Five years later.
Luca took a deep breath as he stepped through the gates of Golden Ridge High School. His bright hazel eyes traced the bold letters of the school's name etched into the stone entrance.
It reads:
GOLDEN RIDGE HIGH SCHOOL.
in bold and beneath it read:
Citadel of learning.
In italics.
He heaved a sigh, feeling the weight of the moment settle on his shoulders. Dressed in a white long-sleeve shirt and wine-colored trousers, with a matching long tie, all of which seemed to be the uniform of Golden Ridge High School, a private school located at 101 Silver Claw Boulevard, his black drop fade hair— with two rebellious strands located at the two edges of his hair just above his temple that always seemed to fall over his forehead no matter how hard he tried to tame them—added a touch of boyish charm to his appearance.
"I should get a haircut soon"
He muttered.
The unfamiliarity of the school, with its bright banners and bustling students, made him feel like a small boat in a vast, open sea. Luca glanced around, trying to gauge the atmosphere and find his bearings, hoping that today would mark the beginning of a new chapter where he could fit in and feel at ease.
"It looks quite old, I wonder since when they built it, and to think they didn't even have a principal, only vice principal, that is weird" Luca mumbled with a slightly confused expression,
"Now that I think about it, the year the school was founded was never mentioned in that handbook we got last week" Luca recalled the student handbook he had received during registration the previous week.
The school was large with wooded areas that could be seen at the farthest edge of the school field, the buildings looked old, and they were all single-storey.
He had finished his enrollment registration the previous week, but the class was supposed to start this week. He strode towards the first-year block, passing by buildings, some had signboards beside them indicating their purpose.
"So that is the school library, quite large" he mumbled glancing at a signboard beside a building.
As he walked through the entrance of the first-year block, his footsteps echoed slightly in the quiet corridor, glancing at the imposing letters arched above the front doors of classrooms, he couldn't help but wonder what type of students he would meet in his class, during the registration, he was assigned to class 1b.
Hmm.. not bad, second class in the first years, perhaps there would be decent students there.
He thought as his eyes danced above the classroom doors, tracing his class.
After walking for a while in the corridor, he sighted a class with 1b etched above its door.
This is it
he thought, clutching at the grab handle of his backpack, he breathed out heavily like a person heaving a heavy load, he peered through the window, the class appeared to be empty, he checked the time on the smartwatch he wore.
"8: 30 huh?" He muttered,
"It seems we have PE this morning, perhaps they have all gone to lecture"
Amidst all these, it appeared Luca was keeping his eyes from closing, having played online games till 1:30 am, his eyelids kept fluttering like a pair of overworked butterfly wings.
"Couldn't care less about PE, I'm as fit as I can be," he said smugly.
Fifteen years old with lean, toned muscles, Luca was satisfied to say he was fit. With a height of about 1.75 meters, he carried himself with a confidence that belied his age. Trudging into the class, he went straight to the middle row and sat on a seat there, placing his head on the desk, he slept off.
Luca's eyes fluttered open at the sound of many footsteps approaching from a distance, he sat right and looked up, the PE class had ended and the students were flocking in.
He yawned, stretched his upper body, and checked the time, it was 9:00 am.
Time for me to start the lecture for the day.
He thought.
The students were all chatting together cheerfully as they entered the class.
They sure get along well within a short amount of time...
Oh.... I see
Luca thought as he remembered he didn't attend the orientation ceremony held last week for the first years, after he was done with his registration he didn't come the remaining days in the previous week.
I think they must have got to know each other by then.
He concluded inwardly, before noticing that some eyes were now gazing at him.
What is with them?
Luca thought, looking around. He realized the gazes weren't of ill intent but of curiosity especially from the boys, while that of the girls was of surprise or admiration?
Wait, this is not a surprise, they looked happy and kinda —
Luca was short of words or should it be short of thoughts as he pondered. The girls appeared to look at him in admiration, gauging Luca, he wasn't at all bad looking, among all the boys who have been entering the class, he could easily best any of them in the matter of look except the class rep, who is easily noticeable with his student ID dangling on his neck, he was in full wear of the school uniform, with glasses to complete his appearance, he looked mature and composed being the last entering the class.
Before Luca noticed it, one of the girls who was muttering something and gawking at him had come to him.
"Hi, I'm Lily Harrison, nice meeting you"
She said cheerfully.
She was slender and blond with average beauty, her cheek was slightly red not from blushing but from some makeup that was slightly visible on her face, she also wore some bangles, and she seemed like the gregarious type.
"Umm... Same" Luca was quite surprised but managed to mutter, his eyelids fluttered a few times.
"Do you mind if I sit here?" She asked pointing to the seat beside Luca with a cute puppy-like face.