The morning sun poured through the tall windows of Eden Academy, casting golden light across the polished floors.
Inside the classroom, Anya Forger was turned halfway in her seat, whispering dramatically to Becky Blackbell.
"Becky… papa looked very tired this morning," Anya said with wide eyes. "Suspicious tired."
Becky crossed her arms like a tiny queen. "Maybe your father is working too hard. Or maybe he has a secret second job." She gasped. "What if he's a criminal mastermind?!"
Anya froze.
Papa… criminal mastermind?!
Her telepathy flickered — random thoughts from classmates buzzing like static.
Then—
"Students."
The room straightened instantly as their homeroom teacher stepped forward.
"I have an announcement. We have a new student joining us today."
The classroom door slid open.
A boy stepped in slowly.
He wore a dark hoodie pulled halfway over his head. Underneath, the Eden Academy uniform was visible just like he said it would be. His dreads rested around his face, neat but natural. A small silver earring glinted on his left ear. Braces flashed faintly when he spoke — though he barely smiled at all.
His eyes were sharp.
Serious.
Heavy.
Like someone who didn't laugh much.
The room went quiet.
"Introduce yourself," the teacher said.
The boy looked around once before speaking calmly.
"Hi. Name Jamal Denkins. I moved here from Florida. My mom won the lottery… but it came in yen instead of American money. So we moved here."
A few students blinked in confusion.
"Yen?"
"Weird…"
"Florida?"
The teacher cleared her throat. "You'll adjust soon enough. And your uniform?"
Jamal didn't change expression. "Under my hoodie."
The teacher paused… then nodded. "Very well."
She looked toward the class.
"Sit next to Anya."
Anya froze.
New kid… sitting next to me?!
Jamal walked down the aisle calmly. No smile. No nervousness. Just steady steps.
He stopped beside her desk.
For a brief second, his sharp eyes met hers.
Anya instinctively activated her telepathy—
And her eyes widened.
His thoughts weren't loud like the other kids.
They were quiet.
Controlled.
Heavy.
"…Don't talk too much. Don't get close to people. Just focus."
Anya tilted her head.
He thinking like grown-up…
Jamal sat down.
Becky leaned forward dramatically. "Anya. This is interesting."
Anya slowly grinned.
"Oooh… new student very mysterious."
Jamal didn't react.
But for just a split second…
His eyes softened.
And that's when Anya realized—
This boy wasn't just serious.
He was hiding something.
The classroom settled into quiet work time.
Papers shuffled. Pencils scratched.
Next to her, Jamal leaned slightly back in his chair, eyes low, phone hidden just beneath the desk. He checked the time quickly.
"Damn… time need to go faster," he muttered under his breath.
Anya blinked.
Damn?
Fast time?
Why he in hurry?
She focused.
Her telepathy brushed against his thoughts again—
"Oh this girl… she kinda weird. But pretty cute."
Anya's face turned red instantly.
PRETTY?!
She almost slammed her hands on the desk but stopped herself.
Jamal glanced at her sideways.
Anya leaned closer, tiny smile on her face.
"Hi. I'm Anya."
He stared at her for a second.
Inside his mind:
"Damn… I don't wanna talk to her… but she pretty so why not."
A small smirk formed on his face. Just enough to show his braces.
"Hey, wassup. What you need?"
Anya froze again.
Wassup?!
"I'm Anya," she repeated proudly.
He gave her a nervous side-eye. "Yeah… I know."
Anya's eyes widened.
"UH?!" she gasped dramatically.
Becky peeked over, instantly invested.
Anya leaned forward again.
"Do you wanna be Anya friend?"
Jamal blinked.
Inside his mind:
"Talking in third person? Crazy…"
He leaned back in his chair, rocking slightly, hands behind his head.
"Sure," he said casually. "I'll need a bestie of sum."
Anya's mouth dropped open.
BESTIE?!
Her heart started pounding.
But then—
Her telepathy flickered again.
Beneath the joking tone… beneath the cool act…
"…Don't get close. Don't get attached. That's how people get hurt."
Anya's smile slowly softened.
She tilted her head.
He lonely…
Becky immediately slid her chair over.
"So," Becky said dramatically, flipping her hair. "Jamal, was it? I'm Becky Blackbell. If you're Anya's friend, you must pass my evaluation."
Jamal raised one eyebrow.
"Evaluation?"
Inside his head:
"Rich girl energy. Yep."
He gave a lazy half-smile.
"I just transferred. Y'all doing interviews already?"
Anya giggled.
For the first time since he walked in…
Jamal's shoulders relaxed a little.
Just a little.
But outside the classroom window—
A black car sat across the street.
Tinted windows.
Engine running.
Watching.
The final minutes before dismissal felt longer than usual.
Jamal kept glancing at the clock again.
Why he always watching time…? Anya wondered.
She leaned closer to him, tiny hands gripping the edge of her desk.
"Hey… after school… you wanna meet Anya family?"
Jamal paused.
For a split second, his thoughts shifted.
"Meet her family? That's moving kinda fast…"
Then—
He looked at her.
Sharp eyes softened.
He gently reached out and grabbed her hand.
Closed his eyes.
And smiled — full smile this time, braces showing.
"Of course," he said. "You're my best friend."
Anya's entire brain short-circuited.
"WHAAAA—?!" she squeaked, face bright red.
Becky gasped dramatically from behind them.
"Oh my… this is developing quickly."
Anya pulled her hand back, flustered.
"O-okay! After school then!"
Jamal leaned back again like nothing happened.
Inside his mind though—
"Don't get attached… don't get attached…"
But there was something else layered underneath.
"…Maybe this time will be different."
Before Anya could read deeper—
RRRRRING!
The bell echoed through the halls of Eden Academy.
"Students, line up for gym," the teacher announced.
Chairs scraped as everyone stood.
Jamal slid his phone into his hoodie pocket, expression shifting back to calm and unreadable.
Anya glanced up at him while they lined up.
She focused her telepathy again—
And this time…
She heard something that made her smile fade slightly.
"…After school. That's when it starts."
Anya blinked.
Starts?
Starts… what?
Outside the building—
That same black car's engine turned off.
The driver stepped out.
And began walking toward the school gates.