Reality

2023-10-30

Chapter 1: Prologue

The morning sunlight streamed through the classroom windows, illuminating a tableau of typical high school life. Students were arrayed in their usual cliques and corners, some diligently taking notes, others whispering secrets, and a few lost in daydreams. At the back, David and Jacob sat side by side, an island of their own amidst the sea of their peers. While the teacher's monotonous voice filled the room, David's gaze occasionally drifted outside, his mind wandering beyond the glass pane.

His notebook, resting open on his desk, had become a canvas for creativity rather than a record of algebraic equations. Abstract doodles and whimsical shapes sprawled across the margins, each line and swirl a small rebellion against the mundanity of the lecture. A faint smirk formed on David's face as his pencil danced over the page, sketching a caricature of their math teacher with humorously exaggerated features.

Beside him, Jacob leaned in, casting a quick, surreptitious glance at David's artwork. "Think he'd appreciate the uncanny resemblance?" he whispered, a hint of mischief playing in his hazel eyes.

David stifled a chuckle, replying in an equally hushed tone, "Only if he acknowledges the extra three hairs I generously added."

The class droned on, but for David and Jacob, the ticking of the clock seemed to slow to a crawl. As the teacher delved into the intricate nuances of algebraic equations, David's mind wandered to their upcoming basketball match, mentally running through strategies and plays. Jacob, on the other hand, was engrossed in a different challenge altogether: decoding the cryptic notes he had scribbled during last week's lesson.

"Hey," Jacob nudged David, subtly sliding his notebook towards him. Scribbled amidst the chaotic jumble of numbers and equations was a barely legible question: 'Cafeteria later? New dessert on the menu!' David's eyes brightened at the prospect, his stomach doing a premature dance of anticipation. He quickly jotted down a reply, 'Race you there? Loser pays!'

Their playful exchange was momentarily interrupted by the sharp clearing of a throat. They looked up to find the teacher's stern gaze fixed on them. Both of them straightened up, feigning utmost attention, but not before exchanging a conspiratorial wink. Little moments like these made the long school days bearable.

The bell rang, its echoing chime marking the end of another lecture. David and Jacob gathered their belongings, the weight of the school day momentarily lifted as they eagerly anticipated their cafeteria escapade. As they maneuvered through the throng of students in the hallway, their lighthearted banter echoed with the familiar rhythm of their friendship.

"Bet you five bucks you can't guess the new dessert," Jacob teased, a mischievous glint in his hazel eyes.

David smirked, pushing his blonde hair out of his face. "You underestimate my insider connections, Jacob. I've got spies everywhere."

Jacob raised an eyebrow, feigning disbelief. "Oh? And who would these so-called 'spies' be?"

David leaned in, lowering his voice for dramatic effect. "You'd be surprised. The lunch lady and I? We're tight."

Their friendly banter carried them through the hallway, weaving between clusters of students and navigating the usual post-class bustle.

Jacob's challenge had David on his toes. "Alright then, since you're so confident, let's make it ten," David countered, grinning.

"Deal!" Jacob exclaimed, shaking David's hand dramatically.

Engrossed in their playful debate, David and Jacob were oblivious to a fellow student approaching from the opposite direction.

In a moment of distraction, David collided with the unsuspecting classmate.

"Whoa, sorry about that," the student said, slightly startled.

Quick to apologize, David responded, "No problem at all. Are you okay? My bad for not paying attention."

Jacob chimed in with a light-hearted comment, "Always in your own world, aren't you?"

After a brief moment of shared understanding, they parted ways with nods. David and Jacob, chuckling, picked up their conversation right where they had left off.

The school day continued in its typical rhythm. Class periods were punctuated with the buzz of the bell, teachers delivered lectures with varying degrees of enthusiasm, and students oscillated between genuine interest and stifled yawns.

Lunch hour arrived, and the cafeteria was a symphony of chatter and laughter. David and Jacob secured a table near the window, their previous wager momentarily forgotten as they discussed the latest video game releases. Their conversation was animated, hands waving and voices raised in excitement.

Across the cafeteria, Alice sat at a corner table, deeply absorbed in her book. Her deep brown eyes meticulously scanned each page, fingers twirling a strand of her short black hair in contemplation. Periodically, she jotted down notes or underlined sentences, creating a quiet sanctuary amid the bustling cafeteria.

As lunch hour neared its end, Alice decided to get some fresh air. Walking outside with her book, she was engrossed in thought, captivated by the story's unfolding events. In her distraction, she didn't notice the pen, used as a bookmark, slipping from the pages.

The pen clattered to the ground, rolling away before coming to a stop. Realizing what happened, she retraced her steps to retrieve it. Just as she reached for the pen, another hand extended towards it. Startled, she looked up to see a fellow student picking it up.

"Oh, thank you," she said, her voice tinged with embarrassment as she accepted the pen, their fingers brushing momentarily. "I should be more careful."

The student offered a brief, understanding smile. "It happens," they said softly.

Alice nodded her appreciation before heading back inside, the sea of students around her slowly dispersing with the end of the lunch break.

As Alice merged into the crowd, the sun cast long shadows, signaling the end of another school day. The corridors echoed with the symphony of farewells, plans, and laughter. David and Jacob, engrossed in their playful banter, seemed oblivious to the world around them.

"Movie at my place tonight?" David offered, a hopeful note in his voice.

Jacob chuckled, "Only if it's not another one of those confusing thrillers you love so much."

David smirked, "No promises."

As they continued their playful banter, Alice walked past one of the school's old murals. She paused, squinting at it. Something seemed... different. A color out of place? A figure she didn't remember? Shaking her head, she dismissed the thought, attributing it to her tiredness.