Zteel

The soft chime tune of "Westminster Quarters" played on the intercoms of the school edifice.

Students dressed down in their typical school uniforms, making their way to their respective classrooms.

"Attention students!" The intercoms announced softly. "Welcome back to Polaris Academy! Please make your way to your classes as they are set to begin in ten minutes."

Kairi Watson sat idly at her usual desk located toward the back of a classroom along its single wall lined with windows. She'd been cycling between checking her phone and reading a book to pass time.

Kai was a student in her final year of high school in the city of New Jericho. She lived in the city by herself, her parents being able to send her to Polaris Academy for its prestigious reputation based upon providing students with an epitomized education.

They didn't live with her, opting instead to remain in a city further west in the District called Crownsend. Her father would be the one able to finance her relocation, as he had quite a locally significant role in the private sector there.

Though she had only been entering her third year at Polaris Academy, this seemed to be more than enough time for Kai to grow fairly popular, having established herself as very intelligent, kind, and compassionate.

Nonetheless, she managed to keep a low profile, minding her own business and oftentimes opting to keep to herself.

She continued to read until a few of her friends gathered around her desk.

"Kai," one began with a smug expression. "We've got something to talk to you about."

"Yeah," another added. "We've noticed you and a certain someone have been hanging out quite a bit."

Confused, Kai closed her book. "What are you guys talking about?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"They're talking about Fazian," Naomi explained as she joined the group, slipping easily into the conversation like it was second nature.

Naomi Takahashi was Kai's closest friend, though they were strikingly different in personality. Where Kai often preferred to keep to herself, Naomi was effortlessly sociable, a natural at drawing people in and making them feel at ease.

She had a knack for knowing when to step in, always ready to deflect attention when Kai seemed overwhelmed or encourage her when she needed it most.

"I've been trying to keep them from teasing you," Naomi said, sitting on the desk beside Kai and gesturing toward the others with an exasperated grin. "But you know how they get. And honestly, Kai, you don't make it easy for me."

Kai raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means Fazian's been making a lot of effort," Naomi teased lightly, her grin widening. "And you're just letting it happen. The morning coffee? The walks to class? I mean, come on, Kai."

"He's just being polite, and we're just friends," Kai replied, her cheeks flushing as the others snickered.

"Ooh…" the group chimed in collectively.

"How typical," one started, smirking. "After all, that's what they all say."

Naomi leaned closer, her tone softening. "Polite? Really? You've never been that dense before."

Kai groaned, placing a hand on her face. "Naomi, I don't even like coffee! I've told him that."

"And yet you still take it every time," Naomi shot back, her voice warm with affection. "Face it, Kai. You're too nice for your own good sometimes."

Despite the teasing, Kai knew Naomi meant well. She'd always been the one to push her out of her comfort zone, gently nudging her toward the kind of experiences Kai might otherwise avoid. Naomi's easy confidence and unwavering support were things Kai admired, even if she wouldn't admit it out loud.

"C'mon," one of the others continued, leaning in with a playful grin. "He's the president of the student council, a member of the chess club, and captain of the debate and fencing teams. You don't even find him the slightest bit attractive?"

The friend drew closer, lowering their voice conspiratorially. "Plus, I heard his family is kind of wealthy."

Kai hesitated, pondering the question for a moment. Finally, and somewhat reluctantly, she admitted, "Okay, maybe a little bit."

The group erupted into a collective chorus of coos and giggles, but Kai quickly raised a hand in protest.

"But I've never thought of him that way! Again, he's just a family friend, that's all."

"Yeah, right, Kai," they teased in unison. "Whatever you say."

"But seriously," Naomi continued, her tone softening. "If you don't make a move soon, someone else will. Fazian's... well, you've seen how people look at him."

Kai shrugged, brushing off the comment, though her cheeks flushed a deeper shade. "I don't think I'm his type anyway."

"Right," one friend teased, smirking. "That's why he spends half his time finding excuses to hang out with you."

Kai groaned, rolling her eyes before picking up her book. "Okay, that's enough. I have a class to get to, and so do you," she said, waving them off with a playful scowl.

Naomi lingered a moment longer, giving her a knowing wink. "Alright, alright, we'll stop. For now. Seriously, though... maybe you should think about it. You never know what might come of it."

Kai paused, her gaze dropping to the book in her hands as Naomi's words lingered in her mind. The group finally began to scatter, their laughter trailing behind them.

As they walked away, one friend muttered just loud enough for Kai to hear, "What brand of coffee do you think he'll bring her this time?"

--

"Alright, Faze, be honest. What's your strategy today?" Ethan asked, falling into step beside him. His tone was dripping with mock seriousness, though the grin on his face gave him away.

"Strategy?" Fazian repeated, arching an eyebrow. "You make it sound like I'm preparing for a debate."

"Well, you're captain of the debate team," teased Marcus, walking on Fazian's other side. "But I think Ethan's referring to the fact that you keep 'coincidentally' bumping into Kai between classes. Funny how that keeps happening."

Fazian adjusted the strap of his bag, his expression cool despite the heat creeping into his ears. "Maybe you two have too much free time on your hands. How about focusing on your own schedules for once?"

Ethan laughed. "I'm just saying. You're making this way harder than it needs to be. Kai's smart, yeah, but even she won't catch on if you keep being vague."

Marcus smirked. "Yeah, man. Why don't you just say something already? Worst-case scenario, she lets you down easy. But let's be real—that's not happening, and you know it."

Fazian shook his head lightly. "Whether or not she would, it doesn't matter."

"Oh, c'mon," Ethan chimed in, nudging him. "Why not? She's smart, quiet, cute, hot—and how long have you two known each other?"

"Ethan," Fazian sighed, shooting him a look.

"Did I forget to mention she's hot?" Ethan continued, grinning. "Look, man, all I'm saying is you've got it all. You're popular, you've got status, and your résumé as a student is insane. Shoo… you've practically got the girl already."

"He's not entirely wrong," Marcus added with a shrug. "You just need to take the shot. But you've gotta make it clear and sincere this time."

Fazian chuckled, shaking his head again. "Alright, so maybe I like her. But if anyone knows the right time to do or say something, it's me, right? And I think it's still too early."

"Ah, I see!" Ethan elbowed him with a laugh. "You're playing the slow game, huh? I see what kind of man you are."

"No, I'm not!" Fazian protested. "I'm just… Okay, fine. I'll ask her out today. But nothing too serious."

"That's the spirit!" Marcus grinned, clapping him on the back.

"Now hurry up and get to class," Fazian said, waving them off. "And don't be late for fencing practice, either."

"You've got it, Boss!" Ethan and Marcus called back, grinning as they headed down the hallway.

Once they turned the corner, Fazian exhaled quietly, sliding the door to his classroom open. He stepped inside and made his way to his usual seat, setting his bag down with practiced ease.

Hours later, the bell rang, signaling the end of class. Kai gathered her things slowly, her mind still lingering on Naomi's teasing words from earlier. She slid her books into her bag, trying to shake off the nagging curiosity about Fazian that had lingered ever since.

When the classroom emptied and the hallways began to fill with students departing for the day, she stood and adjusted her bag over her shoulder. Just as she stepped into the hallway, she spotted him.

Fazian was standing near the exit, leaning casually against the wall, his arms crossed. He was waiting for her.

"Fazian!" Kai jumped, her heart racing for a moment before she quickly glanced over her shoulder. She could only imagine what her friends would think if they saw her interacting with him again, especially so soon after class. "What are you... What are you doing here?"

"My, did I scare you?" Fazian grinned, clearly enjoying the reaction. "What kind of question is that? I thought this was routine."

Kai froze for a second, realizing how much time she'd been spending with him recently. She cleared her throat. "I mean... I guess."

Fazian shrugged, adjusting his grip on his backpack. "Check it out." He gestured for her to walk with him.

"No coffee this time?" Kai teased, a playful smirk on her lips.

He shook his head. "I made sure to remember this time. Why buy something you don't like? Plus, I had a better idea."

Kai raised an eyebrow. "So... what exactly am I 'checking out'?"

Fazian made a grand motion with his hands, as if presenting something important. "That's what brings me to my grand idea. There's a café not too far from here that I've been meaning to check off my list. And yes, it has coffee—obviously—but it also has a warm bakery and a lounge area.

It's a pretty chill place to do work... or escape it, depending on your mood. I was thinking about going there this weekend."

Kai tilted her head, unsure. "So... you're telling me this, why?"

Fazian gave her an exaggerated groan. "Come on, Kai. This is obviously an invitation."

"Like a... like a date?" she asked, her voice quieter than she intended.

Fazian hesitated for a beat, masking his uncertainty. "Well, I wasn't exactly thinking of it that way. Just a hangout between two good friends, you know?"

Kai paused, considering his offer. The idea of a quiet weekend at a café didn't sound half bad, and there weren't many people she'd accept such an invitation from. But... there was something about the way he'd phrased it that still left her unsure.

"Did I mention I'll pay?" Fazian added with a grin, trying to sweeten the deal.

Kai hesitated longer, her fingers drumming lightly on her bag. "Eh, I don't know... I'll be pretty busy."

"With what?" Fazian pressed, looking at her with mock disbelief. "It's the beginning of the school year."

"Exactly. The assignments are already stacking up." Kai shrugged.

By this time, they had made their way outside to the front of the school, where students were beginning to spill out into the courtyard.

"Well," Fazian exhaled, trying to hide his disappointment. "Just let me know. If you change your mind, you know where to find me." He mimed holding a phone to his ear, followed by a casual wave.

"I'll see you tomorrow, yeah?" Fazian said, offering a small, reassuring smile.

"Yeah," she replied, a quiet chuckle in her voice. "See ya."

As Kai walked away, her mind lingered on Fazian's words. "Just a hangout between two good friends." She couldn't help but replay the conversation, questioning whether there was more to his invitation than he let on.

The late afternoon sun cast a golden hue over the school courtyard, and the chatter of students faded into the background as she made her way to the bus stop.

The ride home was quiet, save for the low hum of the engine and the occasional rustle of papers from a fellow passenger. Kai stared out the window, watching as the city streets blurred into familiar sights—rows of houses, the corner café, the little park where she sometimes sat to clear her head. She leaned back in her seat, exhaling softly, as the bus turned onto her street.

By the time she reached her house, the streets were quiet, the sun dipping low on the horizon. Kai unlocked the door, pushing it open to the familiar stillness that greeted her every evening. She slipped off her shoes and set her bag down by the door, the faint sound of the latch clicking shut echoing through the empty space.

The house wasn't large, but it was enough for her—a tidy kitchen, a cozy living room, and a small study where she often spent her evenings. The faint hum of the refrigerator in the background and the muted glow of the setting sun streaming through the curtains were the only signs of life.

She exhaled, running a hand through her hair, and wandered into the kitchen to pour herself a glass of water. As she leaned against the counter, her thoughts drifted back to Fazian's words. "You know where to find me." A soft laugh escaped her lips. "Why am I even thinking about this?" she muttered under her breath, shaking her head.

Soon after, the buzz of her phone on the kitchen counter caught her attention. She picked up to recognize the caller ID.

It was her mother. Kai exhaled, laughing at the irony of a call from her parents being just the distraction she needed.

She answered the phone. "Hello?"

"Hey, sweetie, how are things?" Her mother—whose name was Julia—replied, her phone squeezed between her ear and a shoulder.

"Hey, Mom, I'm fine. How are you?" Kai leaned against the counter, absently tapping her fingers on the surface.

"I'm good, just finished unpacking groceries," her mother replied, her voice light but warm. "Thought I'd check in and see how my favorite daughter is doing."

"I'm your only daughter," Kai said with a small laugh.

"Exactly why it's such an easy title," her mother teased. "So, how's school? Settling in alright?"

"Yeah, it's fine," Kai said, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "Classes just started, so it's not too crazy yet."

"Good. And I hope you're not spending all your time holed up at home. You know I worry about you."

Kai sighed, smiling slightly. "I'm not. I've been… hanging out with people."

"Oh?" Her mother's tone brightened. "Anyone I know?"

Kai hesitated, fiddling with the edge of her sleeve. "Fazian, mostly."

"Ah, the Gross boy," her mother said knowingly. "How's he doing? Still keeping busy with a million extracurriculars?"

"Pretty much," Kai said, rolling her eyes. "He's the same as ever—always juggling ten things at once but somehow still finding time to bother me."

Her mother chuckled. "Sounds like Fazian. You know, his parents were asking about you the last time we spoke to them. They said he talks about you a lot. Elliot and Claudia traveled down here not too long ago, actually. Elliot had some business to tend to with your father."

Kai felt heat rise to her cheeks. "Mom, don't start."

"What? I'm just saying, it's nice that Fazian looks out for you. He's a good kid."

"We're just friends," Kai insisted, though she could hear the defensiveness in her own voice. "He's just… polite, that's all."

"Mm-hmm," her mother hummed, clearly unconvinced. "Well, sweetie, you know I like him. And his family is lovely, too. If he's showing interest, maybe it's worth considering."

Kai groaned, pressing her palm to her forehead. "Mom, please. It's not like that."

"Alright, alright," her mother relented, though there was a smile in her tone. "Just remember, sometimes the best relationships start with friendship. And knowing his family, I'd say he's got good values."

Kai exhaled, leaning back against the counter. "Thanks for the advice. Anything else you want to embarrass me about?"

"Yes, actually," Julia replied. "Your father and I were thinking about traveling up there eventually. We don't have a set date yet, but we'll let you know. You know how he is with work." She paused briefly. "Speaking of, here he is now. Sam! It's Kai."

In the background, Julia called for her husband's attention. A moment later, his voice boomed through the line. "Kai! Hey, baby girl, what's up?"

"Hi, Dad."

"How's everything? How are classes? Friends?" His tone suddenly dropped, adopting a mock-seriousness. "No boys, right?"

"No, Dad." Kai rolled her eyes, though a small smile crept onto her face. "Everything's great right now."

"Great!" he exclaimed, his enthusiasm returning. "I'm glad to hear it. Hey, give me a call sometime, okay? It's always nice to hear from my girl every now and then. I know talking to your old man can be boring, but one call every quarter of the year wouldn't kill you, right?"

"Okay, Dad," Kai said with a laugh. "I'll make sure to call."

"Good. Keep up the great work, kiddo. Oh, and like your mom said, we're planning a trip to come see you soon. Love you, all right? I'll pass the phone back to your mom now."

"Love you, too."

Julia came back on the line, her voice light. "Anything else, Mom?" Kai dragged, already sensing the answer.

Her mother chuckled. "No, that's all for now. Just take care of yourself, okay? And don't forget to call your father. You know how much he loves hearing from you."

"Yeah, I'll call him," Kai said, shaking her head. "Thanks for checking in, Mom."

"Anytime, sweetheart. Love you."

"Love you, too."

Kai ended the call and stared at the phone in her hand, her mother's words playing on repeat in her mind. Setting it back on the counter, she sighed and glanced at the clock.

Despite her earlier protests, she couldn't shake the lingering thought of Fazian—and her mother's knowing tone—echoing in the back of her mind.

She needed a distraction. Something to clear her head.

With a huff, she pushed herself off the counter and walked toward the hallway. As she passed the familiar door at the end of the hall, she paused, glancing at it for a moment.

The door to the basement.

She'd spent hours in that space, whether it was for schoolwork, mindless videos, or something more serious. Today, it was where she'd go to shake off her thoughts and refocus.

Kai twisted the doorknob and descended the stairs, the soft click of the door behind her shutting out the world. The basement was her sanctuary.

The scent of old books and electronics filled the air as she flicked on the light. Her desk sat in the corner, cluttered with papers, textbooks, and half-finished projects—some for school, others for her more personal interests.

She moved toward the desk, pushing aside the papers scattered across the surface as she powered up her laptop. The familiar hum of the machine settled her, grounding her in the task at hand.

With a few keystrokes, the screen flickered to life, the dull hum of the laptop filling the basement air. Kai leaned forward, eyes narrowing as the encrypted files loaded before her.

Each document was a puzzle, and she'd spent months piecing them together—threads of data that, if unraveled, could reveal the dark underbelly of Lunanova's government.

The stakes were high, the information volatile. But Kai didn't hesitate. It had to be done, and no one else was going to do it.

She swiftly bypassed the first layer of security, a series of rapid clicks. The screen paused briefly, as if catching its breath, then presented her with a set of files marked with red flags—impossible to access without clearance. But Kai was far beyond that. Her fingers flew over the keyboard, weaving through firewalls and encrypted codes with practiced ease.

A series of clicks followed, each one accompanied by a soft beep as she bypassed another layer. She knew exactly what she was doing. Years of practice had honed her skills, and tonight, her project would come to fruition.

She clicked the final command to execute the data transfer, her heart pounding as the screen displayed a loading bar. It crawled across the monitor, inching toward completion.

"Come on, come on," she muttered to herself, watching the loading bar shift from yellow to green with excruciating slowness.

The seconds felt like minutes as the progress bar jerked forward, pausing just shy of its end. A bead of sweat formed on her forehead as she leaned closer, willing it to finish. Finally, the bar clicked into place with a soft, triumphant ping.

Encryption Bypass Confirmed.

Kai exhaled sharply, a small, victorious smile creeping across her lips. She glanced at the screen, where the data transfer was now marked as successful. The leak was subtle—practically invisible—yet it was there.

A small stream of data had been siphoned off, completely undetected by the system's security protocols. No one would ever know that it was Kai, only she had exclusive access to the trail she'd left behind.

Her hands trembled slightly as the rush of accomplishment flooded her senses. The information was now in her hands, and no one could touch it. The next move was hers.

Kai leaned back in her chair, eyes still fixed on the screen. It was dangerous, it always was, but the thrill of knowing she had just altered the game filled her with adrenaline. This wasn't just a hobby anymore. It was a mission. One that had been in the works for far too long.

Her basement wasn't just a hideout; it was her sanctuary—where she could breathe, think, and take action. Tonight, she'd crossed a line, and it felt good.

The dim light from her monitors flickered as the last bit of data she needed for the leak settled into place. Kai sat back in her chair, letting out a deep breath. It was done. The project that had consumed her for weeks was complete, and she'd successfully left a small but undetectable trail for herself to track.

She closed the files, her fingers hovering above the keyboard for a moment before she let out a quiet sigh. A sudden need for a break washed over her. She leaned back in the creaky swivel chair, rubbing her eyes and stretching, as if to shake off the tension that had settled in her body.

She reached for her phone, which had been silently resting on the corner of the desk, its screen glowing faintly in the low light.

Her thumb instinctively opened the messages, scanning her inbox before pausing on a recent text from Naomi. She hadn't thought much about it at the time, but the words repeated in her mind now: "But seriously, Kai... maybe you should think about it. You never know what might come of it."

Kai leaned forward, her fingers idly running along the edge of her desk. She knew Naomi was right. As much as she tried to brush off the idea, a small part of her couldn't help but consider the possibility. Could it actually be something worth exploring? Or would it only complicate things?

Her thoughts shifted then to her mom, Julia's earlier advice. The knowing tone in her voice, urging Kai to keep an open mind about Fazian. She hadn't been able to fully ignore her mother's words, even if it had been said in a teasing manner.

With a sigh, she unlocked her phone again, her mind racing with conflicting thoughts. She stared at the contact, hesitating for a moment. She wasn't sure if she was ready to take this step, but she couldn't deny the curiosity that had built up over time. Slowly, her fingers began to move across the screen.

"Hey, I've been thinking about it... I'm down to go this weekend. Let me know when works."

Kai stared at the screen after typing it out, her heart thumping in her chest. It felt like a simple message, but the weight of sending it felt far heavier than she'd anticipated. Her thumb hovered over the send button.

What if it changes everything? What if this messes things up?

But after a long, drawn-out pause, she pressed send.

Her heart skipped a beat as the message was sent, and she quickly put the phone down on the desk, staring at it for a moment. There was a strange mix of anxiety bubbling up inside her—what if it didn't go well? What if he didn't feel the same? But there was also a small thread of pride running through her, knowing she had taken that step.

It was out of her hands now. The ball was in his court.

She let out a shaky breath, leaning back in her chair. A small, nervous smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and for a brief moment, the tension in her chest lifted, though she still felt the heavy anticipation creeping back.