Chapter:3 New day shadows

The sun rose early that morning, its rays piercing through the slats of the blinds and illuminating Eden's room. He lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind tangled in knots. Today was the day—the first day at Premium High School. He could barely process what that meant.

Eden sat up, rubbing his tired eyes. It felt like an eternity since he and his mother had moved here, but in reality, it had only been a few days. A few days since his entire life had changed. The familiar warmth of his old home, the comfort of his old life, felt so distant now. It was as if a door had closed, and he was left standing in front of it, unsure of what came next.

"Eden, breakfast is ready!" Margaret's voice called from downstairs.

Eden sighed deeply, pushing himself out of bed and getting dressed. He didn't feel like eating, but he knew he needed to. The drive to school was quiet, the hum of the car's engine the only sound accompanying his racing thoughts. He glanced out the window, watching the world pass by in a blur, wishing that somehow, this would all turn out to be just a bad dream. But it wasn't. It was real. And today, he had to face it.

As the car pulled up to the gates of Premium High School, Eden felt a chill creep down his spine. This was it. The first step into his new life, and everything about it felt wrong. The school, with its pristine white walls and perfectly manicured lawns, looked more like a picture out of a catalog than a real school. It was too perfect. Too neat. The air felt heavy, almost suffocating.

Margaret parked the car and turned to face him. "You'll be fine," she said, trying to sound reassuring. "Just remember, this is a fresh start for you."

Eden nodded, but the knot in his stomach tightened. He wasn't sure what he was supposed to do. He wasn't sure if he was ready to leave everything behind—his old friends, his old life, his old school. But as Margaret gave him a soft smile and a gentle pat on the shoulder, he stepped out of the car and walked towards the entrance, his legs heavy with dread.

Inside the school, everything seemed too clean, too quiet. The hallways stretched on endlessly, the polished floors gleaming under the bright lights. The students walking past seemed perfectly put together, their uniforms crisp and their expressions neutral. Eden felt out of place, like a drop of ink in a sea of pristine white.

He tried to shake the feeling off, but it stuck to him like a second skin. He walked through the halls, his footsteps echoing too loudly in the silence. And then, he noticed it—the stares. Boys in the hallways, looking at him like he was some kind of alien. Their eyes were cold, appraising, and in some cases, downright hostile. Eden tried to ignore them, but it was impossible.

As he made his way down the hallway, he overheard snippets of conversation. Whispered words that were barely audible, but they still stung.

"New kid. He looks lost."

"Is he really going to last here?"

"Did you see how weird he looked when he walked in? Who is he?"

Eden's stomach twisted. He felt the weight of their gazes pressing down on him. He quickened his pace, hoping he could escape their attention, but it seemed like every step he took, the stares followed him.

Margaret walked beside him, her expression unreadable. She led him straight to the principal's office, where Mr. Roberts awaited. The principal stood up as they entered, his smile as polished and rehearsed as ever.

"Ah, Eden! Welcome to your first day," Mr. Roberts said, his voice smooth and welcoming, though it lacked warmth.

Eden forced a smile, trying to mask the anxiety that was threatening to overtake him. He wasn't sure what was worse—the cold stares from the students or the way Mr. Roberts seemed so... perfect. It felt like everyone in this school was playing a role, and Eden was the only one who had missed the script.

"Come on in. I'll introduce you to your class," Mr. Roberts said, motioning for Eden to follow.

Eden walked behind him, his heart pounding in his chest. As they entered the classroom, all eyes turned toward him. The silence was deafening. He felt like he had walked into a room full of strangers who were sizing him up, judging him before he had even spoken a word.

"This is Eden," Mr. Roberts announced, his voice carrying across the room. "He's the new student. I'm sure you'll all make him feel welcome."

Eden's face burned with embarrassment. The students didn't greet him, didn't smile. They just stared—some with curiosity, others with indifference, but most with cold judgment. It was as if he didn't belong here, and everyone knew it.

"Take a seat," Mr. Roberts said, gesturing to an empty desk by the window.

Eden shuffled over to the desk, trying to avoid the gazes of his new classmates. He sat down, feeling like the walls were closing in on him. He could hear whispers behind him, the low murmur of voices that made him feel even more isolated.

As the first period dragged on, Eden tried to focus on the lessons, but it was impossible. His mind kept drifting, his thoughts swirling around the strange atmosphere in the school. His classmates whispered to each other, their voices laced with mockery. He could feel their eyes on his back, and he couldn't escape the sensation of being a stranger in a place that wasn't meant for him.

By the third period, things got even worse.

As the teacher stepped out of the room for a moment, three boys approached Eden's desk. The first was tall and broad-shouldered, with a confident, almost arrogant demeanor. His name was Rudy, and he looked down at Eden with a smirk. The second was of average height, with sharp eyes that seemed to pierce right through Eden. He was Rayan, and his gaze made Eden uneasy. The third was skinny, with messy hair and a sneer that made Eden feel small. His name was Ben.

Rudy leaned down toward Eden, his voice low but commanding. "So, you're the new kid."

Eden looked up, trying to stay calm. "Yeah."

Rayan's lips curled into a sly grin. "What's your deal, huh? Why'd you come to this school?"

"I... I just moved here," Eden replied, his voice barely above a whisper.

Ben scoffed, rolling his eyes. "Moved here? You think you can just waltz in and fit in like that?"

Eden felt his palms sweating. He had no idea why they were suddenly attacking him, but it felt like everything he did was wrong.

Rudy's eyes narrowed. "This isn't just any school. Watch your back, newbie."

The three of them turned and walked away, leaving Eden sitting there, frozen and unsure of what had just happened. He didn't understand why they were being so hostile, but the encounter left him shaken.

Eden barely had time to process what had just occurred when he felt a hand on the back of his neck. His heart raced, and he spun around, only to be met by the familiar face of Butler.

"Butler?" Eden blinked, surprised but also relieved.

Butler smiled softly, though there was an edge of sadness in his eyes. "Long time no see."

Eden stood up quickly. "I thought you always hung out with your brother Masaka."

Butler nodded, but his smile faded slightly. "Masaka's usually with Ethan... your brother. That's why I haven't seen you around much."

Eden felt his stomach drop at the mention of his brother. "Where... where is Ethan now?" he asked, his voice tight with unspoken tension.

Butler's face shifted, and he quickly looked away. "I... I don't know. I haven't seen him in a while. Anyway, how have you been? This school is... kind of strange, don't you think?"

Eden could sense Butler's discomfort, the way he avoided eye contact. It was as if there was something Butler wasn't telling him, something that had to do with Ethan. But Eden didn't press the issue. Instead, he nodded, his thoughts already spinning in a thousand different directions.

Butler's words echoed in his mind as the day continued: This school is strange. Eden couldn't shake the feeling that something was off—something that went beyond just the stares and whispers. But what?

As the day finally ended, Eden gathered his things and headed home, his mind racing. What was wrong with Premium High School? Why did it feel like everyone knew something he didn't? And what was going on with Ethan?

Eden was determined to find out the truth, no matter where it led him.

End of chapter 3