Phoenix Drop High: New Horizons

ALPHA?!?

     The next morning, Ein felt the weight of Sylvanna's stern lecture still lingering as he and Aphmau walked through the school gates. As they entered the bustling courtyard, Ein couldn't shake the sense that all eyes were on them. Whispers rippled through the crowd, and he caught glimpses of students casting curious glances in their direction.

     Aphmau tried to brush it off with a smile, though Ein could sense her unease beneath the facade. She linked her arm with Ein's, offering him a supportive squeeze.

     "Let's just get through the day," Aphmau murmured, her voice tinged with determination.

     Ein nodded in agreement, his gaze flickering over the clusters of students who seemed to part slightly as they passed. The atmosphere was tense, and he couldn't help but feel scrutinized, as though every move they made was under scrutiny.

     As they made their way to their first class, Ein's thoughts churned with a mixture of anxiety and frustration. He hated being in the spotlight for the wrong reasons, especially after the incident yesterday. The weight of Sylvanna's disappointment hung heavy on his shoulders, reminding him of the need to tread carefully.

     Inside the classroom, the whispers didn't subside. Ein focused on keeping his head down, burying himself in his books as the teacher started the lesson. He could feel the stares from his classmates, their curiosity palpable.

     Aphmau, sitting beside him, exchanged uneasy glances with Ein from time to time. She reached out to him subtly, offering reassurance through a gentle touch on his arm or a shared look of understanding.

     Throughout the morning, Ein kept to himself, avoiding unnecessary interactions and trying to fade into the background. The stares and whispers persisted, but he gritted his teeth and pushed through, determined not to let the scrutiny get to him.

     During lunch break, Ein and Aphmau found a relatively quiet corner of the cafeteria to sit. Despite their attempts to maintain a low profile, the buzz of conversation around them indicated that their presence hadn't gone unnoticed.

     "It'll blow over eventually," Aphmau said quietly, her voice laced with optimism. "People will move on to the next big thing."

     Ein nodded, though the knot of tension in his stomach remained. He wanted to believe Aphmau's words, but the lingering stares and hushed conversations around them were a constant reminder of their notoriety.

     As they finished their lunch, Ein caught sight of the mysterious man from his werewolf class earlier in the week. He was sitting across the room, his gaze fixed on them with an intensity that sent a chill down Ein's spine.

     "Aphmau," Ein murmured, his voice barely above a whisper, "do you see that guy over there?"

     Aphmau followed Ein's gaze discreetly, her brow furrowing slightly.

     "Yeah, I noticed him," she replied quietly. "He seems to be watching us, you specifically."

     Ein nodded, a sense of unease settling over him. "He's in my werewolf class. I don't exactly know much about him asides from the fact that he threw someone out a window on the first day of school. I wonder what his deal is."

     Aphmau shrugged, though her expression betrayed her curiosity. "Maybe he's just curious like everyone else?"

     Before Ein could respond, the bell signaling the end of lunch rang out, dispersing the students back to their afternoon classes. Ein and Aphmau gathered their things, exchanging a brief glance before heading off in separate directions.