Morning arose, golden light spilling through the curtains as birds chirped softly outside. The tension from the night before seemed to fade with the morning breeze, though traces of the unsettling dream still clung to Liam's mind.
He rubbed his eyes and sat up in bed, glancing around the quiet room in Lucas house. A new day. A normal one, hopefully.
After a quick breakfast, Liam and Dreck returned to their actual house. It felt good to be back, even if the shadows of the past still lingered in the corners.
Liam headed upstairs, showered, dressed, and grabbed his bag. School. As strange as it was to say, it had started to feel like a safe routine—at least for now.
Across town, Kaela did the same—packing her books and adjusting her uniform in the mirror before stepping out of the house.
Both made their way to school under the quiet sky, unaware of how drastically their paths would shift again very soon.
The school courtyard buzzed with life as students poured in through the gates, chatting and laughing. For once, it felt like a regular day—no fights, no tension, no strange powers lurking in the air.
Liam walked through the main entrance with his bag slung over one shoulder. A few students nodded at him as he passed—some out of respect, others still wary after the incidents from the previous weeks. He didn't mind. He wasn't here to impress anyone.
"Hey!" Kaela waved from across the hallway, her usual calm smile greeting him.
Liam smiled back. "Morning."
They walked together to class, the rhythm of their steps falling into sync. Inside the classroom, Lucas—disguised once again as their teacher—was already scribbling something on the board.
"Today, we'll be working on fractions and word problems," Lucas said, writing neatly on the board. "Settle down."
Liam took his seat beside Kaela, flipping open his notebook. The morning passed in peaceful silence—chalk tapping the board, pages turning, pens scratching. During break, they sat under the tree near the back fence, sharing snacks and talking about trivial things: a movie Kaela wanted to watch, a new game Liam had seen online.
The final bell echoed through the school halls, and students spilled out like a wave set free. Liam stepped into the sunlit afternoon with his usual relaxed gait, slinging his bag over one shoulder. He leaned against the school fence, waiting.
Moments later, Kaela appeared—half-tired, half-annoyed, brushing her hair back with a huff.
"If I have to listen to one more word problem about apples and oranges, I swear I'll scream," she muttered.
Liam smirked. "You say that like you didn't solve most of them today."
"That's because I'm smart. Doesn't mean I want to hear about fruit all day," she shot back, falling into step beside him as they walked home.
"Sounds like you're just mad about fractions."
"I am mad about fractions. Like, who needs to know what part of a whole when I'm just trying to pass the day?"
Liam chuckled. "Maybe it's preparing you for the fraction of your attitude."
Kaela gave him a sideways glare. "Says the guy who answers word problems without even thinking about them."
"That's just talent," Liam said, flashing a confident shrug. "I try not to brag."
"You literally just did."
Their banter carried them down the familiar path, the golden sun casting playful shadows around their feet. A few kids passed them on bicycles, a dog barked in the distance, and the rustle of leaves overhead felt like the perfect background to their conversation.
Kaela kicked a small pebble down the road. "So… any big plans when you get home? Or just your usual mysterious loner routine?"
"Probably the usual," Liam replied coolly. "Train a bit. Eat. Think deep thoughts. Maybe watch clouds."
She snorted. "Wow, such a complex life."
He nodded solemnly. "I contain multitudes."
Kaela shook her head with a smile. "You're such a dork."
"And yet," Liam said, glancing at her, "you keep walking with me."
She rolled her eyes. "Only because your street happens to be on the way."
"Of course."
They reached the split in the road—her turn left, his turn right.
"Try not to fall asleep with your shoes on again," she said, adjusting her bag.
"I only do that when life's too exciting," Liam replied with a wink.
Kaela gave him a mock salute. "Later, cool guy."
"See you tomorrow, troublemaker."
They parted ways with a lingering smile, the sun setting behind them.