Looking at the sky... It's such a beautiful blue day. Do you know the sky isn't only blue? There are so many amazing colors in the sky. You can even see fireworks up there sometimes, lighting up the darkness with brilliant colors.

"So what?" my mother said dismissively.

"Ahhh, leave it." I shut the door with a sigh. How can I explain that I'm interested in pursuing a career related to sports?

I want to be an athlete! But I know my father won't allow it because "it's not a real career."

Every father thinks about our future and wants us to take the easier path. Some fathers are different, I guess.

My father is more of a strict "discipline person" who believes in structure and hard work

The funny thing is, I'm not disciplined at all. Hahaha, yeah, I'm just pretending. You know, if you reveal your true self, no one will accept you. I mean, who would accept someone who's lazy, doesn't care about their health, deals with depression, gets distracted easily, and all that stuff?

"Oh nooo... Father is coming!!"

Time to rush back to the study table. Yeah, my father likes seeing his daughter working instead of lying on the bed!

For real! Lying on the bed is like being the enemy during the day.

"Lyraaaa! Come and help me!" my mother called.

"Yes, Mama!"

After eating dinner, it was time to sleep.

Oh yeah, the bed... don't worry, the bed isn't the enemy at night.

Sleeping...

"Hey hey, wake up!! You're late!! Time to go!"

"Huh??" I looked at the digital clock. "Oh nooo... I'M LATE?!! ARGH! Why didn't my alarm go off?"

Got to get to school fast! I threw on my school uniform and got ready quickly as possible.

"Here, eat some food!" my mother said, holding out a plate.

"No no, Mama, I can't... I'm just drinking water. Bye, I have to go!"

I rushed to catch a taxi and made it to school.

Oh yeah, I forgot to introduce myself. Hi, I'm Lyra. I'm in High School and I have no idea what I want to do in the future.

When I reached school, I was relieved. "Phew, the teacher isn't here yet, right?"

"Yeah, you're lucky," said Hari.

"Hehe, yeah..."

The teacher walked in. "Good morning, students!"

"Goooood morrrning, ma'am!"

"Students, sit down. Look, we have a transfer student here," the teacher announced.

"Woahhh, ohhh!" The class buzzed with excitement as the new student walked in and smiled at everyone.

"His name is Kaelith, and you can sit there," the teacher said, pointing to an empty desk. "I hope you'll all make him feel welcome and help each other."

"Hello, my name is Kaelith. Pleasure to meet you all!"

"Oooooooh!!"

Everyone's eyes followed Kaelith as if he were some kind of celebrity. His smile wasn't too wide. It was the kind of smile that felt a little forced, maybe nervous.

"Damn, he is cute! But where is he from?" Hari asked.

"Ah... I can't tell you because he's not from our country."

"What?! Then it's useless! Why are you talking to him if he's so far away?" Hari said, frustrated.

"What can I do? I only seem to make friends from other countries. And yeah, it's not like a dating app or anything... they're just my friends."

"Okay, okay, fine," Hari said with a shrug.

Classes started, and before we knew it, it was break time.

"Yo yo, Kaelith! How are you?" Draven called out enthusiastically.

"I'm good, just confused about some things," Kaelith replied.

"Don't worry, man! We're here for you! " Draven said.

"Thanks... uh, what's your name?" Kaelith asked.

"Oh sorry, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Draven, and these are Zeryn, Fynric, and Thalen ."

"Hi! Draven's friends greeted Kaelith.

Kaelith said hi back, and they all headed to the canteen together.

"Oh no," Hari groaned.

"What happened?"

"Draven got him to join their group. I hate him! Why did Kaelith have to go with him? Argh!" Hari said, clearly annoyed.

"What's wrong with Draven? He seems like a great guy."

Hari sighed and patted my shoulder. "Lyra, you have no idea how boys can be."

"What?? What do you mean? Tell me, what did he do wrong?"

"Draven seems like a good guy, but..." she whispered in my ear, "I heard that he works with criminals."

"WHAAAAT?!!"

"Shh, shh! Don't tell anyone!" Hari said urgently.

"Hahaha, you might have heard wrong! Who at our age works with criminals?"

"Sigh, why are you living under a rock? It's true! I heard it from the teachers!" Hari insisted.

"From teachers?? Then why do they allow him to attend our school?!"

"Because his father is rich," Hari explained.

"Oh, I see..."

Ring ring ring!

"Wake up, wake up!! Lyraaaa!" my mother's voice called.

"Huh??? What???" I was confused.

"Lyra, get ready! The bus is waiting!" my mother said.

"???!"

I was completely confused but still got dressed and headed to the bus.

Sitting on the bus, I thought to myself, Did I already go to school today? Ahhh, that was a dream?! Ugh, no wonder dreams never come true.

When I reached school, I ran to Hari.

"Hey, Hari!!"

"Oh, hi Lyra," she said casually.

"Hari! Do you know anything about Draven? Is his father rich?"

"Huh? No, but why are you asking?" Hari looked puzzled.

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, of course! If he were rich, I'd definitely try to be his friend!" Hari laughed.

"Lol Then why did we become friends?"

"That's because you're dumb! " Hari teased.

"Duh... "

"So... do you like Draven? " Hari asked with a knowing smile.

Whaa?? HELLL NOO WAYY?! WHY THE HECK WOULD YOU THINK THAT?! I almost fell off my chair.

"Oh come on! He's handsome, smart and he has good grades" Hari said, raising an eyebrow.

"okay okay first of all, I don't even find himself handsome." I pulled out my phone and showed her a picture.

Hari leaned in, then squinted. "Duhhhh... There's no face here... it's just an abs pic," she said, cringing inside.