We somehow managed to make it into the school on time.
"No, we did not. If it weren't for the substitute teacher being absent and the replacement taking forever to arrive, we would've been caught for sure," Siris said, dropping into the desk in front of me.
"…I didn't even say that out loud," I muttered.
"Really? I'm sure I heard your voice."
Siris tilted his head with a quizzical expression. I didn't need mind-reading powers to know exactly what he was thinking — what a boring joke.
"No, I'm being se—" "Shhh!"
The door opened, and the substitute teacher — who also happened to be our class teacher — entered the room.
She was the kindest teacher I knew, and that was why I admired her so much.
Her name was Miss Lyra. She had a gorgeous, delicate face dotted with freckles, and long, wavy red hair that fell past her elbows. She was also the youngest teacher in our school.
"Everyone, study on your own and refrain from talking," she said in her calm, collected voice.
***
Riiiiiing—
The bell rang.
"Finally! It's lunch break!" Siris stretched dramatically, turned his chair toward me, and leaned against my desk.
"Math was booooring, right?" he dragged out.
"But I thought someone was copying notes from the board with absolute dedication a minute ago," I replied.
"Huh? Aaaaaah—nah, I was doodling," he said with an exaggerated dumb expression, as if it were obvious.
"One moment you're perfect, the next you're completely tardy. I really don't understand you… even now," I sighed.
Siris only shook his head with a smirk.
"Shouldn't I be the one saying that?"
Before I could ask what he meant, someone tapped my shoulder.
It was Xylia, our class vice-rep.
"Hey, Serene!" she greeted with an energetic smile.
"Hi, Xylia. How's the money collection for the class trip going?" I asked politely.
"Oh, no need to be so formal! You can talk casually with me. Call me Lia!" she giggled.
"And why are you here again?" Siris asked bluntly, clearly annoyed.
"It's about the class trip!" Lia continued without giving us a chance to respond.
"Serene, why aren't you coming? And you too, Siris! If you're worried about the fee, don't be — most of it is covered by me and Mecca, so—"
She started to rambling before i could say anything.
Smack!
"Ouch! Why did you hit me, Mecca?" Lia pouted.
Michael sighed and turned toward us.
"I'm sorry. She can be a bit adamant sometimes," he said calmly.
"But I do agree. It would be more enjoyable if the whole class could come together."
His golden hair shimmered in the sunlight as he spoke.
"That's exactly what I was telling th—!"
Michael gently made Lia bow.
"Please think about it. And sorry for interrupting."
He bowed to both of us before leaving.
Watching them go, I couldn't help but think they were the purest, most virtuous people in the world.
If this world were a novel, they'd be the perfect male and female leads.
We would be… not even considered side characters.
Not that I cared.
"Hey, what are you thinking about?"
…
Siris asked again, "Are you planning on going to that field trip?"
…
That feeling again.
The same one I felt back at my house.
"Hey, are you listen—"
[She didn't need to think about it for long. She was going to know the reason soon.]
Siris suddenly flinched, as if he heard something I couldn't. He slowly turned toward the classroom window, his eyes widening.
One of our classmates shouted,
"LOOK! There's something in the sky!"
I turned toward the window.
Shiny red shooting stars were falling from the sky.
Not just toward us — everywhere. Some were distant and small, others terrifyingly close.
It was beautiful… and horrifying.
My scarlet irises reflected the falling lights.
Someone burst into the classroom, panting.
It was Miss Lyra.
"Everyone, evacuate immediately! Come with me and head to safety with the other students!" she shouted.
Panic erupted.
"Everyone! Do as Miss Lyra says!"
"Form a double line and follow us!"
Thankfully, the class reps managed to control the hysteria.
"Wha—"
Before Siris could finish, I grabbed his wrist and pulled him into line.
"Let's just do as they say."
He hesitated, but he knew better than to argue.
What is even happening…?
I couldn't process anything with this strange feeling surging through my body.