On a fine autumn day at Westside High School, the usual hustle and bustle of students filled the air. In the midst of the crowd, one person stood out. Girls giggled, and boys stared in envy—even teachers seemed to take notice. Who were they looking at? None other than the most popular guy at Westside: Adrian Wilder.
He was tall, with a frame that exuded dominance and strength. His eyes were a deep ocean blue, contrasting with his sunlit blonde hair, which fell in soft waves parted down the middle. Adrian's face was as radiant as the sun, his sharp jawline and high cheekbones giving him a chiselled, statuesque quality. His clothes were all high-quality and expensive, complemented by an assortment of jewelry—rings, chains, and a watch—that hinted at his family's upper-class background.
Adrian stood at the centre of a group of jocks and cheerleaders, one of them grabbing his arm, who was his girlfriend, Bella. They were all trying to get a word in with him. He wore a look of nonchalance and indifference, as he appeared not to have noticed the attention that surrounded him with every step he took. Despite this, it made the mob even more desperate for his recognition as they vied for his attention.
Adrian was known for his appearance, background, athletics, personality, and intelligence. He was talented in any sport he picked up. This led him to become the school's star basketball player. His memory was even more impressive, as he could recall everything a teacher said within class and teach it to others with perfect recollection. His family, the Wilder's were an old-money family with generational wealth that spanned the millions; they were stern and proud, known for being perfectionists and ruthless to everyone, including their own. He had a natural charisma that charmed anybody; his supposed kindness and chill personality were known throughout the school, making him even more renowned than he already was.
Whispers surrounded them everywhere they went,
"I heard he dropped 40 points last game. I could do the same if I were built like him," whined an envious bench warmer.
"He's hot and rich? Sign me up!" exclaimed a heart-eyed cheerleader.
"Apparently, he can memorise anything, hmph, I'll believe it when I see it" scoffed a proud nerd
"He's kind and compassionate, I saw him give some food to the homeless shelter I work at," muttered a shy, quiet girl.
All of them had one thought in common: the thought was that he truly was perfect! Normally, a normal high school should have at least one flaw, even a normal human, but Adrian didn't have a single visible flaw anywhere in sight! That is because his flaw wasn't physical, it was mental!
Adrian, like the rest of his family, was a perfectionist! However, that is not the only thing; he was addicted to validation! He could, in reality, care less about people he didn't know. Everything he has ever done that has made him seem kind, charitable, even chill was all a ploy to get more validation from his peers and feed his evergrowing ego of being perfect in the eyes of others, even his own girlfriend was a ploy!
His so-called best friend, a boy named Max, was also with him. He was a brute 6ft 7 inches of pure muscle, a little taller than Adrian but not as popular. He was basically a glorified servant who listened to every word at Adrian's command. Some joked that he was Adrian's dog, but they were promptly beaten up as soon as he heard it.
Adrian's girlfriend, Bella, was another story; she had the personality of a cliche high school girl. She cared for materialistic things and her boyfriend, Adrian. She would go around preaching about how great her boyfriend was and how he's so kind and caring and how he takes care of her and how he tells her things that she only knows. This, of course, was all true, but this was mainly Adrian's ploy for even more validation.
Even with his flaws, he could still be considered to have the perfect high-school life.
One day, whilst he was strolling to school in the regular and quiet streets of Westside. Adrian saw a young boy in a jersey carrying a brand new football with his mum, around the age of 6 or 7. Keeping up his regular facade, he gave a warm smile to the boy, who returned the same gesture, seeming to be happy because of the new ball as he chatted with his mum excitedly.
The 3 of them were waiting to cross the road when all of a sudden the boy dropped his ball and it rolled into traffic. Not sensing the imminent danger, the boy ran after it, failing to see the incoming car ahead. Adrian heard the mother's scream and, without thinking, he rushed after the kid and pushed him towards the sidewalk.
Seeing the incoming car, he could only brace himself as he got hit and felt his stomach turn inside out. He got propelled back 10 feet face-first into the concrete ground that tore his face apart, and his guts had spilled out onto the concrete road, dying it a crimson red. His ears were filled to the brim with blood, and his body looked like a wreck; his stomach was burst wide open for all to see; he didn't have enough strength to even scream.
Why did I save that kid? That was not like me. It was as if I was compelled to do so by something. at least im going to heaven...right? no...i dont..want to die.. please.. god... I have so much to live for... no...i promise ill change just give me a chance...
Adrian tried to assure himself.
The sounds of a man's yelling, a boy's cry, and a woman's reprimanding. Played through his head like a broken record, all distorted with static. He saw a bright light and saw his entire life play through his eyes. His childhood at the Wilders estate, where he was learning high school-level math, the time he got expelled from his private school, the adoration he first got in high school, till now.
He closed his eyes and let out a final breath.
I felt like I was floating, the sirens in the distance got fainter and fainter along with any other sound till they were negligible. I no longer felt any pain or any type of emotions all I felt was the voidness that was within in the heart of my body. I finally was able to open my eyes, and what I met back was the endless abyss.
Was this the afterlife, and what was I? a soul?
Before I could ask any more questions, I saw another bright light that blinded my vision. I felt my "soul" contort and bend like I was trying to fit into something and I felt it changing intrinsically like I was entirely not myself, but I couldn't tell what was changing. When it was over, I could barely discern my surroundings, and then a bombardment of memories entered my brain. Barely managing the information overload, I managed to gather that I had died and reincarnated into the body of a 13-year-old named Lou Zer.