-Scotland
-7:45 am
«Aether stepped out of the bus as he arrived at the school's gate. As the first rays of sunlight rose upon the school wall... it gave a strange feeling of warmth. He made his way into the class; just getting into the room was a challenge because of the crowd of students. Finally, he made it to his seat. After he settled down... looking up at the board was a habit he had grown used to. Seeing the remnants of the last lecture was a good way to revise.
Minutes later, a familiar face showed up in the class: Emily—the rich girl everyone knows, the exact opposite of Aether. He was a closed-off person whom everyone forgets as soon as he leaves the scene.»
Aether:
'glanced at his schedule'
"English, physics, and biology today..."
'His eyes flickered toward Emily for a second before dropping back to the timetable'
"Seems like I'm gonna deal with her all day..."
«Just as he snapped his notebook shut, a voice laced with sarcasm cut through the air from behind him.»
??:
"Dealing with who, Mister Silent"
« Aether turned slowly. Emily stood there, one hand cocked on her hip, a mocking smile playing on her lips. Beside her, Karen—Emily's ever-present shadow—scrolled absently on her phone, visibly bored. Karen's disinterest was palpable; she didn't even glance up, her eyes glued to the screen as if this confrontation was beneath her attention.
Aether released a slow sigh, his voice a flat monotone that dripped with exhaustion. He made no effort to mask his apathy.»
Aether: "you Emily"
«As soon as he said this, a spark of rage flashed in her eyes—but before she could retaliate, he cut her off.»
Aether:
"Before you outrage at me... I have a deal for you."
« At the word "deal", Emily's angry expression faltered slightly. She narrowed her eyes, voice dripping with disdain. »
Emily:
"Spit it out, loser!"
« The mention of a deal piqued Karen's attention. She finally looked up from her phone, a sly grin spreading across her lips. Leaning forward, she slid her head between Aether and Emily like a curious mediator, her hair cascading like a waterfall between them. Her teasing tone was laced with mock drama.»
Karen:
"Awwww! Is there a peace treaty being negotiated here?"
«Aether jolted at her sudden interruption—a jarring contrast to the thick tension between him and Emily. Regaining his composure, he gently pushed Karen's face aside, refocusing on Emily with unwavering intensity.»
Aether: "Hear me out. Neither of us is in the mood to fight today. Why not call a truce? Just temporarily."
«Emily paused, turning the proposal over in her mind. Against her instincts, it *did* sound logical. She clicked her tongue, crossing her arms in reluctant concession. »
Emily:"augh!! OK! Mister 'I am smart' I get it... whatever — let's go with your annoying idea but that's just temporary, don't even try to think that's making us friends or anything"
«Karen pouted, kicking the floor in disappointment. The drama she'd hoped for had fizzled out. With identical eye-rolls, both girls turned on their heels, leaving Aether alone—the fragile truce silently accepted.»
??: what a mess you were dealing with bro
«a familiar voice ring in Aether's ear with a hand found it's own place on his shoulder— he look beside him to see his friend Jimmy»
Aether:"jimmy? Were you watching us all this time?"
'Aether asked with raised eyebrow, on the other side jimmy was smirking at Aether mischievously '
Jimmy: "Yep i was! And belive or not ,This was the best comedy show i witnessed in month"
«Aether's lips curved up at Jimmy's comment because it actually felt like it was a show— Aether rolled is eyes with a fake annoyance»
Aether:"Ugh you are impossible, just how long you were watching!?"
Jimmy: "from the very beginning i think hahaha"
«Afterward...they returned to the daily routine of school with no more interruption of Emily as long that truce is on»
Couple of hours later...
«Aether and Jimmy bid farewell, each heading their separate ways. While Jimmy turned toward home, Aether made his habitual walk to the nearby library—two streets down from the school. The setting sun cast an orange glow across the wet pavement, its light glistening on rain-slicked sidewalks like scattered diamonds.»
«The rumble of passing cars faded behind him as he reached the library's oak doors. There, a familiar figure greeted him: Joel, the keeper, whose smile held the warmth of a father's embrace»
Joel: "what a pleasant view ,welcome Aether in time as usual"
«Joel said with a welcoming warm tone was nearly father's one»
«just the view of Joel made Aether smile cause Joel used to see Him coming everyday, it was just like a peacful routine»
Aether: "hey Joel, how was today's work?"
Joel: " as usual...another quiet day for me ,hope your day was good as much as mine."
Aether:"I am glad to hear that! Ok I'll take my usual spot...see ya"
«Aether walked through the library, heading to his favorite spot—the secluded table in the corner by the bookshelves, where the last fleeting rays of sunset settled on the wooden surface.»
Aether:"okay let's start our weird habit...hmm I have completed reading this book— now it's time to randomly select another one"
«He pulled a random book from the shelf, a peculiar habit he'd adopted after reading some advice long ago: "If you're too confused about what to pick—choose randomly.", But this time was different. The book's cover was completely blank—no title, no author, nothing. He ran his fingers along every edge, searching for any clue about its contents or creator, yet found nothing. With growing suspicion but undeniable curiosity, he decided to read it anyway.»
«As he opened the book, he muttered under his breath in confusion:»
Aether: "Who the hell writes an entire book without bothering to name it?"
«He flipped through the pages, his confusion mounting.
Page 1: blank.
Page 2: blank.
Page 3: blank.
Then, the fourth page.
His blood turned to ice.»
The page content:
Aether...
«His name. Carved into the void like a secret meant only for him. No author, no title—just this single, impossible word staring back. Coincidence? The thought evaporated like mist. Some doors, once opened, can't be shut»