From The Ashes We Rise

Chp 29: Know Your Enemy

~2016~

On the first day of school, I arrived early in my uniform. I wasn't used to wearing a uniform yet since I always wore my casual clothes to school. The only thing I liked about it was the tie. I took quite a while to learn how to tie one properly but it was worth it.

I headed to my assigned class, which was 3E1. Since it was 6:40 am, there was nobody in the class... yet. I took a seat at a random desk and read a book. I dumped all my stuff under the desk to lighten my bag.

A several minutes later, a boy with silvery grey hair came into the classroom. He had pale skin, a slim build and walked with feline grace. He was also quite tall too; his head almost touched the door frame. Upon seeing me, he gave me a warm smile, showing his pearl white teeth.

"Hey," he said, sitting beside me.

"Hi."

I smiled back. He sounded like he had a slight American accent. His eyes were a nice ocean green, a beautiful mix of green and blue.

"You sound American. Are you—"

"From America? Yeap. And don't ask about why my hair is like this. It's a genetic problem. I didn't dye my hair," he explained.

"Why don't you want people to—"

"It's annoying after a while," he interrupted, rolling his eyes.

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Delta. Delta Winters. You?"

"Ebony. Ebony Brooks," I answered, teasing him.

He giggled then took out his phone. "So, how long have you been here?" I asked again, curious to know about him.

"I've been in Singapore since I was 6. You?"

"I came here last month for some orphan transfer thingy," I told him.

He stared at me for a good while before opening his mouth again. "So you're an orphan?"

"Technically yeah. But I prefer the term 'runaway' cos y'know, I ran away from home."

"Why?" He put his phone down.

I explained to him everything, minus the powers part because I barely even knew him. Delta listened throughout my story and I could see his eyes looking down, as if he's thinking deeply about my story.

"I'm so sorry you had to experience all that. Must've been tough..." he sighed.

"Yeah. I still have depression though it's not so much now," I told him.

"That's good," He acknowledged, smiling.

I chuckled. Delta seemed like a good person already.

We chatted about literally anything we could think of until more people came into the classroom, one by one. One of these students stood out from the others. Delta stopped talking to look at him. He smiled at the boy.

This boy had brownish skin and black wavy hair. His hair was styled into a messy fringe at the front, which he adjusted slightly so that his forehead was exposed. His arms showed obvious signs of biceps. He carried his bag on one shoulder and held his phone in one hand.