The beginning of everything
The sunlight streamed through the window, casting a gentle glow across the classroom. He blinked several times, trying to adjust his vision. Nothing there seemed familiar.
"Jared! Wake up!" called a feminine voice. He suddenly opened his eyes, feeling his body strange. As he hurriedly got up, he knocked over his desk with a crash, scattering books and notebooks across the floor.
The teacher looked at him, puzzled. "Jared, are you okay?" she asked.
His heart raced. He glanced around, sensing the stares of his classmates. Every movement felt awkward, as if his body were new armor, poorly fitted.
"Can I go to the bathroom?" he managed to say, his voice deeper and rougher than he expected.
The teacher looked surprised for a moment, then nodded. "Sure, go ahead."
He quickly left the room, each step feeling like a challenge to control his body. It didn't take him long to find the bathroom, located conveniently close to the classroom.
In the bathroom, he looked at himself in the mirror. The reflection showed a tall young man with dark skin and a broad build. Jared. That's what they called him.
Taking a deep breath, he tried to calm the storm of thoughts. "Who am I now?" he wondered.
Suddenly, as if floodgates had opened, memories began flooding his mind. Jared Myers was 16 years old, a high school student, a typical bully straight out of the movies. Memories came in painful flashes: Jared using his large frame to intimidate other students, sometimes for reasons, sometimes just because he was bored. He remembered the looks of fear and disdain he received, the school hallways emptying when he walked by.
He recalled the fights, the sounds of punches, the mocking laughter, and the muffled screams of his peers.
His heart raced as he tried to process the onslaught of information. He took a deep breath, staring at his reflection. "Damn, how did I end up here? Wait, who am I? I can't remember!" His head throbbed with pain, sweat visible across his face—memories that were painful.
He knew he was reincarnated, but memories of his past life were out of reach.
"No use thinking about it now, I have to face reality," he muttered to himself, eyes fixed on the mirror. "If this is a chance for a new life, I have nothing to complain about."
Determined, he washed his face and returned to the classroom. As he entered, he noticed the stares that followed him. Some curious, others cautious, all attentive to his return after the strange episode earlier, but no one bothered him.
He sat at his desk and no matter how hard he tried to focus on the lesson, he noticed something odd: he couldn't understand anything being said. The words sounded confusing and distant, as if they were in another language.
Frustrated, he began muttering to himself quietly, "No, no, no... Did I get this guy's tiny brain, come on, you can't be so stupid, right?"
"Damn, original Jared, you didn't pick up a book to read this whole time? How bad is your cognitive ability?"
Discouraged and disoriented, Jared decided it was futile to force himself to keep up with the lesson. He haphazardly gathered his materials, not caring about the order, and stuffed them into his backpack. Leaning back in his seat, he stared out the window, lost in thought until the bell finally rang, signaling the end of the morning classes.
As the bell echoed through the halls, students flooded the corridors, chatting animatedly or rushing to their lockers. Jared found himself surrounded by rows of colorful lockers and walls adorned with posters for school events and social campaigns.
Westwood High was a typical American school, with a two-story red brick building, large windows that let in sunlight, and bustling hallways filled with hurried footsteps. Vibrant posters announced everything from football games to the school's upcoming theater production.
Jared navigated through the corridors, passing groups of students gathering to discuss the latest party or exchange books for the next test. He vaguely recognized some faces, as if he had seen these students before, but the connections were blurry and distant.
Arriving at the cafeteria, Jared encountered a long line stretching nearly to the entrance. Observing the situation, he quietly joined the queue, but soon realized that other students recognized him and made way for him to pass, cutting in front of everyone else.
He could hear murmurs from students as he passed, but he simply accepted the situation, knowing his new body made it impossible for him to go unnoticed.
"He really just cut in like that?" whispered a girl to her friend beside her, eyes still fixed on Jared as he moved away.
"It's Jared Myers, who are we to say anything," replied the friend with a shrug.
At the serving counter, Jared filled his tray without hesitation. He piled as much food as he could onto his plate, satisfying an appetite that seemed more voracious in this new body.
"Has he always been like this?" asked a boy with a puzzled expression.
"It's only gotten worse since last year," another replied, shaking his head with a sigh. "Best to keep your distance."
With his tray full, he chose a secluded table in the corner of the cafeteria. He sat quietly, focusing on his meal while occasional curious and cautious glances from other students occasionally reached him.
As Jared ate, his eyes fell on a blond young man across the cafeteria. The name came to Jared's mind almost automatically. It was as if he could recognize people around him, even without fully remembering who they were.
"Alex, the typical protagonist," Jared murmured to himself, with a hint of irony. "If this were fiction, would I be the final villain? Nah, I don't think I have the brains for that. At most, a secondary antagonist."
Alex was a blond-haired, blue-eyed boy whose presence was notable not only for his athletic appearance but also for his sharp intellect and natural charisma. He stood out not only as the captain of the school's football team but also as an academic leader, often seen participating in debates and science competitions.
In addition to his academic and athletic achievements, Alex had an active social side. He was known for his ability to organize school events and community activities, always seeking to involve his peers in initiatives to improve the school.
Jared continued to watch Alex thoughtfully as he chewed his food.
"This guy... probably doesn't even know where the toolbox is," Jared teased himself with a smile.
.
.
.
Leitor-Kun: "Is this book good, Author-Sama? I can't stand generic books anymore, it feels like everything is the same, I want something new." (╥︣﹏᷅╥᷅)
Author-Sama: "Hm… Tell me, what do you like? Are you looking for a slice of life romance? Are you tired of harem stories where the protagonist collects women like Pokémon? Or perhaps wish fulfillment romances? I know! Are you looking for a relaxing read set in a world like yours!"
\( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)/
Leitor-Kun: "Yes!!!" (ง ͡❛ ͜ʖ ͡❛)ง
Author-Sama: "This is my novel! This is your novel! This is our novel!"
\( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)/\( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)/