The morning sun filtered through the windows of Westwood High's third-year classroom, casting golden rays across the rows of desks.
Our MC, Aster sat near the window, his pen moving steadily across his notebook as he reviewed the advanced calculus problems their teacher had assigned for extra credit.
Most students groaned at the mere sight of derivatives and integrals, but for Aster, they were puzzles waiting to be solved.
"Aster!" A cheerful voice broke his concentration.
He looked up to find his best friend, Marcus, grinning at him with that familiar mischievous glint in his eyes. Marcus dropped into the seat beside him, his messy brown hair looking like he'd just rolled out of bed which, knowing Marcus, he probably had.
"You're doing the extra credit already?" Marcus peered at Aster's notebook and whistled. "Dude, it's not even due for two weeks."
Aster smiled, closing his notebook. "Just getting a head start. Besides, these problems are actually interesting once you break them down."
"Only you would call calculus interesting," Marcus laughed, shaking his head. "Hey, speaking of which, you still good to help me with chemistry after school? I'm completely lost on those equilibrium reactions."
"Of course," Aster replied without hesitation. "We can meet in the library at four."
"You're a lifesaver, man." Marcus clapped him on the shoulder just as more students began filing into the classroom.
Among them was Lily, her long black hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of midnight silk.
Aster had known Lily since freshman year—they'd been lab partners in biology and had remained friendly ever since.
She was brilliant in her own right, always placing second or third in their year rankings, and possessed a quiet confidence that Aster found admirable.
Following close behind Lily were her usual friends—Sophie, a petite girl with an infectious laugh who served as the class social butterfly, always knowing the latest gossip; and Claire, the artistic one who constantly sketched in the margins of her notebooks and had a dreamy, philosophical air about her.
"Good morning, Aster, Marcus," Lily said as she approached, her dark eyes bright with warmth. She set her bag down on the desk in front of Aster and turned to face them.
Morning, Lily!" Marcus greeted enthusiastically. "Please tell me you understood last week's literature assignment because I have no idea what the symbolism in that poem was supposed to mean."
Lily laughed softly, a sound like wind chimes. "The assignment Aster explained perfectly during class discussion?"
"I may have been... mentally absent during that particular discussion," Marcus admitted sheepishly.
"Daydreaming about the upcoming basketball tournament?" Aster asked with a knowing smile.
"How'd you know?"
"Because you always get that faraway look when you're thinking about basketball," Lily observed. "It's the same look you had when you were supposed to be paying attention during the history presentation last month."
Sophie giggled from her seat. "Marcus lives in his own world half the time. Last week he walked right past me in the hallway and didn't even notice when I waved."
"To be fair," Claire added without looking up from her sketchbook, "half of us exist in different mental planes. Marcus just happens to inhabit the basketball dimension."
"I'm a simple man with simple passions," Marcus declared dramatically, making the group chuckle.
As more students settled into their seats, the classroom filled with familiar faces. There was Blake, the athletic star who captained the track team and had an easy confidence that made him naturally popular.
He was chatting with Evan, another sports enthusiast who played on the soccer team and served as Blake's constant companion.
Near the middle rows sat Nina, a studious girl with glasses who was always buried in books—she was the closest to Aster in terms of academic performance, though she preferred to keep to herself.
Beside her was Grace, a kind-hearted student who volunteered at the local animal shelter every weekend and brought that same gentle energy to every interaction.
In the back corner, almost unnoticeable if you weren't looking for him, sat Quinn. The withdrawn boy rarely spoke in class, never raised his hand, and seemed to fade into the background despite being physically present.
Aster had tried to include him in group projects before, but Quinn preferred solitude, always completing his parts independently and communicating through brief emails rather than face-to-face conversations.
Then there was Maya, the shy girl who sat near the front and always looked like she wanted to disappear into her desk. She had a stutter that made her self-conscious about speaking in class, though Aster had noticed she had insightful things to say when she did gather the courage to participate.
The atmosphere shifted slightly when Derek entered with his usual entourage. Derek was tall, conventionally attractive, and came from a wealthy family - advantages he wore like armor.
His constant companions were Jason, a stocky boy who laughed too loudly at Derek's jokes and served as his primary hype man, and Troy, the cynical one who always had a cutting remark ready and seemed to enjoy making others uncomfortable.
Trailing behind them were Rachel and Jade, two girls who orbited Derek's group. Rachel was the stereotypical mean girl—pretty, popular, and armed with a sharp tongue she wielded like a weapon against anyone she deemed beneath her social standing. Jade was quieter but no less cruel, preferring subtle manipulation and spreading rumors to direct confrontation.
Derek's eyes landed on Aster, and his expression soured slightly. The tension between them had been growing since the midterm rankings came out last month, where Aster had once again claimed the top spot, with Derek placing a distant fifth.
"Must be nice," Derek's voice carried just loud enough for those nearby to hear, though he tried to disguise it as casual conversation with Jason. "Having everything come so easily. Some of us actually have to work for our grades."
Jason snorted dutifully. "Yeah, I heard he's already finished next week's assignments. Teacher's pet probably gets all the answers in advance."
Rachel leaned in, her voice dripping with false sweetness. "And of course he has to help everyone. Makes the rest of us look bad when we can't just magically understand everything."
"Maybe if you spent less time on your phone and more time studying," Claire muttered, just loud enough for Lily and Sophie to hear. The three girls exchanged knowing looks.
Aster's hand tightened briefly around his pen. He'd overheard these kinds of comments before, whispered in hallways or muttered just loud enough for him to catch. It stung, even though he tried not to let it show. He'd never asked for special treatment, never flaunted his achievements. He simply did his best and tried to help others when they asked.
Lily, who had also heard the comments, turned slightly in her seat. "Ignore them," she said quietly, her voice meant only for Aster. "They don't understand that talent means nothing without hard work. I've seen how many hours you put in."
"Thanks, Lily," Aster said, managing a small smile. "It's fine. I'm used to it."
"You shouldn't have to be used to it," Marcus interjected, his usually jovial expression darkening. "You're literally helping half the class pass their exams, and they have the nerve to—"
"Marcus," Aster interrupted gently. "Really, it's okay. Let's just focus on today."
The last few students trickled in—Owen, the class clown who could always be counted on for a joke or prank, currently trying to balance a pencil on his nose; and finally, Zara, the ambitious student council member who was always organizing events and trying to add impressive activities to her college applications.