The classroom buzzed with life.
Students chatted freely, laughter rising and falling as they shared morning gossip, weekend stories, and whatever nonsense came to mind before the first bell. The faint smell of marker ink lingered in the air, mixing with the spring breeze slipping in through half-open windows.
Ding ding ding—
The bell rang sharply, slicing through the noise.
"Everyone, to your seats!" a student shouted half-jokingly.
Like clockwork, the class snapped into motion. Desks scraped against the floor, chairs creaked, and the chatter quickly faded into silence.
The door slid open.
Their homeroom teacher stepped inside.
Mr. Dalton was a middle-aged man with a square jaw and neatly combed hair, known for being strict—but fair. The class stood up together, voices blending into a respectful, slightly sleepy chorus.
"Good morning, Mr. Dalton."
"Good morning, class. Take your seats."
They obeyed. The room settled into that familiar calm before the first lesson of the day. Mr. Dalton adjusted his glasses and glanced down at the attendance sheet.
"Before we begin," he said, tapping the paper, "we have a new student joining us today. His family recently moved to Brisden. I expect everyone to treat him well."
The room immediately came alive.
Murmurs spread like wildfire.
"Is it a guy or a girl?"
"Do they look cool?"
"Please be cute…"
"Bet it's another nerd."
Then the door opened again.
The chatter died instantly.
A tall, handsome boy stepped into the classroom.
Golden-blonde hair caught the sunlight streaming through the windows, almost glowing. His eyes—an unusual shade of gold—were warm yet sharp, as if they could see straight through you.
He looked like he'd walked out of a fashion magazine.
Girls gasped softly. Some giggled behind their hands. Even the boys exchanged impressed looks.
The boy gave a polite nod and spoke in a calm, confident voice.
"My name is Shan Carter. My family moved to Brisden last week. I'll be in your care from today onward."
"Welcome to Brisden High, Shan!" a few girls chirped immediately.
"Pick any open seat," Mr. Dalton said, gesturing toward the classroom.
Shan walked toward the back and chose the seat by the window—the most coveted spot in the room. As he sat down, sunlight framed him perfectly, making him look even more unreal.
Mr. Dalton cleared his throat.
"Alright. Open your textbooks. Chapter Three."
1:00 P.M., Brisden High School
The bell rang again, signaling the end of the morning period.
Students stretched and yawned before slipping right back into chaos. Mr. Dalton gave a few final instructions about homework and left the room.
Naturally, all attention turned to Shan.
"Do you have a girlfriend?"
"Where do you live?"
"Are you on Insta?"
"Do you model?"
Shan answered with practiced ease—polite, charming, but careful not to reveal too much. The girls giggled at every word. Even some of the boys crowded around him, eager to befriend the new center of attention.
In the corner of the room, a quiet boy stood up unnoticed.
He pushed in his chair, grabbed his bag, and slipped into the hallway.
Brisden High School – 3rd Floor, Class 9-A
A group of girls sat near the windows, chatting as they unpacked their lunches. One of them—a girl with soft blonde hair tied in a ponytail and bright blue eyes—paused mid-laugh.
"Ah—Luke!" she called out.
The boy outside stopped.
"Lily," he replied softly.
She waved goodbye to her friends and jogged over, throwing her arms around him without hesitation. Luke stiffened for a moment, his cheeks flushing faintly.
"Come on, let's go home," Lily said brightly.
They walked down the school steps together, the noise of Brisden High slowly fading behind them. Students gathered around the gates, but Luke kept his head down, walking quietly beside her.
The spring sky stretched wide and pale blue above them.
Luke glanced up, watching a bird glide across the sky.
"Luke! Hurry up!" Lily called, already a few steps ahead. "We'll be late!"
He blinked and caught up, his thoughts drifting once more.
Luke's Thoughts
My name is Luke Harris.
I'm eighteen years old.
And unfortunately… I'm the protagonist of this story.
The thought made him smile faintly. Not that anyone would believe him if he said it out loud.
Luke had always been different—not just because he was quiet, or distant, but because of a truth buried deep inside him.
Six years ago, he woke up in this world with no memories, no family, and no past. Just the body of a twelve-year-old boy, starving in an alley behind a supermarket.
He wasn't born here.
He was transferred.
A soul without history. A mind without roots.
Just as he thought he would die there—alone and forgotten—she appeared.
A beautiful woman with kind eyes and a gentle voice.
She fed him.
Gave him a bed.
Gave him a name.
She gave him a home.
Her name was Sarah Whitmore. A single mother with two daughters. She adopted him without hesitation and raised him as her own.
From that moment, Luke's life began to change.
They lived in a modest two-story house in Brisden Town, just outside Westbridge City. It wasn't luxurious, but it was warm—filled with laughter, shared meals, and moments that felt real.
For the first time, Luke felt… human.
His gaze shifted to the girl walking beside him.
Lily Whitmore—his lively younger stepsister. They attended the same school, though different classes. She talked endlessly, laughed freely, and treated him like he had always been her brother.
Luke smiled softly.
Family… huh?
They reached the small wooden gate of their house.
Before Lily could knock, the door opened.
A woman stood there, framed by warm hallway light.
Golden-blonde hair fell gently over her shoulders. Her blue eyes were soft, filled with affection. She wore a simple cardigan over a blouse, looking both graceful and comforting—like a mother and a model all at once.
Luke froze, his heartbeat skipping.
She smiled.
"Welcome home, kids."
Her name was Sarah.
And to Luke…
She was more than just his guardian.
She was his first love.