On a bright morning, the world bustled with human activity, each person crossing the streets with their own purpose. Birds chirped atop the dangling cables, as if singing a morning tune.
Everything seemed lively and energetic, except for a few individuals.
In a modest room, Johan Anderson begrudgingly woke up. His eyes half-opened, he reached out to silence the blaring alarm on the bedside table.
"Ugh, another miserable day," he muttered, silencing the alarm that felt like his arch-nemesis. Johan gazed at the ceiling, trying to muster the enthusiasm that seemed reluctant to arrive. The chirping of birds outside the window only served to remind him of his unwillingness to face the day.
He reluctantly rose from his bed, scratching his messy head. Johan walked to the window, drawing the curtains and peering outside. The bright and spirited morning scene contrasted with his gloomy mood.
People on the street hurried about, busy with their morning routines. Johan sighed deeply, inhaling the fresh morning air that failed to dispel his laziness.
"Why does morning always come too soon?" he mumbled to himself, a small voice of complaint in the quiet room.
He walked to the bathroom, staring at the mirror reflecting his tired face. Johan knew that today would be long, like the days before. Yet, deep down, he harbored a small hope that maybe, just maybe, something different would happen today.
With gradually rising spirits, Johan prepared himself to face the outside world, though reluctance still lingered in his heart. He knew, like every other morning, life would continue its course, and he had to move along with it.
...
{JOHAN'S POV}
Oh goodness, not them again in the morning!
I walked slowly through the school corridor, attempting to avoid the stares and comments that always stung. But as usual, I couldn't evade them.
"Hey, look who it is..." the sarcastic voice of a female student sounded from behind, dripping with mockery.
"Eww... I came early to avoid him, but why does the eyesore have to show up too!" exclaimed another with a tone of disgust, clutching her books tightly as if my presence was a threat.
"Geez, why is this guy still alive?" asked a male student with a small laugh that sounded more like sharp mockery.
I lowered my head, trying to contain the heartache. Such mockery was a daily routine, every morning! I sighed deeply, attempting to calm myself, though each word felt like thorns piercing my feelings.
Every morning was a struggle, enduring relentless ridicule. Yet, I knew they rarely, if ever, escalated to physical violence. That was the only small comfort I held onto.
'Thankfully, I'm still okay despite having to endure the dislike of some people here,' I thought bitterly. Even some teachers seemed to dislike my presence.
I slid open the door to classroom 2-B, and instantly, a cacophony greeted me. My gaze immediately went to the corner of the room where my seat was. Some fashionable girls were gathered there, laughing and chatting merrily. One of them even sat on my desk, leaning casually as if it were her own.
'Oh goodness, they're popular girls, why do they have to come to school early?' I grumbled inwardly, feeling annoyed and hopeless. Each step felt like a long journey filled with doubt and worry.
As I approached, their laughter seemed to grow louder, filling the otherwise tranquil morning air. I tried to take deep breaths, summoning courage to face this situation.
"Heh, look who's here," one of the popular girls, with bleached blonde hair and heavy makeup, turned to me with a sardonic smile. She didn't budge from my desk, as if it were her own.
"Surprised you dared to come closer," added another, with mocking laughter. She played with her brightly dyed long hair, her eyes staring at me with disdain.
"Do you have any business here?" asked the third, sitting on the neighboring desk while chewing gum, her gaze sharp.
I swallowed hard, trying to steady my voice. "I... that's my seat," I said softly, trying to sound firm despite my trembling voice.
They exchanged glances for a moment before laughing again, as if my words were a hilarious joke. "Oh, so this is your seat? Sorry, we didn't know," the first one replied sarcastically, but she still didn't move.
I sighed, feeling irritated but knowing that forcing them to leave wasn't a wise choice. "Please," I pleaded again, this time with a little more courage.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally reluctantly got up. "Fine, we'll move. But don't expect us to be this easy next time," one of them said before they finally left me alone.
I sat at my desk, feeling a mixture of relief and frustration. Facing them every day was a challenge, but I knew I had to persevere.
Waiting for the bell to ring, the first lesson began.
...
As usual, my presence was like a breeze in this class. Unseen, unheard, and often ignored. The teachers didn't offer much help either; some of them even seemed to dislike my presence. It felt like I was a stain disrupting their view.
However, for the first lesson this morning, there was a slight exception. The adult female teacher of average height, Mrs. Nakamura, seemed gentler than the others. She had neatly tied black hair and a face often adorned with a thin smile. Her gaze never judgmental or scornful, unlike most people here.
Mrs. Nakamura entered the class with a calming aura that soothed the atmosphere. As she began to teach, her voice was soft yet authoritative, bringing a different tone to the room. I could sense a difference in the way she looked at me, as if she saw something more than just the flaws that often became the subject of mockery.
"Good morning, everyone," she greeted with a friendly smile. "Today, we'll be studying a new chapter in history. I hope you're all ready."
As she walked past the rows of desks, Mrs. Nakamura paused momentarily near my desk. "Johan, how are you this morning?" she asked in a gentle voice, causing some students to glance at her with surprise.
I was taken aback by her question, unaccustomed to such attention. "Fine, ma'am," I replied shortly, trying to hide my nervousness.
She nodded and gave an understanding smile before continuing on. "Good. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."
That brief moment provided a little warmth amidst the cold treatment I usually received. Although Mrs. Nakamura couldn't change the overall situation, her presence brought a glimmer of hope and a feeling that maybe, not everyone here hated me.
As the lesson began, something strange suddenly happened.
The floor beneath us began to glow, slowly but steadily emitting a brighter light. The light formed a large circle with mysterious and ancient symbols, appearing mystical like circles of magic only seen in books or fantasy films.
The entire class fell silent for a moment, confusion and fear evident on everyone's faces. Then, panic ensued.
Some students screamed in fear, while others tried to find shelter. Chairs and desks shifted, the sound of scraping and thudding filling the room. "What's happening?!" cried one student, her voice echoing amidst the chaos.
"It's impossible! Is this some kind of joke?!" exclaimed another with a tone of despair, trying to comprehend what was happening.
My heart pounded, adrenaline surged. I felt my legs go weak, almost unable to stand upright. "This can't be real... it must be a dream," I whispered to myself, hoping that the words would calm my panic.
On the other side of the room, Mrs. Nakamura tried to reassure the students. "Everyone, calm down! Stay in your seats and don't panic!" Her voice attempted to remain steady, though her face betrayed deep concern.
But her voice and efforts were drowned out by the tumult. The light from the magic circle grew brighter, as if ready to envelop us. I felt a strange vibration beneath my feet, as if energy was coursing through the floor.
Some students began to cry, while others clung to anything they could grab. I felt the world around me spin, and the familiar classroom scene turned into something frightening and uncontrollable.
Suddenly, the light peaked, blinding us all. It felt like being engulfed by an intensely bright light, enveloping the entire room in a dazzling white flash.
And at that moment, I felt a strange sensation, as if my body was being pulled in all directions at once. The screams and sounds of panic from my classmates faded into a distant silence, before everything turned into a terrifying stillness.