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.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbCjUMAyrMm
"Get your lazy ass up!" I yell, giving Charlie a gentle kick. "Pathetic, all of you. We should've done better."
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3dB4L1cFg3
"Sorry, boss," Charlie admitted. "She was just too strong."
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGvOFh0rcwO
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.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpR7LBzkOBr
"Yes, sir!" my boys shouted, their voices tinged with pain.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1U0To554ub
"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.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ870pttOOoE
"But, boss?" Charlie interjected, cutting my laughter short.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg3CNIzrlsa
"What?" I asked, glancing at him.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZCSwwyx7mQ
"At this rate, we're going to be late for school," Charlie pointed out, with the rest of my boys nodding in agreement.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNoJL3aRG1O
"What time is it?" I inquired.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWPZrG1ciAV
"8:00," Ned replied, checking his phone.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfytehaqoIo
"And school starts at what time?" I pressed further.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxagwDoF9E
"8:30," Charlie responded.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgdd6TitK6s
"Dammit..."
***
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIq2rkclqsG
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.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4nUaI9Yc2m
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."
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHUYRarRaPJ
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.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qKfwADrkL
"Leyton, you alright?" Charlie asked, his eyes fixed on me.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHP2Q53T8xn
"Yeah, don't worry about me," I mutter, glaring in the direction of our recent humiliation.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlLplqPjssx
We continue our march toward school, and as I kick a few stones, I vow silently that Ms. Brown-Hair will pay for this.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKGCWZuZ6rx
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.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfCLWPFYCzJ
"Mr. Norton, so kind of you to join us," she quips.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jKTyKCXok
"Sorry, Ms. Gamble," I reply, rolling my eyes, not really carrying what this so called teacher had to say to me.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡciOCawESEU
"Don't be sorry, be better," she shoots back, her favorite mantra. I take my seat, thinking this day can't get any worse.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡic5BPIg3YC
Then, with a dramatic clap, Ms. Gamble announces, "Today, class, we have a new student joining us. Too bad she's also running late."
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnToKFDK3dR
The door bursts open, and in walks the brown-haired hurricane – the same girl who handed me my own behind earlier.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaKYNK2thj
"Sorry, I'm late!" she shouts, seemingly unbothered.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd6mr0fVmaA
Ms. Gamble gives her the classic teacher disapproval. "Late on your first day, Ms. Hunt. Not off to a great start."
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGlgAzpx9NP
"Um, sorry," the girl mumbles.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7yZa8lAnCh
"Would you mind introducing yourself?" Ms. Gamble politely inquired, graciously stepping aside to afford the girl the spotlight.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIJcfgS74d
"Hazel Hunt," the girl stated with quiet confidence, her words carrying a subtle air of mystery.104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYPkEhmFZw0
My eyes narrow. Hunt? That's the name of the girl who kicked our butts? Figures.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcnCSyCJMbY
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXSrkOcVKt
The girl looks around for an empty seat and, of course, finds the one next to mine. Great, just great.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYT63Bryvup
"You've got to be kidding me," I mumble under my breath.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvDez310BE3
She smirks, taking the seat like she owns the place. "Fancy meeting you here."
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3ERNvq8O1j
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
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUHnflz6uen
She leans in, whispering, "Maybe you deserved it."
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5Y716sDpwn
"Deserved it?"
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuvMiqR9hlL
"Students, settle down," Ms. Gamble interrupts, looking between us. "Save the drama for after class."
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5I1PEAzw8Q
The girl – Hunt, apparently – grins at me like she just won a prize. I scowl, realizing that my day is officially circling the drain.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcOGKTj4xA7
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.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ53RSzQLPtg
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.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLd0s98Vjra
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.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzXMmWBLa9i
As the final bell rings, signaling the end of the day, I find myself face to face with Hunt again.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ74K5uBdnok
"Ready for round two?" she teases, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7YfrmtF0gd
I smirk. "Bring it on, Hunt. But first, tell me why you attacked us."
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6FCCy4O6G
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."
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkObee8SWD9
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.
104Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPHAVA8rUFo
***
Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
ns18.191.236.193da2
