Angelo stared at the books spread across the table, a deep frown settling on his face. Studying had to be one of the worst forms of torture known to mankind. He was convinced of it.
Jade tapped her fingers impatiently against the wooden desk. "Angelo, you haven't even tried to read a single page."
He sighed dramatically. "Why do I need to study? My brain is built different. I'll just… absorb the information."
JJ, flipping through his notes, scoffed. "So far, the only thing you've absorbed is sleep."
Eli chuckled, tapping a pen against his book. "Angelo, you might actually fail this time."
Theo, who had been quietly solving equations in the corner, barely looked up. "Not 'might.' Will."
Angelo rolled his eyes. "You guys have no faith in me."
Jade slammed a book in front of him. "Shut up and study."
Angelo sighed but opened the book. The words blurred together almost immediately.
Jade caught him zoning out and flicked his forehead. "Focus."
He groaned. "I physically cannot."
JJ grinned. "Then at least copy my notes."
"I'd rather copy fate and pass by luck," Angelo muttered.
The next thirty minutes consisted of Angelo doodling in the margins while Jade glared at him. Every now and then, she would swat his arm and threaten to sew his eyelids open.
---
By the time their study session ended, Angelo had memorized exactly one formula, learned nothing else, and successfully annoyed Jade to the brink of violence.
As they packed up, JJ sighed. "Well, we tried."
Angelo grinned. "I appreciate the effort, guys."
Jade threw an eraser at him. "Shut up."
As they left the tutorial center, the streets buzzed with activity. Students walked in groups, street vendors called out prices, and the scent of roasted corn lingered in the air.
Angelo stretched. "Alright, time for the real question—food?"
JJ laughed. "You just ate."
Angelo gasped. "Did you just say that like it means something?"
Eli sighed. "Fine, let's grab something before heading home."
---
They stopped by a small food stand where a woman sold grilled chicken. Angelo's stomach rumbled as he stared at the sizzling meat.
Theo raised a brow. "I thought you were broke."
Angelo smirked. "Who said I was paying?"
Jade groaned. "You always do this."
Before anyone could argue, a loud commotion erupted across the street.
A man ran past them, knocking over a vendor's cart.
Shouts followed. "Stop that thief!"
Without thinking, Angelo reached out—and somehow, the man tripped over absolutely nothing.
The crowd gasped.
The thief tumbled, the stolen bag flying from his hands. He scrambled to his feet but hesitated as if confused about what had just happened.
Jade blinked. "Did he just… trip on air?"
Theo muttered, "That was weird."
Eli shrugged. "At least he got caught."
Angelo said nothing.
His fingers twitched. He hadn't meant to do anything—had he?
He shook off the thought and turned to JJ. "So, about that chicken—"
JJ sighed. "Fine. My treat. But only because watching you fail at life is entertaining."
Angelo grinned. "And this is why we're friends."
---
That night, Angelo lay on his bed, staring at the ceiling.
His phone buzzed. A message from Jade: "Tomorrow. 9 AM. We're studying again."
He groaned and typed back: "Do I have a choice?"
Her reply was instant: "No."
He sighed and tossed his phone aside.
Then, the dreams came.
He stood in a vast, empty space. A whisper echoed.
"You forgot again."
Angelo turned but saw nothing.
"You always forget."
His breath hitched.
"But one day, it will remember you."
He jolted awake, a cold sweat clinging to his skin.
For the first time in a long while, he felt afraid.
Something was coming.
And this time, he wouldn't be able to ignore it.