Jack
I'm one of the most popular students in my school, and I know how that sounds. But trust me—people like me for who I am, especially because I always try to take care of the people around me and make them smile. I'm nice to everyone because, why not? You could bring smiles to people's faces, lift their moods when they're going through some real shit in their lives. That's what matters the most to me. Because you never know, people could be going through the toughest phases of their lives and even one moment of peace or a smile can make a difference.
My name is Jack. I go to Starlight Valley High School. I've made friends with some of the best people here—my classmates. One of my best friends is Richard, and another is Neil. I've been friends with them since grade two, and needless to say, we've been through hell and shit together. This is a brotherhood I truly value.
Richard is a handsome seventeen-year-old guy, half Korean and half Spanish. His eyes are dark brown, set beneath milk-tea-colored dandy-cut hair. He's a gentleman, standing at 5'11", with skin that's almost pale. Neil is a charming sixteen-year-old Swiss guy with Slavic pale skin. His eyes are icy light blue, and his hair is styled in a textured French crop, dark brown in color. He stands at 6'1".
These are the kind of guys that girls fall head-over-heels for. I'm not gay, but I sure do admire my brother-like friends.
I also have a cousin. His name is Edward. He's the kind of person who appears cold on the outside but is actually very warm on the inside. People at our school often mistake him for being cold-hearted, which isn't true at all, and he's completely fine with that misconception. Edward observes his surroundings and the people in them quietly. He's the best student in our grade and prefers to stay away from sports. But he loves to play his acoustic guitar.
What's funny is Adrian used to try getting on Edward's nerves, but he failed miserably every time and eventually gave up.
Edward is tall—exactly six feet—with sharp, calm features that make him look distant even when he isn't. He wears rectangular glasses that sit neatly on his nose, usually hiding eyes that miss absolutely nothing. His dark hair, with a faint blue undertone under the light, is always tidy—like he doesn't need to try very hard to look put together.
I love Edward's company. I make it a point to talk to him so he never feels left out, though it's just Edward being Edward. He prefers staying by himself, unbothered, minding his own business. He doesn't give two shits about people who think he's nonchalant or egoistic, and honestly, I love that about him.
Neil and I study in the same section of first year, while Richard is in the same section as Edward.
All this aside, I have another friend—a very charming one—whom I met over two years ago. Casey. She's the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, the most beautiful girl I've ever met. She has the kindest soul, and she cares about me a lot. It's the second week of April, and spring is going to end soon. This makes me upset because Casey loves watching the cherry blossoms outside from her desk by the window. Once spring ends, the cherry blossom season will be over, and she won't be able to watch them anymore. If only I could make cherry blossoms last all year. Goddammit!
I've had feelings for her for quite some time now. And could I not? She's the best girl ever. I'm planning to confess to her after her birthday, on the fifteenth of April. I'm confident we'll start dating. I've heard her talking with her best friends about me when they walk down the hallway or when we're eating in the cafeteria.
I've always helped her with Maths and Physics. She usually comes to me with her doubts. I'm not the best student, but I rank third in our batch. Some people might call me a perfect seventeen-year-old, but only I really know my own flaws.
7th April
I came to school with my best friends as usual. It had only been a week since the academic year started. Being first-years, we were excited at first, but two days in, it already felt like the same old school routine—just with more responsibilities and heavier studies.
I entered my classroom and found Casey standing by her desk near the window, lost in her own little moment as she watched cherry petals drift past the glass. The sunlight caught in her hair, and for a second, the rest of the room faded into the background. I walked up to her and greeted her with a wide smile. She looked up instantly, her face lighting up as if she had been waiting for me the entire time.
I hung my bag on the hook beside my desk, slid into my chair next to hers, and we started chatting like we always did—easy, natural, familiar.
The first bell of the day rang, sharp and familiar, signaling the beginning of the first class.