The layers of Kaid Isherwood (The 1st book in the 'Layers' series)

Chapter 1

It was the start of a new academic year at Iverling Preparatory Academy, an institution synonymous with excellence and privilege. The school's very name evoked images of ivy-clad walls, marbled hallways, and a legacy of producing leaders, innovators, and prodigies. It was the kind of place that demanded perfection—in attire, behavior, and, most importantly, results. Iverling's students didn't just meet expectations; they obliterated them, dominating the national rankings year after year. The faculty were seasoned experts in their fields, and the facilities were state-of-the-art, boasting AI-driven learning tools and labs that rivaled university research centers. Parents dreamed of seeing their children walk through those illustrious gates, knowing it all but guaranteed their path to greatness.

The first day of term was an orchestrated spectacle. The assembly hall gleamed under crystal chandeliers, every chair perfectly aligned, every student in crisp uniforms that looked as though they'd been ironed on-site. It was a scene of almost unsettling uniformity—every student a portrait of poise and polish. Almost every student. Because amidst the sea of impeccable appearances was Kaid Isherwood, a boy who seemed to exist in defiance of Iverling's ideals. His wrinkled shirt and damp, freshly dyed lilac hair were a visual affront to the school's otherwise unblemished reputation.

Kaid wasn't just an anomaly; he was an enigma. Despite his apparent disdain for decorum, he had somehow managed to remain at Iverling for years. No one could quite figure out how he got away with it. His attendance was erratic at best, his attitude cavalier, and his appearance perpetually disheveled. Yet he endured. Whispers followed him like a shadow wherever he went. How did he manage to stay in the good graces of the administration? Why did he even bother showing up if he clearly didn't care? And, most puzzling of all, why did he keep coming back?

Kaid's arrival at Iverling had been unremarkable in its timing—a new student, just like any other, at the start of sixth grade. But it quickly became clear he was anything but ordinary. By seventh grade, his peers' curiosity about his oddities reached a boiling point. A small group, emboldened by frustration, confronted him on the first day. "Why do you always look like you got dressed in the dark?" one boy demanded. "And how come you're never here?"

Kaid had glanced up from his book, unfazed. "I just do what I want," he replied, his tone a mixture of boredom and indifference. If the students had hoped for clarity, they were sorely disappointed. Instead, Kaid began to lean into the rumors, feeding their curiosity with a series of outrageous lies. He told one group he was in the witness protection program. To another, he claimed he was training to be an intergalactic spy. The more ludicrous the tale, the more entertained he seemed, much to the growing irritation of his classmates. By the end of the year, the student council had had enough. They passed an unprecedented resolution: a formal declaration banning all questions directed at Kaid Isherwood. It was announced at the year's final assembly, and to everyone's surprise, it stuck.

From that point on, "Don't ask Kaid" became an unwritten rule among the students, reinforced annually during the first-day assembly. Today was no exception. As the headmaster's voice echoed through the auditorium, the familiar directive was met with the usual mix of stifled laughter and resigned nods. The newest students, however, were abuzz with curiosity. "Who's Kaid Isherwood?" a freshman whispered to her neighbor, only to receive a sharp "Don't ask" in reply.

Meanwhile, Kaid himself was conspicuously absent. As the assembly droned on, he wandered through the school's deserted corridors, his sneakers squeaking against the polished floors. He had no sense of urgency, no intention of hurrying. By the time he finally entered the auditorium, the headmaster was mid-sentence, and the announcement had already been made. Heads turned as he sauntered down the center aisle, utterly unbothered by the attention. His hair—a vibrant shade of lilac that still dripped faintly onto his collar—was the subject of immediate murmurs.

Ignoring the stares, Kaid slid into his usual spot in the front row. The entire row was empty, as it always was. Over the years, he had staked his claim, refusing to share it with anyone. "Distractions annoy me," he had once said, though no one could recall when or to whom. Today, as always, the row remained his solitary domain. He stretched out comfortably, casting a wink at the headmaster, whose lips tightened in response.

The assembly concluded with the usual pomp and ceremony, but Kaid barely registered it. He was used to the routine by now. As the students began filing out, a sharp voice interrupted his thoughts.

"Mr. Isherwood."

Kaid glanced up lazily. The headmaster stood before him, hands clasped tightly, his expression unreadable. "I have news for you," he began, his tone carefully measured.

"Can't wait," Kaid drawled, leaning back. "What is it this time? Expulsion? Another lecture on 'proper decorum'?"

The headmaster's jaw tightened. "Neither. We have a transfer student joining us. He's a senior, and, unfortunately, we're out of dorm space. Except for..." He hesitated, as though reluctant to continue.

"Except for mine," Kaid finished, his tone tinged with resignation. "Figures. Fine. Whatever. I'm not completely heartless."

The headmaster's brows shot up in surprise. "You'll allow him to stay?"

"Sure," Kaid said, waving a hand dismissively. "But he'd better not touch my stuff. And if he snores, he's sleeping in the hallway."

For a moment, the headmaster appeared genuinely at a loss for words. Then, recovering, he said, "You might consider tidying up. Your dorm is... unconventional."

Kaid smirked. "My dorm is perfect. Organized chaos. Besides, if he's desperate enough to room with me, he'll survive a few piles of laundry."

With that, Kaid rose and strode out of the auditorium, leaving the headmaster shaking his head. As he made his way toward the dormitories, a thought struck him: This new roommate had no idea what he was walking into. And for the first time all morning, Kaid grinned.

Let the chaos begin.