꧁ • 𝗹𝗮 𝗿𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗲 ​​ • ꧂

✧ • ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀ ᴛᴡᴏ • ✧

What a wholesome welcome

As we stepped into the school building, I was immediately struck by the vastness of the indoor football court before us. It was enormous, its dimensions sprawling out like a grand arena, with lines and markers meticulously laid out. The sight was almost overwhelming. The children who had been milling about fell into a stunned silence. Some stared in wide-eyed amazement, others gasped as though they had seen a ghost. A few girls—presumably Adrien's admirers—actually fainted at the mere sight of him. Yet, despite the flurry of activity and excitement, no one approached us. The atmosphere was thick with stares and hushed whispers. Adrien, ever the beacon of confidence, seemed to wilt under the pressure. His usually bright demeanor faded to a pale shade of anxiety, and he instinctively edged closer to me, almost as though seeking refuge behind my presence. I couldn't help but wonder: why are boys so easily spooked?An elderly woman soon made her way toward us, her steps slow but deliberate. "Welcome, Mr. Adrien Agrest," she said warmly, though her voice wavered slightly. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person. And you must be...""Nova Agrest, Ma'am," I interjected, hoping to ease her discomfort."Y-yes, of course," she stammered. The old lady seemed momentarily flustered, and I couldn't shake the feeling that she either forgot about me or was as intimidated as everyone else. Why did my presence cause such fear? One thing I don't get is. WHY are these humans so frightened when they hear my name or see my presence!? come on humans! there is no unqualified intention about a 12-year-old damn it!!

I followed behind her and Adrien as she led him to his classroom. Adrien's face was a portrait of dread, his fear palpable as he approached his new peers. I, on the other hand, tried to ignore the piercing gazes. Maybe it was easier for me than it was for him, though I wasn't entirely immune to the discomfort of being under constant scrutiny.The old lady finally turned to address me, and with a resigned sigh, led me to my own classroom. The moment I entered, every pair of eyes in the room fixed upon me with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. I tried to ignore the stares as I pondered where to sit. Before I could settle, our teacher arrived.

"Good morning, students," she began, her voice carrying an unsettling calm. "I'm Miss Helmet, and I'll be your teacher for this sixth-grade class. We have a new student joining us today. Why don't you introduce yourself, chère?"Her forced smile sent a chill down my spine. I took a deep breath and stepped forward, trying to muster a semblance of friendliness. "I'm Nova Agrest. It's a pleasure to meet you all. Feel free to call me Nova, or whatever you prefer. Just a heads-up, though—if you're curious about my life, I might not take kindly to it. So, let's keep things simple, alright?"The classroom fell into an uneasy silence. My attempt at a light-hearted introduction had apparently struck a nerve, and the atmosphere grew even colder. I couldn't help but smirk internally—I had been practicing that line for a while.Settling into a seat at the back of the room, I felt a strange sense of relief. It was quiet here, away from the gossip and prying eyes. This could be my sanctuary, a place to focus on myself rather than on the incessant attention from others

.*****

Elsewhere, a shadowy figure murmured to the night, their voice filled with anguish and determination. "Today marks a new beginning. Emily, I swore I would protect you, but I failed on that fateful day. From now on, I will do whatever it takes to right my wrongs. I will retrieve those enchanted jewels and restore you to life, no matter the cost. We will return to the happiness we once knew, but first, I must rectify the mistake of creating her. She shattered our lives and tore you from our sons. I will ensure that everything is set right. Nooru! Dark wings, rise!"The words hung in the air, laden with a promise of retribution and redemption, as the shadows whispered their secrets into the darkness.