Chapter 9: The Unexpected Growth
Andrean had always been content with living a simple life. He went to school, did his homework, and tried to avoid unnecessary attention. But everything had changed since the cashback phenomenon had started. Now, it wasn't just about him anymore. His actions were drawing attention, some of it flattering, some of it unsettling. And today, as he walked through the school gates, he had a strange feeling that something unexpected was about to unfold.
It had been a few days since Andrean had decided to keep his growing wealth a secret. His family was still in the dark, and his friends didn't seem to notice anything amiss. Yet, Andrean couldn't shake the feeling that there was more going on behind the scenes than he could comprehend. Each time he spent money, he received cashback in the most unusual ways—sometimes in the form of products, other times as straight-up money. It was as if the universe was conspiring to make him richer every time he made a purchase.
Today, however, something strange happened. As Andrean stepped into the classroom, Richard, his best friend, gave him a curious look.
"You seem different," Richard said, raising an eyebrow. "Did you do something to your hair? Or... wait, did you buy a new jacket?"
Andrean looked down at his worn-out jacket, trying to suppress a smile. "No, not really. I just—"
Before he could finish, Athena entered the classroom, her usual poised demeanor commanding the attention of everyone in the room. But today, there was something about her that caught Andrean's attention in a new way. She was carrying a large stack of papers in her hands, and as she walked past Andrean, their eyes briefly met. His heart skipped a beat.
"Good morning, Andrean," she said, giving him a small but warm smile.
Andrean froze, unsure of how to respond. This wasn't the first time Athena had greeted him, but today it felt different. Was it because he had been thinking about her more often recently? Or was it something else?
The bell rang, signaling the start of class, and Andrean quickly sat down, his mind racing. The day went by in a blur as Andrean tried to focus on his lessons, but the strange sense of unease gnawed at him. Why was Athena paying him more attention? Was it just his imagination, or was there something more?
After school, Richard and Andrean were walking home together when Richard suddenly turned to him.
"You've been acting weird, man," Richard said with a smirk. "Is something going on with you? You've been distracted all day. Is it about Athena?"
Andrean stopped in his tracks, eyes widening in surprise. "What? No! I—I don't think so."
Richard chuckled. "Relax, bro. I was just messing with you. But hey, if you do like her, you should go for it. I mean, you've got a lot going for you now, right?"
Andrean hesitated. Richard wasn't wrong—things had changed for him, in ways he never expected. But he didn't feel like he could tell anyone about his secret just yet. Not even Richard, his best friend. It was too complicated, too surreal. How could he explain that every time he spent money, the universe seemed to reward him in some strange and magical way?
"Well, I'll think about it," Andrean said, brushing off the topic. "But I'm just trying to keep things low-key for now."
Richard nodded, seemingly satisfied with the answer. "Sure, sure. Just don't wait too long, alright? You never know what could happen."
As the two of them continued walking home, Andrean's mind was elsewhere. Richard's words echoed in his ears. "You've got a lot going for you now." Was it true? Was he really changing that much? The more he thought about it, the more his situation seemed almost too good to be true. But if there was one thing Andrean knew for sure, it was that life was full of surprises. And whatever the future held, he was ready for it.
When he got home, his mother Cicil greeted him with a smile. Even though she couldn't see, her warmth and kindness were always a comfort to Andrean.
"How was school today, dear?" Cicil asked as she sat by the table, her cane resting beside her.
Andrean smiled, sitting across from her. "It was good, Mom. Everything's fine."
But as he spoke, he noticed that there was something different in her voice. Something that hinted at a deeper understanding of what was going on around him.
"I heard something today," Cicil said softly. "It's nothing bad, but it seems like you've been getting a lot of attention lately. People are talking about you, Andrean. They say you're different."
Andrean froze, his heart pounding in his chest. How could his mother know? Was she sensing something?
"Is that so?" he replied carefully, trying to mask his unease.
"Don't worry, son," Cicil said with a small chuckle. "I'm not saying it's a bad thing. Just be careful, alright? Not everyone will understand the changes. Just stay grounded, and everything will be alright."
Her words were both comforting and alarming. Andrean didn't know what to make of them. But one thing was clear—his life was no longer simple. The changes had already begun, and there was no turning back now.
As he lay in bed that night, staring at the ceiling, Andrean couldn't shake the feeling that the path ahead of him was going to be more complicated than he ever imagined. But if there was one thing he knew, it was that he wasn't going to let anything—anyone—stand in the way of his future.