𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞.

𝟐

[𝟐]
[𝑭𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝑫𝒂𝒚]

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾ ⋆⁺₊⋆ ☁︎

The morning sun cast a soft glow into Oliver's room, gently rousing him from slumber at 7:20. He stretched and yawned, the crisp promise of a new day invigorating his senses. Resolving to make the most of it, he headed to the bathroom, allowing the warmth of the shower to wash away any lingering remnants of sleep. After a refreshing cleanse, he meticulously brushed his teeth, a ritual that never failed to make him feel more awake and ready to face the day.

With a towel draped over his shoulder, he returned to his room, the scent of fresh clothes in the air. He chose an outfit carefully, a subtle nod to the importance of making a good first impression. It was a small detail, but he wanted to present himself confidently as he embarked on this new journey.

Just as he was about to head downstairs, a car horn echoed through his window, jolting his attention. He moved to the window and looked out, where Allysa was leaning against her jeep, her presence a cheerful beacon of the day to come.

A bright smile lit up Oliver's face as he grabbed his backpack and planted a quick kiss on Bones' head. The loyal feline offered a sleepy purr in response as his owner rushed downstairs. Typically, Oliver might have grabbed a quick snack, but the kitchen's sparse offerings prompted him to bypass breakfast, promising himself a grocery-shopping excursion after school.

He hurriedly exited the front door to find Allysa waiting by her car, her infectious laughter a warm greeting. "Let's go!" she called out with a playful grin as Oliver hopped into the passenger seat. The engine roared to life, and they set off.

With laughter and easy conversation, Oliver and Allysa walked through the school's entrance, the walls buzzing with the hum of student activity. As they navigated the corridors, they shared anecdotes about their previous schools and funny stories about their pets. The camaraderie was immediate, and their words flowed effortlessly as they continued into the heart of the school.

Classes eventually concluded, giving way to the communal ritual of lunch. The cafeteria filled with students, a lively symphony of chatter and clattering trays. Amidst the bustling crowd, Allysa and Oliver found their way to a lunch table, their conversation continuing seamlessly.

As they exchanged anecdotes and observations about their teachers and classes, Oliver's attention was momentarily diverted by a figure that stood out in the crowd. He nodded discreetly toward a boy with a mane of long, ebony hair and pale blue eyes, who occupied a table a short distance away.

"Who's that?" Oliver inquired, his curiosity piqued by the boy's enigmatic presence.

Allysa followed his gaze and offered a knowing smile. "Oh, that's Ryker Delacour. He moved here a few years ago and became pretty popular for his looks. Rumor has it he's turned down every girl who's asked him out, leading to some speculating that he might be gay. Not that it's a big deal," she added, her voice lighthearted.

Oliver's attention shifted to the girl seated next to Ryker, her appearance captivating in its uniqueness. "And who's the girl next to him?" he inquired further.

Allysa grinned, apparently intrigued by Oliver's interest. "That's Sophie, Ryker's sister. She's a year below us. People say she's pretty, and she's got this slightly eccentric vibe, but in a good way." Allysa's comment about Sophie's uniqueness piqued Ryker's curiosity, prompting him to wonder if he could strike up a conversation with her at some point.

As their gaze lingered on Ryker and Sophie's table, a girl with black hair approached them, her demeanor oozing with confidence as she engaged Ryker in what appeared to be flirtatious banter. Ryker's expression morphed from indifference to annoyance, a subtle yet telling shift.