|JOURNEY STARTS TODAY|

❝You're the missing piece to the jigsaw puzzle of my life.❞

The assembly hall was still the same as what Julian had remembered. The polished wooden floor gleamed with the daylight coming from the tall, spacious windows. The wooden floor was polished, with it gleaming spotlessly with bright light.

The luscious red seats were half-filled with numerous students, chattering as they waited for the principal to arrive and make a speech regarding the start of the senior year. It was a ritual to make an opening speech to the senior year students each year.

The light blue paint of the wall always reminded Ju of his room back at his home. It was now pale as floodlights were lined up at equal distances from each other. The wooden stage in front of the hall had a microphone with lavish purple curtains on the sides.

"Alright, Julian?" Asked Alex who stood right next to him, his eyes scanning the hall for empty seats to settle on.

"Yes."

That was Julian's standard reply to Alex's query. Ever since they had met back in their freshman year, Alex has always proved to be reliable and trustworthy. There was a bond of unsaid understanding between them; a strong bond of understanding and trust.

"Well, what can even happen to my brother? He is always in a petty mood. No wonder why you'd always have an impression that he'll pick up a fight with anyone." Daniel Hayden had turned around from his seat, grinning crookedly at them, especially Julian.

His chocolate brown hair was slicked back, with her pearl white teeth gleaming from the lights of the hall. His light green eyes scanned his twin brother's appearance, showing no sign of care for him. The girls surrounding him grinned animatedly, supposedly amazed by Daniel's 'amazing' humour.

At a glance, it'd be hard to relate the Hayden twins with each other. It was a lesser-known fact that the two brothers were very close to each other before they chose to act differently after their freshman year. Daniel was outgoing and outspoken while Julian preferred to keep to himself rather than be in midst of chaos.

Daniel would find it easy to flirt with girls and smooth talk to them, thoroughly impressing them with his smile and soon, with his words. Julian, on the other hand, would leave an impression of the 'cliche bad boy', rumours of him having tattoos or getting drunk in house parties weren't uncommon.

"They are brothers, " Julian heard Miley explaining not-so-subtly to Cecelia, who stood right behind them, making them whip their heads around as Daniel had busied himself with the girls sitting around him.

"They don't look or act like brothers at all, " Cecelia winced slightly as she felt Ju's gaze on her, tugging Miley's sleeve lightly.

"He shows off his looks while this gentleman hides it, though they both look like they similar to their father," said Ethan, who stood behind Miley with Sam and Fred.

Julian sighed with reluctance, feeling exhausted even before the day had started. Maybe it was the start of his day with a meet with Jeremy or maybe it was the mention of his father, he wasn't sure. Julian never went well with his father. It was a dwindling relationship, sewed only by his mother's affection.

"That is the reason you look so handsome, Julian," his face scrunched up with mild disgust as he turned towards the source of the voice, a voice he knew too well.

Amanda Sterling was one of the most beautiful and prominent girls in the school. She was gorgeous with flowy golden hair and big baby blue eyes.

"You get your fascinating charm from your father. Appreciate it, sugar boo," she ignored the disgusting look Alex shot at her while her blue eyes fixated on her childhood love, Julian Hayden.

"But he never seems to appreciate it, whatsoever," Alex muttered under his breath, loudly enough for just his best friend to listen to.

"So what do you think about him, Lia?" Amanda had averted her gaze from Julian to Cecelia, who had been doing a feeble attempt of hiding from her prying eyes.

"You should sneak into my calls less, Amanda," Cecelia breathed in reply, shaking her head in mild amusement as she rubbed one of her arms with the other.

"That name is kinda sweet," whispered Molly Tunes, who was magically beside Martin, lowkey able to scare the shit out of me.

Molly had this really weird ability to appear anywhere she wished as she aired itself. Her fiercely red hair was tied in a loose ponytail, strands of her hair covering her round face, making her pale blue eyes prominent which were hidden behind her thin-rimmed spectacles.

"Students, get ready. Principal Foster is on his way. This is Camine Bustier, the vice-principal of our prestigious school," started a shrill voice from the front of the stage where stood, Mrs Bustier. Her hair, which was now almost white, was tied in a tight bun while her white shirt was crisply tucked into her navy blue pencil skirt.

And Julian knew too well that it was his cue to not listen to it anymore.

Each year they would call the senior year students, explaining how important their senior year would be and how they are supposed to give their, along with being more responsible towards the prospect of life.

Julian, who sat completely disinterested, sat the last chair, tucked wireless earpods into his ears and zoned out of the world into a world of his own as he leaned into the chair, his hands rested on its sides.

The principal soon joined them and started summoning them all with swift hand movements. But, Julian found 'Drag Me Down' way more interesting than the whole assembly itself as he would bob his head lightly at its beats, matching the rhythm of it.

After a while, Fred shook him by his shoulder, breaking his daze and he quickly tucked his pods back into his pockets and yawned, standing up straight and watching as everyone else in the hall motioned to leave for the classes.

"Excited?"

Asked Fred as he patted Julian's shoulder though he knew too well that he hadn't paid an ounce of attention to what the principal had said moments ago.

"Yes, my enthusiasm is extraordinarily high for this year."

Sarcasm was laced in his voice while Fred raised his hands in defence with brows raised, mildly amused. "Keep that sarcastic tone away from me."

Julian gave his best fake smile in return and started to walk away. There's no point in waiting here anymore, he thought.

"Hey, Hayden can you help Cecelia with her classes? She is in chemistry right now and I've to run right now, " Miley hurriedly asked him without pausing as Julian abruptly turned around to see Lia shooting him a meek expression, pleading silently.

To him, she seemed nice and gentle, despite their disastrous first encounter. He really couldn't see a reason as to why he shouldn't help out his new bandmate.

"Sure, this way," he smiled back, rubbing the back of his neck with his palm, which had suddenly felt sweaty. He felt uneasy for a moment before reality kicked him and he turned towards the exit, just to be interrupted yet again.

"Who knew you could smile, Ju," came to his twin Daniel, viciously smiling at him. while the girls around him giggled as if it was presumably amazing.

This guy.

"Who knows if you have any other job to take care of instead of getting on his nerves."

For a split second, Julian thought it to be Alex's voice but it was different. It was strangely feminine.

That was Cecelia.

Daniel stood dumbfounded with his mouth agape, his face morphed into an expression of which dread for he was being talked back by a girl, for the first time in the four years of high school. It was an expression which Julian would use as wallpaper forever for it'd immensely annoy his brother.

Snap!

To make his wish come true, Sam had clicked a picture of Daniel, which broke him from his stance. He winked back at Julian and he knew what he meant when Same eyed Dan and then pointed to his phone.

I'll send you the picture.

Dan immediately shook his head like a lost puppy. "Wha-who do you think you are," he shouted, rather loudly, making heads around him turn towards the ongoing commotion.

"Supposedly, your ego's in charge." She turned away from Daniel and pulled Julian's sleeve, indicating for them to leave.

He motioned out of the hall toward the building with Cecelia on his tail. They sprinted towards the building where the classes would take place and soon got surrounded by a swarm of students, who made their way past them towards their respective classes.

"Thanks for that. That wasn't nessecery but was memorable," Julian started, with a slight smile as he got a notification of Sam sending him his twin's picture.

I have got new wallpaper, he gleefully thought, imagining the dread on Dan's face once he would know about his exclusive wallpaper.

"It was irritating. He was so obsessed with rubbing off that he is cool which he certainly isn't. He needs someone to keep him grounded," she shrugged on return and grinned lightly, pulling the straps of her bag as they walked past another set of loud juniors.

"What's with you being so generous to help?" He asked Cecelia for it felt odd. Odd as she must be aware of the 'problem' between Julian and Jeremy and yet be ready to help him out.

"Seems like it keeps me grounded," She smiled warmly, looking up at him with her ocean blue eyes, happiness evident in them.

"How was the previous school?" He asked her again, curious about her. It was short but he had noticed a sudden change in her demeanour. He was sure that he had assumed that she looked dejected and exhausted but for she had quickly masked her emotions well, masking her sadness perfectly.

"So what's with you any questions?" She questioned back, staring back at him, as she stopped midway to turn and look at him directly.

But her eyes were what captivated Julian the most. They reminded him of the deep ocean from which you cannot come out despite how hard you try. Some soothing feeling associated with it and some sadness lingering around; that was what it was. The serenity and silence of the ocean before the storms rage.

"Move, you two. We don't have much time for you two to have a staring contest in the middle of the hallway early in the morning, " Alex, who had appeared right beside them, retorted. He walked past us without even a glance at them looking back at us.

Cecelia patted him lightly on his shoulder as she smiled lightly, indicating him to lead her to the classroom and he shyly walked forward, his mind clouded with the nauseous feeling of knowing her but he couldn't put a finger as to where.

"Sorry, come on."

"It's fine," she stated, as she started following him, a known gleam on her face as she smiled a bit bigger than she doing earlier. Despite all, Julian couldn't figure out the unsettled feeling in his chest.

What is wrong with me?

Hey! So yea, I have a messed up schedule (IDK what's new in that) yet again, but I'm clearing it now as I've FINALLY settled.

I have a proper college with proper classes from today and I'm freaking out but I'm busy procrastinating.

Also, I'm in a hostel and my roomies are chilled too. I'm sure they think of me as a decent and gentle human. Wait until they know my true colours--

Life aside, do let me know how this chapter is if you're still reading it (trust me, I'm grateful if you do so) and let me know your opinions!

Ciao,
Sasha.

P. S.- ILY always forever