My mom used to fix my hair when I was younger; she stopped as we both got busier, so I mostly wore wigs. What started as a disguise for missions soon became my daily look; even at school, people think I have black hair like my mom, but I actually have red hair; it's weird having red hair when both parents don't- my dad's blonde and my mom have black hair.
Since I'm supposed to be living a normal life, I don't think I should wear my wig at school; this would be the first time in a long time that I have my natural hair out, and I have no idea what to do with it so tying it up in a ponytail seem like the safest option. The week meant to bring me mental stability flew by in a blur. Before I knew it, it was Monday night, and I'm still not prepared.
I walked over to my bed and snoozed my alarm. My stomach was in knots and tangles at the thought of today being my first day at a new school. I'd never been to a new school before, never been a new student or met new people, so of course, I couldn't sleep throughout the night and ended up getting dressed way too early; now I had nothing to do but worry. I was already biting at the skin of my nonexistent nail; it was a nasty habit that I couldn't seem to get rid of. I bite my nails so much that I don't have any left. Sometimes I unconsciously bite the skin, especially when I'm anxious (which is always).
It was still dark out. If I wanted, I could get some sleep, but I already knew that lying down and closing my eyes wouldn't lead to sleep but me stressing out, so I'm gonna save myself the trauma and head out.
I made my way down to the kitchen to pack my lunch for school, so far my experience with school food has always been good, I'm still packing a lunch regardless; as for breakfast, the thought of eating anything right now is enough to make me want to throw up, food never digest properly when I'm feeling anxious or stressed and I'm not in the mood for indigestion right now; in a few hours though I'll probably be dying of hunger. I made a sandwich, grabbed an apple, two juice boxes, and anything else that looked edible, and then stuffed it all in my bag. I wrote a quick note and slapped it onto the fridge before grabbing my bag and heading out (we did this all the time when going on a mission, while one of us was exhausted from a mission; texting would be more practical, but it's not us).
Walking in the dark felt pointless, just endless steps without progress. Still, I don't mind the solitude. After an hour or so, give and take, the stupid school finally came into view, and holy shit, it was huge; I couldn't see beyond the fence, but the fence itself speaks volumes. It was big and so high up as if wanting to reach the heavens. It was white, which is a risky color, but it looked freshly painted; the only thing that permitted view into the school was the gates, equally high but with gaps in between.
I thought I'd suffered enough just getting here, but no. I still had to show security my ID, even though I was already wearing their stylish uniform. Which consisted of a navy blue blazer with the school crest, a crisp white blouse, and a necktie. I chose the trousers over the pleated skirt. Completing the look with stockings and a cardigan. We also got gym clothes and a winter coat.
After their unnecessary interrogation, I was finally allowed in. Everything about this school is overwhelming, the yard blends natural beauty with organized design. Wide cobblestone paths wind through manicured lawns and garden beds bursting with seasonal flowers like roses. A modest but elegant marble fountain serves as the focal point, while polished wooden benches are placed along the pathways.
I made my way into the entrance hall, a spacious area with wooden floors and high ceilings. The soft, neutral tones of the walls are accented by the school crest prominently displayed. A large bulletin board showcases upcoming events and announcements, while wide hallways extended outward, tiled floors gleaming beneath the bright lighting. Lockers line the walls, leading to airy classrooms with large windows and modern desks with chairs. Each classroom is equipped with a whiteboard, projector, and subtle decorative touches, like plants or framed inspirational quotes.
After wandering through the halls and peaking into classrooms, it suddenly dawned that I was completely lost. Why did I think it was a good idea to come here without anyone to show me around? This school is massive, and navigating it alone feels impossible, with no other choice, I decided the best thing to do was to sit in one of the classes and wait for everyone else to arrive.
I opened a random classroom door and stepped inside, quietly shutting it behind me. The classroom was quiet, and the air felt heavier than the others I'd explored. I made my way toward the window, hoping to get a better view of the campus, but then I saw him.
He was standing by the back wall, leaning casually against a desk like he'd been there all along. I froze. Had he been here this whole time? My brain scrambled for an explanation, but my instincts screamed to stay calm. His storm-gray eyes locked onto mine, sharp and unrelenting.
"Lost?" he asked, his voice low but smooth.
I blinked, the scream that had bubbled up now stuck in my throat. "No. Just... looking around."
A small, almost amused smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Right. Because normal people wander into empty classrooms for no reason."
"I could say the same about you," I shot back, crossing my arms to hide my nerves.
He straightened slightly as if my retort had caught him off guard. "Touché." His tone was light, but those piercing eyes stayed focused on me.
I shifted under his gaze, forcing myself to look away. "I'm new here," I mumbled, instantly regretting how obvious it sounded.
"Figured." He didn't miss a beat. "You've got that 'lost puppy' vibe."
I frowned. "Thanks, I guess."
"You're welcome." His smirk grew wider, but there was something kind beneath it, like he wasn't trying to be mean—just curious. "What's your name?"
"Lyra," I said reluctantly.
"Lyra." He repeated it slowly like he was testing how it felt on his tongue. "Not bad. I'm Jayden."
"Jayden," I echoed, committing it to memory.
A beat of silence passed. His phone buzzed in his pocket, drawing his attention. He glanced at the screen and frowned, the easy smirk fading.
"Duty calls," he said, shoving the phone back into his pocket.
"Oh." I shifted awkwardly, unsure of what to say. "Well, uh... I'll figure things out. Don't worry about me."
He paused at the door, looking back at me with a faint smile. "I wasn't worried."
"Rude," I muttered under my breath, but I caught myself smiling anyway.
His hand rested on the doorknob. "Try not to get lost again, Lyra."
"Thanks for the advice," I replied, half-sarcastic.
He tilted his head slightly, his smirk making a brief comeback. "Until next time." And then he was gone, leaving me alone with a strange mix of relief and anticipation.