Chapter 2: Those Eyes
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"Some people dream of fame. I dream of drowning."
— Amelia
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Amelia struggled to stay awake in class. Her eyes kept drifting shut as the teacher droned on, the words blurring into background noise. Beside her, her childhood best friend Martin noticed and gave her a quick nudge under the desk.
The bell rang minutes later, and the class emptied out. In the bustling hallway, Amelia walked with her two best friends, Sarah and Martin.
Sarah:
"Long night, huh?"
Amelia:
"Yeah... I got home after dinner and kept waking up. Nightmares again."
Martin:
"Same dream? The one with the water, the strangers..."
Amelia:
"...the eyes, the woman...yeah. But this time… she smiled at me. Just a little."
Sarah:
"Ouuu, maybe she's starting to like you. If y'all become besties, maybe she'll finally tell you why she's haunting you." She giggles.
Just then, Chad—their schoolmate walked by.
Chad:
"H-Hi Sarah, ho-how are ya?"
He gave a quick, nervous wave as he passed, trying to keep cool.
Sarah:
"Oh hey Chad... I-I'm alright, not left at all, hehe... Just alright, not a-left—"
Before she could bury herself any deeper, Amelia swiftly covered her mouth.
Amelia:
"She's fine, Chad."
Chad gave a shaky smile, nodded, and disappeared into the crowd of students.
Martin:
laughs "Oh Sarah, you turn into a broken record when you're around Chad!"
Sarah:
"I know, I know... stupid, stupid, stupid."
She lightly hit her forehead with her palm.
Amelia:
"Don't beat yourself up, Sarah. Chad likes you too."
Sarah:
"You really think so?" Sarah asked, hopeful.
Martin:
"Bro was sweating like he was in a frying pan—of course he likes you!"
They all laughed as they reached their lockers perfectly side by side, the sound of chatter and movement around them growing louder.
They kept their books before heading towards the gym for the assembly.
The whole school had gathered. As the principal began her speech, a strange buzz of excitement filled the gym. Sarah fidgeted like she was about to burst.
Martin:
leans over to Amelia "What's going on with Sarah?"
Amelia:
confused "I have no idea."
Sarah:
"Oh my God, guys, I'm so excited!"
Martin & Amelia (in sync):
"Why?"
Sarah:
gasps "You mean you didn't hear? Luca Vandoren is coming to our school today!"
Amelia:
"That rich guy?"
Sarah:
offended "Excuse me? He's not just a rich guy. He's an influencer and a hot model! He graduated from here four years ago. Hottest guy in school during his time. Basketball and swimming champ. Straight-A student—but still the coolest guy around. Total legend!"
Amelia:
"Ohhh… he's that guy I see all over the yearbooks."
Martin:
"Yeah. His picture's up in the principal's office too… like a shrine."
Sarah:
"Exactly! And now he's here to give a speech on how we can make money—just using our phones."
That caught Amelia's attention like a slap.
Amelia:
"Wait. Did you say... make money... with just our phones?"
Sarah:
"You heard me, Lia."
Amelia:
You mean, no more late-night shifts at Mike's just to make a few bucks?"
Martin:
"These online money-making schemes rarely—"
Principal (over speakers):
"Now... let's welcome our former student, influencer and model... Luca Vandoren!"
The gym doors burst open.
All heads turned.
The first thing they saw: high-class loafers gliding across the gym floor. Then, flanked by two massive bodyguards, Luca Vandoren entered.
The gym erupted. Students screamed, cheered, even stood on benches. The basketball team whooped. Girls practically melted.
Luca smiled, shook hands with teachers, hugged the janitor, saluted the basketball coach, and charmed the female staff until they wouldn't let go. Finally, he met the principal at center court and took the mic.
The teachers barely calmed the crowd.
Amelia and Martin just sat and stared while Sarah screamed like a fan at a concert.
Amelia (softly):
"That guy…"
Tall, lean, undeniably attractive—Luca had deep black hair that shimmered midnight-blue in the light. He wore sunglasses, a deep-blue suit with no tie, and a magnetic smile.
The gym fell completely silent when he cleared his throat.
Then came the moment.
He slowly removed his sunglasses.
Gasps swept through the room.
His eyes—those eyes—weren't just blue. They were ocean blue. Diamond-bright, cut with a thousand invisible facets. They shimmered like ice under glass, alive with light, depth, and something… more.
They didn't look human.
They looked divine.
Amelia froze and her breath caught in her mouth.
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she stood up.
Squinting. Like she was trying to confirm the impossible.
Amelia (whispers):
"Those eyes…"
It was him. The people in her dream. The underwater gaze. The mystery. All connected to those eyes.
What does Luca Vandoren have to do with the dreams that haunt Amelia?
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To be continued...
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Chapter 3 Preview:
Amelia is determined to uncover why Luca's eyes keep appearing in her dreams—but before she can get any answers, something even more unexpected happens between her and Luca. What secret connects them? Find out in the next chapter: There's Something About Him.