drama in the canteen

The morning sun crept in, slipping through the gap in Alex's bedroom curtains, rousing the young man from his slumber. The chirping of birds outside the window completed the morning symphony. However, the shrill sound of the alarm clock shattered the silence, forcing Alex to rise reluctantly. With a disgruntled expression, he turned off the alarm and tidied his disheveled bed.

After showering and putting on his school uniform, Alex hurried downstairs to the dining room. A warm and cheerful atmosphere greeted him, where his family had gathered. Laughter and light conversation filled the air, especially from the youngest, Lily, who always managed to break the ice.

Alex stepped in, trying to ignore the warmth emanating from his family. However, his mother's cold voice broke his reverie. "You're late, making your sister wait," Arina said with a sharp tone. Alex simply nodded, trying to swallow his disappointment.

"Mom, I'm hungry!" Lily whined, pouting her tiny lips. Axel, the eldest brother, immediately approached Lily and offered to get her favorite fried rice. Dirga, simply smiled at the sweet interaction.

Alex watched the scene in silence, a pang of envy creeping into his heart. He longed for the warm and loving treatment given to Lily. However, he was determined to get used to it, to no longer expect the same.

"I'm done," Alex said briefly, after finishing his breakfast. Without waiting for a response, he grabbed his bag and hurried off to school, leaving his family with complicated expressions.

***

The school gates loomed, a portal to a world of judging eyes. Alex parked his bike and strolled into the corridor, ignoring the whispers that followed him. Insults? Just background noise. He entered the classroom, met with a chilly atmosphere. Only Kevin, his desk mate, grinned widely.

"Dude!" Kevin greeted, full of energy. "How was your vacation? Awesome, right?"

"Meh," Alex replied briefly, pulling out his phone.

Kevin scoffed. "Aw, man, I was ready for your epic family vacation story."

Alex just gave a thin smile. Back then, he used to make up wild vacation tales, but the reality was... well, you know.

He busied himself with his phone, pretending to be engrossed. Kevin glared, then gave up. "Fine, whatever. But you owe me that story, dude!"

The bell rang, and the teacher walked in. Class started, but Alex's mind drifted elsewhere.

***

The recess bell rang, liberating Alex and Kevin from the confines of their classroom. They made their way to the bustling cafeteria, seeking a secluded table in the far corner to avoid the prying eyes. Sinister glances followed Alex's every step, but he remained unfazed, his expression an impenetrable mask.

As they ate, Kevin attempted to lighten the mood with casual banter, to which Alex responded with curt, monosyllabic replies. At the center table, Lily and her entourage were immersed in laughter, surrounded by Axel, Dirga, and their friends. Suddenly, the jovial atmosphere was shattered by the arrival of Bella, a girl whose natural beauty was obscured by layers of heavy makeup.

"You slut! How dare you flirt with my fiancé!" Bella shrieked, her trembling finger jabbing towards Lily's face. Her large, glittering eyes blazed with unadulterated fury. Sean, Bella's fiancé, a handsome young man with a chiseled jaw and piercing blue eyes, looked taken aback.

Lily cowered in fear, while Sean swiftly moved to shield her behind his back. "What in the world, Bella?" Sean demanded, his voice icy and firm.

"You're the one who should explain! You have a fiancée, yet you're cozying up to her!" Bella retorted, her eyes spitting venom as she glared at Lily. Axel and Dirga, Lily's brothers, were quick to defend their sister.

"Don't you dare point at my sister!" Dirga thundered, his voice echoing through the cafeteria. "You'd do well to leave."

Bella, known for her spoiled and jealous nature, was incensed by this treatment. She felt humiliated in front of everyone, and her rage reached a boiling point. "You're all protecting her! Just you wait, I'll make her pay!" Bella threatened, before storming off in a huff.

Tension hung heavy in the air. Lily remained huddled in fear, while Sean stared after Bella with a clenched jaw. Axel and Dirga tried to soothe Lily, but their resentment towards Bella was palpable.

Alex, who had witnessed the entire scene from his corner table, felt no trace of sympathy for Lily. He knew her true nature, her insatiable desire to be the center of attention. He merely observed the drama with a blank, emotionless stare.

Kevin, equally intrigued by the spectacle, glanced at Alex with a curious expression. "Man, talk about drama," Kevin whispered.

Alex simply shrugged, unwilling to be drawn into the theatrics. He had enough complexities in his own life.

At Sean's table, one of his friends, a young man with a sharp gaze and enigmatic expression, watched Alex with a sense of bewilderment. He sensed a shift in Alex's demeanor. Usually, Alex would seize any opportunity to seek Dirga and Axel's attention, but today he was aloof, indifferent. The young man continued to observe Alex, trying to decipher the reason behind his transformation.

***

The urge to go to the restroom was unbearable. Alex quickened his pace, his shoes squeaking on the polished corridor floor. In his haste, he didn't notice the figure standing in front of him. His body collided hard, and he felt a painful jolt in his tailbone as he fell to the floor. Fine dust scattered, clinging to his pants.

Alex winced, rubbing his sore rear. Annoyed, he got up, brushing off the dust. When he looked up, his eyes met a pair of light brown eyes staring sharply at him. The gaze was so intense, it seemed to pierce through him. He paused for a moment, mesmerized by the stare.

Reality snapped him back. He remembered, this was Gabriel Alvarez, his senior, his brother's quiet friend. "Sorry, I... I didn't mean to," he stammered, feeling embarrassed.

Gabriel simply nodded curtly, his gaze flat. "Next time, watch where you're going," he said in a cold voice, then turned and walked away.

Alex watched Gabriel's retreating back, feeling the remnants of that sharp gaze lingering in his mind. He sighed, then hurried towards the restroom, the call of nature too urgent to ignore.

Alex returned to the classroom, his mood still disturbed. "Where have you been?" Kevin asked, his voice breaking the silence.

"Bathroom," Alex replied shortly, then sat down in his seat next to Kevin.

"You know what? They say Sean's going to ask Lily out," Kevin whispered, his eyes sparkling with gossip.

Alex raised an eyebrow, not particularly interested. "What about Sean's fiancée, Bella?"

"I don't know for sure. But apparently, Bella threw a fit, she's not having it. Poor thing," Kevin chuckled. "And Lily, she knows Sean's engaged, but she's still going after him."

Alex just nodded in response, his mind wandering.

Ding

The sound of a notification came from Alex's phone. He reached into his pocket and opened the message. His eyes widened in shock as he read it.

"After school, I'll pick you up."

The message was from his father. Alex fell silent, his heart pounding. This couldn't be happening. His father never picked him up. Besides, what had gotten into the old man? Alex still resented his father's mistreatment in his first life. His father was his grim reaper.

"What's wrong, Lex?" Kevin asked, noticing Alex's change in expression.

Alex shook his head, hiding his phone. "Nothing," he replied, his voice strained. He stared out the window, his mind racing. Why did his father suddenly want to pick him up? What was the man planning?

A mix of fear and suspicion swirled within Alex.