The bell rings, signaling the end of second period.
I glance down at my notes, feeling a small sense of pride. The page is filled with formulas and different examples of linear equations.
I snap my notebook shut and shove it into my backpack haphazardly before standing up and heading straight for the cafeteria.
Once inside, I scan the room, searching for Jane, but I don't see her anywhere.
Maybe she just hasn't gotten here yet.
I join the line of students getting lunch, keeping an eye out for Jane the entire time. When I finally grab my tray, I glance down at the food.
Chicken nuggets, a piece of bread, milk, and sliced oranges. Not the worst meal this place has served.
Tray in hand, I scan the cafeteria for the table where I usually sit with Jane and the others.
I spot Spencer first sitting in our usual spot with four chairs surrounding it. Brown hair with bangs covering his eyes, wearing a dark gray shirt with a drum set printed on the front. The long sleeves underneath are black, patterned with red rings.
But Jane isn't there.
My heart skips when I notice who is sitting next to him.
Simon.
I start walking toward the table, forcing myself to look calm even as panic churns in my chest.
Why him of all people? I was hoping I could avoid him until I confirmed if he really was the Simon from A Mage's Path to a Harem.
"Hey, David!" Spencer waves me over.
I take a seat across from him, Simon sitting to my left.
"So, David, have you met Simon yet?" Spencer asks, his voice bright and energetic. His smile is wide, practically infectious.
"He's a new student, and guess what…" He suddenly stands and leans closer to me, lowering his voice like he's sharing a secret. "He's from England. Isn't that awesome?"
I let out a small chuckle. "I know… I had him first period." I glance at Simon. He gives me a smile that feels like recognition.
But he's only looking at the girls, so I doubt he really remembers me. I don't exactly stick out.
I turn back to Spencer. "Have you seen Jane yet? I need to ask her something." I'm not letting what happened go. I can worry about Simon later.
Spencer jumps up from his seat, scanning the cafeteria like a scout on a mission. He cups his hands around his eyes, pretending they're binoculars. "Hmm… weird! I just saw her on the way to lunch. Thought she'd be here by now!"
He plops back into his chair with a grin, bouncing slightly in his seat. "Maybe she left early… or ate something weird this morning. You know how she is!" He's grinning ear to ear.
I frown, tapping my fingers on the table. "Yeah, but she didn't say anything… I really need to ask her something that's been on my mind."
Spencer leans forward, resting his chin on his hands, smirking. "Ooooh, something on your mind?" He lets out a playful gasp. "Is this… a confession? You sly dog!"
I wave my hand, trying to keep him from getting too carried away. "Spencer, this isn't a joke. Something weird happened, and I need answers."
Spencer laughs lightly, sitting back, still smiling. "Relax, man. She'll pop up eventually. She's probably fine. But… hey, if you are confessing, bring some flowers!"
I groan quietly, burying my face in my hands. "This isn't funny." Man, his face is really punchable.
Spencer nudges me playfully. "Okay, okay, calm down, tiger. I'm just trying to lighten the mood."
"Hey David, I got a question for you." A voice that was calm and clear. Its was from Simon.
Before I can respond to Spencer's teasing, I hear a calm, measured voice to my left.
"Hey… David, right?"
I snap my head toward Simon. My heart skips a beat. I completely forgot he was sitting right next to me while I was dealing with Spencer's antics.
"Uh… yeah," I stammer, suddenly aware of his piercing blue eyes studying me.
He tilts his head slightly, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Do you… like Jane?"
I freeze. Mind blank. Face burning. Great. I probably look like a tomato.
Simon's smile widens slightly, but he doesn't press further. He leans back, hands resting casually on the table, like he's observing a puzzle.
"You're… quiet," he says, calm and teasing. "Didn't expect someone like you to be so flustered."
I swallow hard. Nothing comes out. My thoughts are scrambled Spencer, Jane, the missing doodle, and now Simon calmly staring like he knows something I don't.
Spencer, sensing an opportunity, leans forward. "Ohhh, did Simon just call you out, David? Come on, man, answer the question! My joke wasn't wrong, right?"
I glare at him, wishing he'd disappear. He just leans back, smirking.
Simon chuckles quietly, the kind of effortless laugh that makes my panic worse. "Don't worry about the question," he says smoothly. "I was just curious… but your reaction says it all."
My heart's still pounding. How does someone stay so calm while making me feel completely embarrassed?
I groan, burying my face in my hands. Lunch just got infinitely more annoying.
As we continue chatting while eat the bell rings signaling the end of lunch
I stand up from my seat and say goodbye to Spencer and Simon. As I walk toward the cafeteria exit, my thoughts drift back to Simon.
He's different from how the manga portrayed him. Calmer. Smarter. Less… obvious. Maybe this Simon isn't the same one at all.
And really, the idea of someone from a fictional story coming to life is ridiculous.
With that thought steadying me, I head to third period.
I take my seat and glance toward the door, half expecting Jane to walk in at the last second. She doesn't.
She must've really left early.
I let out a quiet sigh and lean back in my chair. I'll send her a message after school.
Third and fourth period pass without anything out of the ordinary. No strange bells. No disappearing drawings. No sign of Jane.
By the time the final bell rings, the normalcy almost feels suspicious.
I stand up, sling my backpack over my shoulder, and head for the exit with the rest of the students.
Once I step outside the school, I pull out my phone to check for any messages. One notification pops up from Mom.
Make sure you come home as soon as you can. We need to talk. 30 min ago
"Well… there goes my plan for a walk," I mutter, letting out a sigh.
I live close enough to school that I usually walk home about thirty minutes if I take my normal route. It's my time to think, sometimes to run a bit, and, more importantly, a way to avoid the bus altogether. Even though I'm the first stop and wouldn't be on it for long, I can count the number of pleasant bus rides I've had on one hand, so I avoid it whenever I can.
Guess today isn't one of those days.
As I walk toward the buses, I see groups of students crowding around the entrances less like lines and more like a swarm. I squeeze through until I finally make it onto a bus that runs my route.
I climb the steps and immediately see what's holding everyone up. The bus driver is asking each student which street they get off at. After telling him my stop, I scan the seats for one that's empty. Luckily, there's one a row behind the driver on the left.
I sit down and pull out my phone.
I send Jane a message.
Hey, where were you? 1 min agoDid you leave early? now
I wait. Two minutes pass. Nothing.
With a quiet sigh, I close the messaging app and dig through my backpack for my earbuds. I open my music app and let a random song from my playlist play.
After ten more minutes of waiting, the bus finally starts moving. Thankfully, my stop is only five minutes away.
I get off and walk toward my house. My steps slow when I notice my dad's car parked in the driveway.
He usually doesn't get home until six.
I pull out my phone and check the time.
3:42 p.m.
I stare at the screen for a moment longer than I should.
Mom's message comes back to me. Make sure you come home as soon as you can. We need to have a talk.
I slip my phone back into my pocket, walk up the steps, and place my hand on the doorknob.