"What the..."
Klaus stared in disbelief, witnessing this unnatural phenomenon for the very first time: Rose's irises had shifted into a vivid pink glow. He leaned in slightly, eyes wide with amazement, slowly realizing that this was no trick of his imagination.
At the same time, Rose's astonishment mirrored Klaus's own. Her features shifted, reflecting her surprise at his reaction, which had deviated from her expectations. She struggled to understand why her attempts hadn't yielded the desired result.
"Why didn't it work?" Rose pondered inwardly.
Swiftly recovering her composure, Rose adopted a smile once more. Aware of the many onlookers present, she chose to downplay the situation. "Never mind," she continued, unfazed. "You're a pretty interesting person, Klaus. Perhaps I'll be seeing you soon."
"Don't hold your breath," Klaus whispered to himself, though he elected to keep his words soft, aware that voicing them louder could amplify the situation needlessly.
With Rose's departure, accompanied by her friends, Klaus was left to his own thoughts. It only took a few moments for another student to suddenly approach him.
"You're so lucky!" the student muttered, eyes fixed on the departing girls. "You actually got a compliment from the Rose Valentine."
The comment merely served to irritate Klaus further. But he soon dismissed the moment entirely, shutting his locker and heading off to his next class without further interest.
Before that day, Klaus had maintained a deliberate distance from Rose, avoiding any direct interactions or connections. Rose personified the type of individuals he harbored disdain for: those who exuded a need for control or believed themselves superior. He held an inherent disinterest for such people, sensing an air of arrogance in their demeanor.
Klaus was acutely aware that individuals like Rose rarely let matters rest, and thus, he anticipated that she wouldn't simply let the incident earlier go by unnoticed.
With the school day concluded, Klaus moved to retrieve his bag from his locker and stow away his books for the day, before regrouping with Shade. As his locker creaked open, an unexpected note fluttered to the ground. The message "Call me <3" was inscribed alongside what appeared to be a phone number. While he had half-expected such a note, he had hoped for a less agitating situation. Unfortunately, hope often clashed with reality.
Evidently, Klaus hated being thrust into the spotlight. He disliked excessive attention, an ironic trait for someone with his graffiti reputation. Yet within the school's walls, his reputation remained undeniable.
Navigating Klaus's social realm was complex. He retained widespread popularity, seen as respectable and trustworthy by his male peers, and garnered attention from the opposite sex due to his undeniable attractiveness. Yet, Klaus rarely--if not never--indulged in socializing, his invitations to parties a common occurrence despite his predictable absence. His peers respected his preference for solitude, consciously avoiding placing him in situations he found uncomfortable.
After he was done at his locker, Klaus finally met up with Shade and headed back home.
Upon returning home, Klaus retrieved his laundered clothes and, alongside Shade, tackled a few household chores in preparation for their mother's return from work. Once the tasks were accomplished, Shade retreated to the living room for some television time, while Klaus, acutely aware of his pressing need for rest, opted for a much-needed nap. Weary, he climbed the stairs and nestled himself into bed within moments.
Later that evening, Klaus stirred awake, the clock reading 8:30 pm, a testament to the exhaustion that had gripped him. Fresh from his shower, he felt rejuvenated as he settled onto his bed. Reaching for his rubber ball, he resumed his familiar habit of bouncing it around the room, a practice he'd maintained for as long as he could remember. But shortly after, his actions came to an abrupt halt.
Stretching out on the bed, his feet hovering over the edge, Klaus directed his gaze upward, fixating on the expanse of the ceiling. Deep in thought, his mind began to churn.
After several minutes, Klaus soon turned his attention to the bag resting on the table near his door, several feet from where he lay. And as he reached his left hand out, the note from Rose--the same one she had slipped into his locker earlier--suddenly manifested directly into his outstretched palm.
In one swift motion, almost instinctively, he had risen from his position, extracted the note from his bag, deftly secured the bag's closure, and hung it on its designated hook; all within a fraction of a second. This was a testament to his silent speed, a swiftness that was hardly astonishing given the nocturnal hour.
There was an underlying strangeness to the situation with Rose. Klaus had not particularly been swayed or charmed by her gesture, but a gnawing curiosity had taken root. It was not the flattery that intrigued him, but rather, he was fascinated by the peculiar occurrence during their encounter in the hallway. He was certain about what he saw.
Recalling the interaction, he mused over her subsequent response to his astonishment. It led him to ponder whether it was truly his perception at fault or if she had indeed manipulated something. Adding to the intrigue was the absence of a single reaction to the occurrence among the onlookers.
"What exactly was that?" Klaus wondered aloud, his determination firm to uncover the truth behind the display.
The predicament he faced in the moment was that a straightforward call to inquire about the incident would not suffice. Should she truly have orchestrated her action, Rose would likely disavow any knowledge. Conversely, if she had not, his outreach might be misconstrued as a means to engage with her, adding further to his unease.
Because of this, Klaus opted to let the matter go. "Persisting would only be a bother," he reflected.
Yet as Klaus crushed the note between his fingers and discarded it into the waste bin, his phone suddenly rang, the caller ID displaying an unfamiliar number. His initial inclination was to disregard the call, yet as the same number persisted in its attempts, he chose to answer, a hint of curiosity overcoming his initial annoyance.
CONVERSATION
Klaus: Hello?
Rose: So... were you thinking about me?
Klaus was taken aback by the synchronicity of Rose's call, aligning closely with his thoughts. Yet, he maintained his typical tone.
Klaus: How did you get my number?
Rose: Oh, don't worry about that. I have my sources.
Klaus: What do you want, Rose?
Klaus saw no reason to maintain small talk.
Rose: You ask a lot of questions, don't you?
A few seconds went by without a response, causing a sigh from Rose.
Rose: Look, Klaus, I just wanna say that you have the wrong idea about me.
Klaus: And what idea might that be?
Rose: Another question, huh? Anyway, look... I'm aware of how I come across at school, and I understand that I can seem a bit... self-absorbed.
Klaus: A bit?
Rose: BUT... that's not who I really am. It's one of those things you have to do to maintain a certain level of status, you know.
Klaus: And why should I believe that?
Rose sighed even deeper.
Rose: Okay, fine, you're right. You have no reason to. But that's why I chose to call you. I knew you'd see the note and choose not to call because that's just who you are. That's why I find you intriguing.
Klaus: You find my utter lack of care for you intriguing?
Rose: You can't blame a girl who's literally the center of attention in the entire school.
Klaus sighed.
Klaus: I guess not.
Rose: Finally, a response that isn't a question.
A moment of silence passed.
Rose: Anyway... wanna hang out?
Klaus: Not really.
Rose: Oh, come on, it'll be fun. I promise not to flirt.
Klaus: That's not exactly what I'm concerned about.
Rose: Come on, Klaus. Just for a few hours.
Klaus: It's getting late, Rose. I'm hanging up.
Rose: Booooo. Anyway... I'll be at Luigi's in case you change your mind. And who knows, you might get to know a few mysteries about me. See ya.
Shortly after her words, Rose hung up.
A flood of questions ran through Klaus's mind. He could not understand why Rose genuinely wanted to spend time with him or what her true goal was in all of this. Still, something about her final words felt intentional, like she was subtly permitting him to look deeper into what had happened earlier that day. By now, he was almost certain she knew something. And more than that, he was nearly convinced the moment had been real.
However, he also understood that he could not just meet up with her for the first time and abruptly discuss her suddenly glowing eyes. Because of that, he surmised that her intention in saying those words was simply to encourage him to meet with her with the potential of never addressing the topic, and perhaps even deny it completely.
But Klaus was no longer deeply invested in the scenario, so he decided to pass on the opportunity. He reclined on his bed, eyes drifting toward the ceiling once more, quietly hoping that this time, sleep would consume him.
*****
CONVERSATION
Rose: So... what made you change your mind about coming, after all?
Klaus: I guess my curiosity couldn't let me sleep.
Rose: Well, that's fine with me, since you're here. And I guess this is kinda like our first date, huh?
Klaus: I thought you said you wouldn't flirt?
Rose: I thought you said you weren't concerned about it?
Klaus sighed in annoyance.
*****
Even though Klaus initially resisted the idea of meeting with Rose, sleep proved difficult due to his immense curiosity, especially given that he had slept through the evening. His mind failed to let go of the events from earlier in the day, and eventually, the overwhelming need to understand overcame him. Perhaps he was more invested than he had assumed.
This level of curiosity was unusual for him. He had never before been so intensely drawn to something. Recognizing the significance of this, he concluded that there must be a reason behind it. With this realization, he decided to give in and follow his impulses. He quickly changed into appropriate attire and retrieved his skateboard from his drawer. His destination was Luigi's: the restaurant where Rose revealed she would be.
However, before stepping out, Klaus knew he had a responsibility to fulfill. He soon approached his mother's room and gently knocked on the door before entering upon a response. She was engrossed in some work files at her desk, so he aimed to be brief and not disrupt her focus.
"Mom, I'm heading out," Klaus informed her.
She looked up and smiled. "Thank you," she responded with gratitude.
"It's no problem. I'll be back soon," Klaus assured her before closing the door behind him.
With that, he embarked on his journey to the restaurant, guided by a need to unravel the mysteries that had taken hold of his thoughts...
*****
"So, what do you think?"
Klaus snapped back to the moment, realizing Rose had been talking to him the whole time. "About what?" he asked.
Rose sighed. "Please tell me you were listening the entire time," she asked in annoyance.
"Sorry, I spaced out... I guess," Klaus confessed.
Rose smiled softly upon recognizing something, "You say that a lot, don't you?" she commented.
"I guess," Klaus repeated once more, his expression and tone unchanging.
"Haha, very funny," Rose said.
CONVERSATION
Rose: Anyway, before you rudely spaced out, I was talking about the graffiti artist who suddenly blew up this last month. What was his name again? Night... Spade or something?
Klaus: I think it's NightShade.
Rose smiled and leaned forward.
Rose: So you do know him.
Klaus sighed.
Klaus: I guess.
Klaus's lack of enthusiasm caused a sigh from Rose as well.
Rose: Well... I was just wondering how the police and higher-ups could never catch or even find them. Because it seems the only information anyone has is that he wears all black and a hoodie. What do you think?
Klaus raised an eyebrow.
Klaus: What do I think about what?
Rose: Y'know... how he's able to create all that art around the city without being detected. I mean, he's the only solo street artist who operates around the entire city.
Klaus: You know a lot about street artists, don't you?
Rose: I hear a lot of stuff from a lot of people.
Klaus: Well, I don't know. Maybe he's trained or something.
Rose: I mean, sure. But sometimes I wonder if it's more than that. I think he might have some sort of... supernatural abilities that allow him to avoid getting caught.
Hearing Rose's words left Klaus curious about her intentions. Simply discussing the topic had already unsettled him, but the direction it was taking seemed even more concerning.
Klaus: Don't you think that's kind of ridiculous to suggest?
Rose: Yeah. But if there's anyone who should know if there's a possibility, it should be me.
Upon hearing this, Klaus's suspicion grew. He was increasingly convinced that Rose was anything but ordinary. He had a strong sense that whatever was responsible for his unique abilities might somehow also be connected to her as well.
"What do you mean by that?" Klaus soon asked, raising a casual eyebrow as he waited for a reaction.
After Klaus's question, Rose realized she might have shared a bit too much and chose to backtrack, a grin growing onto her face before she continued. "Guess you'll have to figure it out eventually," she said cheekily.
Rose was well aware that Klaus's curiosity on the matter would likely keep him from ghosting her after their encounter, which was why she opted not to reveal too much to him.
Klaus failed to take long before choosing to let the topic go, not particularly interested in the topic of NightShade. They quickly shifted the subject to something else, avoiding any further potential complications on both ends.
Two weeks had passed since the initial meeting between Klaus and Rose, and not much had changed in their daily routines.
Rose understood that Klaus would not be keen on engaging with her at school due to his evident disdain for the attention it might attract. So, in order to make sure they remained in touch, she maintained their initial arrangement of only talking outside school hours.
As time went on, and their interactions grew, Rose found herself growing increasingly attached to their conversations. At times, she even prioritized chatting with Klaus over hanging out with her friends or attending minor social events.
Klaus, on the other hand, paid no mind to her presence as long as she respected his boundaries. He would not exactly say he despise these occasional interactions between them, but he would not label them as the highlight of his days either. However, there seemed to be an unexpected consequence of him spending more time with Rose: his strange dreams started occurring more frequently.
Before their meetings, Klaus had his sporadic dreams involving giant men and mysterious random scenarios about three times a month. But ever since their initial encounter, these dreams had escalated to happening up to three times a week. The increase in frequency was starting to take a toll on him, and the dreams were becoming so common that he often found himself with a headache whenever he tried to recall them. But for some reason, there was one that always seemed to stand out the most...
"Perhaps it might just be better to reveal it to him. No point in extending it," a voice suddenly echoed, stirring him from sleep.
Slowly, he opened his eyes, only to find himself immersed in the recurring dream of the colossal men that haunted his sleep most frequently. However, this time, he was cognition was intact.
Familiar surroundings dissolved, replaced by an otherworldly realm, an unsettling detachment from Earth surrounded by the complete expanse of thick white fog. Rising from an unfamiliar state, three colossal figures glanced back at him, all about eight feet tall.
"What the..." he began, a strange feeling of control over his thoughts.
The strange being who appeared closest to him looked to see if he was alright. "He may be remembering something," the stranger said, their glance mirroring the rest as they awaited a response from him.
Then.... he woke up.
This time, the instance of the dream took an unexpected turn. Unlike the usual experience where he felt powerless and devoid of control, his movements felt more tangible and vivid. However, the dream's purpose remained elusive to him, leaving him just as baffled as before.
The time displayed on the alarm clock read 1:00 am, a stark reminder of the sleepless hours Klaus was spending grappling with these mysteries. A growing urgency pushed him to seek answers before these persistent dreams took a toll on his well-being.
However, Klaus recognized this was not a situation he could talk to just anybody about. He doubted "Hello, I'm unusually fast at night and dream about giant men" would go over well in a therapy session. So, he reverted to his tried-and-true method of clearing his mind.
After dressing and packing his graffiti bag along with his skateboard, Klaus had already arrived at a location he deemed suitable for his creative outlet. This particular building tucked away around a corner seemed devoid of any spectators, providing the seclusion he needed for his activities.
Street art had never been about seeking attention for Klaus; it was his method of mental release. Whether the area was bustling with people or deserted, his priority was to find solace from his haunting dreams. This outlet had been effective at dispelling the troubling visions, at least for a while.
Arriving at his chosen spot, he paused to catch his breath after the run before immersing himself in his work. As he progressed through his creation, the rhythmic sound of spray paint was suddenly disrupted by an unexpected voice from behind.
"You're him, aren't you? You're NightShade."