I had just dozed off when the ringing of my phone interrupted my sleep. Feeling extremely lazy, I stretched my hand to reach for the flat object and opened a message from Maudy."Open our swimming group chat, I just added you to it."Maudy's short message fully woke me up, and I began to sit up, checking other messages. There was a new group called "NYHS Swimmers," as Maudy had mentioned. Besides that, there were messages from Aunt Anna and Rex. First, I had to reply to Aunt Anna's message, then to Rex, before checking the announcement that Maudy had added to the group."This evening we will have our usual practice. Everyone should come without accepting any excuses for absence."Maudy's command message left me speechless. I had planned to spend the entire day in my room, but it seemed like everything would fail. I couldn't possibly miss the first meeting at my new club. I decided to clean myself up and have lunch as Aunt Anna had instructed in her message. Right now, I was alone at h
"Aren't you heading home?" His question startles me as I step out of the changing room. He's leaning against the doorway, looking at me with an unbelievably calm expression. When did he even get there, I wonder.I decide to continue walking, choosing to ignore his question. I really don't want to deal with a Grey who seems to be consistently present around me since I set foot in this school. In fact, even before that—remembering our unpleasant first encounter and his reputation as a troublemaker, it's no wonder people have nicknamed him "Grey," a name that seems to stick easily to someone with those stormy gray eyes of his. It's not just me who's coined that nickname, even Jeni refers to him as that. Especially within their circle, known for being the school's infamous mischief-makers. I don't want any part in their antics, especially not the one who leads them.I'm about to reach for my phone when suddenly Grey pulls me away, muffling my mouth so I can't protest. He guides me behind
We've just entered Gray's house when everyone inside looks at us with surprise. Miss Brenda, Mr. Lauv, and a few others I don't recognize are there. The curious stares from the five people make me uncomfortable. While I'm used to Gray's presence, I haven't interacted much with others, especially in this setting."Aurel, are you with Gray?" Miss Brenda asks, clearly intrigued by our unexpected presence together."Yeah, Miss. I mean, we accidentally ran into each other at school," I reply, still feeling uneasy under the scrutiny of the five pairs of eyes, three of which belong to unfamiliar students from my school."Is that so?" Miss Brenda glances towards Gray, who remains impassive."I was actually on my way home, but then I received a call from Rex. He told me not to come home for a while, as something is going on in our neighborhood," I explain, trying to provide a reasonable explanation without revealing too much."Ah, yes, Rex. I heard about it. That's a good reason to bring you h
I immediately descended the stairs to rejoin Brenda and the others; this was truly unexpected for me and the rest of them."Has Aurel rested?" Brenda asked as I approached."Yes, she's resting comfortably. I made sure of it. So, what happened?" I inquired, with Lauv moving closer."Something went wrong, which led the Ogres to come into the human dimension," Lauv explained, causing me to chuckle mockingly."What's wrong with those Hunters? Can't they handle protecting the Regnum?" I quipped, followed by laughter from Thunder and Simon."Did they manage to sort everything out?" I wasn't sure if the Hunters could easily recapture the escaped Ogres. I couldn't imagine what would have happened if I wasn't at the pool with Aurel; she would have been terrified seeing those rampaging monsters. I had sensed that something was amiss beforehand, which led me to search for Aura's whereabouts— that's all that crossed my mind."And unfortunately, all the Ogres have been dealt with. It seems they we
"What are you talking about?" That sentence immediately made Simon and me turn to face Brenda, who was now standing at the doorway."Nothing, just a few issues about women," Simon clarified, while I simply walked back into the house. I didn't need to bother explaining everything to my dear sister."Since when have you two gotten close?" Brenda's question halted my steps."With whom?" I responded casually."You and Aurel. Don't even think about playing around. You know very well how things are with Rex. I don't want my relationship with Rex to get even more complicated because of you," Brenda stated, causing me to smirk."Well, it's you who's messing up your relationship. It has nothing to do with me or Aurel. But don't worry, I'll try not to hurt her," I replied. As usual, my answer would always make Brenda look annoyed. She was too involved in my personal affairs, and I was starting to grow weary of her pseudo-concern. I was about to approach Thunder when a shout came from the room A
Currently, I am fixated on a woman who is fast asleep by my side. She even refuses to let go of the grip she has on the edge of the jacket I'm wearing, as if afraid I might leave her. Is the fear so strong that she's willing to be close to a man who made her uncomfortable just a little while ago? The same goes for what I'm feeling. Despite Aurel's prior request to stay away, I won't do it. I'll watch over her, be near her without her knowledge, beyond my plan to find out about our connection. I reach out, pulling her small waist closer. Outside, the rain pours heavily, accompanied by synchronized thunderbolts. My warm body temperature should make her comfortable, that's what I think. Her steady breaths drown out the noise outside. I was about to join Aurel in slumber, thinking I could rest for a while. But suddenly, something surges painfully within me. I open my eyes wide and sit up. I don't want to disturb Aurel's sleep, so I glance at her for a moment before moving away. I ente
"Are you okay?" The first question Aurel poses to me makes me look at her with a questioning expression. She hasn't moved from her spot; she remains at the doorway, hesitant to approach me. It seems I have to be the one to bridge the gap, so I start taking steps toward her."Are you okay?" The question comes again from Aurel, causing me to pause in my steps."Yes, I'm okay. Can't you see me standing right in front of you?" I reply, making Aurel blink a few times. She then lets out a relieved sigh. I don't know what she's feeling or what nightmare she's experienced, but right now, she's trying to appear composed while holding her chest."Are you okay, though? Did you have another bad experience?" I inquire, causing Aurel to shake her head."I'm just anxious," she answers, once again rendering me speechless. I'm not sure what's going on in her mind."What are you worried about? Haven't I already reassured you that everything will be fine?" I respond, but once again, Aurel shakes her hea
I haven't even had the chance to meet Miss Brenda when Rex continues to drag me out of Grey's house. I don't know why he's so furious, maybe it's just because I hugged a guy, I wonder. "Rex, you're hurting me," I say, but no matter how many times I repeat that sentence, he seems to be deaf to it. He keeps dragging me until we reach his car parked not far from Grey's house. He forcefully pushes me into the car and slams the door shut, causing me to close my eyes in pain. He doesn't ease up during the drive either; he's focused on the road ahead. No matter how much I try to talk to him and ask for an explanation, Rex is determined not to answer. Finally, we arrive at our house. I see Aunt Anna, busy with some papers in her hands, looking surprised as Rex slams the car door shut."Hey, what's going on here?" Aunt Anna asks, looking at Rex's angry expression. He doesn't even answer his own mother's question, just walks up the stairs to the second floor. Aunt Anna then turns her attention