As eight o'clock hits, the classes start. The first-period teacher entered the room, quickly spotting Ley sitting on what was famously Felix's seat.

"Good morning, class. I'll be your English period teacher, Mr. Mendoza." The teacher introduced himself.

If Mr. Smith himself did not apprehend that boy, then who am I to? Mr. Mendoza paused in front of the class. After all, the Smiths hold more power than mere staff of this school.

After deciding not to confront Ley on the seating matter, Mr. Mendoza went on to his lecture, starting the class with the subject's syllabus, which outlines the teaching objectives as well as the study material incorporated.

Well... That was a boring lecture. Not because Sir Mendoza was a boring teacher, but because I already learned what was in the syllabus. Ley sighed as the first period ended. I'm still not used to this, though... I remember my classes being something about me not being able to hear the teacher clearly or see the presented visual materials.

He seemed attentive during class. Maybe I should be too. Felix thought, having observed Ley all through one hour's class. Maybe I don't need to always focus my attention on Ley.

But before the next teachers arrived at the room, Mr. Mendoza had already informed the next teachers via group chat, detailing the boy who sat on Felix's seat.

And from then on, the time quickly passed. Thought students inside the classroom would beg to differ due to how boring the lectures can get.

A few hours later.

12:00 PM

Ley had already memorized all the teachers and the time of their class since it was just a period of only an hour in between.

Mr. Mendoza teaches English from eight to nine in the morning. Then Ms. Micia of Science, Mr. Renaud of Communications, and Ms. Denmae of Math. Then lunch period at twelve noon.

Just as Felix wanted to offer Ley to eat with the group so that he could give him the usual large portions he needed, he hesitated, fearing his interaction with him would bring Ley unwanted attention.

"Hey, dude. You coming?" Jay asked the stunned Felix.

In the end, Felix, Mikay, and Jay arrived at the cafeteria, finding themselves at the end of a long line where students lined up for the school's food counter.

But the sight of the lengthy queue didn't bother them, not because they didn't mind waiting, but because they knew they could bypass the line—cutting directly to the food counter for immediate service.

Every student watched as the three went their way up to the very start of the line, ordering their food orders, which they didn't need to voice, as the food counter already knew the three's orders.

An Athlete's Choice for Felix. A bowl of a meal fixed with a quinoa and sweet potato mix as its base, grilled chicken breast for protein, broccoli, shredded carrots, and a half avocado for veggies, and a light drizzle of sesame-ginger vinaigrette as its dressing.

A Model's Choice for Mikay. A salad of shredded kale, grilled shrimp, cucumber slices, cherry tomatoes, a quarter avocado, freshly squeezed lemon juice on top, and a pinch of sea salt.

And a special bowl named after Jay for him called "Jay's Choice," which is basically a combination of the current athlete's choice and model's choice.

Ooh... The three really must be popular if they could just cut in line. Ley thought, having watched the three get their orders and sit at a table. Oof... lowkey sucks. I'm at the end of the line. Though, it's my fault because I had to follow the three first before I was able to get here.

"Hey. Is your classroom the Gold Star?" A male student in front of Ley turned to him, asking.

Despite Ley's power to think fast, all he could do in that situation was nod towards the person who abruptly asked him a question.

"You should go straight at the start of the line," the student advised Ley.

What...? It's already rude enough to cut in front of someone, yet he wants me to cut in front of these multiple people?! Ley paused.

"Come, I'll take you." A female voice behind Ley spoke, grabbing his left arm to cling on. "I'm also in Gold Star, a classmate of yours."

The stares and attention he got from walking up to the counter were quite uncomfortable for Ley but he found it tolerable because of the girl's friendly vibe as she clung to his arm, guiding him.

"Model's Choice, please," the girl clinging onto Ley politely requested of the attendant.

"Uhh... is it possible to get Athlete's Choice?" Ley asked. "But in ten portions?"

He's got an appetite! The students who heard Ley internally gasp, unable to express their shock in their faces, avoid offending a Gold Star student.

But even though their shock is slipping through the cracks, appearing in their demeanor. Ley was unable to see them, busy seeing the delicious-looking food in front of him.

The food attendant had already given the girl beside Ley her order, but she seemed to want to wait for Ley to get his food first.

"Thank you," Ley said respectfully, having been handed a bucket-sized bowl of his food after half a minute.

"Hey, do you mind if we sit over there?" The girl clinging on to Ley asked, pointing at the table at the edge of the cafeteria.

"Uhh, yeah. Sure," Ley answered.

Every student, especially Felix, watched as Ley and an unknown girl walked toward the edge of the cafeteria to sit.

"Uhh... Thanks for helping me out there," Ley said, taking the seat at the table in front of the girl. "But can I ask why you did that?"

"It's because you're weird," she casually answered, taking the seat in front of Ley.

"That's rude to say to someone you just met," Ley said unbotheredly.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it that way," she awkwardly laughed. "It's a compliment coming from someone who's also weird."

"I see. Then I'm Ley, by the way." Ley introduced himself.

"Nice to meet you, my name's Jia," she also introduced herself.

"You're obviously sitting here with me to know something, right?" Ley said confidently.

"Uhh... yes," Jia answered. "Do you mind if I ask questions?"

"Sure, but I need to eat," Ley answered as he started to eat the bucket-sized bowl of his food.

"Can I ask if you're aware of the dynamics in this school?" Jia asked concerningly.

"Not really," Ley answered with a mouthful of food.

"I see. That totally makes sense," Jia responded. 'May I tell you all about the dynamics of this school?"

"Uhh, but why?" Ley said curiously.

"Because willful ignorance is bad," Jia answered snarkily.

"Touche," Ley said clearly, already done chewing the food in his mouth. "Alright, go ahead. I'll just listen while eating."

Inside the school, there is a powerful institution that is comprised of children of the wealthiest, most powerful, and most influential families famously known as the Star Triad.

Felix Smith of the Smith family, son of the richest family in the village, whose wealth is to be feared and revered.

Mikayla Silva of the Silva family. The only daughter of two of the most powerful figures in the village, Jaden Silva—a businessman with three degrees—and Naomi Silva—an extremely famous supermodel.

And Jay Takachi of the Takachi family. One of the sons of Takachi Industries, the most influential company in not just the village but the world.

The three children were given a title by other students in the school. His visually pleasing golden brown hair and extensive wealth earned Felix his title, Gold Star.

Her cold attitude and silver hair that perfectly contrasts her skin color earned Mikay her title, Silver Princess. While Jay's unpredictability and mischievousness earned him an infamous title as the Bronze Wildcard.

There are core rules that everyone has engraved in their hearts, souls, and minds and follows, and that means staff included.

Number 1 - No one exits the bus before the Star Triad.
Number 2 - No one enters or exits the classroom before the Star Triad.

Number 3 - No one sits at any of the Star Triad's seats except them.

Number 4 - No one holds more power than the Star Triad, which means they will be in the most comfortable situation always.

Number 5 - No one defies the Star Triad or face social suicide.

"Oh... Those are intriguing things to know about, thanks," Ley said casually. "But... why do you need to tell me those?"

"Well... you broke the first three rules," Jia answered. "You exited the bus and entered the classroom before the Star Triad and stole Felix Smith's seat, the worst person to steal a seat from."

"It's probably okay since Felix's a friend of mine," Ley said casually.

"What?" Jia shockedly whispered. "You're friends with Felix Smith? How?"

"I'm not sure if I should tell you," Ley said. "Just in case it's supposed to be a secret, can I ask you to keep it as one?"

"I promise I'd keep it a secret," Jia determinedly replied.

"Mrs. Smith, Felix's mom, adopted me," Ley answered.

"Wow..." Jia whispered. "That makes sense, since Mrs. Smith is known for her child and youth volunteering."

"Huh. Is Felix some kind of bully here?" Ley curiously asked.

"Well, as long as you don't break the rules, I'd say he's pretty nice," Jia answered. "Besides, it's his fanbase of girls who have these massive crushes on him that do the bullying, which means you should be careful."

"Oh. I've never been bullied before, at least not directly or severely," Ley said humorously. "I wonder what it's like..."

"You shouldn't treat it like a joke," Jia said warningly.

"Maybe. But I'm also a Smith by association, and I'm pretty sure there's some societal benefit to the name," Ley said confidently. "And you should eat already."

"You're right, but you should still be cautious," Jia reiterated. "By the way, do you mind if I introduce you to some of the weirdos?"

"Sure," Ley laughed. "If by that you mean your friends."

"Yes," Jia chuckled. "Let's meet after classes."

After the lunch period ended, the students having finished their lunch, they made their way back to their respective classrooms.

I probably should have explicitly asked Felix if he's fine with me sitting in his seat... Ley pondered in Felix's seat. But then again, he seemed pretty okay with it... or else he would have said something.

There were only two classes left: Ms. Edwina, who teaches social studies, and Mr. Franc, who teaches physical education.

And despite Jia's warning, Ley immediately went outside the classroom after the classes ended—a habit he has even in the Philippines—to wait for Jia.

"Hey..." Ley greeted Jia, finally coming out of the classroom. "Should we go now?"

"Yep," Jia answered. "But they're at Silver Star and Bronze Star, so we'll pass by there."

Ley quietly followed Jia to the classrooms of Silver Star and Bronze Star as she waved to her friends as the two eventually got up to them. Canadian, Japanese, Filipino, Canadian, and Hispanic. That's a pretty diverse group of friends. I like it.

Jia immediately stood with her friends, facing Ley. "Hey everyone. I would like all of you to meet Ley, and Ley, these are my friends, Rain, Sean, Rui, Xander, and Joshua."

"Nice meeting you," Joshua greeted, leaning forward to handshake Ley.

"Nice meeting you too," Ley greeted back, exchanging the handshake.

"It's you. I finally met you." Joshua's voice spoke inside Ley's mind.