[1:00 P.M., Brisden High School]
The final bell of the day rang out sharply, echoing through the crowded hallways of Brisden High School.
As classroom doors creaked open one by one, students began pouring out into the afternoon sunlight, their conversations mixing into a chaotic but familiar hum.
Some laughed loudly, others walked in quiet groups, their school bags slung over one shoulder, the end-of-day relief etched into their faces.
Luke stepped out of his classroom, adjusting the strap of his bag as he looked around. His younger sister was waiting near the gate, and just beside her stood his best friend, Sani.
They were chatting about some anime they both liked, excitedly gesturing as if they were reenacting a scene. Their energy was contagious—light, youthful, and just a little chaotic.
After meeting up, Luke gently tugged on his sister's backpack strap and said, "Let's go. Sarah probably waiting."
Sani glanced over and grinned. "See you guys later!" he called out.
Luke waved goodbye as they went their separate ways, but before he could take more than a few steps, Sani called out again.
"Hey! Luke, wait up!"
Luke paused, turning his head. "What happened, Sani?" he asked, curious.
Sani jogged up to him, a playful glint in his eyes. "Nothing serious," he said, catching his breath. "Just… I have some good news."
"Oh? What good news?" Luke asked, raising an eyebrow.
Sani smiled proudly. "My mom's baking cake today. She told me to invite you over for dinner."
Luke's eyes lit up with excitement. "Hah… Cake? Aunt Ailey's cake? Say no more, I'm in."
Sani chuckled and gave him a thumbs up. "Awesome! I'll be waiting for you in the afternoon. Try to come a bit early—we can play a few new games I downloaded."
"I'll try," Luke said with a nod. "See you later."
"Later, buddy!"
[Later, at Luke's Home]
By the time Luke got home, it was already past 1:30 P.M. Lunch was simple—rice, lentils, and a bit of fish curry.
He ate quietly, avoiding eye contact with Sarah the entire time. Every time he glanced in her direction, the image of what had happened earlier in his room flashed in his mind—how close they were, how his heart had raced. The memory turned his cheeks a soft pink, and he kept his head down.
After finishing his meal, he carried his plate to the sink, muttered a quick thank you to his mom, and headed to his room.
Once inside, he shut the door behind him and let out a deep breath. "Ahem… I need to compose myself," he muttered, trying to shake off the flustered feeling.
He sat down in his chair, stretched his arms, and opened his tablet. On the screen, he navigated to StarNovel, a site where he had been uploading chapters of his web novel. The title read:
|[My Last Journey to the Moon
Genre: Action | Adventure
Chapters Released: 36
Total Views: 48,000]|
Despite being a high school student, Luke had been quietly building a fanbase for his story. He wasn't famous, but his consistent uploads and immersive storytelling had started to attract readers. Seeing the numbers gave him a strange satisfaction.
"Time to write Chapter 37," he whispered, cracking his fingers and opening his draft.
The next hour passed in peaceful silence, broken only by the soft tapping of his fingers on the virtual keyboard. His thoughts flowed freely today—battle sequences, emotional flashbacks, the protagonist's hidden powers—it all came together.
When he finally hit Upload, he leaned back and sighed.
Chapter 37 was done.
He glanced at the clock. 4:22 P.M.
"Damn. I should get ready," he mumbled, closing his tablet and standing up.
He grabbed a fresh t-shirt and quickly changed. As he combed his hair in the mirror, his thoughts drifted—unexpectedly—to Aunt Ailey.
Sani's mother, Ailey, was a beautiful woman in her late thirties. She had a calm elegance about her, the kind of woman who could make a room feel warmer just by entering it. Her long, dark hair was always neatly tied, and her voice was soothing in a way that reminded Luke of old bedtime stories.
He shook his head, embarrassed by his own thoughts.
"No, no… she's my friend's mom. That's just… weird." He sighed. "It's just a harmless crush. Nothing more."
Still, a part of him couldn't help but feel drawn to her. Not in a childish or inappropriate way—but in the way one quietly admires something beautiful from afar. He told himself it was just admiration. And that was where it would stay.
He grabbed his phone and walked to the main door. As he slipped on his sandals, he called out, "Sarah, I'll be late."
Sarah, working in her small study room, stepped out upon hearing his voice.
"Where are you going?" she asked, curious.
"I'm heading to Sani's place. Aunt Ailey invited me for dinner," he replied casually.
She folded her arms. "Don't hang around outside too long, okay? Come back early if you can."
Luke smiled. "I'll try. Bye."
With that, he stepped out into the late afternoon light.
[On the Streets of Brisden]
The town of Brisden was especially lively in the afternoons. The streets were bathed in golden sunlight. Couples strolled hand-in-hand, chatting softly.
Elderly people took their slow, careful walks through the nearby park.
Children chased after a football on the grassy patches beside the road, their laughter echoing through the neighborhood.
Luke took in the peaceful scene as he walked, hands in his pockets. The gentle breeze carried the scent of jasmine and street food from a nearby stall. For a moment, it felt like the world had no problems—just this simple moment of calm.
In about ten minutes, he reached Sani's house. It wasn't a luxurious mansion, but it was cozy, well-kept, and had a welcoming aura.
The paint on the gate was slightly chipped, and the garden had a few overgrown patches, but it was home.
Luke stood in front of the gate and pressed the doorbell.
Ding dong…
He waited patiently. Birds chirped in the background, and a cat lounged lazily on the sidewalk nearby.
After a few seconds, the door opened.
Aunt Ailey stood there, wearing a soft maroon apron over a beige dress. Her hair was tied in a bun, and she looked at him with a warm smile.
"Luke, dear! Come in," she said kindly, stepping aside.
"Thanks, Aunt Ailey," he said, trying not to sound too eager.
As he stepped inside, the scent of freshly baked vanilla cake filled his senses. It was heavenly.
Just as the door closed behind him, somewhere a short distance away—at the corner of the street—a young girl stood watching silently. Her eyes were hidden behind large glasses, and her expression unreadable.
She took out her phone, tapped on the screen, and sent a message to someone.
The phone screen lit up.
---
If you enjoyed the chapter, please consider leaving a comment and supporting with a Power Stone.