The twenty-minute break

The twenty-minute break before club time was a cacophony of teenage chatter. Students spilled out of classrooms, their backpacks slung over shoulders, laughter echoing through the marble hallways. Adam Greene leaned against the lockers, his eyes scanning the crowd for Aria. And there she was-a constellation of curiosity in a group of patterned skirts and loose shoes. Aria was by the water fountain, her fingers touching what seemed to be an old library book. Her eyes flitted from one face to another, as if memorizing names and quirks.

Adam pushed off the lockers, his sneakers squeaking on the polished floor. He had a mission: make Aria-Luna's first day unforgettable. Adam had been assigned the task of showing her around. They shared the same home room, and he was chosen because he was the class minister. His best friend, Bryce, had already cornered her near the vending machines, reciting poetry about sunsets and forbidden love. Bryce was like that-always falling headfirst into infatuation, like a clumsy puppy chasing its tail."Adam!" Bryce waved him over. "Meet Aria. She's-"Adam cut him off. "Our newest addition. we've met." He extended his hand to Aria. "Adam Greene by the way, unofficial tour guide and occasional troublemaker."Aria's smile was a sunrise. "Nice to meet you."As they walked, Adam checked his watch, he barely had 15 minutes to finish this tour before clubs, but he was determined to show Aria a good time."So where do we start?" Aria asked playfully.Adam smirked as he walked ahead before turning back to face her, "Just try to keep up." he teased before moving forward.As Adam lead her through the posh private boarding school, she couldn't help but be impressed by the grandeur of the place. The first thing she noticed was the large atrium with its soaring ceilings and marble floor. The atrium branched out in two directions, leading to the various parts of the school. As they moved on, she was struck by the attention to detail in the interior design. The major atrium served as the hub of the school, with beautiful marble flooring and soaring ceilings that created an open, airy feel. Large windows let in streams of natural light, illuminating the space and giving it a warm and inviting atmosphere. Adam gestured towards the imposing main building with a sense of pride."Over there, you've got the two main wings of the school," Adam explained, pointing towards the east and west wings. "The east wing, also known as the junior wing, houses all the junior classes and the largest auditorium in the entire city." Aria's eyes widened in awe as she took in the grandeur of the junior wing, the auditorium especially, imagining the countless performances and events that must have taken place within its walls."And on the other side, we've got the west wing, or the senior wing," Adam continued, motioning towards the imposing structure. "That's where you'll find all our senior classes, labs, and the main gym.""But what about the principal's office and the rest?" Aria asked, curiosity piqued.Adam grinned, leading her towards the connecting gangway that linked the junior wing to the main administrative building."It's this way," he said, his voice tinged with excitement. "The administration block is where all the magic happens, or at least that's want they want you to believe." he said anticlimactically, his expression darkening as he pointed, "You'll find the principal's office, the school counselors, and of course, the reception center over there."As they crossed the gangway, she couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation building within her. It was clear that Moonstone Academy was more than just a school. It held more secrets than anyone knew, and she was going to get to the bottom of it. as they headed back towards the senior wing Aria couldn't help but ask."You seemed pretty uninterested in the administration block. Any bad experiences?" she asked curiously. Adam chuckled softly, a hint of bitterness creeping into his smile as he ran a hand through his hair."It's nothing, really," he replied, his voice tinged with frustration. "I just don't like how black kids like me get treated around here by some of the teachers sometimes... The worst part is the principal knows what's going on and yet she chooses to keep quiet about it. That just gets on my nerves sometimes."Aria nodded sympathetically, her heart going out to Adam as she listened to him speak. She could only imagine how frustrating it must be to feel like you're being treated unfairly because of something as arbitrary as skin color.As they continued their tour, Adam led Aria to the achievement wall-a display of trophies, medals, and shields won by the school over the years. At the top, emblazoned in bold letters, was the name of the school team: the Moonstone Golden Wolves.Adam's eyes lingered on the basketball section, where a picture of him and his teammates holding the last year's interstate high school basketball cup caught his attention."It's moments like these that make it all worth it," Adam said, his voice filled with pride as he looked at the picture. "Despite everything, being part of a team and bringing home that trophy... It's a feeling like no other."Aria smiled, she sensed the passion and dedication radiating from Adam as he spoke. It was clear that basketball meant the world to him, and she couldn't help but admire his strong will and strength in tough times. As they stood together in front of the achievement wall, Aria knew that she was witnessing something special-a glimpse into the heart and soul of a true competitor, and she felt lucky to witness it.As Adam and Aria admired the school's Olympic shield, a hint of curiosity lingered in Adam's mind, prompting him to broach a delicate topic."So, um, Aria," Adam began cautiously, his eyes darting between Aria and the shield. "If you don't mind me asking, do you know anything about the murder?"Aria's demeanor shifted slightly as she straightened up, her expression growing somber as she began to recount the chilling tale. "Back in my old school, there was this boy who was rumored to be a werewolf, and last week, his mangled body was discovered stuffed in the janitor's closet. All security footage had mysteriously vanished, fueling rumors that he had been killed by an actual werewolf on that fateful night. That's pretty much it really.""I don't believe in werewolves," Adam mused, a hint of skepticism coloring his tone.Aria raised an eyebrow teasingly, a glint of mischief dancing in her gray almond eyes. "Oh yeah?" she countered. "And what if I told you they were real?"Adam chuckled softly, his skepticism unwavering. "I think seeing is believing," he replied with a shrug, eager to change the subject. "C'mon, the tour is far from over yet."As they continued their tour of the school, Adam couldn't shake the eerie feeling that lingered in the air. Despite his disbelief in supernatural tales, the mystery of the murder gnawed at the back of his mind, leaving him with more questions than answers.There was one more thing that Adam had to show Aria before concluding the tour-the clubs. As they strolled back towards the west wing, they were met by a not-so-pleasant surprise. Harris, the typical high school bully, sported a buzz-cut and a permanent scowl as he strutted toward them, his eyes fixated on Aria."Well, well," Harris drawled, his tone dripping with arrogance. "What do we have here? A fresh face. Lost, sweetheart?"Adam stepped forward, his mind already formulating a plan. "You're the one who's lost, Harris."Harris's frown deepened. "Back off, Greene. Or do you want me to beat you up again?" Adam hesitated, but he refused to back down, especially in front of Aria.It was true, Adam wasn't a fighter. His lean physique, while suitable for athletics and basketball, paled in comparison to Harris's larger, more muscular build. Adam knew he would lose a fight against him any day, but he couldn't afford to show weakness now, not in front of Aria. He had to think of something-and fast.Luckily, Mr. Patterson, the English teacher, was making his way towards his next class. Adam knew all too well that Harris wouldn't dare resort to violence in front of a staff member. seizing the opportunity, Adam decided to get cheeky.He leaned in, his voice slow and cheeky. "Harris, you're like a broken pencil-pointless."A smirk tugged at Aria's lips. Harris's face flushed with anger, but instead of retreating, he stepped closer, his breath hot and threatening."You think you're tough, Greene?" Harris sneered, before noticing Mr. Patterson eyeing him suspiciously. "This isn't over. I don't want to make a scene, but I'll find you later. We'll settle this."Adam held his ground, unfazed by Harris's threats. "Looking forward to it."As Harris slinked away, Aria tugged at Adam's sleeve, concern etched in her features. "Is this normal?"Adam chuckled wryly. "Welcome to Moonstone Academy. Where legends are made, bullies roam the halls, and homework is optional," he mused, before leading her towards the club rooms.The school had a number of clubs. Each club room was unique, reflecting the interests and activities of the students who used it. The archery club, for example, had a rustic feel with wooden walls and a high, peaked ceiling that gave the room an outdoorsy feel. As they passed by the archery club room, they saw a group of students practicing their aim, the sound of arrows hitting the bullseye echoed through the room. The football club had sleek, modern design, with high-tech equipment and a state-of-the-art turf field. The basketball club had a classic gymnasium feel, with a hardwood floor and high-reaching walls that are perfect for slam dunks.The science club was a technological wonder, with advanced equipment and high-tech tools that let students explore and learn about science in a hands-on way. The botany club was no different with a peaceful, natural feel, a greenhouse that let students connect with nature and learn about plants. The rifle club had a military feel, with targets and shooting lanes that give students the chance to hone their skills. Additionally, it also had an outdoor extension which let the students put their hunting skill to the test. personally, speaking this was Adam's favorite club as far as he was concerned because he was naturally talented marksman and had won prizes for his skill long before he had moved to basketball,The journalist club had a newsroom feel, with desks, computers, and a bulletin board for displaying articles and photos. The investigator club had a mystery novel feel, with a map on the wall and a large table for planning and strategizing. The boxing club had a rough-and-tumble feel, with a boxing ring, speed bags, and heavy bags for students to practice their moves. The computer club had a futuristic feel, with the latest technology and cutting-edge software that let students explore and learn about computer science. And the cooking club had a warm and welcoming feel, with a fully equipped kitchen, cozy seating areas, and the delicious aroma of fresh-baked goods and gourmet meals.There next stop was the gym, which was a modern facility, with gleaming weightlifting equipment and cardio machines. They watched in awe as students went about their routines, their dedication to fitness evident in their movements. As they were taking in the scene, Adam suddenly noticed something that made his spine chill. Coach Thompson, a towering man with a whistle permanently lodged in his mouth, glared at Adam as he walked towards him."Greene! You're twenty minutes late! AGAIN!" Coach Thompson's voice reverberated through the gym, his frustration palpable. "Twenty pushups, now!"Adam complied, dropping to the ground with Aria-Luna still giggling beside him. "Adam," she whispered, "you're quite the troublemaker.""Only when pushups are involved," Adam replied with a grin, performing each pushup with exaggerated flair. "I guess our tour ends here," he added cheekily.Coach Thompson's scowl deepened. "Something funny, Greene? That's it, you're gonna squat waddle all the way to the court!" he fumed, prompting Adam to begin the slow and agonizing journey to the basketball court. "See you later, Aria," Adam called out with a wave, to which she responded with a playful giggle."Call me Luna, all my friends do." she said before waving goodbye too.As Adam disappeared into the next corridor, squat-waddling with his angry coach in tow, Aria-Luna couldn't shake the sense of connection she felt. It was a feeling she hadn't experienced in a really long while, it left her both intrigued and cautiously optimistic.Suddenly, an unfamiliar monotone voice broke the silence from behind Luna, causing her to turn around with a guarded expression."Why were you stalking us?" she demanded, recognizing the girl who had been observing them."I didn't think you'd notice me; nobody ever has. So, my hunch was right then," the girl mused cryptically. "We're gonna have so much fun, aren't we, Rivera?"The air crackled with tension as Luna pondered the girl's words, her curiosity piqued and a sense of foreboding settling over her. Little did she know, this encounter would mark the beginning of a series of events that would change the course of her time at Moonstone Academy forever.