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.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbo87m3AffX
"Get your lazy ass up!" I yell, giving Charlie a gentle kick. "Pathetic, all of you. We should've done better."
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmFrlwpxKkh
"Sorry, boss," Charlie admitted. "She was just too strong."
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbUQVxuIXoL
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.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpD9GfcGoLm
"Yes, sir!" my boys shouted, their voices tinged with pain.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0iu7LgkIJL
"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.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3efWbmNKNT
"But, boss?" Charlie interjected, cutting my laughter short.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6Cu5JGs7I2
"What?" I asked, glancing at him.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡELbghHUkeU
"At this rate, we're going to be late for school," Charlie pointed out, with the rest of my boys nodding in agreement.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnLtsssst3Y
"What time is it?" I inquired.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXFfpGIQ6Rb
"8:00," Ned replied, checking his phone.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDAjoZw7xZh
"And school starts at what time?" I pressed further.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9T0yeCiZ3c
"8:30," Charlie responded.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSEuFRJbjv3
"Dammit..."
***
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPSyKsoLiM0
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.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhTPD0cjwUv
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."
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZoidvpSxF2
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.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLlWBAPPSYd
"Leyton, you alright?" Charlie asked, his eyes fixed on me.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH7FcVzidJP
"Yeah, don't worry about me," I mutter, glaring in the direction of our recent humiliation.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbkHWvLGvAh
We continue our march toward school, and as I kick a few stones, I vow silently that Ms. Brown-Hair will pay for this.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3mwU2zAYnT
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.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡssF3fnZElB
"Mr. Norton, so kind of you to join us," she quips.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV5QDY0rT3O
"Sorry, Ms. Gamble," I reply, rolling my eyes, not really carrying what this so called teacher had to say to me.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwxg7QckZRK
"Don't be sorry, be better," she shoots back, her favorite mantra. I take my seat, thinking this day can't get any worse.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNPDSgpU6NB
Then, with a dramatic clap, Ms. Gamble announces, "Today, class, we have a new student joining us. Too bad she's also running late."
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNAm6urwWL4
The door bursts open, and in walks the brown-haired hurricane – the same girl who handed me my own behind earlier.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEM0KTdCyZE
"Sorry, I'm late!" she shouts, seemingly unbothered.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzFrEtSBz7
Ms. Gamble gives her the classic teacher disapproval. "Late on your first day, Ms. Hunt. Not off to a great start."
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPkcZ0kZsS0
"Um, sorry," the girl mumbles.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRxGPS1C1XK
"Would you mind introducing yourself?" Ms. Gamble politely inquired, graciously stepping aside to afford the girl the spotlight.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡP9JSZmZPz0
"Hazel Hunt," the girl stated with quiet confidence, her words carrying a subtle air of mystery.147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBzQTFJXXD5
My eyes narrow. Hunt? That's the name of the girl who kicked our butts? Figures.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE4LvSfZ1hP
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNnxk0i4Nrn
The girl looks around for an empty seat and, of course, finds the one next to mine. Great, just great.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0SpW0jcwqQ
"You've got to be kidding me," I mumble under my breath.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNSyjMJBVUw
She smirks, taking the seat like she owns the place. "Fancy meeting you here."
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9BnSG93iiB
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
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxLxIkNCLBr
She leans in, whispering, "Maybe you deserved it."
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQD15QhXrUW
"Deserved it?"
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbObFGDVTw1
"Students, settle down," Ms. Gamble interrupts, looking between us. "Save the drama for after class."
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡU9icxzZWHu
The girl – Hunt, apparently – grins at me like she just won a prize. I scowl, realizing that my day is officially circling the drain.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzeGoE0ZWlh
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.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUpjxtGvHT7
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.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlJRlSaARyA
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.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9pIvtvjEN3
As the final bell rings, signaling the end of the day, I find myself face to face with Hunt again.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbZE4tv8cdj
"Ready for round two?" she teases, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgLGXUM4Ba6
I smirk. "Bring it on, Hunt. But first, tell me why you attacked us."
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtFddJcvusE
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."
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxKNsipoHfw
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.
147Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVsKYrfzmo
***
Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns18.119.29.40da2
and then Add to home screen.