I winced so hard it was like I'd just seen a unicorn trying to tap dance as I locked eyes with this person who wasn't eating breakfast; he was having a full-on wrestling match with it. Food bits clung to his face like they'd mistaken him for Velcro. "Ashdjfu...," he tried to talk, but his mouth had gone on vacation.

Then, like a culinary superhero, Uncle swooped in with a smacking sound that would've made a pro wrestler proud. He gave both Saddie and Chris a tongue-lashing while also giving Chris some hearty back pats to save him from his breakfast-induced coughing spree. "Eat first!!!" he boomed, and Aunt just sighed like she'd seen it all.

So, it was the first day of our senior year at school, and somehow, I found myself stuck with these two food-speed demons. Chris was the reigning champ of the "I woke up late" Olympics, but Saddie, bless her heart, woke up early to join me in our secret underground gym, only to turn into the world's slowest eater. Sometimes, I thought we were witnessing a tragic waste of food.

I glanced around and realized I wasn't alone in my thoughts. Alpha, Uncle, Ryan, James, and Zack all had the same "Are we seriously doing this?" expressions. And then, like a cherry on top of this absurdity sundae, we all heard a dry heaving sound and watched Beta female Siren bolt for the bathroom. Saddie and Chris looked up, concerned, as if they had no clue their breakfast shenanigans were causing a breakfast crisis of epic proportions.

As we all exchanged amused glances, it was clear we were thinking the same thing: breakfast should never be this entertaining.

Luna bolted off like a caffeinated squirrel, ready to be Siren's breakfast-time savior. Meanwhile, Chris, looking like he just discovered that cows produce chocolate milk, asked, "Is she okay?" He then turned to us for confirmation, like a bewildered sheep seeking guidance from the more seasoned farm animals. In that surreal moment, words felt as out of place as a penguin at a beach party.

I checked my watch, rose from my chair, and theatrically announced, "Aunt, I'm about to embark on a heroic journey." Aunt, who had an uncanny ability to manifest food in times of crisis, rushed in with a heroic supply drop. "Hold on, you can't leave without your lunch!" she declared, casually placing it in my bag. She also bestowed upon me two massive containers that defied the laws of lunchbox physics.

James couldn't contain his laughter at the sight of these culinary monoliths. He turned to me, wearing an expression of genuine amusement, and quipped, "Lunch? The cafeteria is right there, serving food that's only mildly terrifying." His gaze ping-ponged between me and Aunt, who looked like she could win a cooking competition blindfolded. My uncle chimed in, "Our dear Aadaya here has allergies that rival a phonebook. But these two," he gestured toward Saddie and Chris, who were now locked in a battle of epic proportions at the sink, "seem to think she's their personal chef."

I made my grand exit from the house, with Zack and Ryan trailing behind me like backup dancers in a surreal comedy show. We exchanged farewells with all the finesse of actors in a poorly rehearsed play. As we congregated outside, Chris and I joined Saddie, who was gracefully maneuvering her Thar out of the garage like a chariot fit for a queen.

Ryan, seemingly joining our sitcom at this point, exclaimed, "Whoa, nice wheels! Must be raking in those big bucks, huh?" This was coming from a guy we'd only just met half an hour ago, but he seemed to be a decent fellow, polite and not quite a member of our inner circle.

Chris and I exchanged puzzled glances, torn between revealing our self-funded car ownership or blaming it on Saddie's family fortune. In a brilliant display of comedic timing, we chose the latter and delivered in perfect harmony, "Well, you see, not all of us have billionaire dads like Saddie." Saddie's face contorted into a delightful mixture of irritation and mischief, and we knew we were in for a day of banter and laughter.

Saddie dropped a bombshell that hit us like a surprise pie in the face: "Wanna join us, guys?" Ryan, in his undying quest for adventure, whooped and catapulted himself into the jeep from the opposite side. I begrudgingly found myself in the backseat, staring daggers at Saddie, whose invitation felt more like she'd volunteered us for a reality show we hadn't signed up for.

Chris and I, united by our mischievous spirits, decided to teach Saddie a lesson. We simultaneously pinched her so hard that her yelp could have broken glass. Zack and Ryan, however, exchanged puzzled glances, trying to decipher whether this was a new initiation ritual or just another day with our quirky crew.

Ever the diplomat, Zack leaned over from his securely fastened seatbelt and asked, "Saddie, you cool with this? We don't want to crash your party, literally." His commitment to avoiding awkward situations was borderline heroic. Saddie swiftly reassured him, "Oh, absolutely! We're locked and loaded for school shenanigans. Let's rev up and roll!" In response, we all whooped like we were auditioning for a road trip-themed reality show, and Saddie hit the gas with the enthusiasm of a getaway driver.

The car ride turned into an impromptu karaoke session, with everyone jamming out to the tunes. Well, everyone except Ryan, who was conducting a serious investigation into the many mysteries of the passenger seat's buttons and levers.

We eventually arrived at the school, and a wave of anxiety washed over me. Saddie, true to form, parked the car with the grace of a ballet dancer on roller skates while serenading us with her off-key rendition of "Oh Mickey, you so fine, you so fine you blow my mind!!!." The song blasted off with the seed of light from the car DJs. Chris, channeling his inner Hollywood star, donned a pair of sunglasses and executed an exit so dramatic that even the car was left starstruck. Zack and I exchanged a look that said, "Our friends have officially joined the circus," and even Ryan, embracing the spectacle, strutted off with exaggerated power-walk moves.

With a heavy sigh, I reluctantly abandoned the passenger seat, muttered a litany of colorful phrases for allowing myself to be roped into this carnival, and proceeded to park the car correctly. I joined my friends, who were waiting for me. My eyes darted around, but I made it a point to avoid making eye contact with Damien and his intense, laser-focused gaze. Talk about a first impression that was more unforgettable than a dancing elephant in a tutu!

My heart started doing the cha-cha in my chest with anticipation, and my casual steps transformed into a rather undignified jog. I approached my friends, and just when Chris decided to raise his hand and open his mouth, attempting to commandeer the spotlight like the drama-loving diva he secretly was—

Well, I couldn't let that happen, could I? My heart drummed even faster at the thought of being the center of attention, so I sprang into action. I zoomed toward Chris before he could launch into his grand performance, determined to salvage whatever remained of my dignity. I reached him just in the nick of time, vaulting over his shoulders, and, in a feat of sheer athleticism, wrapped my arm around his neck to prevent any verbal explosions.

Simultaneously, I grabbed Saddie by the ear like she was a misbehaving child. With both of them in tow, I bolted down the hallway, their protests and colorful curses forming an unintentional symphony of "Owwwww," "ow," and "ow...."

I dragged them through the school doors, hot-footing them in the opposite direction, away from the lockers, and into an empty hallway. I intended to hide and maintain a semblance of decorum, even though the odds of success were about as high as a penguin's chances in a dance-off against Beyoncé.

Unbeknownst to me, a pair of ocean-blue eyes watched the whole spectacle, filled with a mix of amusement and genuine affection. Damien stood there, taking in the uproarious scene with a hearty chuckle.

He glanced at his friends, who all wore smiles, and at Zack, who simply shook his head in disbelief. "So, those are your sister and her friends, huh?" Damien said, his smile growing wider as he relished the absurdity of it all. He felt a sense of joy from this colorful and lively addition to his life, even though he tried to attribute it to pity. Deep down, he knew that not everything could be blamed on mere pity.

Zack responded, "Yep, those three are a handful, but I wouldn't trade them for anything. Especially Aadaya. Oh, by the way, Mom told me to bring them to the principal's office and introduce her around. Guys, I've got to go. Bye." Zack began to saunter away, but Poppy, Gamma Fredric's mate, couldn't resist one last quip. "Bring her to meet us," she called out.

Zack turned around, flashed a thumbs-up, and signaled that he had heard their request loud and clear.

In the empty corridor, a scene that could rival a wrestling match in a clown convention unfolded. Three individuals, seemingly possessed by the spirits of bickering siblings, were in the midst of an epic showdown. At one point, the two girls simultaneously slapped the lone boy, as if to say, "You're outnumbered, buddy!"

Enter Zack, the unwitting hero of this comedy of errors, who stumbled upon this spectacle with the grace of a bull in a china shop. His eyes widened like a deer caught in headlights as he beheld the absurdity of the situation. He glanced around and realized that the hallway was slowly transforming into a theater, with an audience of passing students who couldn't help but slow down to watch the drama unfold.

For a fleeting, comically mortifying moment, Zack contemplated making a hasty exit, leaving his sister and her friends to fend for themselves in this circus of their own making. But then he remembered his mother's dire threats and reluctantly decided to step into the lion's den. He cleared his throat and mustered his sternest voice, scolding them, "Guys, knock it off! What on earth are you even fighting about?"

The trio, suddenly confronted by an authority figure they hadn't anticipated, froze in their tracks. They exchanged bewildered glances, pointing fingers and casting blame in every direction as if the fighting had been someone else's idea.

Zack sighed deeply, mentally preparing himself for the rollercoaster of chaos that his sister and her friends had become experts at creating. He knew he loved them, but sometimes they took the phrase "life of the party" a bit too literally. To them, life was a canvas, and they held the entire rainbow palette. Unfortunately, that often meant leaving someone responsible to clean up the mess—Zack, in this case.

With determination, Zack took charge, urging them, "Alright, you're going to be late for class. Let's head to the principal's office. Come on." He began leading the way in the opposite direction, ready to wrangle this colorful trio.

After navigating a few twists and turns, Zack had a chance to examine all their paperwork. His eyes nearly popped out of his head when he realized they had all chosen advanced math and senior-level subjects. He couldn't help but voice his amazement, "You guys went for advanced math and all the senior subjects? Seriously? You could have taken the easy road, like me. I'm not touching these, and I'm in my third senior year."

What surprised him even more was their response. As they finally reached the principal's office, the assistant gave them a curious look. Saddie stepped in to explain, "New admission." The assistant replied in a tone that had probably been rehearsed a thousand times, "Please wait a moment."

Meanwhile, Aadaya filled Zack in, "We've already graduated and were homeschooled. I'm here to avoid drawing more attention." Zack's eyebrows shot up to his hairline as he replied, "Well, you've certainly achieved that goal, especially when you arrived with Mom. But why the advanced subjects? You could have taken the easy way out. Even I'm dodging these subjects, and I'm in my third senior year."

On the other side of the door, the assistant wrapped up her phone call with the principal and signaled for them to enter the office. The trio sauntered toward the principal's domain, leaving Zack behind since he wasn't part of the new admissions. Aadaya flashed Zack a sweet smile, and Chris snatched the papers from his hands, passing them along as they entered the office. Chris couldn't resist adding with a smug grin, "Not our problem; someone here is running on empty brain cells." They slammed the door shut, leaving Zack utterly speechless and even more bewildered than before.

**************************************************************************

As Aadaya sat down to have lunch with her dynamic duo of troublemakers, she couldn't shake the feeling that all eyes were trained on her. She could practically feel the collective gaze of everyone in the cafeteria, whispering and gossiping about the morning spectacle. Her cheeks flushed pink as if they had developed a mind of their own, despite her warm complexion. The desire to throttle her two companions simmered within her, especially when she noticed that Chris and Saddie were reveling in the attention. To make matters worse, her well-intentioned aunt had already called the school in advance, ensuring that every teacher knew their names and that they would be bombarded with endless inquiries throughout the day.

Just when Aadaya thought she couldn't take it anymore, Zack made a timely appearance during lunch. He urgently beckoned to her, "Hey, Aadaya, Saddie, Chrissy, come on, let me introduce you guys to my friends. Come on, come up." Aadaya reluctantly got up, her face contorted in a less-than-enthusiastic expression, and Zack practically dragged her along. He positioned her in front of a group of guys and girls.

"Guys, this is my little sis, Saddie, and that's our Chrissy," Zack introduced them first, prompting them to wave to his friends. Aadaya attempted to hide behind Zack's broad frame, but he pulled her forward, insisting that she face the group. She looked up, feeling somewhat shell-shocked and unable to move. Amid her dazed state, she found herself locked in the gaze of not one but two pairs of strikingly similar ocean-blue eyes. A soft smile graced the lips of the young man who owned those captivating eyes.

Zack proceeded to introduce his friends, but the words washed over Aadaya's head as she stared at this enigmatic stranger. All the feelings she had tried to suppress burst forth, leaving her utterly speechless. Her mind couldn't help but absorb every detail of his incredibly beautiful features, etching them into her memory. She was overwhelmed by the flood of emotions that his mere presence brought to the surface. For the first time, she felt as if she was being looked at not for her past or her scars, but simply for who she was—an unfamiliar and exhilarating experience.

Amidst the whirlwind of emotions, a stark reality cast its shadow over Aadaya's heart. It was a truth that couldn't be denied: she longed to sit beside him, touch his hand, gaze into his eyes, and hold his hand while he looked at her for who she was—a person solely made for her but forever out of reach. This longing took root like spikes in the flower of her unrequited affection for him.

Sensing her turmoil, Saddie pulled her behind, attempting to provide some cover. Zack's friends waved at them, and Poppy chimed in, "If you ever need help with your studies or anything, just come to us, okay?" She smiled warmly, extending a friendly offer.

But Zack couldn't resist a bit of teasing, cutting in with a laugh, "Oh, they don't need your help. They've taken Advanced Maths. In fact, you'll be taking tuition from them starting next week." His words sparked laughter from everyone, and Poppy playfully swatted at him.

Just as the lunch bell rang, signaling the end of their brief encounter, Saddie stepped back and chimed in, "Oh no, we're just math lovers. We'll definitely ask for your help when needed. Right now, though, we have classes, so we've got to run. Nice meeting you all." With that, she swiftly dragged the somewhat frozen Aadaya away from the group.

The three friends rushed to an empty classroom as Saddie continued to pull her companions along. They asked Aadaya if she was okay, and although she replied with a faint "yes," her face told a different story. Years of friendship had finely tuned their understanding, and they could see her silent suffering. Anger toward themselves welled up; they felt utterly useless in the face of her pain. Shame gnawed at their hearts, but they knew that sometimes, all they could do was be there for her. The day passed with Saddie and Chris gingerly treading around Aadaya, trying to offer support in their own way.

As the school day came to an uneventful close and they exited through the school doors, Saddie couldn't contain herself any longer. She turned to Aadaya and asked, "Are you really okay?" Chris tried to signal her to back off, but Saddie was having none of it. Aadaya let out a deep sigh and replied, "I will be. I just need some time."

Exhaling as if she were weary of the burdens life had placed upon her, Aadaya cast a longing glance toward the treeline. She then announced to her friends, "I'm going for a run. My inner wolf needs to stretch its legs. Please let Aunt know." Without looking back, she strode off toward the distance, leaving Saddie and Chris behind.

As Aadaya disappeared into the distance, her silhouette fading against the last rays of sun, Saddie and Chris exchanged worried glances. They knew that their friend was facing battles far beyond their understanding, and all they could do was stand by her side, waiting for the storm within her to subside. The weight of her unspoken pain hung heavily in the air, but they vowed to be there for her, no matter how long it took for the sun to break through the clouds of her troubled heart.

As Aadaya vanished into the distance, her footsteps echoing her silent struggle, Saddie and Chris watched, hearts heavy with concern, knowing that their friend was wrestling with demons only time and resilience could conquer...

...to be continued

Please Vote & Comment...