Blades of the Night

Chapter 1 - Part 2

Sunny gazed out the classroom window, her eyes sweeping over the bustling courtyard of Cedar Grove Academy. Students rushed to and fro, their laughter and chatter filling the air. Her classmates were no different, gathered in their respective cliques, each immersed in their own worlds.

Tyler, the ever-diligent class president, was engrossed in a discussion with a group of equally studious peers. Sheena and her friends huddled in the corner, their giggles punctuating the symphony of teenage life. And there, as always, were Leo, Henry, and Harry - the self-proclaimed high school "bullies" who, despite their tough facade, seemed more like overgrown puppies than anything else.

Sunny observed them with a detached sort of curiosity, her aloof personality keeping her at a distance. She had been instructed not to get too close to others, a lesson she had taken to heart. Still, she couldn't help but wonder about the intricate web of social dynamics unfolding before her.

As if sensing her gaze, Leo glanced up, his eyes locking with Sunny's for a brief moment. A shy smile tugged at the corners of his lips, and Sunny quickly averted her eyes, turning her attention back to the window.

"Hey, Sunny, did you hear about the upcoming prom?" Sheena's shrill voice suddenly cut through the ambient noise, drawing Sunny's attention. "I can't wait to be crowned the prom queen. I'm going to make sure I look more stunning than anyone else."

Sunny offered a polite nod, but the words held little meaning for her. Prom and social events were not part of her reality; her focus lay elsewhere, on the lessons and training her mother had instilled in her.

"Sheena, you're always going on about that prom," Victoria, a quiet girl who often kept to herself, spoke up. "Why don't you just enjoy the night instead of worrying about being the 'queen'?"

Sheena huffed, her perfectly manicured brows furrowing in annoyance. "That's easy for you to say, Victoria. You're not the one who needs to maintain a certain image."

John, Victoria's best friend, chuckled softly. "I think you put too much emphasis on appearances, Sheena. But hey, to each their own, right?"

Sunny watched the exchange with detached interest, her mind drifting to the Daylight Garden - a serene oasis that lay just beyond the school's walls. It was there that she felt most at peace, away from the prying eyes and petty concerns of her peers. The garden's lush greenery and the gentle babble of the stream had a calming effect on her, allowing her to find solace in the simple beauty of nature.

"What do you think, Sunny?" Sheena's voice jarred her from her reverie. "Don't you agree that looking your best is important for an event like the prom?"

Sunny blinked, her gaze shifting from the window to Sheena's expectant expression. "I suppose," she replied, her tone measured and devoid of emotion. "But I'm not really interested in such things."

Sheena's eyes widened, and she opened her mouth to respond, but the bell rang, signaling the start of the school day. Sunny breathed a silent sigh of relief, grateful for the distraction. As the students filed to their seats, she turned her attention to the front of the classroom, her mind already consumed by the day's lessons.

In the back, Leo watched Sunny with a wistful expression, his heart fluttering with the hopes of one day breaking through her aloof exterior. For now, he would be content to admire her from afar, waiting patiently for the day when she might finally notice him.