The Girl of Hearts

Klaus and Shade were always polar opposites, each embodying a distinct aura. While Shade radiated perpetual cheer and concern, Klaus often appeared draped in gloom, seemingly indifferent. Oddly enough, these divergent personalities served as no barricade; rather, they forged a unique connection. Their rapport was unmistakable, their care for one another unwavering.

Klaus always looked out for Shade, offering assistance when needed, always striving to evoke the radiant smiles characteristic of his brother. And reciprocally, Klaus understood that Shade harbored the same intentions.

In contrast to his infrequent smiles, Shade was unwavering in his quest to uplift Klaus, prioritizing his comfort and joy.

To some, their bond might seem more akin to best friends than brothers, elucidating Klaus's unwavering commitment to assuaging Shade's concerns—particularly in the face of disconcerting news.

Upon their arrival at school, the corridors thrummed with students navigating towards their lockers and classrooms. In their final year of high school, Klaus and Shade shared this status, albeit not the same class, prompting them to part ways upon reaching the premises.

Klaus deftly maneuvered his skateboard, coasting along the hallways en route to his designated locker.

"Teacher just ahead," a passing student alerted him as he neared a classroom along the way. Swiftly, Klaus dismounted and cradled the skateboard in his grasp, mere seconds before the teacher glanced outside to discern the source of the skating sounds.

Their gazes locked momentarily as the teacher inquired, her voice tinged with suspicion, "I hope that wasn't you?"

"No, ma'am," Klaus retorted respectfully while continuing his stride. Observing her retreat to the classroom, he released his skateboard and resumed his determined course.

He then reached his locker before depositing his bag and retrieving the necessary books for his initial class—math.

Klaus's relationship with math was a peculiar one; it wasn't a question of proficiency but rather a matter of effort. Consistently earning scores above the norm, he found himself relatively untroubled. Even in moments when his attention wavered in class, his mind embarking on a tangent, the assurance of success remained unwavering. While perfection wasn't the aim, a solid eighty out of a hundred was consistently deemed satisfactory.

Having successfully navigated the rigors of his preceding class, Klaus segued into the subsequent session—a general lecture on History that was held at the auditorium. The day seemed typical, yet distinct in subject matter.

The day's discourse centered on the topic of ancient deities, the Gods that had once held dominion over human reverence. The teacher delved into the annals of antiquity, recounting tales of mankind's initial communion with the divine entity.

Amidst the lecture, a ripple of laughter traversed the class.

"A God?" someone interjected, skepticism lacing their tone. "How do we know the story is true?"

The teacher met the query with a thoughtful response. "Even if proof is not present, there is still room for belief."

Little to no humans retained faith in the existence of Gods on Earth, a sentiment reflected within the classroom. Concrete proof was lacking, even the mythical monsters expounded upon by the teacher were eradicated without a trace, creating skepticism rather than conviction.

"Sir, do you believe that the Gods exist?" another voice chimed in.

"I am only here to teach you what is given to me. My personal opinion shouldn't matter," he countered, an air of uncertainty underscoring his words.

Yet, amid this discourse and contemplation, Klaus had succumbed to slumber. His few hours of reprieve did little to curb his fatigue, culminating in this moment of unintended rest.

"Maybe, but honestly it's better to tell him. No point stretching it," a voice suddenly echoed, stirring Klaus from sleep.

Familiar surroundings dissolved, replaced by an otherworldly realm, an unsettling detachment from Earth surrounded by bright light and thick white fog. Rising from an unfamiliar state, three colossal figures glanced back at Klaus—all about eight feet tall.

"What the..." he began, a strange recognition seizing his thoughts.

"He's remembering something," one of the strange beings, who appeared closest to him, muttered as they looked to see if he was alright. Their anticipation lingered, awaiting his response.

The closer colossal being then called out to him in concern- "Klaus, Klaus, Klaus, Klaus..." "Klaus!!!"

He immediately jolted awake, Shade's tapping rousing him from the trance. "Wake up, dude, class is over," Shade's voice broke through. Klaus swiftly comprehended that it had been a dream, the same recurring one. "Weird," he mumbled, rising to his feet and exiting the auditorium alongside Shade.

As they strolled out, Shade directed his attention toward Klaus.

CONVERSATION

Shade: So what did you think?

Klaus: About what?

Shade: Y'know, the whole thing about Gods and stuff.

Klaus paused on the spot for a bit, and Shade halted too, glancing at him.

Klaus: I think it's a ridiculous story.

Shade: Really? Wow. Though, I personally believe there's a chance of possibility.

Klaus: Don't you think that's just you hoping there's a celestial being protecting you instead?

Shade: I mean, sure. But to be fair, even if there's no proof of their existence, it doesn't necessarily prove their nonexistence either.

Klaus: I guess you have a point. But personally, I do not believe in such a convenient story. This world isn't that great, to begin with, so if there truly is a God or a bunch of them watching over us, they're doing a horrible job.

Shade: *giggling* Well, I suppose you've already formed your opinion on the matter.

Klaus: *sighing* I guess.

After walking for a while, they once again went their separate ways to their respective classes.

Shortly after, the break time arrived before their final class. Klaus made his way to his locker, swapping out his used books and collecting the ones he needed.

Amid his locker routine, a growing murmur swelled through the hallway, becoming increasingly audible. The students seemed captivated by something, their focus converging on a particular spot. At first, Klaus remained indifferent, his attention undistracted.

However, the crescendo of chatter and the advancing clamor prompted him to pivot and inspect the source of the commotion. A trio of girls had emerged into the spotlight of attention, yet it was evident that the fervor was centered around a single individual among them.

Recognizing the focal figure, Klaus swiftly averted his gaze, returning to his locker and concentrating on his own tasks.

The girl glided down the corridor, a magnetic aura that drew the attention of virtually every onlooker. Her name passed through hushed conversations as they gazed, ensnared by her presence. Yet, this was routine for her—a regular day, seemingly unaffected by the attention.

But amid the spectacle, she discerned something amiss. Amid the sea of eyes fixated on her, there was one individual who displayed an utter lack of concern for her actions.

Drawing nearer to Klaus, she observed his unwavering focus on his locker, meticulously organizing his books. This behavior provoked an unsettling response within her—a flicker of irritation. It was as if her anticipated admirer was withholding the attention she usually commanded.

However, this peculiarity also sparked her curiosity. Why was it ineffective on him? Driven by intrigue, she beckoned her two companions and approached Klaus.

"Hey, Klaus," one of her companions addressed him, their trio halting at his locker. He pivoted toward the girl who spoke, responding with a casual, "Hey, Madison." Without investing additional attention, he resumed his task.

A smile played across Madison's lips at his response. However, sensing her friend's distaste for his dismissive demeanor, she subtly pouted and averted her gaze, concealing her smile as though chastised. It wasn't long before the main girl initiated a conversation.

"Oh, you must be Klaus Walker?"

Klaus remained unresponsive.

At this juncture, a trace of irritation tinged the girl's demeanor, yet she maintained her composure—aware that all eyes were fixed on their interaction, she was determined not to yield ground.

Continuing, she introduced herself, "I don't think we've met in person. My name is..."

"Rose Valentine. I know," Klaus interjected.

A warm smile graced Rose's features, bolstered by his knowledge of her identity. "So, you know who I am?" she inquired, her sense of control gradually restoring.

"The girl that everyone can't keep their eyes off. The most beautiful girl in the entire school."

Klaus's compliment elicited an unrestrained smile from Rose, reassured by his praise. However, her sense of control was short-lived, extinguished by his final statement.

"Is that what you wanted to hear?"

That sentence pricked like a thorn. Her expression underwent a rapid transformation as her gaze flitted nervously around, noting that all eyes were fixated on her. An acute sense of embarrassment surged within her. Rose's friends were quick to sense her discomfort and chimed in.

"Come on, Klaus, that's not nice," they interjected, their reproach directed toward him.

Klaus appeared somewhat puzzled by their response, raising an eyebrow in mild surprise. The extent of the situation's impact wasn't fully apparent to him; he hadn't intended to be hurtful, he just simply didn't care.

As a few moments ticked by, Rose managed a smile. The surrounding spectators held their breath, captivated by the unfolding scene that had hushed the corridor.

Turning her attention back to Klaus, Rose continued, "Aww, come on. You don't have to say all that. Honestly, I'm not interested in such claims." Pausing for a beat, she locked eyes with him and pressed further, "But what I'm really interested in is what YOU think about it."

At the very instant those words left her lips, something utterly unexpected transpired. As Klaus met her gaze, he discerned a peculiar change in her pupils—a shift from their original blue to a luminous shade of pink.

Klaus was taken aback by the unexpected occurrence. His initial assumption was that his eyes were playing tricks on him, yet upon a second glance, his certainty grew. The change was real.

Perplexity filled him as he struggled to comprehend the phenomenon. "Wait, what?" he exclaimed, his amazement evident.

At the same time, Rose's astonishment mirrored his own. Her countenance shifted, reflecting her surprise at his reaction, which had deviated from her anticipation. She grappled with understanding why her usual approach hadn't yielded the desired result. "Why didn't it work?" she pondered inwardly.

Swiftly recovering her composure, she adopted a smile once more. Aware of the many onlookers present, she chose to downplay the situation. "Never mind," she continued, unfazed. "You're a pretty interesting person, Klaus. Perhaps I'll be seeing you soon."

"Don't hold your breath," Klaus thought to himself, though he elected to keep his thoughts private, aware that voicing them could amplify the situation needlessly.

With Rose's departure, accompanied by her friends, Klaus was left to his own thoughts. It only took a few moments for another student to approach him.

"You're so lucky! You received a compliment from THE Rose Valentine." The comment merely served to ruffle his feathers further.

Before that particular day, Klaus had maintained a deliberate distance from Rose, avoiding any interactions or connections. Her sporadic school attendance didn't prevent her from acing her classes, a fact that had intrigued him. Rose personified the type of individuals he harbored disdain for—those who exuded a need for control or believed themselves superior. He held an inherent dislike for such people, sensing an air of arrogance in their demeanor. Klaus was acutely aware that individuals like Rose rarely let matters rest, and thus, he anticipated that she wouldn't simply let the incident earlier go by unnoticed.

With the school day concluded, Klaus retrieved his bag from his locker, stowing away his books for the day, and set out to meet Shade.

As his locker creaked open, an unexpected note fluttered to the ground. The message "Call me <3" was inscribed alongside what appeared to be a phone number. While he had half-expected such a note, he had hoped for a less conspicuous situation. Unfortunately, hope often clashed with reality.

Klaus harbored a deep aversion to being thrust into the spotlight. He eschewed excessive attention, which was precisely why Rose grated on his nerves. However, his popularity remained indisputable within the school's confines.

Navigating his social realm was a paradox. He retained widespread popularity, seen as dependable and trustworthy by his male peers, and garnering attention from the opposite sex due to his undeniable attractiveness. Yet, Klaus rarely indulged in socializing, his invitations to parties a common occurrence despite his predictable absence. His peers respected his preference for solitude, consciously avoiding placing him in situations he found uncomfortable.

It was possible that underneath his enigmatic veneer, everyone discerned the inherent goodness within him.

After he was done at his locker, Klaus met up with Shade and headed back home.

Upon returning home, Klaus retrieved his laundered clothes and, alongside Shade, tackled a few household chores in preparation for their mother's return. Once the tasks were accomplished, Shade retreated to the living room for some television time, while Klaus, acutely aware of his pressing need for rest, opted for a much-needed nap. Weary, he climbed the stairs and nestled himself into bed.

Later that evening, Klaus stirred awake, the clock reading 8:30 pm, a testament to the exhaustion that had gripped him. With renewed vigor after a quick shower, he opted to recline by his bed. Retrieving his rubber ball, he absentmindedly bounced it around the room, only to abruptly halt.

Stretching out on the bed, his feet hovering over the edge, Klaus directed his gaze upward, fixating on the expanse of the ceiling. Deep in thought, his mind began to churn.

Shifting his gaze towards his bag resting on the table near his door, a bit of a distance from where he lay, Klaus extended his arm to retrieve it. In a puzzling twist, a note seemed to materialize within his palm as he reached out. This was the same note Rose had left in his locker earlier.

Swiftly, almost instinctively, he rose from his position, extracted the note from his bag, deftly secured the bag's closure, and hung it on its designated hook — all within a fraction of a second. The swiftness was hardly astonishing given the nocturnal hour.

Yet, there was an underlying strangeness to the situation. Klaus hadn't been swayed or charmed by Rose's gesture, but a gnawing curiosity had taken root. It wasn't the flattery that intrigued him; rather, he was fascinated by the peculiar occurrence during their encounter in the hallway. He was certain he had witnessed her eyes illuminate with an otherworldly hue.

Recalling the interaction, he mused over her subsequent response to his astonishment. It led him to ponder whether it was his perception at fault or if she had indeed manipulated something visible. Adding to the intrigue was the absence of chatter about the occurrence among their peers.

"What exactly was that?" he wondered aloud, his determination firm to uncover the truth behind the enigmatic display.

The predicament he faced was that a straightforward call to inquire about the incident wouldn't suffice. Should she truly have orchestrated it, she'd likely disavow any knowledge; conversely, if she hadn't, his outreach might be misconstrued as a pretext to engage with her, adding further to his unease. So, he opted to let the matter go.

"Persisting would only be too stressful," he reflected.

As he compressed the note between his fingers and discarded it into the waste bin, his phone rang, the caller ID displaying an unfamiliar number. His initial inclination was to disregard the call, yet as the same number persisted in its attempts, he chose to answer, a hint of curiosity overcoming his initial reluctance.

CONVERSATION

Klaus: Hello?

Rose: So... were you thinking about me?

Klaus was taken aback by the synchronicity of her call, aligning closely with his thoughts.

Klaus: How'd you get my number?

Rose: Oh, don't worry about that. I have my sources.

Klaus: What do you want, Rose?

Rose: You ask a lot of questions, don't you?

A few seconds went by without a response.

Rose: Look, Klaus, I just wanna say that you have the wrong idea about me.

Klaus: And what idea might that be?

Rose: Really, another question? Anyway, look, I'm aware of how I come across at school, and I understand that I can come off as a bit self-absorbed. But that's not truly who I am. It's one of those things you do to maintain a certain level of status, you know.

Klaus: And why should I believe you?

Rose: Urgh. Okay, fine, you're right. You have no reason to. But that's why I called you. I knew you'd see the note and still choose not to call because that's just who you are. And that's why I find you interesting.

Klaus: You find me not caring about you interesting?

Rose: You can't blame a girl who's literally the center of attention in the entire school.

Klaus: *sighing* I guess not.

Rose: Finally, a response that isn't a question. Anyway, wanna hang out?

Klaus: Not really.

Rose: Oh come on, it'll be fun. *smiling* I promise not to flirt.

Klaus: Not exactly what I'm concerned about.

Rose: Come on, Klaus. Just for a few hours.

Klaus: It's getting late, Rose. Maybe some other time.

Rose: Booooo. Anyways... I'll be at Luigi's in case you change your mind. *smiling* And who knows, you might get to know a few mysteries about me. Toodles.

Then she hung up.

Klaus felt that something was still amiss. Why did she genuinely want to hang out with him? What was her objective?

However, he sensed that her words weren't a complete fabrication, or at least they didn't come across that way. Her giving him the green light to seek the answer to what had transpired indicated that she was aware it had occurred. He believed she was conscious of the situation, and by this point, he was nearly a hundred percent convinced that it wasn't merely a product of his imagination.

But he also understood that he couldn't just meet up with her for the first time and abruptly discuss her eyes glowing. Thus, he surmised that her intention in saying that was to encourage him to meet with her, even though the topic might not be broached, and she might even deny it.

At the moment, he wasn't truly invested in the scenario, so he decided to pass on the opportunity. He reclined on his bed, once again gazing at the ceiling, and hoped, this time, to slip into a state of slumber.