Stars Above {A Zodiac Story}

✨Chapter One✨

Qadir's POV

I walk down the unfamiliar hallway, books clutched to my chest. Students mingle in the hallways, but I, too shy to say hi to anyone, glide by silently. However, when I reach my first class of the day, physics, a blue-eyed boy catches my gaze and waves me over.

Do I know him? I don't think I've ever seen h before, though. Back in the UAE, no one looked as...bright as he does, especially with his sapphire blue hair. I can't even say that I've seen him before, because this is the first year I'm going to this school. 'This school' meaning the one and only Star Academy, newly founded 2025, which is an international boarding school for students who want to study abroad for high school. It only had its grand opening this year, so all of us are the first students to ever attend.

Still, I make my way over and sit down next to the blue-eyed boy, and he gives me a big smile.

"Hey! Your glasses look really cool," he compliments, pointing to the silver-framed glasses resting on my nose.

"Oh! Thank you!" Wow, I never expected to be complimented on my first day of school, but it's a nice surprise.

"No problem! I'm Leonardo by the way. What's your name?"

"I'm Qadir. Nice to meet you," I reply.

"You too, bro! Oh, also, sorry about randomly pretending like I know you," he laughs. "It's my first time in America, so some friends would be nice, you know? I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable, though."

"No, no, it's alright. I quite understand, because I'm also here for the first time." It seems that my reassurance is what he needed, because a wide grin slides back onto Leonardo's face.

"Whoop whoop! So we're friends, right?"

"Uh...sure," I agree.

"Thanks, Qadir! Also, you are not gonna believe how I actually got into this academy," he says in a hushed whisper, excitedly leaning in closer as if what he's about to say next is a secret. "Instead of having to go through the whole admissions process and enormous fees, I actually came here on a full scholarship! It's because yesterday, I got a letter from some person who said they're my 'mysterious benefactor' or whatever. In the letter, they said that I was one of the special students that would be fully funded to go to the school, plane ticket and everything! It didn't say why, though, just that I absolutely had to go because of high stakes or something like that. I have no idea what it means, though."

"My goodness!" I gasp, genuinely surprised and, to be honest, a bit creeped out as well. His story sounds eerily similar to mine, complete with the 'mysterious benefactor' and everything. The exact same thing happened to me yesterday - I got a letter like that too, telling me to go to the academy...or else.

"I know, right?!" Leonardo agrees. "The letter also says that I wasn't the only one, but it didn't elaborate, so that's why I told you. Do you know anyone else who might've gotten something similar? I really want to find out who this mysterious benefactor is!" I hesitate. I don't know if this whole situation should be kept a secret or not...the letter didn't say. It couldn't hurt though, right? As long as I don't help her solve the mystery - I'm sure the benefactor didn't reveal his or her identity for a reason.

"Actually...I got the letter too." Leonardo gasps dramatically.

"Wait, seriously?! That's such a coincidence!"

"Yeah. I don't think the benefactor customized anything for various people, though, because the exact same situation happened to me."

"Hm..." Leonardo scrunches up his face, thinking. "Why do you think they did that?"