The sounds of the alarm blare throughout the room, the annoying noise successfully fulfills its purpose as Dalteon gets up from his bed.

As Dalteon opened his eyes, he looks out of the window as sunrise approaches painting the sky in a lighter shade of blue. It was an early start for him today as he got up doing his usual morning routine, getting ready to go to school.

Heading down the short flight of stairs, Dalteon was already dressed for school and was about to have breakfast with his parents as usual.

Breakfast was a simple meal of rice, sausage, and sunny side eggs that were prepared by Dalteon's mother - Dallyanne Havlen. This time around she was wearing a white long-sleeved bloused and a black patterned skirt. Her dark amber hair was put up into a neat bun.

Dalteon's father - Leone Havlen finally comes into the room, he wore his usual office suit adjusting his tie. He greets his wife with a kiss on the forehead as he sits down and begins eating too.

As they sat and busily ate their food, Dalteon's mom decides to open up the conversation. "How are you doing, Dalteon? Aren't your midterms soon?"

It was a simple question and yet Dalteon seemed to have frozen up on the spot, he did prepare and had a study group with his friends, and yet he felt distracted most of the time.

"I heard you got into a study group with your friends, you're were with Rina so there's nothing to worry about." Dalteon's dad said so which seemed to tense Dalteon even more.

"M-mhm. I will be okay." Dalton replied as he tried not to sound shaky.

Both of Dalteon's parents nodded, it seemed like he successfully hid being nervous or anxious to them. It felt like lying to them but it also felt necessary to do so, as usual.

After their semi-awkward topic on Dalteon, both of his parents seemed fixated on their work. "I know you're going to do great, honey." Dalteon's dad said as he kissed his wife's cheek.

Dalteon's mom returned the favor and tiptoed to kiss her husband's cheek too, "You too, and you too Dalteon." She said as she smiled at her son.

Dalteon immediately went out to head to school, not wanting to see any more of his parent's usual display of affection to one another. It already felt awkward for him because of their previous conversation. He headed to school, his head not into remembering what he reviewed for the past few days.

...

The week flies fast and it was already Saturday, Dalteon was still getting ready back at home as his phone begins to ring repeatedly with the barrage of messages he was receiving.

For once, Dalteon did not have an early start. Now he was being waited on by his friends who offered to have a study session with him.

As Dalteon rushes down the stairs he sees his dad lounging in the living room, watching television as he enjoyed his weekend.

"You going out, Dalteon? Must be for a study group, have fun." Dalteon's dad dismissively greets and waves goodbye to his son.

By the time Dalteon arrived at the cafe everyone else was already there are reviewing. He seated next to Luenniel who greeted him promptly before going back to his notes.

Dalteon went back to memory in the cafe, his mind drifted to the times he met up with Silvers here to chat. He wondered if Silvers was also struggling with his exams, though he seemed to be attending cram school so he probably wouldn't. It took some time till Dalteon snapped back into reality.

"Hey! Earth to Dalteon, you there?" Terrence jokingly asked.

Everyone had their eyes on Dalteon, they all seemed worried, even Luenniel as his deep blue eyes glinted with the lights which Dalteon tried hard not to stare into.

"Are you okay, Dalteon? You seemed out of it for a while." Rina looked over at Dalteon with worry.

Luenniel looked the other way, sadly, but he was staring at the menu board. "How about we order some food and take a break, I'm intrigued by this cafe's menu."

The group decided to order, it was both Terrence and Luenniel who ordered for them. By the time they came back, they came back with trays of multiple pastries like bagels, puffs, and tarts along with four different drinks varying from coffee, chocolate, fruit shakes, and tea.

Once everyone got settled on the table once again, their study materials shoved to the side and edge of the table so they could focus on eating first.

Luenniel took a spoonful of his blueberry tart and sipped into his strawberry shake, he moaned as he liked his food.

"This is good, I'm glad we went here. I passed this cafe a few times but never had to courage to try it." Luenniel remarked, happily content with his fruity choices.

Terrence looked at Luenniel, puzzled he asked, "But you come home the other way right? How do you pass by here?"

Luenniel looked away, seemingly flustered, "I mean I see this shop when I run errands."

"Terrence, why don't you eat more of your breakfast bagel?" Rina tries to shift Terrence's attention to her as to not cluster Luenniel anymore.

"Yeah, I gotta say yours looks appetizing." Dalteon chimes in as he looked over Terrence's plate, a bagel topped with a poached egg, some sort of sauce, and strips of bacon.

Suddenly, Terrence becomes defensive over his food. Feeling threatened with Dalteon's interest, he quickly wolfs down on his plate barely chewing at all. This resulted in him choking and Rina hurriedly giving him his iced tea drink. Dalteon laughed at this sight, and soon everyone joined in even Terrence.

After the whole choking incident, they soon went back to work and reviewed their asses off. Dalteon was seemingly too preoccupied to wonder about how Luenniel knew of this shop.

Soon enough the sun reaches its nadir, the temperature drops along with it. With the sun setting, the sky changes from light to dark, and stars begin to become visible dot the skies like bright freckles.

Dalteon walks from behind his friends, they were all talking aloud to themselves but he didn't mind it at all and he was happy. In reality, it did bother him, he felt guilty he was happier now than he was back at home. He was bothered that he wished that this was what's usual to him.
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1092 words

Hope you're not confused by this but this is a flashback before the events of the previous chapter.

Until the next time, LeastGreatest