Crimson Secrets

A new day of classes.

3rd Person POV

The winter sun gently passed through the windows and illuminated a teenage girl's bedroom. One wall was pale red, while the other was white. Several music band posters covered the walls, along with several photos of a group of teenagers at the beach, others at an amusement park... On the bedside table, a frame held a photo of the girl posing in a park with a Japanese man. The girl's face was radiant, and the man's eyes were filled with pride.

As the alarm clock rang, indicating 7 o'clock, the girl woke up startled, her face dripping with sweat. She took a few seconds to steady her breathing and get up. She opened her wardrobe and took out a pair of jeans with a red blouse.

Getting dressed, she left her room and sat at the breakfast table where a cup of tea with a plate of toast awaited her. She started eating, lost in her thoughts, without noticing the entrance of the man from the photo.

"Carmen, that was my breakfast."

He approached and tapped her shoulder to get her attention, shifting to avoid Carmen's elbow.

"Oh... it's you, Suhara. Sorry."

"For the hit or for my breakfast ?"

"Was it yours ?"

He raised an eyebrow, and she smiled sheepishly.

"Sorry, I didn't pay attention. Do you want me to make you another one ?"

"I'll take care of it. So, did you sleep well ?"

"Yes, and you ?"

"Don't lie to me."

Carmen suddenly raised her head, looking at him strangely. "What are you talking about ?"

"I see the stress marks near your eyes and the sweat on your temple."

He pulled a chair and sat across from her, observing her intently. Carmen lowered her head and drank her tea.

"What did you dream about?"

Carmen remained silent as she seemed unusually interested in her toast.

"Carmen..."

"What do you want me to say ? I didn't have a nightmare, I slept wonderfully, and I just got a little hot. The interrogation is over, I hope, because now I'm going to be late."

Carmen stood up without finishing her toast, grabbed her backpack and leather jacket, and left, slamming the door. As she looked at her phone, she saw that it was only 7:30, with her classes starting in an hour. The door opened behind her, and Shadowsan stuck his head out.

"One of the perks of living with me in the teachers' apartments is that you don't have to worry about being late. After all, you live on campus." Carmen nodded absentmindedly and prepared to leave. "And Carmen ?"

"Yes ?"

"The next time you take my breakfast, you'll be grounded for the Christmas holidays. Have a nice day, brat."

He said with a smirk before going back inside. Laughing softly, Carmen decided to go for a run before heading to school.

30 minutes later...

After running along the lake to clear her mind, Carmen arrived at the entrance of the campus. She calmly passed through the gate and crossed paths with several people who greeted her. Several people approached her, including someone she would have preferred to avoid a little longer.

"Still as popular, Sandiego ? They don't need much to be impressed."

Carmen turned her gaze toward a chicly dressed teenage girl with blond hair tied in a tight bun.