O R I G I N

CHAPTER 7

Kayden's POV

The alarm blared, shattering the fragile peace of Kayden's slumber. Groaning, he fumbled for the clock, his movements sluggish with sleep. Mondays were the worst, and today was proving to be no exception.

With a frustrated growl, Kayden slammed his hand down on the clock, the sound of shattering plastic echoing through the room. He cursed under his breath, his frustration mounting with each passing second.

Dragging himself out of bed, Kayden made his way to the closet, his mind already consumed with the looming dread of the day ahead. He barely registered his surroundings as he mechanically changed into his clothes, his thoughts a whirlwind of anxiety and exhaustion.

Exiting his room, Kayden encountered his younger brother, a moment of levity amidst the chaos of his thoughts. Their playful banter provided a fleeting distraction, a brief respite from the weight of the world pressing down on Kayden's shoulders.

Grabbing an apple and a bottle of Gatorade, Kayden made his way to the front door, his mind still mired in a fog of exhaustion and anxiety. Pausing to glance at his reflection in the mirror, he was met with a sight that only served to deepen his sense of unease.

The bags under his eyes, the lackluster sheen of his hair, the defeated slump of his shoulders – each detail reflected at him served as a stark reminder of the toll that recent events had taken on him.

Shaking off his unease, Kayden headed for the bus stop, steeling himself for the long day ahead. Little did he know the challenges he would face were far from over.

At school, the cafeteria buzzed with activity as Kayden approached, the chatter of his classmates blending into a cacophony of noise. Miles' voice cut through the din, his animated debate drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

Kayden's heart sank as he approached the group, a sense of foreboding settling over him like a dark cloud. His anxiety mounted with each passing moment; his thoughts consumed by a sense of impending doom.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted, the playful banter giving way to a tense silence. Kayden felt the weight of their stares bearing down on him, suffocating him with their intensity.

"Hey hey, Naruto is a great show, don't you dare insult it!" Miles' voice boomed through the cafeteria, breaking the silence with an explosive burst of energy. Kayden tried to join in the laughter, but the unease in his chest only grew stronger.

As the group closed in around him, Kayden felt a sense of suffocation closing in around him. Their questions prodded at his insecurities, their gazes burning into him like daggers.

"Guys guys, shut up! Shut the fuck up!" Kayden's voice cracked with emotion, his outburst cutting through the tension like a knife. He fled from the cafeteria, his heart pounding in his chest as he sought refuge in the solitude of the bathroom.

Splashing water on his face, Kayden tried to calm his racing thoughts, but the sense of panic only grew stronger. He felt like he was drowning, his mind consumed by a torrent of emotions he couldn't control.

A familiar voice broke through the chaos, drawing Kayden's attention away from his spiraling thoughts. Turning to face Miles, he found himself enveloped in a comforting embrace, his tears flowing freely as he finally allowed himself to release the pent-up emotions that had been weighing him down.

As they pulled away from the embrace, Kayden's gaze met Miles', a silent understanding passing between them. In that moment, Kayden felt a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness that threatened to consume him.

Back in the library, Miles and Kayden found solace in the quiet hum of whispered conversations and the musty scent of old books. As they settled into their seats, Miles glanced at Kayden, his eyes filled with concern.