[Jow Ylliard Hayle]
The semestral break ended before I could even catch my breath.
Monday came crashing down like a wave of laziness. Time was moving fast—wasn't it just June yesterday? Now it's already **November 4**.
> 2025 is right around the corner, huh...<
When I walked into the classroom, it was already crowded. I made my way straight to my armchair, but the sight that greeted me made my brow furrow.
Three guys. Six girls. All unfamiliar. And all way too loud.
Their laughter and shouts pierced through my head like nails. I winced, instantly regretting that I forgot my earpods. With no other option, I covered both ears with my hands and dropped my face against the desk. I shut my eyes for a moment, hoping sleep would take me away—
"Kuya? What happened to you? Still not over the break?"
Rain. My cousin. Just arrived. She carried her bag in one hand instead of wearing it.
"It's too loud..." I groaned, not lifting my head.
"Oh, that?" She chuckled, taking her seat beside me. She dropped her bag on the desk, unzipped it, and pulled out a small green bottle.
"Efficacent oil?"
I narrowed my eyes. "What the hell is that for?"
"For your head, dummy," she grinned. "If the noise is giving you a headache."
> Bitch.<
I snatched the bottle from her hand, uncapped it, and dabbed it on my forehead and under my nose.
It burned like hell. Felt like I dunked my face into boiling water.
I handed it back to her with a grunt.
More strangers walked into the classroom—more unfamiliar faces settling into random chairs. My jaw tightened. Curiosity turned to irritation.
I turned to Rain—perfect source of gossip and walking encyclopedia of "the latest" news.
"Who the hell are these people? What's going on?" I asked, loud enough to be heard if it weren't for the chaos.
"You really don’t know?" She looked genuinely surprised, eyebrows bouncing as she puckered her lips. "Sections D, E, F, and G for HUMSS got dissolved. Their students are being merged into A, B, and C—us."
Her words hit like a sudden downpour. My mind immediately went to Clay, sitting attentively at her desk, listening to our teacher’s lectures not too long ago.
"We were fine being just 29 in this class," Rain pouted, resting her chin on her palm. "Now we’re pushing past 50. And a lot of the newcomers are guys."
"You don’t like that? You can finally replace your psycho boyfriend," I teased.
She whacked my shoulder. "Ouch!"
"Watch your mouth!"
I was about to retort when I noticed someone walk through the door. Someone **familiar**.
My eyes widened. My fists clenched.
Lightning surged through my skull. Cold sweat trickled down my temple and into my eyes.
He met my gaze.
His expression: cold. Harsh eyes, curled lips. Pure hostility.
We stared at each other just long enough for the tension to bite before he turned away, welcomed by a few of the new guys and led to a seat.
I let out a shaky breath and turned to Rain. I gripped her hand tightly—maybe a bit too tightly.
"Rain... You’re the only one in this classroom who knows I’m part of the Supernatural Club, right?"
Her hand trembled in mine. I immediately let go.
"Sorry," I said.
She shook her head. "It’s okay, Kuya. Why do you ask?"
"One of the guys I fought back then… he’s here. Looks like he’s joining our class."
Her eyes shot wide open. She quickly scanned the room, trying to identify him.
"Who?"
"A guy named Lumiel. You’ll know him soon enough if he introduces himself. I hate that bastard. He’s an idiot. No matter what happens, don’t ever tell anyone about my involvement with the supernatural."
She nodded solemnly, then gave a playful salute.
"You know what I am. You know my past. You know how cruel I used to be... I don’t want to go back to that version of me," I muttered.
She suddenly pulled me into a hug, patting my head gently.
The warmth of her embrace. The contrast of her cold hands combing through my hair. It calmed something inside me.
The swirl of emotion—joy, rage, grief—settled like dust in a quiet room.
The haunting memory that gripped my heart like a nail driven through my chest faded. The weight lifted. My breathing eased.
"It’s okay... you’re okay now," she whispered. "You’re not going back to that darkness. I’m here. I won’t let you fall back into it."
"Thank you."
She pulled away and fanned me with her hand.
No regrets in letting Rain into my world—into the truth of who I really was. She deserved the peace I could give her.
"Oh, right! Kuya, aren’t you going to remind Nova?"
"No need. I know she won’t snitch."
Ten minutes later, the bell rang—8:00 a.m. sharp.
Our teacher arrived, ushering in the official start of our class.
Before diving into the lesson, he began introducing the new students—one by one.
The introductions ate up most of our first period.
---
After the morning classes, just as I was stepping out of the classroom, *that bastard* called out to me.
Lumiel.
He motioned for me to follow him toward the restroom.
The moment we stepped in, he grabbed me by the collar.
His eyes were sharp, veins bulging in his forehead and temples.
"Why the hell are you still in this university, you trash? You let Cruzecrin die while you drowned in the fame your brutality brought you!"
I shoved his hand off me and threw a punch. He dodged, stepping back fast.
I let out a deep exhale. "And who the hell are you to call me garbage?"
He clicked his tongue.
"How dare you stay in this place after letting the one person I needed approval from vanish from this world?"
"I don’t give a damn about your issues. You’re not the dean. You don’t pay for my tuition—hell, you don’t even pay for my snacks," I said with a laugh.
"And I don’t want anything to do with you, Lumiel Mazibel of the Mazibel Federation Gang."
I stepped forward, voice low, cold.
"Respect the life I chose. Respect the peace I’m walking. Remember—back then, I broke the bones in your right arm and ribs. I can do worse now."
I turned my back to him and walked toward the door. Grabbed the knob. Swung it open.
"You’re popular with the girls, aren’t you?" I tossed over my shoulder. "Then just mind your own business."
The door slammed behind me.
> I need to be careful going to the Supernatural Club from now on. I can’t risk him seeing me anywhere near Clayrin—the sister of the boy who links us both to a past soaked in violence.<
I made my way to the canteen. It was packed—students bustling in every direction.
While standing in line, I saw her.
Clay.
She was with two girls and… Jovenyl.
Looks like they’re all in the same class now.
My eyes lingered on Jovenyl. A few days ago, just seeing her would send a sting through my chest, tears stinging my eyes.
But now? I looked at her—and felt nothing.
Not anger. Not sadness. Just silence.
---
To be continued.