[Chapter 1]: At 7th

Life has always been full of hardships, and for this reason, you may find it hard to deal with every possible problem the world gives. It's true. I am Mint Caulem, a newly graduated 7th grade student, the time when the world actually starts making you realize the reality of life.

At school, every 7th grade student always has their welcoming ceremonies handled by the school facilities. As each student council from the previous year helped the students to get to the auditorium, I took a seat in the middle of the unknown crowd. This is the annual event that occurs every first day of school. I actually found this somehow boring. I mean, we have to listen to the school's history and stuffs, we have to know each faculties, we have to know each faculty members, clubs, officers and staffs.

As the day goes by, we went to our classrooms and took our seats. Well, at first we have no specific places as this is our first day but sooner or later, we will end up having our permanent seats. As each of my classmates introduce themselves, "I am Mint Caulem." I gave a simple introduction and everything went by, however, not everyone is unknown here. I'm with my friend from elementary, Sean. He has always been my supporter. The person I trust the most to be honest. The person I rely the most. "So how is the first day?" he asked. Luckily, we're on the same section. "Pretty much nothing. I mean it's just a regular day." I replied. Sean brought a smile. I removed my glasses and wiped up the moists formed. Just when I placed my glasses on the table, someone accidentally bumped on the corner of my table and my glasses fell. "Shit!" I shouted from surprise. The guy picked my glasses up and when he was about to return it, a friend of his snatched it. "An eyeglass for nerds?!" he said and he laughed. I am pissed though, but then I knew I don't know him so instead I ignored him. The guy who bumped into my table retrieved my glasses, "Stop it James, you should be aware of your attitude. Not everyone here is familliar about you." he said. But damn, his voice just sounded so caring and sweet. I looked at him but I couldn't see his face that clear without my glasses. After he wiped the lens, he immediately returned it back to me. "T— thanks..." I said. Just when he returned it, I was able to see his face clearer. I captured this very moment when I saw his face, his voice as he smiled and reached out for my hand. "Arthur. Arthur Collins." and without realizing, my face was turning red. "You alright?" he asked. On this very moment, Sean joined in. "Shall we go Mint? You're quite pale" he said as he tap my forehead. I went back to my senses and grabbed my suitcase. As the bell rang, Sean grabbed me and we both went straight to the cafeteria.

"So what do you think about him?"

"About who?"

"About Arthur silly!"

"What about him?"

"Don't tell me that, you were blushing while talking to him!"

"It was just his kindness that made me blush. Nothing more, nothing less." I said 'cause this conversation won't probably end. "Suuuureee—" he said in a teasing voice. Well this is Sean alright, he always tease people but he's kind though. "So like what do you wanna do later after class? I mean surely you don't wanna go home early right?" he said. For a moment I was thinking about what he said. He is somehow correct though. "How about the arcade?" he recommended. I nodded as I smile, "I am kind of missing the arcade too. That's good." I said. As we both stand up, I notice that my kero keroppi keychain is missing. "Oh shit. Sean!" I was shouting in panic. "What is it? Damn you're freaking me out!" he said. "My keychain is missing! I'm pretty sure it's just here hanging on my suitcase!" I am shocked and at the same time somehow panicking. All my life, I have taken care of that precious key chain, but now... it's all gone. "You sounded like someone wants to massacre you. It's just a keychain! Chill!" he said. "Come on! You know how much I love kero keroppi." I said. Sean just ignored me and went straight out of the cafeteria. Damn this guy.

While we were walking on the hallway, "How about this, since we're going to the arcade, why don't we get another of that? Or even get a kero keroppi stuffed toy from those claw machine things." he said. "Fine, but you gotta make sure you'll win one." I said. He nodded in relief.

When we got out of the school, we wandered around the mall first before getting to the arcade. I waited for Sean as he buy the tokens. Later when he was done, he gave me some and he drags me to wherever he goes. He saw a kero keroppi keychain claw machine and tried getting one, he did try 5 times yet each failed. "Damn, I never thought it will be this hard." he said. I laughed. "It's not necessary for you to win you silly! I'm already having fun." I said. Just when he got teased, he tickled me on every possible ticklish spots I have, forcing myself to retreat backwards. And just after I step back, I accidentally bumped into someone. "I'm sorry!", me apologizing from embarrassment. Sean just laughed and I glared at him. I looked at the person I bumped into and thought his face looks familiar. "Oh it's you." I was shocked when I saw Arthur and his friends. He laughed and smiled. James smirked, "If it isn't nerdy." I glared at James. I must stop myself though. I ain't gonna be a war freak. Sean grabbed my arms and dragged me towards him. When Arthur saw that, he laughed at me. "Also, I believe this is yours," he said while giving me my kero keroppi key chain. I smiled and due to excitement, I snatched it and without realizing my fingernails scratched his arms. "Shit" he whispered to himself. I didn't hear it though, he left quickly with his friends while finding myself blushing again. "Fate always finds a way doesn't it?" Sean said. I slapped Sean's arms. "Ouch!" he said while laughing hard. "Shut up and get me the stuff toy!!" I said. "Don't you already have that keychain of yours?!" he said. "You teased me, as punishment, my stuff toy!" I said. He couldn't stand it though, he ended up trying again. This time, he won a small stuff toy. "Thanks!" I said while smiling.

I am tired and Sean somehow saw that. "Let's go home, I'll go with you." he said. "There's no need." I said however he insisted. "I already said I'll go with you, we don't know, someone might 'attack' you for being that cute." he said. I smacked his head but he just laughed. "Damn you! Let's go!" I said.

He walked with me until I'm home, and he later on left. I grabbed my case and went inside the house. I found mom and dad on the couch watching television. "Oh you're home. There's food on the kitchen, if you want more there's more on the fridge. You look tired though, you went to the arcade didn't you?" this is dad alright. I nodded and smiled, I knew I can't hide things from him. "Alright, eat now and take your rest, your brother's already asleep so if you're gonna do something, make sure you won't make it too loud." mom said. Myke is actually a sleepy guy. But that brother of mine is way too cute I couldn't ignore every possible requests that he might ask from me. I didn't go to the kitchen. I went straight up to my room and changed my clothes. After that, I brought out my phone and checked if there'd be some stuffs.

"I'm home. Had fun today though hahaha." Sean texted. I sent a smiling sticker. Later on while scrolling through my news feed, I found myself getting sleepy. So I placed my phone on the table beside my bed and took my sleep.

"Till we see each other again."

-message from 'unknown'