Eternity

Chapter 17: 'New World'

The morning sun spilled over the quiet town of Whisbrook, casting long shadows as I made my way toward school.

The routine of my daily life felt oddly disrupted after the events of the previous night, leaving me in a state of both anticipation and trepidation.

Suddenly, the purr of an expensive car engine cut through the morning stillness, drawing my attention.

I turned to see a sleek vehicle pulling up beside me.

My eyes widened in surprise as I recognized Selina behind the wheel, her older brother Enoch sitting confidently in the driver's seat.

The contrast between my ordinary life and the luxurious car before me was stark, leaving me momentarily speechless.

Enoch flashed a charismatic grin, his eyes glinting with mischief. "Need a lift, my friend?" he said, gesturing for me to join them.

I hesitated for a moment, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts.

What did this invitation mean? Did they have ulterior motives, or was it merely a kind gesture?

Nervously, I slid into the backseat beside Selina, feeling a mix of excitement and anxiety. Enoch, with his easy confidence, broke the ice.

"So, Ethan," he began, his voice smooth and charming,

"How do you find our family?"

I paused, carefully choosing my words.

"The Hales are... intriguing," I replied cautiously.

It was the most diplomatic response I could muster, considering the enigmatic aura that surrounded their family.

Enoch, ever the conversationalist, continued with a playful glint in his eye. "Care to take a guess at my age?"

I blinked, caught off guard by the unexpected question. "I... I really have no idea," I stammered, unsure of where he was going with this.

He chuckled, a low, melodious sound that filled the car. "Well, that's the mystery of it all, isn't it?" he said cryptically, leaving me more perplexed than before.

Beside me, Selina placed a comforting hand on my arm, her touch grounding me in the midst of my confusion. "Don't worry, Ethan," she said softly, her eyes meeting mine. "You're not an outsider. We're just... different."

Enoch, always quick with a jest, interjected, "Don't worry, the Hale Family won't bite... at least not in the way you might be thinking."

A nervous laugh escaped my lips, my discomfort dissipating momentarily in the face of Enoch's attempt at humor. Selina shot her brother a reproachful look before turning back to me. "Ethan, we genuinely want you to come to our home," she insisted, her voice sincere. "It'll be fun, I promise."

I nodded in response, my uncertainty lingering in the air around us. As the car pulled up to Whisbrook High, I couldn't shake the feeling that my life was hurtling down an unpredictable path, one where the line between reality and the supernatural had blurred beyond recognition.

With a deep breath, I prepared to face the day, knowing that the evening's invitation would lead me further into this... New World...

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The sensation of all eyes on us was palpable as Selina and I stepped out of the luxurious car.

It seemed as though the entire school had collectively stopped to watch, their gazes fixed on us.

Whispers buzzed through the air like an electrifying current, creating a cacophony of voices that filled the atmosphere.

The attention was overwhelming, and for a moment, I felt like a character in one of those supernatural dramas I used to watch on TV.

The walk from the car to the school entrance felt like a surreal experience.

The hushed whispers and wide-eyed stares of my classmates followed us, making it clear that Selina and I were the center of attention.

I couldn't help but notice the heightened attention, a mix of awe, envy, and speculation, that was now centered on us.

Though the eyes of others weighed on me, Selina moved gracefully, seemingly unperturbed by the newfound attention. 

She radiated an air of confidence, her posture never faltering.

Her cool composure helped ease my nerves as we strolled through the corridors, our footsteps echoing in tandem.

In the midst of the attention, she glanced at me, her eyes holding a hint of amusement. "Getting used to the spotlight?" she teased softly, her lips curving into a playful smile.

I managed a weak smile in response, my nerves still very much on edge. "I don't think I'll ever get used to this," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.

Selina's laughter, a melodious sound that seemed to drown out the surrounding noise, resonated in my ears. 

Inside the school corridors, the attention didn't wane.

It was as though the entire student body had collectively paused to watch our progress.

Some girls whispered loudly to each other, their excitement palpable, while others simply stared, their expressions a mix of awe and disbelief.

The hallway seemed to stretch on forever as we navigated the stares and murmurs.

As we walked, I caught sight of Mark in the distance, his grin infectious as he gave me an encouraging thumbs up.

It offered a small boost to my confidence amidst the sea of curious gazes.

We reached a quiet corner of the hallway, away from the prying eyes of our peers.

Selina turned to me, her gaze sincere.

"Meet me... after school," she said, her voice carrying a note of mystery.

I nodded, curiosity piqued by her cryptic words.

"I'll be there," I replied.

With a final smile, Selina and I parted ways, each heading to our respective classes.

The attention from our fellow students continued to linger in the air as I walked to my first class.

As I settled into my seat, the events of the morning continued to play in my mind.

The attention, the whispers, the enigma of Selina's words—all of it was overwhelming, yet oddly exhilarating.

The school day passed in a blur, my thoughts never straying far from the encounter with Selina and the anticipation of what awaited me after the final bell.

When the last class of the day ended, I made my way to the entrance, my heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and trepidation.