Lexicon I

A New Beginning

The faint aroma of sizzling eggs and toast filled the small apartment. Morning sunlight streamed through the kitchen window, painting the walls in soft hues of gold. Kinan stirred beneath the covers, groaning as her alarm clock buzzed relentlessly. It was Monday, and for most high school students, that meant the start of another mundane week of school. But for Kinan, life never felt that simple.

Her mind drifted for a moment, back to the days when mornings were far from peaceful—when the sound of alarms wasn't a gentle reminder to wake up but a jarring signal to move, fight, or flee. She blinked, forcing the memory away, and sat up, running a hand through her dark, unruly hair.

"Get up already, or the food'll be cold!" Olav's voice called from the kitchen.

Kinan sighed, stretching her limbs as she stood and tossed on her uniform. SetiaBangsa High School wasn't the worst place, but Kinan always felt like an outsider. After years of being a mercenary, high school life felt like wearing an ill-fitting mask.

As she padded down the stairs, the smell of breakfast hit her stronger. She entered the small, cozy kitchen to find Olav standing by the stove, a spatula in one hand, flipping eggs with the precision of a soldier. His tall, lean figure moved with the same calm efficiency he showed in the field. The scars that traced his forearm and the faint bruises beneath his eyes were the only hints of the battles they had both endured.

"You're up early," Kinan remarked, sliding into a chair at the table.

Olav smirked without looking back. "Someone has to make sure you eat. If it were up to you, you'd be living off coffee and ramen."

Kinan chuckled, accepting the plate of eggs and toast he set in front of her. "Fair point."

He ate in silence for a moment, the clinking of silverware the only sound between them. It was peaceful—too peaceful, Kinan thought. There was always a low-level hum of tension in the back of her mind, a readiness for action that never quite faded. But here, in this small apartment, things almost felt normal.

"Tomorrow's your turn to cook," Olav said with a slight grin, breaking the quiet.

Kinan groaned, slumping slightly in her chair. "Don't remind me."

"You could always quit school and become a professional chef," Olav teased, taking a seat across from her with his own plate. "I'm sure the world needs more culinary masters like yourself."

Kinan shot him a playful glare, tossing a piece of toast at him. "Yeah, because I've always dreamed of trading in my combat boots for a chef's hat."

Olav caught the toast effortlessly and took a bite, smiling. "Adapting to civilian life, remember? That's the goal, right?"

Kinan didn't respond immediately, her eyes drifting to the window. The goal, she thought. Ever since they had left their mercenary days behind, that's what they had both been trying to do—blend in, be normal. But the ghosts of their past still clung to them, and sometimes, the weight of it was too heavy to ignore.

After a few more minutes of eating in silence, Kinan finally spoke. "We're never going to be normal, you know. No matter how hard we try."

Olav's expression softened, his eyes momentarily clouding with the same thoughts she carried. "Yeah. I know."

They both knew that high school was a cover—a temporary distraction from the life they had left behind. But it didn't mean they weren't trying. Kinan had hoped, in some way, that this life would be enough to keep the past buried. But in her heart, He knew that was impossible.

The shrill sound of her phone buzzing broke the moment. Kinan glanced at it, checking the time. "We're gonna be late if we don't hurry."

Olav nodded, clearing the table with military precision, as Kinan grabbed her bag from the couch. In a matter of minutes, they were out the door and walking through the quiet, narrow streets toward school.

SetiaBangsa High School was only a few blocks away from their apartment, nestled between a row of towering trees and the occasional high-rise building. As they walked, Kinan adjusted the straps of her bag, her mind drifting to the mission briefings they used to receive. She used to prepare for these moments by scanning maps, memorizing layouts, and packing gear. Now, her mornings were filled with textbooks and math quizzes.

"We've been here for almost six months," Olav said, breaking the silence as they neared the school gates. "Think we're starting to blend in?"

Kinan glanced at him, noticing the slight sarcasm in his voice. She knew what he meant. Blending in had always been the plan, but they both stuck out in ways that were impossible to mask. Olav's quiet demeanor, his sharp, calculating eyes—they belonged more to a sniper waiting for his mark than to a high school student. Kinan, on the other hand, found it hard to soften her edges. She was always alert, always waiting for the next threat.

"We're doing our best," Kinan replied, forcing a small smile. "That counts for something."

As they stepped through the school gates, they were greeted by the familiar hum of student chatter, the clanging of lockers, and the shrill sound of the morning bell. It was an environment Kinan still wasn't fully comfortable with, but she had learned to tolerate it.

Tejo, their closest friend at school, appeared out of nowhere, grinning from ear to ear. He was already in full comedic mode, cracking jokes about the latest gossip and mocking their strict teacher's "robotic" ways. Tejo was the social butterfly, the guy who knew everyone and somehow made even the most boring situations entertaining. His easygoing nature had been a welcome relief for Kinan and Olav, though neither of them suspected just how complex his personality truly was.

"Hey, you two, looking serious as always," Tejo said, throwing an arm around Kinan's shoulders. "Lighten up! It's a beautiful Monday, the sun is shining, and we've got math class to look forward to!"

Olav rolled his eyes, but Kinan smirked, appreciating the distraction. "Yeah, can't wait."

Tejo leaned in, lowering his voice. "Seriously, though. Did you hear about the new student? I heard she's from Russia. Super mysterious. Bet she's got some wild stories to tell."

Kinan raised an eyebrow. "New student?"

Just as Tejo was about to elaborate, the teacher entered the classroom, calling everyone to order. The students settled down quickly, and the teacher began the usual morning announcements. Kinan's mind wandered as the words washed over her—until something caught her attention.

"We have a new student joining us today," the teacher said, gesturing toward the door. "Please welcome Sasha."

Kinan's heart skipped a beat as the name registered. The door creaked open, and in walked the girl from Olav's and her past—the one neither of them had expected to see again.

Sasha.