Chapter 1- A New Beginning
The morning air was cool, carrying a quiet stillness that felt unfamiliar to Joe. Yet Joe’s palms were slightly sweaty as he stood at the entrance of the college building.
Today was his first day.
Students walked past him in groups, laughing and chatting as if they had known each other. Joe lowered his gaze, quietly gripping the strap of his bag. Crowds had never been comfortable for him. Ever since his parents passed away, something inside him had changed. He had become quieter… more distant.
After the tragedy, he had moved to another city to live with his uncle, aunt, and their Son, Jinni. It wasn’t the same as before, but he tried his best to adjust.
Beside him, his uncle and aunt were talking to the college principal inside the office.
“Joe is an excellent student,” his uncle said proudly. “He received many trophies and scholarships in his previous school.”
The principal nodded with a gentle smile. “That’s impressive. We’re happy to have him here.”
Joe sat silently in the chair, listening but not saying much.
After the paperwork and formalities were completed, a teacher guided Joe toward his classroom.
“Don’t worry,” she said kindly. “You’ll do just fine here.”
Joe nodded.
When they entered the classroom, dozens of curious eyes immediately turned toward him.
“Good morning, Miss!” the students greeted.
“Good morning, everyone,” the teacher replied. Then she gestured toward Joe. “Today, we have a new student joining us. This is Joe. Please make him feel welcome.”
The class echoed together.
“Hello, Joe!”
Joe raised his hand slightly and gave a shy wave.
“Hello…”
The teacher scanned the room. “Now, who would like Joe to sit with them?”
For a moment, the class was quiet.
Then a boy near the window casually raised his hand.
“Ma’am, he can sit with me. I sit alone anyway.”
The teacher nodded. “Alright, Sunny. Joe, you can sit there.”
Joe walked slowly toward the seat.
The boy smiled warmly and extended his hand.
“Hi. I’m Sunny.”
Joe hesitated for a second before shaking it.
“Joe.”
Sunny seemed friendly and relaxed, the kind of person who made conversations feel easy.
“Don’t worry,” Sunny said with a light chuckle. “Our class isn’t as scary as it looks.”
Joe gave a small smile for the first time that morning.
The class soon began, and the teacher started explaining the lesson. For the next hour, everything felt normal.
But somewhere else on campus, another story was unfolding.
On the football field, a tall boy kicked the ball across the ground with confident energy. His teammates cheered as he scored effortlessly.
Surya.
Most people called him “Ya.”
Unlike Joe, Surya was the type of person everyone noticed the moment he entered a room. Confident, charismatic, and always surrounded by friends, he had a natural charm that made people gravitate toward him.
After practice ended, Surya wiped the sweat from his forehead and laughed with his teammates.
Among them was his best friend, Ray.
The two had known each other for years.
Ray was loud, carefree, and always ready for some kind of mischief.
Back in the classroom building, the bell rang, signaling the end of the first class.
Students began chatting loudly again.
Just then, the classroom door burst open.
“Sunny!”
A voice shouted from outside.
Sunny sighed immediately, because he recognised this voice very well.
“What now…” he muttered.
A boy walked in dramatically, grinning as if the classroom belonged to him.
It was Ray.
“Why are you yelling?” Sunny asked lazily.
Ray placed an arm around Sunny’s shoulder. “Because you’re my best friend. Obviously.”
Sunny rolled his eyes but couldn’t help smiling a little.
Ray often acted overly friendly, especially when he needed money or favors. Sunny knew this very well.
After all, they were roommates.
But there was something Ray didn’t know.
Ray’s attention suddenly shifted to the unfamiliar face sitting beside Sunny.
“Wait… who’s this?”
Sunny gestured toward him.
“This is Joe. He joined today.”
Ray looked Joe up and down for a second before grinning.
“Oh, new guy.”
Joe nodded politely.
“Hi.”
Ray shrugged casually. “Welcome to the chaos.”
Sunny sighed again. “Ignore him.”
Joe couldn’t help but smile faintly. After such a long time, Joe smiled.
Chapter 2- The Royal Club Night
Evening slowly covered the city as the college campus became quieter.
Classes were over, and most students were already heading home. But for Sunny, the day wasn’t finished yet.
He packed his books into his bag and stood up.
Joe was still sitting beside him, carefully writing something in his notebook.
Sunny glanced at him and said, I’m going to my piano practice. Do you want me to drop you home on the way?
Joe looked up. For a moment, he hesitated. He wasn’t used to accepting help so easily.
But then he said softly, If you don’t mind… can I come with you to your piano class? Sunny blinked in surprise, then smiled.
“Of course. Why not?”
Joe nodded slightly. “Thank you.”
A few minutes later, both of them were sitting inside Sunny’s car, driving through the evening traffic.
Joe quietly watched the city lights through the window. Everything still felt new to him. Meanwhile, on the other side of the city… Music blasted loudly inside The Royal Club.
The place was full of flashing lights, laughter, and the smell of alcohol.
Ray sat at a table with several friends, raising his glass in the air. To tonight! he shouted. Everyone cheered.
Beside him, Surya leaned back in his chair, watching the crowd with a relaxed smile.
Ray, you’re already drunk, Surya said.
Ray laughed. Relax, Ya. It’s just starting. Plates of food and bottles of beer covered their table as the group continued drinking and joking around.
After a while, Ray noticed a girl dancing nearby. With a confident grin, he walked toward her. Surya shook his head.
“That idiot…”
At the same time, another friend joined Surya at the table. It was Anny.
She had known Surya since childhood. Anny sat beside him and nudged his arm playfully. “Why do you look so bored?”
“I’m not bored,” Surya replied. “I’m just watching Ray make a fool of himself.” They both laughed, but as the night continued, things slowly became chaotic.
Ray drank more and more. Anny also had several drinks, far more than she usually could handle. Soon, she was barely able to stand properly. Surya sighed and rubbed his forehead.
“This is going to be a long night.”
Seeing the situation getting worse, Surya pulled out his phone and dialed a number. After a few seconds, the call connected. “Hello?” Sunny’s voice came from the other side.
“Sunny,” Surya said, “are you busy?”
“Not really. Why?”
Surya glanced around at his drunken friends.
“I need a favor.” “What happened?”
“Our party is over, and Anny drank too much. Also… your dear roommate Ray is completely drunk.”
Sunny sighed immediately. “I figured.”
“Can you come and take him home?” Surya continued. “I’ll send you the address.”
Sunny paused for a second. “Alright. I’m coming.” He ended the call.
Joe, who was sitting quietly beside him, looked curious.
“Is everything okay?” Sunny grabbed his car keys. “Not really. Ray is drunk again. I need to pick him
up.” Joe hesitated, then spoke softly.
“Can I come with you?” Sunny looked at him. “You sure?”
Joe nodded. “I don’t like staying alone too much.” Sunny smiled gently.
“Alright. Let’s go.”
A short time later, Sunny’s car stopped outside The Royal Club.
Loud music echoed from inside.
Joe stepped out of the car and looked around nervously. Places like this were unfamiliar to him.
Inside the club, Surya was helping Anny stand properly when someone approached him.
“Hi, Surya.”
Surya turned around.
Sunny and the two exchanged a quick handshake. “Where’s Ray?” Sunny asked.
Surya looked around the club.
“He was here a minute ago. I saw him with a girl.” Sunny’s expression darkened slightly.
Without another word, he began searching through the crowd.
A few moments later, he spotted Ray near the bar. Ray was leaning close to a girl, clearly drunk, about to kiss her.
Before it could happen, Sunny suddenly grabbed Ray’s arm and pulled him back. “Let’s go.” Ray blinked slowly. “Sunny…?”
Then he grinned drunkenly. “Ohhh… you came.” Ray reached out and pinched Sunny’s cheek playfully. “You’re so cute.”
Sunny immediately pulled his face away, trying to stay calm. “Ray, we’re leaving.” But Ray only laughed. “I want to dance more… and drink more…”
He leaned closer and suddenly kissed Sunny’s cheek. For a brief second, Sunny froze. His heart started beating faster.
But he quickly controlled himself. “Enough,” he muttered, dragging Ray toward the exit. Meanwhile, near the entrance, another moment was about to happen.
Joe was walking carefully through the crowd, trying to find Sunny. Suddenly, “thud.” He accidentally bumped into someone. “Can’t you watch where you’re going?” the person said sharply. Joe stepped back immediately.
“I’m sorry…”
But the moment the stranger looked at Joe’s face, He stopped speaking.
It was Surya. For a few seconds, Surya simply stared at him. The boy standing in front of him looked quiet, almost fragile.
Clear eyes, Soft expression, and Something about him felt strangely… calming. Surya blinked, realizing he had been staring too long. Sorry, he said quickly. “I didn’t mean to snap at you.”
Joe just nodded silently and walked away. But as he disappeared into the crowd, Surya couldn’t stop watching him leave. Something inside his chest felt… different.
And he didn’t understand why.
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