Prologue
Florian POV
I wake up to the sound of banging on the apartment complex that my Mom and I live in. I'm pretty sure it's just gonna be some solicitors again. After all, they're the only people that comes to our door except for the apartment owner who keeps rushing us for our rent payment.
I'm going to the door, half dressed, when my mom stops me in the hallways. I'm confused, but then she points at the window, and it all starts to make sense.
I rush into my room and hastily pull on a light blue T-shirt, white sweats, and a cream flannel over everything. I then steadily walk towards the front door, and I open it as calmly as I could.
"Amery Earlheart, vice president of Serendipity High School," she introduces, holding up the infamous Serendpity insignia that symbolizes power and status, "As vice president, I'm here to hand deliver your school I.D as school starts next week. I'm pleased with your progress over the past 3 years, but senior year will be the most exhilarating. I'm stirred to see how everything will play out. See you at orientation, Mr. Orion."
She places the shiny, gold plated I.D in my hand before walking away from my apartment complex. The vice president does this every year to every student attending Serendipity.
It's been 3 years since I was accepted into Serendipity. That's still my proudest achievement to this day. Getting into a high school all about status through only brains? I think that's pretty impressive.
I wonder how this year's orientation will go. Every year, the students are divided into 5 classes within the grade. I don't really pay attention to these groups, but I heard that it's gonna be important during senior year.
If I remember, the classes are: Rain, Thunder, Storm, Typhoon, and Tempest. Rain being the lowest class, and Tempest being the highest. Each class has different benefits that increase in value as you climb up the ranks.
The smarter you are, the higher you are. I think over the past 3 years, I've been stuck at Typhoon. I don't know much about how this works; hopefully the headmaster will give me more information once orientation day comes.
All I know is that I need to reach class Tempest before graduation. Having that aspect on my diploma will be a key factor to getting into Eden's Garden University. They have the best English programs across all of the U.S, and if I want to be a successful poet, I have to get in.
"Hey Mom, I'm gonna go out! Gonna go finish up some summer homework the school assigned in the café downtown. I'll also pick up my uniform while I'm out! Call me if you need me," I say, running back to my room to collect my things.
"Just be careful, Flor," she responds from our small kitchen.
Everything is surprisingly already in my school messenger bag. Sometimes I forget how prepared I am when it comes to these academic things. I unzip the top, and begin looking through it while checking off my list on the wall.
• All subject notebook? Check.
• Writing utensils? Check.
• Textbooks? Check.
• School laptop? Check.
• Folders and binders? Check.
Looks like everything's is just about done. All I need to finish now is just the summer homework, and getting my school uniform from the dry cleaners. Hopefully their machines didn't tamper with the fabric too much. Buying a new uniform or repairing one is costly, so I'm wishing for the best.
I put on the school bag by resting the handles on my shoulder. I tidy up my room one more time before walking out to the front door. I pull on my blue high top Vans, and leave the house.
I shut the door behind me, and embrace the summer air in one breath. The sun is shining so valiantly; I think it's encouraging me to finish all my work by tonight!
I walk down the outdoor passageway that all apartments have, and eventually reach ground level after a few flights of stairs. It's nice living in New York City, the urban area gives me plenty of choices of where I could go to settle down and finish my work.
The time was 9 a.m, which means I have plenty of time to finish all my work up before orientation. I told Mom that I was going to the café downtown, but which café am I even talking about? There's a dozen of them on each block; maybe I should just go to the one I usually go to, The Loud Silence.
Apparently they named their establishment after how they hire employees and their boss. Everyone working there is really rowdy, but they all care about their customers. Very loud kitchen that contrasts their real silent seating area.
I wonder if Mav's gonna be there. She usually works on the weekends, and it just so happens to be Saturday. It's been a while since I've caught up with her, so it shouldn't be a idea for me to come say hi.
I tread down the sidewalk while embracing the last few days of summer. Summer will die out soon, and autumn will sprout in its place. Nature really is so soothing.
Suddenly someone bumps into me which causes a chain of events that ends with all my school supplies fluttering out of my backpack and onto the floor.
"Pardon me, I'll help you gather your things."
I look up to see a familiar face crouch down to my level. I've seen this person somewhere; I think it was someone from school? No, maybe someone from a rival school?
"Thanks," I respond, picking up the many papers that fell out of my folders and binders.
"I can't help but notice the Serendipity Insignia on your binder cover; are you a student there?" he says.
"Uh, yeah," I respond awkwardly.
"I'm Azalea Qivanna, a senior there. School starts next week, are you prepared?" he smiles, handing me my papers in a neat stack.
"Nice to meet you, Azalea. I'm Florian Orion, also a senior. I was just going downtown to finish up my summer studies, so I'm preparing right now," I chuckle, emphasizing my present tense.
"Ah, I see. Well, I'll maybe see you at orientation then. Have a nice study," he stands up and continues to walk in his original direction.
"Azalea huh," I whisper, repeating the name in my head.
The name feels familiar yet distant for some reason. He looks familiar too. I definitely know this person, but from where? Have we met before?
Regardless, I can't get sidetracked. I clip and place my papers back into where it was originally, and then zipped up my backpack. I must've forgotten to do so initially which ultimately ended with all my supplies getting spilled onto the floor like that.
The cafe began entering my field of vision as I jog towards it. There was a big ass advertisement embedded on the sign outside. I run up to the sign, and, disappointedly, it's just another new flavor of coffee they're trying to promote.
"Florian?! Come in! I haven't seen you in a while!"
That's Mav. I can recognize that extroverted voice anywhere.
"I'm coming, calm down. Get back behind the register, your boss is gonna yell at you," I say, shooing her away with my hands as she hugs me.
"You think I give a fuck about my boss? You clearly forgot who I am because I don't listen to nobody except for myself. Come in and let me pour you something cold to drink for this hot ass weather. On the house," Mav ushers me in, leading me to a table in corner that she knows I always enjoy.
I sit down as Mav hands me a menu despite the fact that she usually knows what I want. Probably just out of habit. Did they change their menu design? This is more refurbished than I remember.
"What can I get ya? Caramel coffee? Vanilla? Or maybe our new edition, amaretto?" she says while pulling out her little notepad for order taking.
"I'll try the amaretto. Less sugar though, I only want a hint of the flavoring," I respond, handing her back the menu she only just then placed down in front of me.
"Noted! Stay right there, I'll be back in just a mome—"
"Mav! Get behind the register already! You're a cashier, not a damn waiter, not a damn usher! How many times do I gotta tell you!" Mav's boss, Qove, berates from behind the counter.
"But it's Florian! You remember him don't you? He's that one guy I told you abo—"
"I could care less who the hell it is. It could be your parents and I still wouldn't give a damn. Take his order since it's so important apparently and then get back here! There's a line forming," he sighs, giving me a nasty side eye.
"Well! That's my cue to leave! See ya in a min' while I get one of the baristas to prioritize your drink," she giggles before running off behind her desk.
She leaves me alone finally, and my eyes begin wandering around the shop. They've renovated so much things since the last time I was here. The wooden tables and chairs looks a lot fresher, and not rotting like the old ones. The cashier counter is repainted too, with vibrant warm colors like the weather.
Posters littered the walls, plastered on every open space there is. Some of them were ads for other establishments, some were charities, and others were ads that was promoting some of the popular items the shop serves.
I reach into my messenger bag and pull out my computer where the little bit of homework I have left to do resides. Like everyone else in the café, my eyes begin to scour through my computer for my remaining work to be done.
When I raise my head from my computer to look around, I see Mav tippy-toeing near my tables with a cup of coffee in her hands.
"Alright, here you go. It took longer than I thought it would, apparently one of the coffee machines are down or whatever. Enjoy!" Mav smiles as she places the coffee down on my table, and once again, silently return to her place behind the counter.
The weak fan attached to the ceiling blows steam towards my face from the coffee. It smells of roasted almonds, and it's weirdly comforting in some way. Maybe it's the café atmosphere, the smell, the focused and happy faces of the customers, or maybe it's just me trying to create a sentimental moment out of something very casual.
My eyes return to my computer screen, and pull up the rest of my homework I have in my folders. The café ambiance and friendly persiflage slowly lulls me into my working mode. Coming to the café more often for studying might just be a good idea now.
"Thanks Mav, I'll be leaving now! I need to pick up my uniform from the dry cleaners before they close now. The coffee was great, let's catch up soon!" I wave goodbye while walking out of the café.
"Aw, leaving already? Alright, see you soon, Flor!" she yells from behind the counter, earning a scowl from Qove.
As I left, my phone rang in my pocket, "Hello?"
"Florian? It's getting a little dark out, are you coming home soon? I prepared dinner already," it was Mom on the other side of the phone.
"It's only 6:30, but I'll be home soon regardless! I just need to pick up my uniform and I'll be home, promise," I say, already walking towards the dry cleaners that was just a few streets down the café.
"Alright then, I'll allow it. Be hasty, your food will get cold," she mutters over the phone amicably before hanging up.
I pick up my pace and start running down the streets instead. The streets of New York City is always so crowded, and always so lively too. It's no wonder that people nicknamed the city as "The City That Doesn't Sleep" because it's unbelievably true.
LED lights plasters the sky, and hundreds of different advertisement papers fly through the air as the wind sends them airborne. Man, it must be real nice to be wealthy in this city. There's so many cool places I wish I could experience, but knowing Mom, that dream won't be coming true any time soon.
I don't mind being low-class regardless. It's almost like the wealthier you are, the more eyes that are on you. When nobody knows who you are, when you have no reputation, nobody's watching your every move. Whereas those who do have reputation always has someone watching them, waiting for them to trip up and catch it on camera.
It's unbelievable what some people will do to get rich in this city. Blackmail is everywhere, and anyone who looks nice could have a secret facade that preys on peoples pain. It's scary, really.
Luckily, there's no money on me for other people to blackmail me for. Everyone knows that picking on the low-class just makes you look desperate, so I get to happily carry on with my life with no malicious people bothering me.
Arriving at the dry cleaners, I realize that they were closing soon too. There was only one other guy in there. Definitely shouldn't have stayed at the café for so long, now everything is really falling apart.
"Wait! I need to pick something up," I burst through the doors, the works looking at me with a grimace.
"Hurry up kid, we're closin' soon," says the man behind the desk.
"Sorry, right. The name is under Florian Orion? For a school uniform?" I say.
"Ah, Florian, right," he pulls out my uniform, wrapped in plastic on a hanger, "That'll be 35$ for the whole set as it was an expensive material and was hard to clean properly."
"35$?! Uhm, okay—"
My hands dove into my pockets, and nothing. I pat myself down, checking for a wallet. There's no way I forgot my wallet right?! Oh my fucking god, Flor you idiot!
"Don't tell me you come in late, lookin' like a hobo, actin' like a hobo, and forgot yo damn wallet? Are ya a walkin' piece of—"
"There's no need for that language. I'll pay for him," a man's voice says from behind me.
"Really? Tch, sticking up for a homeless person is really gon' damage yo reputation. You done fo' if someone gets this shit on camera," the cashier laughs.
I turn around to thank this savior, and then I almost gasp as I realize that this is the same guy from the streets this morning! What's his face?
"Oh it's you, didn't expect to see you picking up your uniform too, I was here for the same reason," he says with a gleeful smile on his face.
"Thanks, uhm, Azalea was it? Sorry, I'm very bad with names. Thanks for helping me out," I bow my head, watching him pull out a 100$ bill.
"That should cover both our expenses, yes?" Azalea hands the bill over the desk, and the cashier rolls his eyes while getting the change.
"Don't mention it. We'll be classmates soon, I just want to have an amicable relationship with everyone," he smiles again, and leaves with his clothes.
"Oh, and you can take the change!" he yells.
I look back at the cashier, and he's giving me this pitiful look as if I've just ate food off the ground. I grumble before snatching the change out of his hands, and my uniform that laid on the desk. I'll pay the money back when I see Azalea again.
The night sky embraces me once again as I rushed out the dry cleaners. God, it's only now that I realize how suffocating the air inside that place is. The whole atmosphere is just so upsetting and negative, and the people within are even worse.
It's no surprise though, this is how we low-class people are treated. If it wasn't for Azalea, I probably would've been taken outside and "dealt with" for not bring any currency.
Speaking of Azalea, just who is he? I swear I've met him before; he feels so close yet so distant. Have I interacted with him when I was younger? Maybe I saw him on the news? He seems quite powerful in terms of reputation, so maybe I saw him on the news for something extraordinary.
His facial features resembles someone I know from elementary school, but it can't be him, as he died in a car crash. However, how can he look so alike? Additionally, they share the same exotic, feminine name, Azalea. He looks like he has Chinese heritage like him too. This is so freaky, and I hate it.
They share the same symmetric nose, those rosy and perky cheeks, perfect jawline, and that immaculately chiseled overall facial structure. That pure black colored hair with silver highlights, styled into a wolf cut. Most importantly, those ocean eyes, like pearls they glimmer in the night.
Regardless, why am I so interested anyway? He's just some random guy that I may know, and I'm acting as if I'll die if I don't end up recognizing him. Ugh, this is making my head hurt. I should just head home and rest my head. Mom's probably worrying now.
Mom's lecture lingers in my head as I enter my room. When I got home, I was lectured all about how I need to get home earlier than 8 next time. I didn't even realize how late it was when I actually got home, is 8 o'clock even that late?
Regardless, that's one more day closer to the beginning of my senior year. I have to try my hardest this time, and all those before's where I thought I did good, I have to do even better this time around. I will get into the EGU (Eden's Garden University) if it's the last thing I do.
I tidy up my room one last time before closing the lights. Making sure my backpack is where it usually is, my laptop is charging on the desk, my books are organized on my shelf, and the last picture of Dad and I standing together in one frame was hanging symmetrically on the wall in front of my bed.
It's been years since that incident that caused his early departure from Earth, but that's precisely why I need to make him proud as he's looking down at me from someplace above.
The lights flicker a few more times before it shuts down for the night. I feel my way through the darkness until I get back to my bed, and crash down on it with all my fatigue. I take a deep breath, and close my eyes. Sleeping this early isn't usually my routine, but after today, I need it.
Serendipity Highschool, Eden's Garden University, Dad and Mom, here I come.
Word count - 3199
