Kael adjusted the strap of his backpack as he walked through the heavy, dark iron gates of the school. The heat from the infernal flames licking the surrounding walls didn't bother him anymore; it was just another day in the underworld. A familiar bell rang in the distance, signaling the start of another year of education in hell. Kael sighed, already wishing he was anywhere else.
He stepped into Mrs. Ava's classroom, his first period of the day, and scanned the room. His eyes landed on Aurora, who was already seated at their usual table by the window. Kael's heart skipped a beat.
Aurora had changed over the summer. A lot. She no longer looked like the shy, awkward girl he remembered from sixth grade. Her once-slender frame had matured into a curvier figure, and her delicate features had taken on a new confidence, though her demeanor was as shy as ever. Her silky hair framed her face perfectly, and her school uniform seemed to struggle to contain her new figure.
Kael swallowed hard and made his way over to the seat beside her, trying not to trip over his own feet. As he approached, he noticed how Aurora was nervously fidgeting with the hem of her skirt, her cheeks already dusted a soft pink.
"Hi…" Aurora's voice was barely above a whisper, so soft that Kael had to strain to hear it. Her eyes flicked up to meet his for a brief moment before darting back down to the desk.
Kael felt his own cheeks heat up as he plopped down beside her. "Hey," he replied, trying to sound casual, though his voice cracked slightly.
Aurora's heart was pounding so loudly that Kael swore he could hear it. Her blush deepened, and she bit her lip, clutching her notebook tightly to her chest. Inside, she had scribbled a dozen little hearts around Kael's name, as she always did when thinking about him.
Kael shifted awkwardly in his seat, wondering if Aurora noticed the way he kept glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. Over the summer, something about her had started to tug at him in a way he didn't quite understand. She wasn't just Aurora, his quiet, dependable classmate—she was *Aurora.*
Before either of them could say more, Mrs. Ava sauntered into the room. The clack of her heels echoed through the classroom as she swung the door shut behind her. She wore a tight-fitting black dress that left little to the imagination, her long, shapely legs on full display. Her fiery red hair cascaded down her back, and her sharp crimson eyes scanned the room with disinterest.
Mrs. Ava let out a dramatic sigh as she tossed her lesson planner onto her desk. "Alright, brats, sit down, shut up, and don't bother me unless you're dying. I don't get paid enough to care."
Kael suppressed a grin. This was why Mrs. Ava was his favorite teacher—she didn't try too hard, and she didn't expect much from her students.
The classroom buzzed with chatter as the students took their seats and pulled out their notebooks. Mrs. Ava slouched in her chair, propping her legs up on her desk in a way that made Kael wonder if this was still technically considered "teaching."
Aurora opened her notebook and began doodling, her handwriting neat and delicate. Every so often, Kael noticed her sneaking glances at him, her blush deepening whenever their eyes accidentally met.
Mrs. Ava lazily picked up a piece of chalk and scrawled something half-heartedly on the board: *"Introduction to Infernal History."* She paused, looking bored already. "Alright, class, here's the deal. I'm supposed to lecture you about something historical and hell-related, but I'm not in the mood. So, just… talk amongst yourselves or something. Don't break anything."
The class erupted into chatter. Some students pulled out their phones, while others leaned back in their chairs to chat with their friends. Kael turned to Aurora, who was now sketching in her notebook.
"What're you drawing?" he asked, leaning over slightly to get a better look.
Aurora froze, her eyes wide as she slammed the notebook shut. "N-nothing!" she stammered, clutching it to her chest as though it contained her deepest secrets—which, in a way, it did.
Kael raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Come on, it can't be that bad. Let me see."
"N-no!" Aurora shook her head furiously, her blush reaching all the way to her ears. "It's just… dumb stuff."
Kael smirked, leaning back in his chair. "Alright, alright, I won't pry. But one day, I'll get a look at what's in there."
Aurora's heart pounded even harder at his words. She couldn't let him see the pages filled with her daydreams about him—about them.
Mrs. Ava, meanwhile, had pulled out her phone and was scrolling through social media, completely ignoring the chaos in the classroom. Every so often, she'd glance up to make sure no one was setting anything on fire, but otherwise, she was perfectly content to let the students do whatever they wanted.
Kael glanced back at Aurora, who was nervously twirling a strand of her hair around her finger. For a moment, he considered saying something—anything—to break the tension. But what could he say?
Before he could think of something, the bell rang, signaling the end of the period. Aurora quickly gathered her things and stood up, her movements hurried and flustered.
"See you in the next class," she murmured, her voice barely audible as she scurried out of the room.
Kael watched her go, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Maybe seventh grade wouldn't be so bad after all.
The End of Chapter 1