A lone student, a young man, sat in the classroom with his history teacher. He fiddled with his tie, feeling it was too tight around his neck. He was serving detention for his involvement in another fight. The clock ticked steadily, but time felt like an external force for the young man. He huffed in frustration, which caught the attention of his teacher."Huffing and puffing won't help, Mr. Cross," the teacher reminded him as he began to pack his things and organize his desk. Annoyed, the boy blew a strand of his dreadlocks from his face with a huff. Annoyed by the teacher's comment, he replied, "You do realize that the person who was disrupting the class is free now, right?" He then placed both feet on his desk.

The man frowned and gave the young man a stern look. "Feet off the desk, now!" he said coldly. The boy, not intimidated, rolled his eyes but complied. Seeing that he had followed the instruction, the man sighed and said, "Mrs. Heyflower will be looking after you for the rest of your detention, so behave." With that, the older man left the classroom. This was Mitch Nightwood, the history teacher at Heaven Academy, a private school in Pearl City, Hawaii.

Himmel Cross, the young man who was pouting, had come from New Jersey. It has been almost six months since he was forced to attend this school. The teacher was harsh with him, openly expressing disdain, and the other students were wary due to the rumors surrounding his past. Himmel couldn't blame them; being a suspect in a murder case and a drug dealer didn't exactly help his reputation at this preppy school.

The only person who ever spoke to him was the one he mistreated the most. As she entered the room, he noticed a redhead with long hair that cascaded down her back and striking blue-green eyes. She wore a casual white dress shirt paired with black slacks.

She looked at the boy for a moment and said, "Why should I even be surprised? What did you do this time?" She folded her arms and glared at him as if trying to set him on fire. The boy opened his mouth but quickly closed it when she added, "I don't care. Just don't get into any more trouble; you're a stain on this academy." With that, she took her seat.

"Himmel mumbled under his breath, 'Rude bitch.' She turned around and asked, 'Did I hear you say that you want to stay a full week of detention?' Himmel remained silent, unwilling to engage with her. 'If you kept your mouth shut and followed orders, you wouldn't get into so much trouble,' Mrs. Hayflowers said with a snarky tone. 

Himmel simply slumped in his chair and stared out the window."

Thirty minutes passed dreadfully slowly, but it was finally over—he was now free. Quickly leaving the classroom, he rushed down the halls before calling someone. As he put the phone to his ear, he waited for it to connect. When it finally did, he said, "Hey, Hunter, I'm about to—" but before he could finish, he heard coughing and other guys talking in the background.

"SHIT!" he muttered before shouting his friend's name. "Hunter! Pick up! What is going on?!"

"Oh no! His phone accidentally dialed someone—it's Himmel Cross," exclaimed one of the boys before laughing.

"Are you fucking serious?! I bet he is happy that we accidentally dialed his boyfriend, said one of the bullies.

"Don't you fucking touch him; you hear me!" Screamed Himmel who was about to lose it.

"And what are you going to do about it? It's only YOU and no one else who is going to help," said a familiar voice.

Himmel gritted his teeth and snarled, "Brandon," He spoke with venom in his voice. Brandon Leewood was one of the students who got into trouble with Himmel today and is partly responsible for his detention. He frequently interrupted the class, but due to the influence of Brandon's father, Mr. Leewood, who invested heavily in this academy, there were few consequences for his behavior.

They were two complete opposites. One was regarded as a good student because of their family's influence, while the other was often judged by their background and never given the opportunity to prove themselves. One strived to do good but was disliked by many, whereas the other engaged in wrongdoing yet was loved by many.

"If you want to save your friend, then you better be at Waves Park, and come alone, or else. Who am I kidding, who would want to help a bunch of rejects like yourself, laughed Brandon before hanging up. 

Clenching his teeth, he says. "Fuck." before running down to Waves Park.

A young boy, trembling in fear, was tossed against a fence by the bullies in front of him, and he was hit in the face once more, knocking his glasses off. This was Hunter Winchester; best friend of Himmel Cross. Holding his swollen cheek tears begin to roll down his cheeks. "P-Please stop; why are you doing this-"

Kicking him in the gut, the leader of the group Brandon was tired of his whining. "Shut up! And stop your damn whining, Exlamimed Brandon tired and annoyed by hearing Hunter whine. 

Hunter's eyes widened as he suddenly threw up his lunch right onto Brandon's shoe. Stepping back with a look of disgust on his face, Brandon glared at Hunter and picked up a large rock. However, before he could do anything, he was struck over the head with a blunt object, which knocked him out and left him bleeding.

The three students turned around to Himmel holding a pipe and his hand, which was now covered in blood. Seeing that Brandon was knocked out, the three boys charged at Himmel, facing the same fate as their friend.

"Bring it," said Himmel. The three boys tried to jump Himmel but struggled. Blows were exchanged, and even though Himmel was at a disadvantage, he still managed to put up a good fight.

Busting the three remaining bullies the skull with the pipe, it was all over.

The following day was not so great for Himmel; he found himself sitting in the dean's office with handcuffs on. Beside him was Hunter, who was bruised due to the harsh beating he received the other day trying his best to explain the events that had transpired. "But sir! Himmel didn't do anything wrong! He was trying to protect me from Brandon and his goons," the hunter protested, attempting to clarify what had happened.

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"Silence, Mr. Chester! You and Himmel are already in enough trouble, and I don't have time for any more lies from you," commanded the Dean. Hunter closed his mouth and looked at Himmel with a sad expression before turning away, feeling guilty for not being able to help his friend. Himmel glared at the Dean, harboring a deep hatred for him. He was a greedy, careless, and unpleasant person. He understood that Brandon initiated this; the only reason he was doing it was to ensure that Mr. Leewood would continue donating money to the school.

As Officer Jak arrived at the dean's office, he took a moment to gather his thoughts. A native of Pearl City, Jak was known as a fair man who genuinely believed in upholding the law and seeking justice. With a frown on his face, he shot the dean a meaningful look before slamming the evidence and photos onto the dean's desk, causing some of the photographs to scatter across the surface.

The dean initially grinned, but his expression quickly changed to one of horror. The photos depicted Brandon and a group of boys assaulting a defenseless Hunter. One image even Captured the moment just before Brandon was about to strike Hunter's head with a giant rock, moments before Himmel arrived and hit him with a pipe.

The dean was flabbergasted when seeing the evidence that was in the two boys' favor. "T-This must be some type of mistake!? O-Officer Jak what is the meaning of-"

*SLAM!!*

"You think that I tampered with the case and bowed down because Leewod is funding this fucking academy and this city. Don't be evasive with me. You're wrong if you believe that I let that little jerk get away with trying to kill someone; the next time you try to pull a stunt like this again, I'm going to put your ass in jail. You, Leewod, the fucking president, I don't care who it is, but you will not buy your way out of the law. Who the fuck do you think I am, Huh?

The fearsome, overweight headmaster trembled in terror upon hearing Officer JaK's declaration.

Grabbing the evidence, Officer Jak activated his walkie-talkie and said, "Mitch, I need you to bring in Brandon Leewood and those two boys who hang out with him. File the case as attempted murder." He looked the headmaster directly in the eyes as he spoke

"Understood," said Officer Mitch. Turning his back on the headmaster, he looks at Himmel and Hunter before saying. "Come on boys, lunch is on me, he said with a grin. Both Himmel and Hunter looked at each other before shrugging and following the officer out the headmaster officer.

The headmaster growled and snapped the pen in his hand, reacting to Himmel, who was giving him the finger with a huge smirk on his face.

At a Korean barbecue restaurant, Himmel was enjoying his meal while Officer Jak was drinking a cold beer. Hunter, on the other hand, sat awkwardly, picking at his food, still feeling down after yesterday's near-death experience.

"Hunter, are you doing okay?" Himmel asked, noticing his best friend's lack of appetite.

With a grunt, Hunter replied, "Yeah, just not hungry." His plate remained full, as he had barely touched any of the barbecue.

Officer Jak took a swig of his beer and said, "At least eat something; it's coming out of my own pocket. Gosh, if you weren't hungry, why didn't you say something?" 

Jak was slightly irritated but let it go, he did offer them lunch. Hunter glanced at his food, avoiding eye contact with Himmel and Officer Jak. "Sorry..." he said, a look of melancholy on his face.

Jak just sighed. "It's fine, kid. Well, I guess I better get the waiter," said the officer before leaving to pay the bill.

Himmel looked at Hunter with deep concern. "Hey, Hunter, is everything okay?" he asked, uneasily.

Hunter gave Himmel a harsh glare; something the worrying friend never knew his friend could make.

"Himmel! I'm fine," roared Hunter. Everyone at the restaurant stared at the two boys, and even Officer Jak turned his back, wondering what was with all the commotion.

Realizing what he did; Hunter begins to apologize to Himmel. "Himmel.... I'm-" 

"No, it's okay, man. You've been through a lot and have every right to feel upset. But if there's something on your mind or something that's bothering you, please talk to me. We're friends, right?" Himmel said, resting his right hand on Hunter's shoulder.

Hunter was silent for a few seconds before saying, "Yeah, right. I'm gonna go home," said Hunter, who still had a gloomy look on his face.

"Please let me finish eating my food, and then we can walk together," offered Himmel with a worried smile on his face.

"No, it's fine... I need some time to clear my head," said Hunter. He wanted to be alone; something was bothering him inside, but what was it and why?

"Oh, I understand, bro. So, will I see you tomorrow?" Himmel asked with a sad smile on his face.

"Yeah, see you tomorrow..." Said Hunter as he began to walk out of the restaurant with his head down.

Himmel just stared at Hunter's fleeing figure. He felt uneasy for some reason; his throat had become parched, and he wanted to say something to Hunter, but he couldn't. All he could do was stare... Completely useless.

Officer Jak realized that the best thing they could do for Hunter was to give him space to process whatever he was going through.

Hunter was on the phone with someone and appeared shaken. This might have been due to fear, anxiety, anger, or perhaps all three.

"Hunter, aren't you sick of making me look bad? The man on the other end of the call spat out, "You and your little Nigger friend have ruined me from getting that promotion; Leewood is on my ass because you got into a fucking fight with his son."

Hunter's eyes grew wide as he clenched his fist, feeling the sting of blood. A surge of emotion stirred within him. "Is that all you care about? Your damn job and how I tarnished your precious reputation? Screw you, Dad! You're the real reason Mom walked out," Hunter shouted.

"Don't you dare come back home!" his father shot back. Hunter's eyes widened in disbelief. "N-No, Dad, I-I'm sorry—"

"NO HUNTER!! I'M DONE WITH YOU FOR GOOD!!"

Before Hunter could even beg or plead for his father's forgiveness, the older man simply hung up the phone.

On the brink of tears, Hunter wandered the streets aimlessly. He considered calling Himmel to see if he could crash at his place, but the memory of his earlier outburst made him think twice about that idea.

As he passed a tarot card shop, a warm and inviting voice caught his attention. "Is everything alright?" a woman asked. Looking up, Hunter was met with the sight of a stunning blonde. Her skin was pale as snow, and her ruby-red eyes, which had a slit-like appearance, made him wonder if they were just contacts

"No, not really... My dad kicked me out the house and I'm homeless now, and I can't face my best friend; everything he has done for me, and I acted like a complete jerk to him, said Hunter was completely lost; miserable. Unbeknownst to Hunter, the young girl licked her lips and said. "He will do quite well, " she mutters before confronting Hunter.

"What's your name?" she asked, her face lighting up with a cheerful grin. Hunter glanced at her, a bit shy. "I-I'm Hunter, Hunter Winchester," he replied, his voice trembling slightly.

"What a cute name!" the girl teased, her laughter ringing out. Hunter felt his cheeks heat up and then mustered the courage to ask her name. "W-What about you?" he stammered, a nervous smile creeping onto his face.

"I'm Imogen. And perhaps you should spend the night with me," she suggested, her eyes gleaming a striking shade of red.

End of the chapter.