Chapter 1: Silverglade Academy

Lake

A rush of excitement coursed through me as I stepped off the jet at Silverglate Airport. I couldn’t believe I was finally here, ready to start my varsity journey and embark on a new chapter of my life.

Alec and I hurried to the curb, where our ride awaited us. As we got in the car, I could not help but feel both nervous and excited. This was the first time I was so far away from my family and the familiar comforts of home, but the excitement of all the new experiences that lay ahead quickly drew me out of it.

As we began driving through the city, I realized it was even more beautiful than I had imagined, and there was a sense of freedom in the air. My cousin Alec was in his fourth and final year, and he told me that life was fast here. "Wow!" I marveled at how the city sparkled at night. It was one of its most striking features, and as someone from a small, quiet town, it captivated me.

It also made me understand why Alec almost failed his first year. Silverglate was synonymous with glitz and glam, and its appeal went beyond its physical appearance. It was a hub for the entertainment industry and home to some of the world's wealthiest individuals.

I aspired to be a billionaire one day, so it was fitting that my journey to adulthood began here. I smiled at that, recalling how Lux said this was where we were going to make our first stories to tell our grandchildren. Lux and I were best friends, and our families were very close. Thinking of her, I pulled out my phone and turned it on to find three messages from her, all of which asked if I had arrived yet.

"How long until we get to the Academy?" I asked Alec, and he said we were about 15 minutes away. I told Lux, and she lost it and blew up my phone. She started yelling at me about how I said I would arrive before her, so I explained that we were delayed at the airport. I sighed, sliding down the window as I ended the call, and then I heard Alec speak again, saying we were almost there before asking what I thought of the city.

I told him it was beautiful, taking in the magical atmosphere as we drove past billboards and marquees advertising the latest blockbuster movies and upcoming events.

Suddenly, a massive sign bearing the name Silverglate Academy appeared in front of me, causing my eyes to widen as I gazed at the largest and most beautiful university I had ever seen. I had seen it in pictures, but seeing it in person was an entirely different experience.

Our transportation came to a halt, and guides wearing university emblems greeted us, while reporters buzzed around us, welcoming us and illuminating our surroundings with their cameras. Alec guided us through the halls, explaining that he wasn't staying on this side, as he wasn't a new student, and he wanted to see me in my room first.

The guides were fine with it, and we took the elevator to the floor where my room was. We arrived, and they showed me the code but did not press it, instead ringing the bell because someone was already inside.

The door opened after a moment, and Lux lost it when she saw me. She leaped into my arms, screaming, eliciting smiles from the guides, who had already formed an incorrect impression of us based on her reaction.

People frequently assumed Lux and I were a couple; we pretended to be when she received unwanted attention, but that was where it ended, on pretense. I was gay, but only she and I knew that, as I hadn't had the balls to come out to anyone else yet.

My luggage was brought in, and I introduced her to Alec once again. She had met him before, but I was not sure if she remembered him.

Alec left after we confirmed our plans, promising to catch up later. Lux said she wanted to take a shower, but just then the door opened, and Alec entered again, saying he had forgotten to ask about the party.

“What party?” I asked but Lux replied instead. "This party," she said, walking to the closet to retrieve a gift bag and hand it to me. She explained that the party was for first-year students and would begin in two hours.

I was aware they held one, but I had no idea it was scheduled for tonight. Normally, they hold it after the formal orientation. The bag contained an invitation, a T-shirt with my name on it, and a keychain.

Alec asked again about our attendance, to which we responded in the affirmative. We would not miss it. I asked Alec if he was going, and he said yes. We agreed to meet there, and he left again.

Lux asked, "Are you going to shower first?" I replied, "She could shower first."

"This is going to be epic," I muttered as I walked to my closet to unpack my belongings.

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TWO HOURS LATER

"Wow," Lux said in amazement as we entered the club where the party was being held, taking in the pulsing lights and thumping beat of the music.

The air was thick with excitement as students danced and mingled, their enthusiasm infectious. This institution went all out with its parties, booking the most prestigious clubs to host them.

The atmosphere was electric as we made our way inside, the bass vibrating through our bodies as we spoke while moving toward the bar, where we ordered drinks and took in the scenery.

“Come, let’s sit down!” Lux said, and we settled into our seats, turning and facing away from the bar and towards the dance floor. And just then, I felt a magnetic pull toward the entrance, as if someone was watching us. I looked up, and there in the doorway stood the hottest guy I had ever seen.

“Shit!”

“What? What is it?”

“I think I just found him.”

“Who?”

"The guy who yanked not only me out of the closet, but the hangers, shoe rack, and last season's wardrobe."

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Author's Note

Thank you for diving into this story with me! I wanted to give you a quick heads-up about one of our key characters, Kairos, who happens to be a merman.

As a sea person, his world is different from ours, as is the way he refers to certain concepts. He may use "mer terminology" when describing some objects, concepts, and experiences that might sound unfamiliar.

But don’t worry—I will make sure that you always know what he’s talking about.

This choice is intended to enrich the story and draw you deeper into his point of view. I hope you enjoy discovering his world as much as I enjoy writing it!

Happy reading!

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