Chapter 1

"One day we'll meet again, in memories, in death, in love, in clouds, in grief, in goodbyes, in shadows, in dreams and we'll be together."

Eve shuffled nervously as his legs became jelly for how long he had been standing and staring at the Sunford Academy, his severe anxiety made it hard for him to pass through the gates. He swallowed thickly but the lump in his throat made it hard for him. He clutched his bag's straps tightly as people's stares poked holes in his head, making his legs wobble and a sense of unease wash over him. He didn't even dare to look up or take another step. He knows that if he dares to look up he'll meet the eyes of other humans who are definitely looking at his awkwardness with eyes full of judgement.

He sucked in his breath, knowing he looked like a mannequin due to how still he stood without moving. And everyone would have believed it if it wasn't for his rich chocolate hair wriggling in the wind. He shook his head to clear his mind and pat talked to bolster his shaky confidence so he could at least make it to the gates of this hell called Academy without fainting or having a panic attack. He dreadfully examined his surroundings; a pitiful attempt to motivate himself to move.

However, as soon as his eyes met with other people, which he assumed must be the guardians, who were here to chuck away their troublesome kids, who couldn't control themselves from breaking laws and committing crimes, always giving their parents headaches and visits to police stations, he quickly looked down again. His heart thundered in his ribcage, thumping so fast that he got scared that he'll have a heart attack at any second.

"Come on Eve." Eve flinched when his father put his arm around his shoulder causing Eve to shrink and look smaller. He wasn't small though, he was around 5'9 but the way he always has his guards up, it made him look bashful and small. He bumbled and struggled more whenever he was in public and not on his comfy bed in his room.

"Sir, are you going to enter or not? The gates will be officially closed after six for this semester." The guard yelled, standing at the gate, waiting for them to enter. Eve and his father are the only ones left to enter.

Sunford academy is an all-boys boarding school. Where rich parents tossed their rebellious kids who are too much to deal with. No matter how the outside world perceives them or makes assumptions about the school, the students are more complicated than they appear. Every student has a dark and tumultuous history and they've been prisoned here to create more history with their rowdy-ness.

But calling it school would be wrong since sunford is just a substitute of prison and the students are about 20 and above it.

They're not here to study or to build a career; instead, they're prisoners running from another prison that was a real big deal in the outside world. Running from their screwed up lives, they are now oth to ruin others' lives. Which includes the teachers that are forced to work here with high pay. The teachers received ten times of normal schools.

Sunford is located in an isolated place which is surrounded by thick green and dark forest, so it's not easy to escape this hell filled with demons in disguise.

"Yes, yes we were just about to enter."

Eve's father let out rapidly as he grabbed his son's wrist and started to bring him inside, the poor child heaved as he attempted to keep up with his father's pace. Eve's stomach tightened in anxiety as soon as he heard the obnoxious and unpleasant sound of the metal gate closing. He has, at last, entered the prison of hell, and now he will be unable to flee from his fate.

Eve, the soon-to-be newbie, kept his head down as he struggled to match his father's long strides. He heard loud hootings and ecstatic cries filling the air, but he didn't dare to look up. His father turned to face the boys playing basketball on the big and expansive court. He winced as he heard them screaming every possible curse in existence.

Sunford is a boarding school with approximately 1000 students and three main buildings with enormous playgrounds. It has every play court, stadiums, tracks etc. It also offers the facility of private swimming pool classes; all you have to do is pay to have them separately where no one can bother you.

"Look, Eve. It's not that bad son, see everyone's having fun and you must to. Make a lot of new friends while you're here. And I hope your mother's anger cools down by then," His father said and Eve flinched at the mention of his mother.

They were about to enter the main school when they were stopped by someone.

"We'll escort him from here, you can hand his luggage to him. Thank you for accompanying him this far, he's now on his own," The principal smiled politely. But no matter how hard Eve tried, the fear in his stomach just doesn't go away. "Please exchange your goodbyes."

"Yes, of course," His father hugged his son tightly as he worriedly pats Eve's back. He pulled back and was surprised at how Eve was not crying or throwing tantrums to take him back with him. He proudly ruffled his hair. "You take care of yourself, alright?"

Eve looked up at him and nervously nodded, forcing out a weak smile. His father smiled back and looked at the principal.

"Please take good care of him."

"We will for sure," The principal smiled as he made the promise.

Eve sighed after a few minutes of staring at his father's back, which was shrinking and shrinking until he was completely gone.

"Come on, kiddo, pick your luggage and follow me!" The principal exclaimed, making the boy jump at his tone. Eve followed the voice, and instead of a warm smile, his principal had a scowl on his face. "We don't have all day; it's almost dinner time, and I need to distribute curriculum copies to you guys; now, follow me."

Eve nodded and strained to pick up his heavy suitcases because they were too big for him to carry alone. When they finally arrived at the principal's office, Eve spotted many pairs of shoes.

"Stand in line with them."

Eve took a timid peek at his fellow inmates. He gulped as he attempted to read their expressions; he was successful with some students but failed with others. There were all kinds of emotions present there; some seemed unconcerned about being sent here, some appeared bored, and some appeared pleased with a wicked smirk on their lips. However, the majority of them appeared terrified and were about to piss their pants off like Eve.

He trudged carefully towards the line, and due to the attention he received as the last student who made everyone wait; he managed to trip on his own legs and fell on his knees. He heard a few snorts and could feel everyone's eyes drilling holes into his head.

Due to his severe anxiety, he can't handle so much attention at once, exposing his clumsy side on his first day.

"Tsk! Watch your steps kid." The principal groaned in annoyance.

He quickly picked up his bags that had slipped from his shoulder, his face flushed with embarrassment as he heard the snickers; some pitied him, but they were more concerned with themselves. He hurriedly joined the line, and the laughter ceased.

"This is the curriculum you'll need to follow; all of the rules and restrictions are also mentioned inside on page no. 3 that you must strictly adhere to," The principal glared at the new students, before walking over to hand them the copies. "I know you'll think of this as trash and probably tossed them in a corner without even opening it, but there are consequences of your every action, and believe me, you don't want to bear them," the principal said solemnly, and a calm silence fell over the room as he finished speaking.

Eve tried to hide his terrifying emotion, but his nerves made it impossible; he didn't even know about the consequences, but just thinking about them sent shivers down his spine, let alone experiencing them.

He was scared to death.

"I know you're not going to listen to me, but no fighting with other students, no drugs, no using any kind of weapon, and yes! your pens and compass are considered weapons in this school, so pull up that excuse. And the last and most important rule, you all must be inside of your room before nine because lights will go off at sharp nine. A bell will give you the warning, don't dare to miss it out at any cost," the principal warned, drawing a sigh from some of the delinquents as they rolled their eyes. "Aside from that, you'll be free to do whatever you want because, let's get one thing straight, your money overpowers every rule."

He turned around and handed each of them a piece of paper. "This is your room number and the names of your roommates; you've been paired with ideal candidates who have committed the same or similar crimes as you, so you'll be staying with them."

No one understood the logic behind this, it's like putting wild animals in one cage. However, everyone grimaced because nobody was looking forward to meeting their roommates. Especially Eve, whose eyes widened in panic, his conscience breaking down little by little.

Same crime as him. How is he going to survive his new roommate if he has committed the same offence as him?