2 The beginning of a wonderful end.

September had finally arrived and the school year had begun again. For many this was a chance to forget the past and start new; for others it was a continuation of their journey that they needed to complete.

After the long, hot summer it was time for people to go back to their daily schedules. The students, dressed immaculately in their uniforms, walked the grey stone, paved path. The sound of chatter and laughter accompanied the gentle autumn breeze while the vibrant colours of the trees started fading away with a hint of yellow and orange nibbling at the tip.

Among those trees and students, a tall boy stood out. The crowd of people couldn't stop themselves and fawned over him. He had those bewitching peach blossom eyes that complimented his fair complexion. He wore the school uniform which accented his long legs and tall frame. He made the ordinary black blazer, white shirt and black trousers look elegant and refined. His deep raven hair was messy and unkempt but on him looked effortlessly good.

With his black school bag flung on his right shoulder, he lazily walked towards the gate for his first year of high school. 

The beginning of a wonderful end.

***

Neat rows of wooden desks and chairs lined the rectangular shaped room. With the sunlight and fresh air coming through the glass windows, the class was bright.

"Good Morning students!" A warm voice greeted them all. "I am your homeroom teacher, Mrs Jiang. Hopefully, for the rest of the years you'd be in this school, we would stay together." Mrs Jiang stood behind the podium as she spoke with a smile. She was a short lady in her late 40s yet with little wrinkles and aged skin, she looked younger. Mrs Jiang was dressed in a typical white blouse and a long, black pleated skirt. She looked kind, amicable but also wise and mature.

"I want us all to spend a little time getting to know each other. When I call your name from the register, I want you to stand and say something about yourself."

Choruses of cheer and complaints were heard. Some loved the attention and praise; others wanted nothing more than to hide. "Let's begin." Mrs Jiang ignored all protests and flashed them her own charming smile.

Names after names were called out. With time the uncomfortable silence in the room dispersed and was replaced with a happier atmosphere. However, that changed when the name, "Addilyn," was called. Heads turned as they looked at the girl standing. 

Skin as white as milk, peach blossom eyes, with a statute as skinny and delicate as willow catkins. With a height of 170 cm, she had perfect proportions and beautiful features. She possessed green eyes with golden flecks that were currently open wide, both alluring and charming but with a hint of coldness. The other features on her face were no less, perfectly curved eyebrows, a dainty nose, and apple red lips. And her hair was cleanly arranged down her back in slow streams.

She fixed her wrinkled uniform and slowly looked around the class. She received many envious glances from the girls and many blushes from the boys.

"Hello everyone, My name is Addilyn Bai. My Chinese name is Bai Yumei." Her calm and icy voice rang inside everyone's ears, shaking them up from their daydream. " I would prefer if everyone could call me Addilyn. It's nice to meet everyone." With nothing else to say she started her journey back to her seat.

Everyone went quiet. That was it? They looked at Mrs Jiang but she was in her own world. When she read the name, she knew who this was. 

Addilyn's parents sadly passed away two months ago. Her parents, Bai Yu and Cathy Bai, were known figures, both admired for their work and research. They were both robotic engineers that had created many advanced technologies making improvements to China. Unfortunately, the two were on a vacation when they passed away in a car crash. 

Mrs Jiang looked at Addilyn and pitied her. She too had lost her mother at a young age, she could relate to the pain. Mrs Jiang snapped out of her daze when she heard her names being repeatedly called out by the students.

"Oh right next person! Lu Chen."

Xu Kai stared at Addilyn's side in awe, he remembered those beautiful green eyes. Her eyes were clear but cold as she had no feelings but those eyes were also hypnotising, making him curious. It made him question. What was her story? It was one question but that question sealed their fate permanently.

Addilyn felt a scorching gaze on the side of her head. As she turned her head, her eyes connected with a mysterious pair of orbs. They were trying hard to figure her out. Those eyes weren't filled with admiration, envy or pity but curiosity. They were curious about her.

Addilyn knew the teacher was aware of her situation because she saw the pity in Mrs Jiangs eyes. She didn't want that, she didn't want her parents' death to define who she was and didn't want a constant reminder that she was an orphan now. Every time someone looked at her with those eyes, she was reminded again and again that she had no parents. It brought back the pain in her heart that she was trying so badly to suppress.

The boy quickly averted his eyes as he got caught red-handed. A slight blush made it on his face. 'Adorable,' Addilyn smiled unconsciously before she turned her attention back to the front. 

The day progressed slowly for Addilyn. She sat idly on a bench and fiddled with the food she made this morning for lunch. The arrangements of food inside made her stomach churn. She pushed away the container from her and stared aimlessly at the field that crossed the school grounds. 

Stuck in a daze, Addilyn didn't realise the extra person on the table with her until she heard the sound of a stomach grumbling. Addilyn turned her head and her eyes caught the boy from her homeroom. A shade of blush spread across his face as he stared at her and then to her lunch box. 

"Here," Addilyn pushed the lunchbox towards him. "All yours." Saying that she stood up and in the process fixed her black uniform dress. Suddenly she felt a little uncomfortable, she tugged on the end of the dress that just came above her knees. 

Xu Kai gave her an embarrassed smile. He came for the purpose of introducing himself and making an impression. Well he sure did make an impression but just not the good one he expected. He opened his mouth to say something but it was too late, she was already walking away.

Sad that nothing that he came for was accomplished, he scolded his stomach that had begun growling again. He shouldn't have gone to play ball with the guys and instead should've eaten his food.

Speaking of food, he looked at the delicious food in front of him. Just looking at it made him salivate. He picked up the chopsticks and dug into it straight away. 

That same evening, while Addilyn went to gather her stuff to head home, she found orange juice on her desk. She looked around the classroom to see who left it but found it empty. She analysed the carton and found something written on it. However the ink was smudged, making it barely legible for her to see. With the few letters untouched she was able to understand what it said. Once again a smile involuntarily appeared on her face and made the frown on her forehead disappear.

'It's not good to have an empty stomach. Thank you for the delicious meal.'

— Xu Kai