The first week was over; it was the first day of the weekend. Saturday. The majority of students went out and enjoyed what the campus had to offer. Students could leave the campus if they wanted to, but it was a hassle if they did; they had everything they needed on campus. A place for food, clothes and entertainment, it was all here. Why would they leave? Some students stayed in their dorms, revising the content they covered this week, making sure they stayed caught up. Fine margins could mean finishing number one; students wanted to use their time effectively.

"You're going out?" Called a voice from the kitchen.

"Yeah, I just need some fresh air".

The boy left the dorm and walked out. He walked through the mall, watching everything going on around him, deep in thought. He arrived at his destination and sat on a chair outside the place. He sat down, leaned back in the chair, and took in the scenery. The day was beautiful. It was warm, nothing like autumn. It was like summer had never left. He heard voices around him and saw large groups with happy faces. Everyone was happy, it seemed. To keep himself occupied, he pulled out his phone and checked for any emails he might've missed.

"What're you doing outside a coffee shop alone?" a voice called, approaching him. A tall boy with glasses was approaching him.

He didn't say anything and just stared at him. The guy was standing in front of him. A welcoming face with an unsettling vibe.

"I'm Ryan", he said, offering his hand.

"I'm Adam", he replied, shaking it.

"You don't mind if I sit here?" Ryan said, pulling out a chair opposite Adam.

"I don't mind".

Ryan pulled out the chair and sat down. "Why are you here alone?" Ryan asked.

Adam put his phone in his pocket, "I like sitting here", he replied bluntly.

Ryan smiled differently this time. "Why are the guys in different classes always treating me differently?" he rhetorically asked himself.

Adam just kept staring at him.

"I get it, you're not stupid", Ryan continued.

"Why are you here alone? Adam asked.

Ryan was surprised he was asking a question instead of responding to one.

"When I saw you talking to Malakai yesterday, you had two girls with you" Adam attacked him directly; he didn't want any small talk. "Whenever I see you, someone's following you. Why don't you have someone following you today?".

Ryan pushed up his glasses and sat up straight, "It's because I respect you. More than Malakai. Malakai also had people with him, I'm not going to talk to him alone, am I?" Ryan replied.

"He's always got people around him. Surely, you could pull him to one side and talk. He's not that intimidating", Adam replied with a straight face.

Ryan scoffed, "No. I don't respect him that much. He's not THAT important to be pulled aside." Ryan said, leaning forward. From what he said, it was clear he didn't like Malakai. "Let me give you a bit of advice. Approaching someone with people with you will make you look important, but approaching someone alone will make you look strong".

"You didn't want to look strong in front of him?" Adam asked.

"I told you I don't respect him," Ryan replied with a disgusted face, further showing his dislike for Malakai. I had different plans for Malakai, but our conversation didn't go to plan. I may have miscalculated our first meeting, but even still, the worst possible outcome happened. That miscalculation turned into a blunder. But it's fine, it may be better this way", Ryan rambled. Adam let him talk; he wanted to hear what Ryan wanted to say about Malakai. "Before approaching him, I had little respect for him. After yesterday, I have no respect for him". Ryan finished his great speech.

"Why do you respect me? I haven't done anything", Adam said in his monotone voice.

Ryan's expression changed; the type of smile he presented now was different from before. It was unsettling if anyone else saw it. "You haven't done anything, but I know who you are".

Adam's facial expression stayed the same during the entire conversation. He kept staring at Ryan. He couldn't be bothered to answer his statements anymore; he just wanted to hear what he wanted to say. He wanted Ryan to leave already.

"You're Scott Ledge's son", Ryan continued. "Your father's a famous entrepreneur, owning many businesses. He could buy this academy if he wanted to. You might as well be a prince because your dad is basically a king".

Adam kept his composure. He wasn't going to fall into Ryan's trap, but Ryan kept on going,

"A guy that has it all. You could play video games for the rest of your life and live a life people can only dream of. Why are you here?"

"Are you that worried I'm here?" Adam interjected.

"Worried?" Ryan laughed. "Of you? All I see is a spoilt brat rebelling against his dad. Trying to prove he doesn't need him".

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

Adam was annoyed but didn't show it; he kept the same face. Ryan hit the bullseye; it was more or less the reason why he was here.

"I know you're not as stupid as class 1-E. You put yourself there", Ryan kept knocking at the door but saw he was going nowhere. It was like he was insulting a mannequin. Ryan signed and leaned back in his chair. "Okay, I get it. I'm not getting through to you. It's only the start of the year. You'll start to crack sooner or later", Ryan looked at the cafe. "You want to get a drink?" he asked. Adam didn't say anything. "Never mind". Ryan stood up and looked down at Adam. "I know I said I respected you, and it didn't sound like it in this conversation, but me being real with you shows how much I respect you". Ryan turned around to leave and signed off with,

"Hope we make a lot of memories".

Adam unclenched his fist from under the table and thought to himself,

"I didn't expect anyone to find out this soon. That guy seems dangerous, but he is in 1-B, so he can't be perfect. He didn't get everything about me correct, but the majority of what he said was right. Who is he?"

Adam just sat in silence for a few moments,

"I don't like him", he said to himself, staring into space.

His thoughts weren't clear, but they weren't foggy either. Flash memories of his childhood and phrases his mind held onto. Words he would hear clearly in his mind just thinking about them. Blurred faces popped up in his mind, and large empty rooms with no one in sight. Adam snapped back into reality and looked left and right, ensuring no one saw him. He decided to return to his dorm to talk with his roommate and get to know him better. He had enough of being outside. His walk and alone time were ruined by one interaction and one person.

"Chris, Do you think being roommates was a mistake?".

"As of right now, no, but later on, we might get sick of each other", Chris replied. "Christina, where did you put my phone?" he asked, looking under the couch.

"I didn't take your phone, I haven't even seen it", Christina replied, sorting and unpacking her school bag.

"Never mind, I found it". Chris found his phone to the left of the couch. He took a seat and scrolled through his phone. "Do you think we're the only twins in our year?".

Chris was a white boy with crystal blue eyes and blonde hair, and his sister was identical, but she had longer hair.

"I haven't seen anyone that looks the same. We might be the only identical twins", Christina replied, finding what she was looking for in her bag.

"You made a mess for that", Chris said, looking at the floor scattered with papers and books.

"I've been looking for this eyeliner for three days. I thought I lost it," Christina replied, tidying up the mess she made. "Have you made any friends in our class?" she asked, glancing at Chris.

Chris was still scrolling through his phone. "More or less".

"More or less? What does that mean?" Christina asked, looking at him

"I know the people in our class, but I wouldn't consider them friends yet".

"Fair enough. What about Ryan? I saw him talking to you", Christina said

Chris stopped scrolling on his phone, "He's alright, seems like a nice guy. It's annoying he's got girls following him all the time", he said. "I saw him talking to you as well".

Christina finished tidying up and sorting out her bag. "Yeah, he was asking about you. He said we looked similar and asked if we were twins".

Chris scoffed. "Isn't that obvious? Do you think he was flirting with you?" he asked.

"Doubt it. He's not my type anyway", Christina replied, walking to the kitchen.

"He's not?" Chris was shocked. "Who is then?"

"Malakai", she said, laughing.

"Get outta here, don't play with me", Chris laughed, not taking her seriously.

"I'm joking. He is cute, just a little bit short." Christina got a drink from the fridge and opened it. Chris was 5'8, and Christina was 5'7. "I think you two would be good friends", she started drinking the juice.

"Maybe, I have to talk to him properly. I saw Ryan approach him yesterday", Chris said, standing up.

"He did? When?" Christina asked.

"During lunch in the cafeteria. He approached him with those two girls that always follow him. From what I saw, I don't think they got along", Chris replied.

"Really? Ryan seems nice. Maybe Malakai doesn't like people from other classes," Christina tried to think of an explanation.

"Possibly. The only way to find out is to talk to him when I can. If he's nice to me, then he's nice, but if he ain't, then fuck him", Chris said, walking to his room. "I'm going to sleep".

"Good night".

Meanwhile, two people were lying in the same bed in the dorm room next to them. One's head was on another's chest while their arms were wrapped around their body.

"I think we should break up".

"Huh".