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

Chapter 12

   Lucan Ashwood's POV

Okay, I'll admit it: that was not my finest moment. It was still hilarious, though. Kaid's reaction? Pure gold. I've seen a lot of things in my time, but watching him stew over a box of Kool-aid—well, that was something else. I hadn't expected him to even leave his room, much less show up at lunch. I thought for sure he'd be the type to stay hidden in his lair, the brooding, mysterious hermit of the school. But no, there he was, in the cafeteria like a normal person. I have to say, Kaid Isherwood isn't just the lazy weirdo who only does things when absolutely necessary. He's got layers. Deep, mysterious layers... or maybe just a really good defense mechanism. Who knows?

If I'm being brutally honest here, I'm kind of fascinated by him. He turned this little prank war into something much bigger, something... well, more intense. Like, we're not just annoying each other anymore. No, we're trying to break the other person—emotionally, mentally, spiritually, I don't know. And honestly, I'm not even sure what I want to uncover about Kaid. I just know that when someone starts a war, it's only right to finish it. And guess what? I'm really good at finding out secrets. It's basically my hobby. I'm like a detective, but with less of the morality and more of the 'I want to know all your business' mentality.

Now, let's talk about that closet of his. I'm not saying he's hoarding precious gems or rare Pokemon cards in there, but it's like Fort Knox. The guy has nine locks on the door. Nine. You'd think it was a portal to Narnia, not a place to store his junk. The way he protects that closet, I half expect to find some ancient relics or a pet unicorn in there. Honestly, it's like a game to him—he never leaves it unlocked, even for a second. And when he does leave, it's always during class time. Very strategic. It's like he knows that locking that closet is his only defense against me, and my curiosity is already very peaked. I've been in there once, and it was dark—like, "don't even try to figure this out" dark.

And yet, here's the kicker: his room is literally the only empty one. Is that fate or bad luck? Probably both. But, on the upside, I get to live with the biggest mystery on campus. Kaid's like the school's unspoken enigma—everyone talks about him, but no one knows a thing. I mean, he's got this "I'm so different, don't ask me why" vibe, and it works. People are scared of him for no reason at all, like he's some boogeyman who's going to drag you into his dark closet if you look at him wrong. Honestly, if it weren't for the fact that he's the most suspicious person on campus, I'd almost be impressed. But hey, rumors are rumors, right? I'm not buying into the whole "he's so powerful that he makes people obey with a look" thing. That's probably just someone's overactive imagination. Or, y'know, their fear of being the next victim of the closet of doom.

What I really want to know is how the hell he hasn't been expelled yet. This guy misses class more often than he goes. But somehow, he's got a VIP pass from the Headmaster. Everyone's baffled. Like, seriously—what's his deal? Is he the school's secret favorite? My brother Jonah—who's been here for ages—has no idea either. It's like Kaid's some sort of urban legend at this point. "Don't skip class, kids. Kaid Isherwood will come for you, and next thing you know, you'll be locked away in his dungeon of doom." Yeah, you'd think that was just a spooky story... except it isn't. Apparently.

So, I've been lying in bed, pondering all of this. I know Kaid's probably plotting something big after the Kool-aid incident. He's got that look about him, like he's already planning his next move. And who could blame him? If someone pranked me with a fake box of Kool-aid, I'd probably want revenge too. The best part? I made sure to drink the only real pouch of Kool-aid right in front of him. I could practically feel his blood boiling from across the room. Worth it. Totally worth it.

But, as much as I know I've probably crossed the line, I also know Kaid's not going to take this sitting down. Oh no, he's definitely got something up his sleeve. And I'm ready for it. Maybe I should join the Student Council to get the inside scoop on what makes him tick. I heard from someone that the President is super picky about who gets in, and hey, it could be a perfect way to gather some intel. Plus, my brother Jonah says the President has trust issues, so that'll be fun. I'm guessing the guy doesn't want to win on his good looks or rich kid status, but it's hard to say. I might join tomorrow. A little extra power could go a long way when you're dealing with someone like Kaid.

Anyway, it's only been a few days since I arrived at this prep school, and already, I've made a few friends (one, maybe), a lot of enemies (just Kaid), and, of course, a whole bunch of suspicions. It's like a soap opera but with more homework and less drama. Although, I'm starting to wonder if Kaid's the type to wave the white flag or just stick it out to the bitter end. Personally, I'm hoping for the latter. I don't want him to give up—I want him to suffer through this like the rest of us.

As I drift off to sleep, I can't help but wonder what his next move will be. I'm pretty sure it's going to be a doozy. And if he thinks I'm going to back down, he's got another thing coming.