Magical Theory was a class Valen had really started to hate.
Not because the subject was difficult or anything, no, the problem was the teacher.
Mr. Einar was a person who, if compared to an animal, would be some deformed, two-faced creature.
With most students, he smiled politely, adjusted his glasses, and spoke in a measured tone. But when it came to Valen and Alex, his eyes narrowed into slits, his lips curling into something dangerously close to a snarl, he acted as if they had personally murdered his entire family.
Every single class, he tried to humiliate them, spewing meaningless insults, swaying on the edge of outright malice. But since they were both already well-versed in magical theory, there was no way he could seriously embarrass them.
And now, Valen just waited for the day Mr. Einar would cross that invisible line, barely restraining the urge to punch that oversized forehead of his.
That goddamn landing strip.
What are you... KSI?
But today… today, it seemed Mr. Einar was absent, his desk remained untouched and his chair sat empty.
He had only two classes a week, and rumors had spread that most students hadn't seen him for several days.
Whispers filled the room.
Alex, ever nonchalant, picked his nose, completely indifferent to the whispers. "Is he absent?" he asked, flicking his booger onto the desk.
Valen grimaced, his mouth twisting in disgust as he shot Alex a look. "I don't know," he snapped, "and that's fucking gross, man… change your habits."
Excitement still crackled through the room, though. As the Founders Vigil was just days away, a midnight procession in the school's cemetery. Most were thrilled by the chance to wear costumes tailored to their supernatural powers.
Just then suddenly, Ajax burst into the classroom, rushing in from the teacher's lounge, his breath ragged, and wide eyed.
"HEY guys! Mr. Einar has gone missing!" His voice cut through the chatter, dragging every ear toward him.
Valen's eyebrow arched lazily. He stood, slinging his backpack over one shoulder. "Damn, that's lucky," he casually muttered, then turned toward the door with Alex.
After all he didn't give a damn about that wannabe KSI.
Xavier and Ajax exchanged a quick look, then hurried after them.
"Hey, where are you going?" Xavier called curiosly.
"Gonna record the next album, wanna come?" Alex replied, already halfway down the hall.
Ajax's face lit up. "Wait, I'm coming too!" His grin was genuine, he loved their music, and was really curious what new track they were working on.
Valen didn't bother slowing his pace. "Well, come on then."
They passed the old stone archway leading out into the academy's overgrown courtyard. The sky above was a bruised purple, the air heavy with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves.
A police jeep sat idly near the entrance, two officers deep in conversation with a teacher, their faces stern and serious.
"They're asking about Mr. Einar," Ajax murmured, his voice low, as though afraid to disturb the questioning.
The others merely nodded, barely giving a damn, and made their way toward the old shed.
*
The shed was dim inside, lit only by a flickering bare bulb that cast long, trembling shadows. Dust particles hung in the air like tiny ghosts.
Xavier and Ajax busied themselves setting up space for instruments, while Valen and Alex arranged and prepared the equipment in another corner of the shed.
Valen's fingers moved swiftly over the aged guitar, adjusting the strings, while Alex arranged the microphones, occasionally glancing at Valen with a mixture of mischief and concern.
"Hey, bro," In a hushed voice, Alex suddenly asked. "You won't forget me, right?"
Valen looked up from the guitar, mildly curious. "Huh? What do you mean?"
Alex stepped closer, fake tears welling in his eyes, voice dripping with weird acting. "Well… now that you're soooooo into Enid, and you're glued to that phone like a junkie, you don't even fight with me anymore… I won't get in your way, just don't forget me, alright?"
Valen chuckled, amused by his antics. "Of course not. You're my brother, bitch," he said with affectionate sarcasm.
Alex's smile widened as he put a hand on Valens shoulder, "Still… treat her right, yeah? Or I'll bury you alive. She's a good soul."
"Yeah, mate," Valen replied, as their fists connected in a firm bump.
"By the way, did you two-" Alex began, the edge of a smug smile playing across his lips.
"No… we did not, I don't wanna rush," Valen cut him off, as his mind drifted back to a few nights ago.
*
The Full Moon Night
[ Valen's POV ]
The moon hung full and heavy in the sky, casting a silver glow over the Nevermore grounds. Enid was really warm, as we hugged.
But then without warning, her lips pressed against mine.
I froze for a heartbeat, startled by her boldness. I hadn't expected her to go straight for the kiss.
But how could I reject her? The girl who occupied every restless thought, every shadow in my mind?
So I kissed her back, my lips moving, tasting her subtle sweetness.
Her body ground into mine, pressing harder, as her perfume covered me and then, inexplicably, she mounted my lap.
Her eyes flickered with mischief, and for a moment, I wondered if she even feared heights.
Our lips parted briefly, both of us gasping, a thin string of saliva connecting us together. The warmth of her mouth lingered on mine. Her eyes, normally vibrant green, now glowed faintly red in the moonlight, pulsating with her heartbeat, which throbbed audibly, pounding like crazy.
Damn, that look was driving me insane.
As I drifted deeper into the intoxicating scent of her, I felt her nails claw into my back, pulling me closer.
My hands moved instinctively, slipping in and gripping her waist. Underneath her jacket, she wore nothing but a thin tank top. My fingers traced the supple curve of her skin, feeling her shiver against my touch. I pulled her tighter, the shiver deepening.
But we didn't go further… It was as though we both knew it was too soon.
Instead, we kissed like hungry animals with desperate intensity, our mouths exploring every inch of each other's faces.
We didn't say anything.
Just locked our eyes, which felt so dangerously sweet.
*
Now, back in the shed, the boys continued recording Here With Me.
The lyrics were so full of emotions, that Xavier and Ajax found themselves caught in the melancholy.
When they finished, Xavier and Ajax exchanged wide-eyed looks, their voices tinged with awe.
"This is going to be a hit," Xavier said clapping for the two.
Finishing, they packed up their instruments and by the time they locked the shed and prepared to head back, it was dark, night had fallen completely.
Suddenly, Valen's phone buzzed.
Curious, he opened the message.
Enid:Where are you!?
Valen:At the usual spot with the boys.
Enid:Y'all safe, right?
His brow furrowed. "Yeah. Something happened?"
Enid:They found a dead body near the Nevermore woods…
As he read the text, he noticed the others also staring at their phones, faces turning serious. He guessed they had received the same unsettling news.
"Y'all got the news?" Alex asked, a little serious.
The others nodded.
"The police are near, investigating," Ajax added, still typing.
But the canon hasn't even started yet! Valen thought.
"I say we check it out ourselves," he said. This maybe the start of something serious... It's Nevermore afterall... nothing's a coincidence.
Valen then looked at his side at Xavier, who's jaw tightened and his expression unreadable. Maybe it's related?
They all nodded and then without another word, they began to move.
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