Adventures beyond the void

Chapter 1: Summer Break Begins

POV: NICHOLAS

The ringing of the bell can be heard echoing throughout each classroom of the school, indicating the last break before the final hour of the school year. Excitement and relief are painted across each and every child's face, except mine. Laughter and relief flow like a river through the halls, the anticipation evident on everyone's joyfull expression.

Everybody craves summer. People go on vacation, families finally have time to have fun with each other and most importantly, there is no studying. You might be thinking, Nicholas, why aren't you excited about summer holidays?

Well, the answer is simple. My parents no matter what time of the year it is, will either be working abroad or if by any miracle stay at home for a while, they'll completely ignore my existence.

Why, you might ask? Well, my arrival into this world was never part of their plan. Both of them cared only about dedicating their time and energy to pushing their company to greater heights. Raising a child was nothing but an unwanted burden, one they despised and never bothered to hide from me. After all, in those early years, they had no choice but to be present until I was old enough to be left alone or in the care of a nanny.

I can't decide whether to feel proud or depressed about the fact that, from a very young age, I was far more mature than my peers. If I'm being honest, it's probably the latter. Growing up, I could see with absolute clarity that the rift between my parents and me ran deeper than the Mariana Trench, and that chasm was, without a doubt, the greatest force behind my premature maturity.

At least they were considerate enough to have their secretary, Mrs. Connors, to deposit money into my account so that I would be able to buy the necessities to survive, as well as paying the bills, while they were away on business trips. Honestly i believe that they think that they're doing me a great favor by providing for me, since they never viewed me as a part of the family, but as an obstacle towards achieving their goals. As for my dog Marcus...

      ???: - Hey loser, still lost in your big head?!

Startled a little by the sudden noise, my thoughts were cut short when my ocean-blue eyes met dark brown irises staring right at me. I mentally sigh, as I recognize that it was one of my bullies.

Hunter.

Hunter Johnson was a big guy, the tallest in the class to be exact. He had dark brown eyes and long dirty blond hair tied up to a ponytail. He was really fit and athletic, which is to be expected from the leader of the school's soccer team. A few freckles decorating his cheeks and a sharp jawline, were only making him even more desirable among the girls and even among some guys.

Well, no matter how rich or handsome or popular Hunter is, no one, and I mean no one, not even the teachers, can deny the fact that he is a bully, especially when it comes to people that are loners, like myself. But no one lifts a finger to do something about it. No one cares enough to do the right thing, whether it's because they are afraid, or don't care enough to help me.

And now here i am, having him literally tower over me with a sneer. It wasn't really convenient that I was one of the shortest kids in the class. From time to time, he would sometimes pick me up and throw me while making fun of me with his friends and whatever audience was surrounding us.

This time however, I was not in the mood. The nightmare I had last night really took a tool on me and left me restless, rolling in my bed for hours. I looked back at him, my expression was one of boredom, yet underneath the apathetic surface, irritation and anger boiled.

      Nicholas: - I am not in the mood today for your little games Hunter, so beat it.

He had a shocked look on his face, not expecting at all for me to reply to him like this. Usually, I would beg and plead for him to leave me alone, but I was not having it today. Nope, I was far too mentally drained to put up with his egoistic nonsense.