to do with them.

After a quick shower, he paced toward the dresser and pulled open the drawers, where a black wristwatch sat neatly beside a small pile of folded notes and letters.

His gaze lingered on them for a second, silently wondering what was written on them, before reaching for the watch.

As he fastened it around his wrist, a knock interrupted....this one moment of peace.

Without waiting for a response, Alya sauntered in, a spatula once again in her hand.

"You should eat before..." she trailed off almost immediately, her eyes narrowing. "What are you wearing?"

Asher glanced at his reflection in the window behind her and shrugged. "Clothes."

He was wearing a black button up shirt, that had the sleeves rolled up, and plain black pants and a simple leather belt.

"No, you don't usually dress like this. What happened to the hoodie and washed jeans?"

Asher's expression twisted in mild disgust. "I'm not staying home. Why would I wear that?"

Alya face-palmed, dragging her fingers down her face with a low sigh. "How do I put this decently… uhm, you look like a hot teacher. Nothing close to a student, let alone your age."

He chuckled softly and shrugged. "I like how I look. Hot teacher or not, I'm comfortable as long as I don't draw attention to myself."

"Well, that's valid," she mumbled, dropping her hand. "Anyway, grab your stuff and come for breakfast."

"I'm not hungry."

"You should still eat something."

He didn't argue, just sighed and picked up his bag from the chair.

When he stepped out, he found Emma sitting at the dining table, casually swinging her legs as she sipped her coffee.

Alya stood by the counter, arms crossed, waiting for him to settle down before dishing out his food.

Emma noticed him first, his odd calmness, his cautious stares. A smile appeared on her lips. "Are you nervous?" she whispered when he shifted his attention to her.

Asher raised a brow. "About?"

"Your first day!" She set her cup down, tilting her head. "It's a big deal, you know? New environment, new people, a fresh start!"

He stared blankly at her. "You say that like it's a good thing."

Emma giggled. "It is! You'll love Velcrest."

"I doubt that," he turned to Alya. "Do I really need to eat?"

Alya narrowed her eyes. "Yes. Sit."

Seeing no room for negotiation, he dropped his bag by the chair and sat down. A plate was placed in front of him, toast, eggs, and something that smelled faintly of cinnamon.

He ate slowly, his mind drifting to the academy and the ridiculous future he had been dragged into.

Emma chatted while he ate, mostly about the academy, the dorms, the training grounds, things he only half-listened to.

Alya chimed in occasionally, correcting her whenever she exaggerated something. Asher remained silent, focusing on finishing his food quickly.

When he was done, he pushed his plate away, grabbed his bag, and stood up. "Alright. Let's get this over with."

Emma hopped off the chair, grabbing her bag with a wide grin. "That's the spirit!"

Alya walked him to the door. "Don't start any fights," she warned, though there was an amused edge to her voice.

He smirked. "No promises. And stop acting like Mom."

He paused immediately after saying that, shocked that he had uttered the words without thinking.

Alya, however, only smiled. "Just try to get through today without making enemies."

"Again, no promises."

_____

The morning air was cool, and some what soothing, not to mention how clean it was, the streets lined with towering buildings and a few scattered trees.

Velcrest City was always busy, people rushing to work, students heading to their respective academies, and merchants setting up their stalls.

It seemed like a normal city, just like his past life, with nothing different except for the strange-looking people.

Emma walked beside him, completely unbothered. She occasionally skipped ahead but fell back when she realized she was moving too fast.

"Are you really not excited?" she suddenly asked, glancing up at him.

"Not even a little."

She huffed. "You really changed. You're no fun."

He didn't respond, just kept walking, eyes scanning the street ahead.

Then, he saw her.

Naomi.

She stood near a lamppost by a massive gate, laughing at something one of the guys beside her said.

Her blonde hair was tied up, a few loose strands framing her face. She wore a pink fitted sundress with a jean jacket over it.

Compared to Emma, who was dressed in blue leggings, an oversized blue shirt that stopped mid-thigh, and matching sneakers, Naomi's style was more refined.

He wondered what exactly the two girls had in common because their behaviors seemed far apart, not to mention how Naomi carried herself with an air of pride.

She looked relaxed, completely at ease, even when one of the guys "playfully" wrapped his arms around her waist.

Asher took that opportunity to slow his pace, just to observe the group.

The guy next to her was Tay, if the memories were right, with white hair and blue eyes that reminded him of the ocean.

Tay didn't seem like a bad person, but Asher could tell he wasn't comfortable with Naomi, judging by the way he stared at her.

He had his hands in his pockets, expression neutral, only occasionally speaking when the others did.

The rest of the group, two other guys and a girls were unfamiliar.

Naomi turned slightly, her gaze sweeping over the street until it landed on him. For a second, her eyes widened, as if surprised to see him.

Then, she smiled, carefully slipping out of the guy's arms and stepping forward.

"Asher!" she called.

He stared, unmoving, as she approached.

Emma nudged him. "You should at least wave back."

He ignored her.

Naomi stopped in front of him with a smile he wanted to slap off her face so badly. "I was starting to think you overslept."

He tilted his head slightly. "You left without me."

She blinked. "I thought you'd be late. You usually are."

Something about that response irritated him, but he didn't let it show, the fact that she would send Emma to call him instead of moving with her.

Or the fact that she let another guy touch her was already speaking volumes.

Emma, who seemed oblivious to the tension, walked over to Naomi's side and bowed. "He wasn't sleeping. He had to settle things with his sister."

Naomi chuckled. "That sounds about right."

Asher clenched his jaw. He wasn't sure if it was the casual way she spoke, how pissed he was about everything, or the previous owner's emotions, but he was getting more annoyed by the second.

Tay walked up, glancing between them before speaking. "We should get going. The academy gates close soon."

Naomi nodded. "Right. Come on, Asher."

He stayed still for a moment as they began moving. Emma stayed back with Tay, but Tay urged her to go while he spoke to Asher. She obeyed.

Tay sighed and walked back to where Asher stood, staring blankly at the group as they made their way through the gate.

When Tay stopped by his side, he exhaled. "Need something?"

"Not at the moment," Tay answered. He dipped his hands into his pockets and closed his eyes. "You noticed too, right?"

"Naomi?"

"Yeah."

Asher just shrugged. "I'm not particularly bothered about that. Besides, you seem to be the one she's smitten with."

Tay scoffed, not playfully or sarcastically. That one gesture was filled with so much hate or, if Asher could assume well, plain irritation.

"Believe me, I wouldn't let myself fall for a hoe," Tay muttered the last part in a low tone, much to Asher's surprise.

Then he added, "I don't know why you let yourself be with her for a year and haven't noticed… How did she even get you?"

Asher just shrugged with a smile. "I was blind then."