Forgotten Memories ( TBATE )

Chapter 1

**Ding...dong...ding...dong...**

The sound of the school bell echoed through the corridors, signaling the end of lunch break. I blinked, trying to shake off the lingering fog in my mind.

"Ah... is lunch time already over?" Asher groaned as he stretched his arms above his head. "Hey, Arthur, do you wanna go to the internet café after school?"

I didn't respond immediately, my thoughts still hazy. "Arthur? You listening? What's gotten into you, man? You're acting weird today."

"Huh? What was that?" I asked, finally snapping out of it. Asher's playful tap on my head jolted me back to reality.

"You okay? You've been zoning out all day," Asher said, his eyebrows knitting together in concern. "Something on your mind?"

I rubbed my temples, trying to ease the dull ache that had settled there. "What a shitty day I'm having. First, there was that strange dream, and now this headache... it feels like my head's about to burst into pieces."

"Strange dream?" Asher's curiosity was piqued, but before he could press further, the bell rang again, this time signaling the start of the next class.

"Just forget it," I muttered, waving off his concern. "The bell already rang. Let's go to our next class."

Asher gave me a long look but eventually shrugged. "Alright, but we're not done talking about this. Let's go."

He stood up, slinging his bag over his shoulder, and I followed him out of the classroom. As we walked through the bustling hallway, I couldn't shake the unease that had settled in my chest.

My name is Arthur, and I'm 16 years old. Life has been pretty ordinary until recently, but today felt different. Maybe it was just the lack of sleep, or maybe it was that dream. Whatever it was, it had me on edge.

Asher, on the other hand, was his usual laid-back self. He's one of my childhood friends—we grew up together in the same orphanage. Over the years, we've become more like brothers than just friends. He's always been there for me, through thick and thin, and I couldn't imagine life without him. Asher has this natural charm and a carefree attitude that makes it easy for people to like him. With his tousled dark hair and bright blue eyes, he's always been the more outgoing one between the two of us.

"So, what was this dream about?" Asher asked as we made our way to the next class.

"It's hard to explain," I said, hesitating. "It was just... weird. It felt so real, like I was actually there."

"Where?"

"In some kind of ancient battlefield. There were these huge, terrifying creatures... and I was fighting them. But it wasn't just a fight. It felt like something more, like there was something I was supposed to do, but I can't remember what."

Asher whistled softly. "Sounds intense. Maybe you've been playing too many video games. Those late-night gaming sessions can really mess with your head."

I chuckled, but the feeling of unease remained. "Maybe. But this felt different. Like it wasn't just a dream."

"You've always had a wild imagination, Arthur. But if it's bothering you that much, maybe you should talk to someone about it."

"I'll be fine," I reassured him, though I wasn't entirely convinced myself. "It's probably nothing."

We entered the classroom, and I took my seat next to Asher. The teacher hadn't arrived yet, and the room was buzzing with chatter. I tried to focus, but my mind kept drifting back to that dream. What did it mean? And why did it feel like something more than just a figment of my imagination?

"Earth to Arthur," Asher's voice cut through my thoughts again. "You're doing it again."

"Sorry, just can't shake this feeling," I admitted.

"Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'll be here to smack you on the head every time you zone out," Asher grinned, giving me a light punch on the shoulder.

"Thanks, I guess," I replied, managing a smile.

"Seriously though, if you ever need to talk, I'm here," he said, his tone more serious. "We've been through a lot together, and I've got your back."

"Yeah, I know," I said, feeling a little lighter. "Thanks, Asher."

As the teacher finally walked in and class began, I did my best to push the dream—and the headache—out of my mind. But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming, something big.

As we walked through the hallway toward the school gate, snippets of conversation floated around us, like the distant hum of a TV in another room.

"Hey, did you guys watch the Olympics yesterday?" someone's voice echoed from behind.

"I sure did! Imagine if I was on TV like those athletes," another voice replied, chuckling. "Do you think Tess would say yes to me if I asked her out?"

"Keep it quiet, Finn. She doesn't like it when other people call her that," a friend whispered, trying to hush the conversation.

I smirked to myself as we kept walking. Friends... Do I like having friends? Sure. But do I really have them? It's hard to say. Asher and Tess, though—they're different. We've known each other since we were kids, growing up in the same orphanage. They're more like family.

"Lucky bastard," someone muttered, and I could feel the weight of a few curious stares.

"I can almost feel their eyes on me," I murmured to Asher, a wry grin tugging at my lips.

"This is all because you went public about you guys dating," Asher replied with a chuckle. He knew how to take all this attention in stride, never letting it bother him.

"I never thought things would turn out like this," I admitted, shaking my head. It wasn't like I wanted to be the center of attention. But ever since Tess and I made it official, everyone seemed to have something to say.

As we finally reached the school gate, I spotted her—the girl everyone had been whispering about. Tess was waiting for us, leaning casually against the gate with that quiet confidence she always had. Her gun-metal-colored hair shimmered in the afternoon light, cascading down in loose waves. That unique shade made her stand out, but it was her strength and determination that truly set her apart.

"Speak of the devil," Asher teased, nudging me as we approached. "There she is."

I couldn't help but smile as I saw her. Tess wasn't just someone I was dating—she was a part of my past, of who I was. Growing up together in the orphanage, we'd been through so much. She was strong, independent, and didn't care about the rumors or the attention we were getting. That's what I admired most about her.

"Hey," I called out as we reached the gate. Tess looked up, her eyes softening when she saw us.

"Hey, you two," she greeted, a small smile playing on her lips. "How was your day?"

"Interesting, to say the least," I replied, glancing over my shoulder at the group still whispering. "You know, people can't stop talking about us."

"Let them talk," Tess said with a shrug, slipping her hand into mine. "It doesn't bother me."

"Yeah, I figured as much," I said, squeezing her hand gently. "But still, I didn't expect this much attention."

Asher cleared his throat dramatically, grinning at the two of us. "Well, I'll leave you lovebirds to it. Don't do anything I wouldn't do!"

"Thanks for the advice," I replied sarcastically as he waved goodbye and headed off.

Tess chuckled, shaking her head. "You two are hopeless."

"Guilty as charged," I said, leaning in to give her a quick kiss on the cheek. "So, what's the plan for the rest of the day?"

"I was thinking we could just hang out," Tess suggested, her eyes twinkling with that familiar spark. "Maybe head to that little café we used to go to, grab some coffee, and catch up?"

"Sounds perfect," I agreed, feeling the weight of the day's events start to lift as we walked together, hand in hand, leaving the school and all the curious eyes behind.