The Blind Boy | on hold

prologue | atalanta the freak

kane | atalanta

I walk into school tiredly, staring at my phone which is constantly being bombarded by text messages from stupid companies who just won't leave me alone. Sighing in frustration, I put my phone on mute and stuff it into my locker.

My head aches and I'm pretty sure my eyes keep on closing every few seconds. I hurriedly take a huge gulp of tea to keep me awake. It should be illegal to be awake at such early hours. Especially when people like me exist, that go to sleep at about 4 am and reawaken in an hour, for school.

I check my schedule and almost sigh in relief. Music. Thank god.

I grab a black pen and a notebook and walk to the music room. Although a notebook isn't nescessary for music class, I find it reassuring to always have a piece of paper and a pen in my hands.

When I enter the music room, I immediately head over to the teacher's desk where Mr Lykos sits, leaning back in his spinny leather chair, wearing a blue button down top and black trousers with orange tinted sunglasses.

He had a rather strange fashion style but despite that, he was my favourite teacher.

"Hello atalanta! How are you doing today?" Mr Lykos asks, leaning forward and grinning. As far as teachers go, Mr Lykos was pretty chill most of the time. most of the time.

"Same old, same old. Which song are we doing today?" I ask excitedly. Music is my favourite subject. Singing is my passion, it's my only talent. I guess I'm good at playing instruments too, but singing is somehow different for me.

"Ah yes, About that- oh look, here comes the class! I'll just tell you all together rather than tell y'all individually. Sit down, sit down!"

I nod and take a seat a bit further away from everyone.

I don't have any friends here. And it's not because I'm bullied or whatever, I just find that none of the people here are the type that I'd like to associate myself with. I'm polite with the people in my classes but to a certain extent.

Mr Lykos gets up and surveys the room, walking to the window and looking outside while sighing rather dramatically. Then he comes back to the front of the class and looks at us.

"As you all should know," pause, "in three month our annual talent shows will begin. Each class is expected to come up with one skit, performance, or whatever y'all wanna call it. And since I'm a music teacher, we'll be having a musical performance!"

Cheers and groans are heard and people immediately begin whispering and nudging each other.

"Now I just want to say that everyone here is talented in their own way. However, for this performance, only two people can participate; one will be the musician the other will be the singer. I have already chosen these two students- "

Mr Lykos pulls his glasses down to the bridge of his nose and peers at us playfully, "I will be announcing these people now. Let me just find the papers..."

I hear people talking and chattering about who might be chosen, I overhear my name more than once and I smile at whoever I make eye contact with. Although I'm not a big fan of crowds...it would be amazing to join.

Please let me have been chosen.

I anxiously watch Mr Lykos shuffling through papers, "aha!" he says when he picks up a small blue sticky note.

"The two participants are..."

My heart beats faster and I fidget with my fingers. Forget about big crowds, all I want is to perform and to bring happiness to people with my voice. I want my singing to be more than just a hobby, something that could turn into a career.

Please, please, please...

"Atalanta Cosmetatos..."

My eyes widen and I smile widely. I stand up and jump, screaming "yes!". Most people look at me as I'm crazy, while a few rare people watch me with amusement dancing in their eyes.

"...and Kane Arronson."

Kane? Who's that? I've never heard of anyone named that before. Where is he?

I scan the classroom, then I see a guy standing up and making his way to the front.

He's wearing a black hoodie which covers his eyes and light blue jeans. His hands are stuffed in his pockets and his face cast downwards, giving a shy impression.

Oh no. This can't be good.

I've heard of him.

The thing is, in highschool, everybody is vicious. Those kids you thought you knew from middle school and elementary are long gone, in their place gossip-hungry, hormonal teenagers. Of course, not everybody is like this. Some are smart, funny, geeky and loveable in their own ways. When you find these people, you hold on tight and never let go. They're the genuine ones.

On the other hand, those vicious people are not so rare, unfortunatley. I've heard about Kane, gossips and rumours follow him around like a shadow he can't escape.

Oh god. I'll be working with this mystery for the three months.