Waking up with a pounding headache, I find myself sprawled on the ground, surrounded by my buddies Charlie, Ned, Sam, and Benny, all looking like they went through a blender. Scrapes, bruises, and torn clothes – we're a sorry sight.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQhYqdFOvx
"Get your lazy ass up!" I yell, giving Charlie a gentle kick. "Pathetic, all of you. We should've done better."
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡajR2PJQAO0
"Sorry, boss," Charlie admitted. "She was just too strong."
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtXROnT634S
I shook my head, a scowl etched on my face. "I don't want to hear any excuses! You hear me?! Now, get up!" I barked, embodying the bad ass boss that I knew I was.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoTjnidwxlk
"Yes, sir!" my boys shouted, their voices tinged with pain.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDUYLPEGrod
"Now scour the town, don't leave even one stone unturned!" I commanded. "Find her, and call me immediately when you do!" I let out a villainous laugh, fully aware that my non-villainous status might confuse the situation.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡI8asDwreO1
"But, boss?" Charlie interjected, cutting my laughter short.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMXkqYUZzyC
"What?" I asked, glancing at him.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQhhpf5IvN
"At this rate, we're going to be late for school," Charlie pointed out, with the rest of my boys nodding in agreement.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyOu0U7akBK
"What time is it?" I inquired.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh2kJaPV7bc
"8:00," Ned replied, checking his phone.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3HpbseNoUV
"And school starts at what time?" I pressed further.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnfCOXTtJ3
"8:30," Charlie responded.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3LZt7HD7os
"Dammit..."
***
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRbafqNI2g9
As we trudge to school, I'm fuming, cursing under my breath about payback. That mysterious girl with long brown hair who made a fool out of me won't get away with it, I swore to myself, clenching my fists, envisioning repaying that woman back with a solid punch to her face and maybe a small kick to the stomach for good measure.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhns8e55iMN
While walking my eyes catch a glimpse of the imposing building in the distance, the newest addition to Eldenwood – a place promising scientific marvels. It's name was "Lu-nar Innovations."
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrv7nfKukqO
Hands in my pockets, I couldn't help but think about all the snobby scientists and know-it-all geniuses that worked there. I scoff at the idea that I'm smart enough for that life, not that I want it. I mean imagine me in a dumb ass lab with a bunch of scientists, know it all bastards, yea right, almost makes me want to puke.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtHFxp89nZc
"Leyton, you alright?" Charlie asked, his eyes fixed on me.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbyr9Ftrx06
"Yeah, don't worry about me," I mutter, glaring in the direction of our recent humiliation.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPAqHNdrYu
We continue our march toward school, and as I kick a few stones, I vow silently that Ms. Brown-Hair will pay for this.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUyHaXZNP68
Reaching our destination, It took us around 45 minutes to get to school. I separated from my boys as we all went to our own classrooms. Upon reaching my own classroom, I shove the classroom door open, earning a disapproving look from Ms. Gamble, our perpetually unimpressed teacher.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRv98NMRugk
"Mr. Norton, so kind of you to join us," she quips.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLdymCRZY3A
"Sorry, Ms. Gamble," I reply, rolling my eyes, not really carrying what this so called teacher had to say to me.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkPUrn3N0qY
"Don't be sorry, be better," she shoots back, her favorite mantra. I take my seat, thinking this day can't get any worse.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKpAcll4Uf
Then, with a dramatic clap, Ms. Gamble announces, "Today, class, we have a new student joining us. Too bad she's also running late."
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8TBCHR1gjN
The door bursts open, and in walks the brown-haired hurricane – the same girl who handed me my own behind earlier.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDL8P2B3Fgl
"Sorry, I'm late!" she shouts, seemingly unbothered.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGdIfgA554K
Ms. Gamble gives her the classic teacher disapproval. "Late on your first day, Ms. Hunt. Not off to a great start."
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO7CL3jaq6d
"Um, sorry," the girl mumbles.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaKla76IYhm
"Would you mind introducing yourself?" Ms. Gamble politely inquired, graciously stepping aside to afford the girl the spotlight.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGPz6g7hd6h
"Hazel Hunt," the girl stated with quiet confidence, her words carrying a subtle air of mystery.169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡokvgRqEZJG
My eyes narrow. Hunt? That's the name of the girl who kicked our butts? Figures.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa7bdBVuE3w
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5QB2Y39CQL
The girl looks around for an empty seat and, of course, finds the one next to mine. Great, just great.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGLeoUcXZjG
"You've got to be kidding me," I mumble under my breath.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAqLXIAxo0G
She smirks, taking the seat like she owns the place. "Fancy meeting you here."
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1S2P4dUvDV
I glare at her. "Fancy nothing. What's your problem, Hunt?" "I demand an explanation," I asserted, my fist clenched in anticipation. "You attacked me and my men. What the hell?" I pressed, searching for clarity
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMnWF20ma0H
She leans in, whispering, "Maybe you deserved it."
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPjXziootrp
"Deserved it?"
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgctYIXc42p
"Students, settle down," Ms. Gamble interrupts, looking between us. "Save the drama for after class."
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9eITyfN2gJ
The girl – Hunt, apparently – grins at me like she just won a prize. I scowl, realizing that my day is officially circling the drain.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhUfS944vXn
As Ms. Gamble drones on about something boring, I exchange whispered insults with Hunt, each remark more creative than the last. The class is oblivious to our little war, but the tension is thick enough to cut with a butter knife.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw0cK2RVMPY
After what feels like an eternity, the bell finally rings. Hunt gives me a challenging look before sauntering out of the room, leaving me with a mix of irritation and confusion.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq2knXlugE3
The day continues with its usual teenage chaos, filled with awkward encounters, questionable cafeteria food, and the never-ending struggle to stay awake in classes that seem designed to induce sleep.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGiVOISCL3J
As the final bell rings, signaling the end of the day, I find myself face to face with Hunt again.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡswFag8e337
"Ready for round two?" she teases, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWHb9VDKLJc
I smirk. "Bring it on, Hunt. But first, tell me why you attacked us."
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgYD1jQrgbw
She hesitates for a moment, then grins. "Maybe I just wanted to make an entrance." Her smirk seemed to edge toward a smile as she coolly replied, "Or maybe I just don't like bullies and cowards."
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKi0CcqPffd
And with that, she disappears into the teenage chaos, leaving me wondering how my life took such a bizarre turn. But one thing's for sure – Eldenwood just became a whole lot more of a pain in the ass, thanks to the enigma that is Hunt.
169Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx9YZq8iHMS
***
Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns3.141.28.197da2
