New school and a redheaded beauty

At Spring High

The schoolyard was bustling with life. The laughter and conversation of students pierced the silence. Nox felt his heart speed up. He lowered his gaze and buried his mechanical hand deeper in the pocket of his sweatshirt. New faces, new sounds and smells. Nox felt Kieran place his hand on his shoulder. The only thing that stopped him from turning around and running away.

"Don't worry, they don't bite." The boy had a wide grimace on his lips. "Okay, most don't bite."

Nox just looked at him, his grip tightening on his backpack strap.

His gaze swept over the passing students and their shadows. Nox paused for a moment. He felt the shadows of the students lengthen and stare at him with white, glowing eyes, grimacing with sharp teeth. They were judging him, sneering at him.

"No...No...please...Don't look at me...not again, not here..."

The boy had no idea if the shadows were really watching him or if it was just in his head. But he felt the air around him grow heavier, and every breath became a challenge. Only Kieran's voice broke him from his trance. A voice laced with worry.

"Hey, man, are you okay?"

Nox took a deep breath. His pupils dilated and then he nodded quickly. Nervously playing with the sleeve of his sweatshirt.

"I'm okay, just..." Nox fell silent and sighed, "Never mind."

Kieran looked at him suspiciously; Nox knew Kieran didn't believe him.

"See? They're judging you again, thinking you're a weirdo...an outcast."

"Hey, come on, you should meet someone." Kieran grabbed his hand and pulled him away before Nox had a chance to protest. Together they pushed through the crowd of students. Finally, Nox saw a girl with wild red hair standing before them. Her face was scattered with freckles, and her green eyes sparkled in the LED lights at the entrance to the building. She wore long black heels and a short skirt with a leather jacket. Silver earrings glinted in her ears. She looked almost as if she'd stepped out of a rock band.

Nox swallowed hard. He felt his heart skip a beat and a warm feeling spread in his stomach.

"That...That can't be her, can it? That person Kieran wants me to meet?"

"Hey Vienna!" Kieran raised his hand and waved at the girl. She smiled at him. Nox saw her walking toward them.

"So...that's her after all..."

"Hey Kieran and...?"

The girl looked at Nox, who felt sweat trickle down his forehead. "This is Nox, my new friend. Nox this is Vienna, my best friend."

Vienna smiled at him. Which only made the strange warmth in his stomach intensify. Vienna shook his hand with a wide smile.

"Nice to meet you, Nox."

"Uh...Nice to meet you too, Vienna." Nox felt Kieran's burning gaze on his back as he shook Vienna's hand. Somewhere in the distance, they heard the bell ring and crowds of students heading off to their classes.

"I knew you two will get along, and as for now a bunch of boring teachers are waiting."

Vienna narrowed her eyes and studied Kieran.

"And since when are you such a diligent student, Kieran?"

Kieran shrugged.

"I'm not, but I guess it's only fitting to get a new student to class on time, huh?" He turned to Nox and winked. Vienna just laughed and patted Nox on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Kieran can be... a pain in the ass sometimes."

"Hey! Hater! What you meant to say is, 'I think you're a good, supportive friend.' "

Nox smiled slightly despite everything.

"No, Kieran, she's kind of right, you're a bit of a pain in the ass."

"Hater!"

Kieran slapped Nox on the back of the head with a smile. Vienna giggled quietly. And in that single moment, Nox felt just like a normal teenager.

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