Nestled in the western part of Amarias, the prestigious West College of Arts and Music stands as a beacon of culture and creativity.
Amarias itself, with its vast 5,645,026 km² territory—somewhat smaller than Australia but located in the north—has long been shrouded in mystery and intrigue.
Countless rumors and theories swirl around its history, often distracting those who delve into its past and leading them to question the truth of what they find.
Despite being a popular vacation destination, renowned for its four magnificent castles spread across different districts, Amarias remains isolated from the rest of the world.
This isolation has only fueled the urban legends that pervade the region. One of the most persistent tales suggests that the original inhabitants still roam the land, either by inhabiting new bodies or drifting formless through the area in simple words,
Amarias was a land of ghosts for the outside world.
Outsiders have their own speculations, with some convinced that Amarias is a mystical place—perhaps even cursed—which is why it was cut off from the world.
There's a widespread belief that allowing too much contact could spread this curse globally. Thus, the world respects Amarias' request to only visit during holidays and avoid permanent immigration.
Because of this, those born in Amarias live their entire lives within its borders, fostering a deep-seated resentment toward other countries.
The idea that they might inadvertently spread a curse has isolated them, creating a unique blend of beauty and melancholy in a land where the past and present intertwine in hauntingly beautiful ways.
"So, you're saying you had a dream where someone with a beautiful face saved you from someone with an equally charming face?" Warrin chuckled, making Summer's dream sound almost humorous.
"Can you please not focus on their appearances and instead think about the context?" Summer whimpered, pacing back and forth in Warrin's room. Warrin and Liam stared at her, clearly puzzled.
"What context, bruh? It was just a dream," Liam shrugged.
"Liam, it was a nightmare."
"Yeah, and nightmares are common."
"No, they're not. Especially here in Amarias," Summer replied angrily, referencing the local legend. "What if it's a sign?"
"A sign of what? You're taking those stories way too seriously, Summer. Everyone knows the tales about Amarias are just myths." Liam stood up, holding her shoulders to stop her pacing.
"No, Liam, not everything is a myth," Warrin said quietly, adjusting his shirt and keeping his gaze on the mirror.
A brief moment of silence followed. Summer and Liam exchanged glances before looking at Warrin. They burst into laughter, and Summer snorted in annoyance, flinging a pillow at Warrin, who caught it just in time.
"Kids, breakfast is ready," Warrin's mother called, peeking into the room. They all preferred having breakfast at the kitchen island instead of the room.
As they walked into the kitchen, their eyes widened in surprise.
When I say there were enough items on the menu to feed ten people, I really mean it. Warrin's mom, a cooking enthusiast, loved to experiment with different ingredients and always enjoyed preparing meals for her son and his friends.
"Is there a party, Mom?" Warrin asked, his smooth bangs falling naturally over his forehead. Summer playfully smacked his arm and perched on the kitchen counter, thanking Warrin's mom.
Warrin and Liam sat next to Summer, imitating her actions. Warrin scrunched up his nose in disapproval as he watched Summer effortlessly engage with his mother.
Warrin and Summer had known each other since high school, and his mom adored talking to her. They hung out so often that they both applied to The West College of Arts and Music together.
That's where they first met Liam, a tall guy who initially seemed intimidating with his angular features, strong jawline, and deep voice. But once he connected with Warrin and Summer, the three of them hit it off and became the most well-known group, WLS, in college.
"Hey Summer, how are your classes going? You three are in your final semester together," Warrin's mom said, clapping her hands with joy. "Look how much bigger my kids have gotten!"
"Mom," Warrin grumbled.
"Mommy, my classes are going great! I'm actually getting pretty excited about the exams. We might even have to write our theses. I just love reading," Summer replied.
"Yeah, you love it so much you're starting to dream about fairy tales," Liam teased, laughing along with Warrin. They all happily dug into the food, playfully arguing and teasing each other like usual.
Then Warrin's mom glanced at the clock. "It's 9:45; aren't you guys running late?"
All three of them turned to look at the wall-mounted clock. They gulped, exchanged panicked glances, and quickly jumped up. With mouths still full of food, they grabbed their bags and dashed outside.
"We're going to miss the bus!"
"We came on a bike, Summer," Liam reminded her.
"What about me?" Warrin asked, looking concerned.
Liam and Summer both raised their eyebrows as they looked at the garage. Warrin gave them a knowing look before running off to get the keys. Summer was already on the back of Liam's bike, feeling bad for him.
He was about to face the coldest weather, even though the plan was to take the bus and leave his bike at Warrin's garage. After what felt like forever, Warrin finally came out with his own bike.
They were running late, so they quickly started the engines. Summer held onto Liam's waist tightly, knowing they were going to speed up to make up for lost time.
They hated the idea of riding in such bitter cold. Their heads were the only parts of their bodies well-covered, thanks to the winter motorcycle helmets that Summer usually refused to wear. The rest of their bodies felt like they were being hit by icy waves, as if they had dived into a frozen river.
Summer clung to Liam even tighter, using him as a shield against the freezing wind. It was almost 10 a.m., and they hoped the streets would be deserted because of the cold, assuming everyone would be running late.
But as soon as they arrived at the college, they realized they were wrong.
"Let's go, run!" Warrin's voice rang out, breathless and urgent. Summer's heart raced as she bounced on her toes, eagerly waiting for the moment they could park their bikes.
Together, they sprinted towards their shared class, hands nervously rubbing together, teeth clenched with determination.
The corridors were deserted, classes already in session, their footsteps the only sound echoing off the walls. "I swear, third-floor classes are the worst," Warrin panted, leading the charge down the hallway like they were being chased by a pack of wolves.
Liam and Summer, close behind, caught snippets of Warrin's muttered complaints to Dean, who stood with a new companion.
This newcomer, impeccably dressed and radiating confidence, immediately caught Summer's eye. His brown coat, white shirt, and stylish accessories made him stand out, even in the chaos of their mad dash. He wasn't as tall as Liam, but his presence commanded attention.
Summer couldn't help but hold his gaze for a moment, until his steely stare met hers.
While Warrin kept the dean distracted, Liam, towering over half the college's population, stealthily approached the classroom door. It wasn't exactly a subtle move, but the dean was always pretty lenient.
With a swift turn of the knob, they burst into the room, catching the entire class's attention. Summer was ready to apologize to Miss Nada for being late, but to her surprise, Miss Nada wasn't there.
A few moments later, the dean entered with a smile, introducing the man beside him as Mars—a name that struck Summer as odd. The other girls were already swooning over him, probably planning to start fan clubs in his honor.
There was no denying it; Mars was breathtakingly handsome. His captivating eyes and chiseled features had every girl in the room under his spell. But Summer felt an instant urge to avoid him for the rest of her life.
"Hi, I'm Mars. Hope we can all get together." It was the typical opening line of any new teacher, but Summer felt a jolt when he smirked and threw her a sidelong glance. She couldn't help the surge of irritation; he was here to replace her favorite teacher, Miss Nada.
Summer imagined herself leaping out the window just to wipe that smirk off his face, if only they weren't on the third floor. Her fists clenched as Warrin and Liam, sitting behind her, chuckled knowingly. They were well aware of her ongoing struggle to suppress intrusive thoughts.
When the dean announced that Miss Nada was ill and hospitalized, a collective gasp of concern rippled through the room. Mars was stepping in to teach for the final semester, a stretch of four months.
As the dean exited, Mars tried to break the ice by going over the syllabus and throwing out some broad questions. But Summer couldn't muster any interest in the new teacher. Her heart belonged to Miss Nada, her staunchest supporter, the one who had helped her bring her book to life.
"These next four months are going to be a challenge," Summer mused as she scribbled something in her notebook.
Mars, introducing himself as a former student of the college, shared details about his studies and PhD, and attempted to engage with the students.
The girls were eager to converse with him, peppering him with all sorts of peculiar questions, such as whether he was married or had a girlfriend. The class concluded with introductions and some light banter, and everyone dispersed. Summer practically sprinted out of the room, followed closely by Warrin and Liam.
It struck Summer as odd that Mars's photo wasn't on display in the main hall among the other award recipients. Maybe it was tucked away on a side wall, obscured by its height, or perhaps it was simply too small to catch anyone's attention.
In that moment, Warrin, Liam, and Summer strained their eyes trying to locate the picture Mars had mentioned. "Has it always been there?" Warrin blurted out, his confusion evident.
"Liam, how did you miss this?" Summer teased, knowing full well that Liam's height should have given him an advantage, earning herself a playful glare from him.
"The castle walls, Summer," Liam replied, alluding to the history of the castle.
The West Castle, once a proud structure, met its tragic end when the King ordered its demolition following the inexplicable death of his son. Rumors swirled about the castle being cursed, haunted by the lingering spirit of the prince.
However, a wealthy benefactor saw potential where others saw fear and transformed it into a haven for nurturing young talents.
Today, after more than a century, it stands as The West College of Arts and Music, a testament to resilience and the power of transformation.
Warrin glanced at his wristwatch and nudged Liam, "Let's go, we've got music classes," he said, a grin lighting up his face as he gently held onto the taller boy's arm.
"Where would you be?" he added, turning to Summer, who shot him a look that clearly said, 'you know where I'd be.'
Liam and Warrin first bonded over their shared love for music in class, quickly becoming friends. Initially, Summer wasn't thrilled about Warrin spending more time with Liam than with her.
However, after Warrin introduced Liam to Summer, and some teasing and banter later, Liam and Summer also became close friends. They soon became known as the WLS trio throughout the college.
Through ups and downs, they stood by each other, sharing classes and countless memories. While Warrin and Liam immersed themselves in the rhythms of music and dance, Summer delved into the worlds of history and psychology.
"There's only one place," Summer replied, her gaze drifting towards the library.
"Alright, catch you later, in the canteen after class," Warrin said before he and Liam headed out.
The library held a special allure for Summer, its quiet corridors offering refuge from the bustling halls. It wasn't exactly deserted, but it was serene—a place where she could lose herself in the past, where she could be alone.
Summer was a preoccupied girl with only a few friends: Warrin, Liam, and Jake, her brother. Among the volumes of history, one tale intrigued her the most—the mystery of the Amarias.
No one knew the fate of the first inhabitants of their town, leaving Summer consumed by curiosity. Beyond the comfort of Warrin's and Liam's homes, the library felt like her own personal haven, a sanctuary where she could unravel the mysteries of time.
Summer swung open the thick, hefty wooden gates, their creaking protest echoing softly in the stillness. "These could use some oiling," she murmured, closing them as gently as possible.
With a warm smile, she greeted Miss Rose, the librarian, before settling into her usual seat beside the window.
A serene melody danced from Summer's lips as she browsed through the books, her fingers skimming the spines with a delicate touch. Her gaze settled on a book that had long been on her reading list – "The Stories from the North."
It seemed like the perfect choice for this moment of tranquil reflection. Suddenly, she sensed a presence beside her and turned to find Mars, his smile as radiant as ever. His face, framed by his loosely wrapped muffler, seemed to glow in the soft light of the library.
Summer wanted to sigh in frustration so badly, but instead, she returned his smile with one of her own, albeit a bit tight-lipped.
"You enjoy reading?" Mars remarked, but Summer gave him a puzzled look. "Oh, I mean, since it's just you, the librarian, and me here, I figured I'd strike up a conversation." Summer let out a soft "yeah".
"What's your favorite pick?" He asked, attempting small talk.
"Every story has a life of its own, a language that connects the reader, but I'm drawn to the ones grounded in reality," Summer replied. "And I'm hoping to find some truth in the books from the North." She glanced at the book and continued. Mars was intrigued by her response, nodding in understanding.
"Well, sometimes the truth eludes us in these black letters; we need to dig deeper," Mars mused. "I hope to see you more. I mean, I'm a literature teacher, so I'll be frequenting this place." Glancing at his watch, he added, "Well, I'll take my leave now. I came to check out the library. See you in class."
Before Summer could respond, he turned to leave, his parting words lingering in the air. "I hope to see you around here more often." With a mix of surprise and delight, Summer watched him go, her heart fluttering with newfound anticipation.
As she settled back into her seat, Summer couldn't shake the whirlwind of emotions swirling within her. What did Mars mean by his words? Was there something more to their encounter?
Pushing aside her wandering thoughts, she turned her attention back to the book in her hands, determined to lose herself in its pages. But as she flipped through them, her mind kept drifting back to the dream she had awoken from earlier.
"No," she whispered to herself, a quiet plea to fate. "I hope not."