I made my way to the auditorium along with the other students, phone in hand, still lowkey hoping I'd see Anna before we got started.
No sign of her.
Not yet.
"Maybe she's just late. Or avoiding me?"
Either way, I kept it pushing. Couldn't afford to look like the lost, lonely junior on his first day. Not when I already had that dream haunting the back of my mind.
I took a seat toward the middle of the auditorium, trying not to stand out. All around me, students chatted, laughed, showed off outfits, linked up with friends.
Me?
Just sitting here. Observing.
I glanced up as someone stepped onto the stage.
A young man in a black suit, clean-cut with messy brown curls and sharp green eyes. He didn't look much older than us—maybe mid-to-late twenties—but he carried himself like a whole general.
"Silence."
The room went quiet.
Instantly.
That one word hit like a command straight to the spine.
Who even is this dude?
"Welcome to another year at Eclipso High," he said, eyes scanning every row. "If you're new, welcome with open arms. I'm Nate Wheeler—but you can call me Principal Nate."
Huh. Chill name for someone built like an anime villain's final form.
"This school was built to help you become the best version of yourself. Whatever you want to be—no dream is too big here. We train, we learn, we grow. Some of you will aim to become stars. My job is to make sure you shine brighter than them."
A mix of polite applause and impressed murmurs followed.
Principal Nate gestured to the other staff members seated behind him.
Let the awkward faculty intros begin…
As the mic passed down the line, I scanned the crowd again—still no Anna. Trinity and Bri were sitting way in the back. My sister already looked drained, while Bri was bouncing in her seat like she just hit a sugar high.
Poor Trin. She was not built for that level of affection.
Still no Anna though. She wouldn't just ghost me on day one… right?
I slouched back into my seat and sighed.
And then she walked out.
No—not Anna.
Her.
Long, flowing evergreen hair.
Eyes like sharpened jade.
Smooth caramel skin that almost seemed to glow under the stage lights.
Every student in the room paused. I wasn't the only one staring.
"My name is Mai Truly," she said, stepping up to the mic. "You can call me Mrs. Truly. I'm the school's guidance counselor."
Her voice was smooth, warm, with something unexplainably… magnetic.
"If you ever feel overwhelmed, lost, or just need someone to talk to, my door is always open."
She smiled—right at me.
I swear it was just for a second… but my breath caught in my throat.
Why do I feel… connected to her?
I didn't know this woman. Never met her. But something deep in my gut twisted like we weren't strangers at all.
Like we shared something… dangerous.
As Mrs. Truly stepped back into her seat, the room shifted back into motion. Staff kept talking. Students zoned out.
I didn't hear a word after that.
I was still stuck.
Locked in that moment. Staring at a woman who felt like fate dressed in heels.
And I didn't even notice…
Four pairs of eyes.
Watching me.
All from different corners of the auditorium.
All with different intentions.