Waking up with a pounding headache, I find myself sprawled on the ground, surrounded by my buddies Charlie, Ned, Sam, and Benny, all looking like they went through a blender. Scrapes, bruises, and torn clothes – we're a sorry sight.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSlrvFyDT2
"Get your lazy ass up!" I yell, giving Charlie a gentle kick. "Pathetic, all of you. We should've done better."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHisTnswO6o
"Sorry, boss," Charlie admitted. "She was just too strong."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUdqvb7G6Ai
I shook my head, a scowl etched on my face. "I don't want to hear any excuses! You hear me?! Now, get up!" I barked, embodying the bad ass boss that I knew I was.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdZCZx0rq7t
"Yes, sir!" my boys shouted, their voices tinged with pain.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqiasX9m9zd
"Now scour the town, don't leave even one stone unturned!" I commanded. "Find her, and call me immediately when you do!" I let out a villainous laugh, fully aware that my non-villainous status might confuse the situation.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYhiIePFIlI
"But, boss?" Charlie interjected, cutting my laughter short.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMORgBTuZGK
"What?" I asked, glancing at him.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDXhmNEUdKg
"At this rate, we're going to be late for school," Charlie pointed out, with the rest of my boys nodding in agreement.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSDy7cILqNl
"What time is it?" I inquired.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4g38op6f1W
"8:00," Ned replied, checking his phone.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGan8PZSvVm
"And school starts at what time?" I pressed further.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmlvblRuVCb
"8:30," Charlie responded.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡik6vJPSvML
"Dammit..."
***
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQSGLFyJF1G
As we trudge to school, I'm fuming, cursing under my breath about payback. That mysterious girl with long brown hair who made a fool out of me won't get away with it, I swore to myself, clenching my fists, envisioning repaying that woman back with a solid punch to her face and maybe a small kick to the stomach for good measure.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhrvTRh7EAT
While walking my eyes catch a glimpse of the imposing building in the distance, the newest addition to Eldenwood – a place promising scientific marvels. It's name was "Lu-nar Innovations."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFVszUdgkFn
Hands in my pockets, I couldn't help but think about all the snobby scientists and know-it-all geniuses that worked there. I scoff at the idea that I'm smart enough for that life, not that I want it. I mean imagine me in a dumb ass lab with a bunch of scientists, know it all bastards, yea right, almost makes me want to puke.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡubPPXBS7rn
"Leyton, you alright?" Charlie asked, his eyes fixed on me.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYuTElvRUpJ
"Yeah, don't worry about me," I mutter, glaring in the direction of our recent humiliation.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzIcrk0iCNB
We continue our march toward school, and as I kick a few stones, I vow silently that Ms. Brown-Hair will pay for this.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqayxCvJB97
Reaching our destination, It took us around 45 minutes to get to school. I separated from my boys as we all went to our own classrooms. Upon reaching my own classroom, I shove the classroom door open, earning a disapproving look from Ms. Gamble, our perpetually unimpressed teacher.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhDRNZd3Wqi
"Mr. Norton, so kind of you to join us," she quips.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKoywwqO8c
"Sorry, Ms. Gamble," I reply, rolling my eyes, not really carrying what this so called teacher had to say to me.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5nhdgpZP1
"Don't be sorry, be better," she shoots back, her favorite mantra. I take my seat, thinking this day can't get any worse.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIAG39hmynD
Then, with a dramatic clap, Ms. Gamble announces, "Today, class, we have a new student joining us. Too bad she's also running late."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEdcbm1J3PT
The door bursts open, and in walks the brown-haired hurricane – the same girl who handed me my own behind earlier.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVzIx4KYaYm
"Sorry, I'm late!" she shouts, seemingly unbothered.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjk2fDDCMxU
Ms. Gamble gives her the classic teacher disapproval. "Late on your first day, Ms. Hunt. Not off to a great start."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRpNdJd7ZYS
"Um, sorry," the girl mumbles.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9J6LinEEZI
"Would you mind introducing yourself?" Ms. Gamble politely inquired, graciously stepping aside to afford the girl the spotlight.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRDqGHp40xg
"Hazel Hunt," the girl stated with quiet confidence, her words carrying a subtle air of mystery.242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLOXDZPmhfP
My eyes narrow. Hunt? That's the name of the girl who kicked our butts? Figures.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrcTY7Qczmt
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfoHhf6n3jm
The girl looks around for an empty seat and, of course, finds the one next to mine. Great, just great.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf4LfATMeyx
"You've got to be kidding me," I mumble under my breath.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpA6HF11u9K
She smirks, taking the seat like she owns the place. "Fancy meeting you here."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsUKwKtrJgB
I glare at her. "Fancy nothing. What's your problem, Hunt?" "I demand an explanation," I asserted, my fist clenched in anticipation. "You attacked me and my men. What the hell?" I pressed, searching for clarity
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsAvIDphqbB
She leans in, whispering, "Maybe you deserved it."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYYxOKbMbzu
"Deserved it?"
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7uI07ggHWx
"Students, settle down," Ms. Gamble interrupts, looking between us. "Save the drama for after class."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9IHFIzyru5
The girl – Hunt, apparently – grins at me like she just won a prize. I scowl, realizing that my day is officially circling the drain.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL05RZDRDtp
As Ms. Gamble drones on about something boring, I exchange whispered insults with Hunt, each remark more creative than the last. The class is oblivious to our little war, but the tension is thick enough to cut with a butter knife.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmCVAerNdi
After what feels like an eternity, the bell finally rings. Hunt gives me a challenging look before sauntering out of the room, leaving me with a mix of irritation and confusion.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡapqHROs2kc
The day continues with its usual teenage chaos, filled with awkward encounters, questionable cafeteria food, and the never-ending struggle to stay awake in classes that seem designed to induce sleep.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoCgDCKfJyl
As the final bell rings, signaling the end of the day, I find myself face to face with Hunt again.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCJuNdrPUTH
"Ready for round two?" she teases, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvJji6zVujr
I smirk. "Bring it on, Hunt. But first, tell me why you attacked us."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKeg29Dlg6y
She hesitates for a moment, then grins. "Maybe I just wanted to make an entrance." Her smirk seemed to edge toward a smile as she coolly replied, "Or maybe I just don't like bullies and cowards."
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFT0R5y3EWf
And with that, she disappears into the teenage chaos, leaving me wondering how my life took such a bizarre turn. But one thing's for sure – Eldenwood just became a whole lot more of a pain in the ass, thanks to the enigma that is Hunt.
242Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgaVao3M9vB
***
Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns216.73.216.210da2
