Key Story (1) - Chapter 3
The empty seat near the front of the classroom stood out more than it should have. Fayne glanced at it for what felt like the tenth time that morning, her mind already piecing together the reason behind Raxian's absence.
He never misses school.
The usual chatter and laughter from his group of friends seemed a little quieter today, their energy dulled without Raxian to stir things up. Fayne's gaze lingered on his empty desk, wondering if his absence had something to do with the game they'd all heard him raging about yesterday. It wouldn't be the first time League had gotten under his skin, but this felt different. He'd seemed more tense than usual lately.
Fayne absently tapped her pencil against her notebook, her shoulder-length white hair catching the sunlight filtering through the windows. It framed her face in soft layers, and while she never cared to stand out, the vibrant color of her hair did enough of that for her. Her striking blue eyes, sharp and attentive, flicked from the empty desk back to her notes.
She wore the standard school uniform, the same as everyone else, and had no desire to tweak it in any way. There was no point—she preferred blending into the background whenever she could, but her hair had a way of drawing attention regardless.
It wasn't like she was especially close to Raxian—at least not anymore. But his absence gnawed at her. He was so wrapped up in the game, in climbing the ranks, that it almost felt inevitable he'd hit a breaking point.
I should check on him, she thought, but the idea felt strange. They barely spoke in real life, only interacting through their small cliques at school. It wasn't like with Milo, her childhood friend who lived in another city. With Milo, everything felt more natural, even if their connection was mostly online now. Fayne's family used to visit Milo's family often, and those memories of their childhood still lingered, making it easier to reach out to him.
She pulled out her phone, her fingers brushing against the screen as she debated whether to send a message to Raxian—or to Milo, who might already be online. Maybe Milo would have some perspective on this. He was always more grounded than Raxian, even if he was just as dedicated to the game.
It's strange, she thought, flipping her phone back over. How a game can make you feel so connected to people… or so distant.
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She stared at the screen for a moment longer, her thumb hovering over Raxian's name. But something held her back. It didn't feel right—reaching out when they barely spoke in real life. Maybe it was just easier to leave things as they were, at least for now.
Instead, her thumb swiped up, tapping on Milo's name. He was already online, not that she was surprised. Milo had a habit of skipping school, his struggles with focus often keeping him away from the classroom. Most of his days were spent grinding League instead. It was almost predictable at this point, but it never really bothered her. It was just how he was.
Fayne:
Hey, you online?
The response came almost instantly.
Milo:
Of course. Where else would I be?
She smiled faintly at his quick reply. Milo had a way of grounding her, even through a screen. He wasn't as intense as Raxian, but his dedication to the game was still there—just more quiet, more thoughtful.
Fayne:
You ever wonder if we spend too much time on this game?
Milo:
You're asking me that? Pretty sure I'm the last person who should give advice on balance.
Fayne let out a small chuckle, imagining Milo's grin on the other side of the screen. It was comforting in a way, knowing that even though they were in different cities, they could still feel connected. Unlike Raxian, Milo wasn't obsessed with winning for the sake of his ego. He just… liked the game. Maybe that was why she found it easier to talk to him.
Fayne:
Raxian skipped school today. I think he's really getting in his own head about that game.
Milo:
Typical Raxian. Probably grinding until his fingers fall off. He'll be fine.
Fayne frowned, her fingers hesitating over the keys. Will he? She wasn't so sure. Raxian had always been headstrong, but something about his recent obsession with climbing out of Emerald felt different. Desperate, almost.
Milo:
Why, you worried about him?
Fayne:
I guess... yeah. I just don't know if he's okay. He's been acting weird lately.
Milo:
Don't stress too much. Raxian's got an ego, but he's tough. He'll bounce back. He always does.
Fayne read the words over, feeling a little reassured, but also unsure. Milo always had a way of brushing things off, like everything would eventually be fine. But with Raxian, she wasn't so sure this time.
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Milo:
Anyway, I'm about to boot up a game right now. Wanna join? Could use a support.
Fayne raised an eyebrow, glancing around the classroom. She stifled a laugh, imagining the teacher's reaction if she whipped out her laptop and started playing League right there.
Milo knew she wasn't exactly confident in her abilities yet, but this was his way of encouraging her—his own laid-back, teasing way.
Fayne:
I'm in school, Milo.
Milo:
Oh, right. Forgot people still attend school.
But hey, you could always ditch and play. Perfect opportunity to practice your support skills.
Fayne rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips. That's Milo's way of helping me get better, she thought. He never put too much pressure on her, even though he was so far ahead.
He knew her learning curve had been rocky, but instead of pushing her, he made it feel like no big deal—like she could just jump in and play whenever.
Fayne:
Some of us have priorities, you know.
Milo:
Yeah, like practicing your champions. You're getting there, Fayne, but you could still brush up on those Seraphine e's.
Milo:
And hey, normals are perfect for messing up. No pressure, just fun.
Fayne's smile grew. He had a point, even if she was a bit hesitant. Milo always had a way of making the game feel more accessible, more about fun than competition.
Fayne:
Can't tonight. I've got to help out at the shop after school.
Milo:
Ah, the flower shop. Alright, but tomorrow, no excuses.
Milo:
I'll be expecting those perfect Seraphine plays by then.
Fayne:
We'll see. Maybe tomorrow.
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The rest of the school day passed in a blur, with the usual chatter and banter between her and her friends filling the background. As the final bell rang, Fayne grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder, her friend Leah falling into step beside her.
"Heading to the shop again?" Leah asked, nudging her playfully.
Fayne nodded, giving her a small smile. "Yeah, my mom could use the help today."
"You never catch a break, huh? We were thinking of hitting up the café after school. You sure you don't wanna come? We could use a little more of your blunt honesty."
Fayne chuckled softly. "Maybe next time. Flowers don't arrange themselves, you know."
Leah rolled her eyes but grinned. "Fine, fine. But don't work too hard, alright? We'll catch up later."
With a quick wave, Fayne parted ways with her friends, watching them head toward the school gate. As much as she appreciated their company, there was something comforting about slipping into the quiet routine of the flower shop after a long day. The walk was peaceful, the cool afternoon breeze brushing against her skin.
By the time she reached the shop, the familiar scent of flowers greeted her, a reminder of the simple things in life. Her mom's voice called from the back as soon as the door chimed.
"You're just in time, honey! We've got a few orders to fill."
Fayne smiled, setting her bag down behind the counter. "On it," she called back, rolling up her sleeves to get to work. As she finished arranging a bouquet, the chime of the door rang again.
A girl with long, dark hair tied back into a neat high ponytail walked into the shop, her steps a little slower than usual. Fayne noticed her right away—the subtle blue streaks in her bangs caught the light as she entered, but there was something different about her. Her usually composed expression seemed more distant, as though her mind was elsewhere.
She was still in her school uniform—modest and tidy—but Fayne could sense a quiet focus.
The girl wasn't here just to browse; there was a purpose behind her visit.
"Hi, welcome," Fayne greeted her, stepping out from behind the counter. "Can I help you with something?"
The girl blinked, as if her thoughts had just been pulled back to the present. "I'm looking for Irises," she said softly. Her voice had a warmth to it that contrasted with her otherwise calm exterior. "They're my dad's favorite, and I want to get him something special for his birthday."
Fayne's surprise flickered for a moment—irises weren't a typical choice—but the way the girl spoke about her dad made it clear this wasn't just a gift. It was a gesture of love.
"Of course," Fayne replied with a nod. "We just got some beautiful ones in. I'll make a bouquet for you."
For the first time since she'd entered, the girl's expression softened. Her lips curved into a small, genuine smile—one that spoke of deep affection. "Thank you," she said quietly. "He's going to love them."
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Fayne sighed as she locked up the flower shop, her shift finally over. The evening air was cool, a gentle breeze brushing against her skin as she started her walk home. The streets were quiet, with only the occasional sound of distant traffic filling the silence.
As Fayne passed the park near her house, she noticed someone sitting on a bench, the faint glow of a cigarette catching her eye. She didn't pay much attention at first, but something about the man's voice made her slow her pace. He was on the phone, his tone low and serious, almost... tired.
"Yeah, I know he skipped school today. Kid's all worked up over it... yeah, over the game."
The man took a drag from his cigarette, exhaling slowly. "I told him to chill, but you know how he is. I just... I don't know how to get through to him sometimes."
Fayne's ears perked up at the mention of Raxian. Her footsteps faltered, and she couldn't help but glance over at the man. His hair was messy, streaked with dark blue, the ends wild, like he'd run his hands through it too many times. His jacket was worn but had neon accents that gave him a rebellious, cool vibe.
She didn't know who he was, but the mention of Raxian's name caught her off guard.
She kept walking, not wanting to seem nosy, but the man's words echoed in her mind.
Whoever he was, he knew Raxian—and from the sound of it, he was worried about him.
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As Fayne continued walking home, her thoughts kept circling back to the man in the park.
Whoever he was, he knew Raxian—and from the sound of it, he was worried. It was strange to think of Raxian being that worked up over the game. He always seemed so focused, so driven. The idea of him skipping school over a match gnawed at her.
She shook her head, pushing the thought away. It wasn't really her problem, right?
They barely even spoke these days.
But as she neared her house, the man's voice echoed in her mind. "I don't know how to get through to him sometimes."
Maybe things were more complicated than she realized.