Nighman

Chapter 2

Cerulean adjusted his backpack, glancing at Jasmine as they walked toward the imposing gray building that was their high school. The air was brisk, biting against his skin, but he didn’t mind. Every sensation, every sight and sound felt heightened, as though the world itself was sharper in this new life.

“Alright, remember the drill,” Jasmine said, nudging him playfully. “We’re a couple today.”

Cerulean raised an eyebrow, shooting her a teasing grin. “Do I really look that scary?”

She laughed, adjusting her own backpack as she turned to face him. “Let’s just say people don’t exactly run to talk to me when you’re around. I like it, though. Keeps the creeps away.”

He chuckled, but he noticed the way her eyes darted around as they approached the front entrance. High school hierarchies were alive and well here. Jocks, artists, brainiacs—they all had their niches. And Jasmine was a wild card, moving between groups with ease but never quite settling into any of them. Cerulean’s presence, however, seemed to throw off the balance. His tall, muscular build and intense amber eyes made people wary, cautious. And today, they’d use that to their advantage.

As they stepped inside, Cerulean felt the usual stares. People moved out of his way without a word, some even nodding or giving him a respectful glance, as if recognizing some unspoken authority. Jasmine walked close beside him, her arm brushing his. She wore a mischievous smile, enjoying the slight intimidation he inspired.

“Here comes your fan club,” she murmured as a group of jocks spotted them from across the hall. The leader, a tall, athletic guy named Corey, sauntered over with his friends close behind, clearly making a show of their numbers.

“Jasmine!” Corey called, his voice carrying easily over the chatter in the hall. “Haven’t seen you much lately. Figured you’d be free to hang out more now that you’re single.”

Jasmine rolled her eyes, but Cerulean could see the faint irritation in her expression. He stepped a bit closer, putting himself between her and Corey, his amber gaze leveled with a calm, steady intensity.

“She’s not free,” Cerulean said evenly. His tone wasn’t aggressive, but there was an underlying strength that made Corey hesitate for a brief second. “Actually, we’ve been…busy.”

Corey blinked, the realization dawning on him. “Wait. You and Jasmine? I thought you guys were just friends.”

“Thought wrong,” Jasmine said smoothly, giving Cerulean’s hand a quick squeeze, a gesture that spoke volumes without words.

Corey’s expression shifted from surprise to barely concealed irritation, but he forced a grin. “Hey, no hard feelings. Just…didn’t realize you guys were a thing.” He looked Cerulean up and down, clearly sizing him up. “But hey, if you’re serious, then I guess I should back off.”

“Appreciate it,” Cerulean replied, his gaze unwavering.

Corey’s friends nudged him, chuckling and slapping him on the back as they walked away, clearly amused by his brief defeat. Jasmine sighed, squeezing his arm as she turned back to him.

“Not bad, Cerulean,” she whispered. “Almost made me believe we’re actually dating.”

He shrugged, chuckling softly. “Just part of the service. Besides, they’d only keep bothering you if we didn’t make it clear.”

As they headed toward their first class, Cerulean’s attention drifted to a group gathered at the end of the hall. He caught a glimpse of Mark Grayson, the skinny kid who tended to keep his head down, along with a few of the other students he recognized from his memory flash. Today, however, Mark wasn’t invisible. A loud voice—a familiar one—rang out over the crowd.