Chapter 1
Morning sunlight seeped through the curtains of a tidy bedroom, painting golden streaks across the floor. A teenage boy lay asleep on his bed, completely unaware of the ticking clock on the wall.
Tick... Tick... Tick...
The room remained peaceful until the digital clock flipped to 6:00 AM.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
The alarm shattered the silence.
Oscar groaned and slammed his hand onto the alarm clock before sitting upright. He stretched his arms with a sleepy yawn before getting out of bed.
As part of his daily routine, he began exercising. Push-ups, squats, stretches, and finally, he attempted a planche.
"...Man," he muttered as he dropped back onto his feet. "I should've done my mobility exercises before trying the planche."
Sweat dripping from his forehead, Oscar grabbed a towel and headed for the bathroom. He turned on the shower, and warm water rushed from the showerhead.
Just as he was about to step in—
Ring! Ring!
Oscar frowned.
"Who could be calling me this early...? Damn."
The phone continued ringing.
Ring! Ring!
"Yo, chill, bro! I'm coming, jeez! Why would someone call while I'm about to shower?"
He picked up the phone, already annoyed. Xavier's face appeared on the screen.
"Seriously?" Oscar snapped. "You couldn't call a little later? I'm busy!"
"Oh, wow," Xavier laughed. "Looks like you're finally taking a bath after breaking your two-week record."
Oscar rolled his eyes.
"Bro, I shower three times a day. Stop talking nonsense."
"Yeah, sure."
Oscar sighed.
"So what's so important?"
"I was thinking," Xavier said, "remember that trip we planned? Let's do it today after school. It's Friday anyway."
Oscar combed his wet hair back.
"Today? Isn't that a little sudden? What about the others? They're not even prepared."
"I don't care."
Before Oscar could answer—
Click.
The call ended.
Oscar stared at his phone.
"...Haah. Xavier always tells people important things at the last second."
---
A few minutes later, Oscar finished getting ready. Wearing his neatly pressed school uniform beneath a black jacket, he slung his school bag over his shoulder and walked downstairs.
"Morning, Mom!"
His mother, Janice, jumped slightly before letting out a relieved laugh.
"Oh! It's only you. You came just in time for breakfast."
Oscar smiled apologetically while tightening the strap on his bag.
"Sorry, Mom. I can't eat today."
She blinked.
"Huh? Why not?"
"Xavier and I have something we need to do."
Janice looked disappointed but simply nodded.
"Alright. Just don't skip lunch too."
"I won't!"
Oscar waved goodbye before rushing out the door.
---
The bustling streets surrounding the school were already crowded with students.
Among them walked Levi, a dark-skinned teenager with brown braids. He waited patiently for the traffic light before crossing with the crowd.
Just as he reached the school gate—
"Yo, Levi! Wait up!"
Levi turned around.
Oscar came sprinting toward him, breathing heavily.
"Pant... pant... Couldn't you walk a little slower?"
Levi ignored him and continued walking.
Oscar awkwardly cleared his throat.
"Uh... did you hear what I said?"
Levi stopped and looked back with visible irritation.
"Yeah, I did."
"So...?"
"I said I heard you."
Nearby students glanced toward them after hearing Levi raise his voice.
Oscar looked surprised.
"What's gotten into you lately?"
Levi's expression softened slightly.
"...Nothing. I just want some time alone."
Without another word, he walked away.
Oscar watched him disappear into the crowd.
"I wonder what's bothering him..."
"Hmm. You noticed it too."
Oscar turned.
"Kevin? How long have you been standing there?"
"Long enough."
The two entered the school together.
"I know what's wrong with Levi," Kevin said calmly.
Oscar looked surprised.
"You do?"
Kevin nodded.
"It's because of the Shadow Grimmor."
"The what?"
"The Shadow Grimmor. Whoever started posting it online got into his head pretty fast."
Oscar scratched his head.
"Wow... I didn't even know Levi was reading it."
Kevin shrugged.
"I actually pay attention."
"So you're saying I don't?"
Kevin smirked.
"If that's what you want to call it."
Oscar sighed.
"...You're impossible."
As they continued talking, a girl happened to pass by.
For a brief second, she locked eyes with Oscar.
Both of them froze.
A faint blush crept across their faces.
"U-Um... hi," the girl said shyly.
"H-Hey," Oscar replied awkwardly. "How are you?"
"I'm good."
"I... uh..."
The silence became painfully awkward.
"I should get going."
Oscar nodded immediately.
"Yeah! Me too. Goodbye."
The girl smiled nervously before walking away.
Kevin stared at Oscar in disbelief.
"...That was painful to watch."
Oscar groaned.
"Don't."
"Dude, she was literally standing there waiting."
"I said don't."
Kevin sighed dramatically.
"I quit."
"Did I even hire you?"
Before Kevin could answer—
"Um... Oscar?"
The same girl returned.
Oscar blinked.
"Oh. Hey."
"There's something I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
"Just follow me."
Oscar frowned.
"Where?"
"You're full of questions."
He laughed awkwardly.
"...Fair enough."
---
Outside the school building, Chloe looked around to make sure no one was nearby.
Then she spoke quietly.
"There's a spaceship behind my backyard."
Oscar stared at her.
"...You're joking."
"I'm serious."
Oscar chuckled.
"I don't really have time for fantasies."
Chloe narrowed her eyes.
"I'm not lying."
Oscar quickly raised both hands.
"My bad! I joke around too much."
She sighed.
"Apology accepted."
Oscar smiled with relief.
"I thought you wouldn't forgive me."
"Meet me at the school gate after classes."
"Alright."
---
Thirty minutes after school ended...
Oscar stood outside the school gate, checking his phone for what felt like the hundredth time.
"Where is this girl?"
Finally, Chloe came running toward him.
Oscar folded his arms.
"There you are."
"Sorry! I had something to do."
"You made me wait thirty minutes."
"I never said what time I'd arrive."
Oscar sighed.
"...Whatever. Let's just go see this spaceship."
---
When they arrived at Chloe's house, she led him inside.
"Close the door."
Oscar shut it behind him.
She turned to face him seriously.
"Promise me you won't tell anyone."
Oscar frowned.
"Why?"
"Just promise."
"...Fine. I promise."
She nodded.
"Good."
She started walking.
After a few steps, she noticed Oscar hadn't moved.
"You coming?"
Oscar scratched his head.
"Why only me? My friends wouldn't go around posting this online."
"You promised."
"...Fine."
Taking a deep breath, Oscar followed Chloe deeper into the house, unaware that the decision he had just made would completely change his life forever.
Interesting 🤗🤭