In the bustling school hallway during the lunch break, the air is filled with chatter and laughter as students mill about, some clutching lunch trays and others engrossed in conversations.

In the lively throng, a group of students navigates the crowded corridor. They lean against a row of lockers, engrossed in a hushed conversation. 

They exchange knowing glances, their bond evident in the unspoken understanding that passes between them.

Can't they say something useful for once?

However, that's what the other students are thinking, except for Rhia. With her bright smile and soft demeanor, she is hiding her inner thoughts. 

While she laughs along with the group, she doesn't want to stay here.

“Look, isn't that Bian's mother?”

As soon as one of the students pointed somewhere, every other student looked in that direction.

“You are right. But what is Bian's mother doing here?”

“I heard Bian finally woke up from a coma. She missed the midterm exam. Maybe her mother came here for that.”

“What do you think will happen?”

“She might have to take a makeup exam.”

“If she takes the makeup exam, then she will be the top student. After all, she was last year's top…”

“Ahem.”

When one student gave an empty cough, a sudden hush fell over the students. The students' lively chatter came to an abrupt halt as their faces contorted in realization.

They realized they made a mistake, their expressions turning to stone in a moment of collective understanding.

The reason for this abrupt silence is because this midterm exam topper is Rhia Ashley. None of them have the courage to look at her. However,

“I have also learned from the homeroom teacher how impressive Bian Garcia is. If she took her usual place, that would also be great.”

As Rhia smiled and reassured the students, a collective sigh of relief swept through the group. Unbeknownst to them, Rhia's smile masked her inner turmoil.

They failed to realize how Rhia was clenching her fist to the point that it drew blood.

“What are you doing?”

All of the students' attention turned toward a voice that spoke suddenly out of nowhere. It was none other than Paxon Hart.

Without hesitation, he swiftly made his way to Rhia's side.

“Didn't you say you'll meet with me at the launch break?”

Excitement rippled through the group of female students, their cheeks flushing slightly as they observed the interaction between Paxon and Rhia.

In their eyes, Paxon was making efforts to persuade Rhia.

“We didn't know you had a previous arrangement.”

“We did. So, sweet ladies, can you give us some time?”

After the other students left, Paxon and Rhia were alone in the hallway. Rhia swiftly changed her warm mask and looked at the departing students with a cold expression. 

It sent a chill down their spines. Some of the students looked left and right to understand why they felt that.

In contrast, Paxon maintained his warm smile, his gaze lingering on the students as they retreated to a safe distance.

As the last of them faded from view, Paxon’s gaze shifted, a glint of amusement dancing in his eyes at Rhia's swift transformation.

He came closer to Rhia and whispered.

“We are still in the middle of the hallway, Rhia.”

Rhia shot Paxon an angry glare, her eyes flashing with intensity, despite the murmurs from the others suggesting that Paxon might have liked her.

However, she denied any such sentiment. In response to this atmosphere, Paxon let out a chuckle, the sound carrying a hint of amusement and mischief.

“Follow me.”

Rhia didn't say anything and silently trailed behind Paxon. 

Her mind wandered back to a moment three months prior when a girl had requested Rhia to keep an eye on her as she dozed off in the infirmary.

As soon as that girl fell asleep, Rhia unveiled her innermost thoughts at that moment. However, another person was present in the infirmary at that time.

It was Paxon Hart, silently listening to everything. Rhia didn't want her true self to come in front of everyone; that is why she was obeying everything Paxon asked for.

No, more precisely, I fall into this devil's trap.

Rhia never thought anyone would learn about her true self. For years, she had meticulously concealed it.

That's why it's more suspicious that Paxon was there at that moment. At first, Rhia attempted to cover up.

But as time passed, Rhia realized she had stopped wearing the fake mask and started showing her true thoughts. And now,

“Why were you looking so intensely at Bian's mother?”

Paxon's voice interrupts Rhia's thoughts.

“Are you listening to our conversation?”

“I don't need to eavesdrop on you guys' conversation. I just saw you looking at Bian's mother.”

Rhia stays silent. Despite the shared similarities between them, a veil of uncertainty shrouded Rhia's perception of Paxon.

At times, she can't even look into his eyes. Sometimes, the mere sound of his voice sends a shiver down her spine.

Though she can't pinpoint the source of discomfort when she is with Paxon, one thing she knows is that it is fear.

“Nothing much. I was thinking that Bian doesn't look like her mother.”

“I know, right? Bian doesn't resemble anyone in her family. She is much more beautiful.”

Rhia always noticed a subtle shift in Paxon’s demeanor whenever the name "Bian" entered the conversation. The air around him became playful.

They entered the usual empty classroom.

Why is this classroom always empty? No, why was there an empty classroom in the first place?

I don't see any bags of students at all.

Rhia doesn't like this classroom. Whenever she comes here, she feels pressure; a sense of foreboding grips her.

Like right now. Rhia's intuition whispers warnings in the depths of her mind not to meet Paxon’s gaze.

“So, you are feeling jealous of Bian.”

When Rhia heard Paxon’s words, her eyes trembled, and even her breathing grew ragged.

Paxon didn't like it when anyone compared themselves to Bian. He made that clear to Rhia from the start.

With a trembling voice, she said, “N..no.”

“Really?”

No other sounds came from Rhia. She just stood frozen in place. Paxon approached with measured steps, closing the distance between them.

He looked into Rhia's eyes. However, her eyes were devoid of emotion.

Paxon chuckled and said, 

“Now it didn't take that much time for you to lose control of yourself.”

Paxon’s gaze lingered on those shadows that seemed to gradually consume her little by little.

At first, Rhia put up a feeble resistance, a futile attempt. She was already harboring darkness inside her from the very beginning.

Paxon looked at Rhia as prey he couldn't wait to devour. But he needed to wait. He needed to harvest her as he liked before consuming the sweet fruit.

Paxon sat in one of the chairs. A few shadows came to his side and swirled around him, almost like playful companions. Paxon began to pat the shadows.

“Bian is coming back. I need to finish it before she comes back.”

Rhia collapsed to the floor. Even looking at the frozen Rhia, Paxon didn't react.

“That way, I can give her a surprising gift.”

                             ************

As I returned to school after an absence of four months, the hallways buzzed with whispers and curious glances.

Students and teachers approached me, asking how I was and inquiring about my health.

I felt like I was in some kind of custody as their wave of questions came.

Yet, I thanked them for their well-wishes and reassured them that I was doing better now.

Among the sea of faces, Jia was looking at me, wondering when her turn would come. Each day, she came to meet me and to find out how I was doing. Yet, she is doing this.

I met her eyes briefly before refocusing on others. However, it seemed Jia didn't like it.

She approached me with a mischievous smile.

"Bian, it's good to see you back. How have you been?”

Jia's voice held a note of genuine irritation. However, I ignored her.

Although the class will start in a few minutes, no one is going back to their seats.

My mouth started hurting because of all the smiles. Suddenly, I realized students weren't surrounding me anymore.

When I looked at them with confusion, a chill ran down my spine. I turned around and saw Paxon was behind me. And behind him, Rhia Ashley.

The tension in the air was palpable as I found myself standing uncomfortably close to Paxon. I still felt unsure about us.

The mere presence of Paxon seemed to cast a shadow of uncertainty over me and left me at a loss for words and actions.

Just as my mind raced with conflicting thoughts, Jia suddenly pulled me back. Seeing her unusual expression, I was about to ask her what happened.

“What happ – 

How are you, Bian?” 

However, Paxon started talking.

“...”

I'm unsure how to respond to Paxon.

“Do you know how I felt when you were admitted to the hospital right after seeing me?”

His next words caught her off guard because he isn't wrong about it.

“I wasn't feeling well that time.”

He is the reason I fainted. When I saw him, memories of that time flooded in me, and my mind couldn't handle it. Although I never thought it would lead to a coma.

"You are right." 

As I was drifting into my thoughts, Rhia's sudden interjection pulled me back to reality.

Rhia's words were cryptic. When I looked at her, I felt uneasy. Rhia's usual smile was replaced by a stiff expression.

Before I could make sense of her changing demeanor, Paxon drew closer to me.

"Do you like this gift?"

He suddenly whispered, yet my intuition told me something was wrong.

"The bell just rang."

Jia's voice cut through the charged atmosphere. Her timely interruption brought a temporary reprieve.

Paxon didn't avert his eyes; instead, he was showing signs of sadness because our interaction was brief.

But his expression isn't that of someone feeling sad; he seems amused.

I sighed with relief as Paxon bid his farewell and began to depart. However, my confusion deepened as I noticed Rhia trailing behind him.

"Where are you going, Rhia?"

I asked Rhia, but Paxon halted.

“You don't need to follow me now.”

After saying that, Paxon redirected Rhia back to her seat. The whole situation didn't make sense, and it confirmed the unsettling feeling that something was indeed amiss, gnawing at me.

Golden Eyes