Chapter 2

More than ten years had passed in the blink of an eye.

Today, I stood at the entrance of Brightwell Academy, looking up at the gold-trimmed automatic gates and the million-dollar pine right by the entrance. I took a deep breath.

Brightwell Academy was the priciest private school in the city. One semester's tuition could cover three years of my family’s mortgage payments.

But I wasn't here because my family suddenly struck it rich. I got in on my own.

I got a full scholarship: no tuition, no dorm fees, and one thousand dollars a year for living expenses.

My parents were so thrilled, like I'd won a Nobel Prize.

I took a deep breath, staring at the gates in front of me, and suddenly felt that strange nervousness.

Back when I was James, I went to school here too. But back then, I'd roll up in a black stretch limo, driven straight onto campus.

I didn't even have to open the door myself. I'd seen that pine through the privacy glass a hundred times and never thought it was anything special.

Now, standing here with my backpack, I realized just how tall it was—easily three stories high. Every leaf was shiny and perfect, like it was pampered by a nanny, just like those spoiled rich kids.

"Hello, are you a freshman?" the old gatekeeper called out, sounding pretty friendly. "If you're here to register, head straight in. High school is on the left. Middle school is on the right."

"Thanks." I nodded and walked inside.

The marble floor was so polished that I could see the soles of my shoes reflected in it.

Just as I reached the entrance to the high school, a commotion broke out behind me. I didn't even have to turn around to know who it was.

"Here they come! Here they come!" someone shouted.

"Move! Move!" another voice called out.

A bunch of girls suddenly split to either side, moving in perfect sync. It seemed like they'd rehearsed it.

I turned around out of habit and saw that familiar black stretch limo rolling up, the logo shining brightly in the sunlight.

Before the door even opened, the window rolled down halfway, revealing a face.

It was Alex.

He leaned against the window, chin resting in his hand, gazing off into the distance with a melancholy look, like he was pondering the meaning of life.

"The wind today feels kind of loud," Alex said, his voice pitched perfectly so everyone nearby could hear.

I fell silent

Ryan leaned out from the other side, pushed up his sunglasses, and intoned dramatically, "Alex, you're mistaken. It's not the wind that's loud. It's our wild, aimless youth."

"Well said." Ethan applauded from the back seat. Then, all three fell silent and gazed at the sky.

I stood there, expressionless, watching their over-the-top performance.

They'd always been like this, ever since we were little.

Every time school started, every dismissal, every recess, and even bathroom breaks, if there were people around, they'd start performing their drama, like the whole world was their stage and everyone else was just an audience.

The crazy thing was, everyone actually fell for it. Some of the younger girls were already covering their mouths, squealing like fangirls.

"Ahhh, they're so handsome!" one of them squealed.

"The Flaring Quartet! It's the Flaring Quartet!" another girl shouted.

The Flaring Quartet? More like the Foolish Quartet to me.

Finally, the car door opened, and their performance kicked into overdrive.

Alex was the first to step out, his toes touching the ground first, pausing for two seconds before taking his next step. Ryan followed right behind, pulling off his sunglasses and squinting around like he owned the place.

Ethan brought up the rear, hands in his pockets, chin slightly raised, a faint smile playing on his lips.

The three of them stood side by side. The autumn wind was just right, lifting their hair at the perfect moment.

Just then, the last one stepped out of the car.

It was James.

He wore a sharp black school uniform, every cuff button meticulously fastened. Without even glancing at the crowd, he stepped out, adjusted his sleeves, and strode off.

"James, wait up!" Alex dropped the act in a second, jogging after him. "Why are you in such a hurry?"

"Yeah, it's been ages since we made our grand entrance together on the first day. Shouldn't we stick around and let the girls get a good look?" Ryan called out, hurrying to catch up.

James didn't even slow down, his voice cool and indifferent. "Boring."

I secretly gave him a thumbs-up. Staying low-key was definitely the way to go.