First Day at Atlas College
June 10, 2025, Monday, Time: 07:30
"Huh! A new place and a new school."
Standing in front of the mirror was a handsome young man, looking no more than 16 years old, with sharp features as if sculpted by an artist, a straight nose, cherry lips, sun-kissed blond hair, and piercing green eyes. He was approximately 1.90 m tall. He had a muscular physique that indicated intensive training.
The walls of the room the boy was in were light blue. Next to a two-person bed was a large, gold-leafed mirror. The carved chairs to the right and left of the mirror seemed to be waiting, as if a conversation had just been interrupted and their owners would return shortly. The crystal chandelier hanging from the ceiling complemented the elegant ceiling cornices and the pastel blue panels on the walls, sealing the room's nobility. Each crystal drop caught the light, reflecting thousands of tiny rainbows into the room. The room, in every way, resembled a palace chamber.
The boy opened the door and looked at the maid waiting for him behind it. The maid wore a classic maid's uniform. Her black hair reached down to her back, and her blue eyes sparkled in the light. She had a sweet face that would evoke a desire to protect in any man who saw her. As the boy opened the room door, she immediately bowed and greeted him.
"Good morning, Mr. Aras. With your permission, I will come in to tidy the room."
Aras nodded and began to descend the stairs. Having received his approval, the maid entered the room and started tidying up. Aras went down the stairs and likely headed to the house's dining room. In the middle of the room was a large glass table with four chairs around it. A woman and a man were sitting in two of the chairs.
"Good morning, son."
At the head of the table sat a serious man in his 30s, with blond hair that shone like Aras's in the sun, serious and tired green eyes, resembling Aras in type but with a more mature expression and a slight amount of wrinkles.
To the man's right, a young girl looking around 15, with shoulder-length blond hair, sparkling ocean blue eyes full of youthful fire, and a face that would rival models, said to Aras:
"Good morning, big brother."
"Good morning, everyone. Dad, where is Mom?"
"She left early today because she had a special meeting at the company. I'm leaving soon too. Eat your food quickly so I can drop you off at school."
Aras nodded in response and sat at the table to his father's left, beginning to eat. The family talked about various topics while eating, and after the meal finished, Aras went upstairs to get ready for school. Of course, the maid helped him. He went back downstairs and exited the house to get into a luxurious car.
No one spoke in the car, and after 30 minutes, the car stopped in front of Atlas College, a private high school. As soon as the car stopped, the attention of the students around turned towards it. When Aras got out of the car, people around began to whisper.
Aras ignored the sounds. The car window opened, and his sister, with her angelic appearance, leaned her head out and smiled at Aras:
"Good luck on your first day at school, big brother!" she said.
Aras smiled back in response.
"Thank you, Esra," he said.
Esra's smile grew even wider, and after waving goodbye, the window closed, and the car began to move away. Seeing the car drive off, Aras also started walking towards his new class.
On the way, the female students who saw him looked at him again and again. The male students had jealousy in their eyes. When Aras arrived at his class, 9/B, he saw that the time was 8:26 and entered the classroom. The lesson was scheduled to start at 8:30, so most students were already seated. The students who saw him looked at him with a mix of surprise and admiration in their eyes. Aras ignored the stares and looked for a place to sit. Since Aras had arrived exactly on time for the lesson, most desks were already full. He sat down at one of the empty desks he found and waited for the lesson to begin. When it was 8:30, a man looking around 60 years old, holding a literature book, entered the class and greeted them.
"Good morning, everyone. Today, we have a new friend joining us. Aras, please introduce yourself," he said.
Aras nodded. He looked at the class with cold eyes and said:
"I'm Aras. It's nice to meet you. I hope we get along well."
Aras's short and concise introduction caused a slight murmur in the class. Eyes were still on him, scrutinizing him with a mixture of curiosity and a little shyness. Aras seemed unaffected by the attention, his eyes scanned the class, and he turned back towards where he was sitting. The literature teacher smiled as he placed the book in his hand on the desk.
"Thank you, Aras. I hope, as you said, we will get along well. Now, let's continue from where we left off, children."
The lesson began. Although Aras seemed to be listening to the teacher, his mind was focused on the new world outside the room. This place was very different from his previous life. The luxury and ostentation he saw were the complete opposite of the simplicity he was used to. Nevertheless, there was no sign of emotion on his face. His posture was erect, and his gaze sometimes drifted out the window, sometimes to the topic the teacher was discussing. A tall, brown-haired boy sitting in the row next to him looked at Aras several times hesitantly during the lesson. Aras seemed not to notice. The boy finally mustered the courage and whispered:
"Hi. I'm Can."
Aras slowly turned his head towards Can. His green eyes briefly swept over Can's face.
"Aras,"
he replied simply. His voice was calm, neither friendly nor off-putting. Can, despite Aras's short reply, didn't give up.
"Are you new here? I haven't seen you before."
"Yes, new,"
Aras said, turning back to face forward. Can understood that Aras wasn't very eager to talk but still didn't give up trying.
"How do you find the school? Atlas College is a bit... different."
Aras didn't answer this time. He seemed focused on a point the teacher was explaining. Can shrugged and returned to the lesson. When the first lesson finished, the bell rang, and the classroom suddenly came alive. Students rushed out of their seats and flooded into the corridor. Aras sat in his place without hurrying. He was waiting for the crowd around him to disperse. Can approached Aras's desk.
"It's break. Shall we go outside?"
Aras nodded.
"Okay."
They left the classroom together. The corridors were as crowded as the classroom. Curious eyes were still on Aras. Some groups of girls giggled as they passed, while some male students subtly observed him. When they went out into the schoolyard, they saw a large area and students standing in groups around. Can directed Aras towards a quieter corner of the school.
"We can talk a bit more comfortably here,"
Can said.
"What was it like in the classroom just now? Everyone was looking at you."
Aras shrugged.
"I guess I'm used to it."
Can was surprised by Aras's casual attitude.
"Used to it? Where did you come from?"
Aras evaded the question and surveyed the yard.
"It's not important. What kind of place is this?"
Can noticed that Aras avoided answering personal questions but didn't push it.
"This is Atlas College. It's mainly a school where rich kids come. The quality of education isn't bad, but... the students are a bit showy."
As Aras listened to Can, a slight expression appeared on his face, resembling contempt, but it quickly vanished.
"I understand."
"So why did you come here?"
Can asked again, this time asking a more general question. Aras turned his green eyes to Can. In his eyes, there was an expression more mature and deep than his age suggested.
"A change was needed."
Their conversation was interrupted by the loud talking of a group of students passing by. The group glanced sideways at Aras as they walked away. Can looked after the group and turned back to Aras.
"For some, newcomers are always the center of attention,"
Can said. After the group passed, Aras focused on Can again.
"How long have you been here?"
"I've been here since the beginning. Since elementary school,"
Can replied.
"So I know this place like the back of my hand."
Can smiled. Aras didn't show any sign of smiling, but at least he continued talking. This was a good sign for Can. The first day seemed like it would be interesting with his new and mysterious friend. When the bell rang again, the break was over. Aras and Can walked towards the classroom together. In the corridor, the whispers and glances around Aras continued. However, Aras remained indifferent to all of this, as if he had an invisible shield.