flicker

Early morning sunlight slipped through the tall glass panes and poured quietly into the bedroom.

It softened into the sharp rays that shone on the bed, glistening off the white mattress.

DRIIING

DRIIING

On the other side of the bed was a bedside table, atop which an alarm clock was ringing ceaselessly.

"Ugggh, turn it off, Wings..."

A muffled groan came from the one sleeping on the bed, and all of a sudden, white wings appeared out of the bed sheets, slapping down on the clock, stopping the ringing.

Beneath the covers, she stirred.

Silken white hair spilled across the pillow in scattered strands as her eyelids fluttered open halfway, heavy with sleep.

Her brows knit faintly at the sharp rays of sunlight.

A slender hand reached out, delicate white fingers faintly blocking the sun rays from her face.

Nova let out a soft breath, still trapped between dreams and waking, but forced herself to roll off the part where the sun rays illuminated, though that led her to the end of the bed, barely hanging on.

With a drowsy motion, she sank deeper into the soft embrace of her bed, preparing to doze off once more.

Barely ten seconds after...

RIIIING!

RIIIING!

The sound of ringing echoed out as her brows screwed up in annoyance.

The sound came from under the pillow an arm’s length away, and she reached over, shoving it aside to reveal the phone underneath.

She stared drowsily at the screen, seeing the bubbly face of a pink-haired girl with a wide smile.

Rolling her eyes, she swiped to the side, burying her face back into the sheets.

"What’s Upieee, Snow Girl! Wait, where are you... Nova! Nova?"

The tiny voice echoed from the other side as Nova finally rose, looking down at the phone on the bed.

"You still on the bed?"

"It’s morning, Morgaine."

Nova called out with an exasperated sigh.

"Girl, it’s 7:05! Lesson starts at 7:30!"

"So, I’ve got five more minutes of sleep."

Nova said.

"It’s a bright, good morning, Nova. Stop acting depressed and get to class."

"I’ve got a surprise for you once you’re here."

"What surp..."

"Byeeee."

The connection was severed, and it going off also sapped Nova of her strength as she landed back on the bed.

But the sun rays came shining on her face again as if even the sun wanted her off the bed.

"I don’t like mornings..."

Nova said, and finally she rose, heading for the bathroom.

---------

"And that is all for today, Xybers."

"All of your End Notice Projects should, of course, be submitted to the Class representative, Novaelia Limitless."

"See you all next time..."

The students all began to rise from their seats, leaving through the door and out into different areas of the academy.

After the exit was less crowded, Nova picked up her bag, reaching for the exit, only for a presence to suddenly appear, his arm over the exit, blocking her way.

It was a young man with long, straight dark hair falling loosely over his shoulders.

Standing around 1.9 meters tall with a muscular build, he carried a distinct masculine charm, and the two-star badge on his chest identified him as a Pseudo 2nd-Year.

"Sent you a message yesterday, around 6:00 in the evening, and no reply..."

He said, his golden eyes knitted quietly.

"Am I not welcome?"

"I actually saw your message."

Nova said.

"Really?"

He said, a smile appearing on the corner of his lips.

"Yes, really."

"But then, the starting sentence had nothing to do with class assignments, so I deleted it before it could be marked read."

She added, and his expression plummeted.

"My number was given to all the students for assignment purposes."

"Next time, only send your projects to me, or I’ll be forced to report you and the contents of your messages personally to Vice Mimura."

Nova said with a chilling expression.

As she came closer to him, he unconsciously yanked his hand, and she resumed walking, disappearing down the hallway.

---

"Damn, you got done dirty, bro..."

The joking voice echoed from the side as Lucian’s expression further plummeted, turning to the side where three guys stood with a wry smile on their faces.

"So, I got rejected. Big deal..."

He said with a scoff as he also stepped out of the exit, quickly followed by the trio.

"Actually, it’s not a big deal."

A student said.

"If I’m keeping count now, you’re the 34th guy recorded to have been rejected coldly by the School’s Snow Girl."

Another said.

"Tsk, acting all high and mighty, just because she’s got some looks and is beloved unfairly by the Vices and Instructors."

The third said with a scoff.

"Yeah, right. Says the guy who was the first to court her affection before the whole academy, only to be brutally rejected."

Another male student mocked.

"It’s been months since then. Like I give a fuck anymore."

He claimed, though his reddened face betrayed his true feelings.

"No need to be sore. We all know why she’s like that..."

Lucian finally said.

"Because of him, right? The guy who used to be number one?"

"Yes. According to the rumours, they had an affinity together, but..."

"He’s dead."

A student whispered as they all fell silent.

"Still, it’s been six months. For how long will she keep being like that?"

"She just needs some more time..." 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Lucian said as all four resumed their walks in silence.

---

"Novaaaa!"

The screamer came from behind as Nova turned, only for her face to change slightly as a body knocked into her, sending her two steps forward.

"Get off me, Morgaine..."

"Nope!"

Morgaine said, curling her arms around her neck even tighter.

"Wings..."

Nova called out, and Morgaine quickly jumped back.

"You don’t dare do that to me."

She said, watching Nova grin evilly.

"You evil thing. I can still feel pain in my back from the last drop you did to me."

"It wasn’t me... it was Wings."

"Hmph, like you aren’t the one commanding it."