Chapter 1 - A normal day:

Run, run, run I'm soon there.. I kept repeating this in my head as I ran towards the train that was about to leave, but I managed to jump in between the closing doors. I leaned against the door while catching my breath and stared at the passing scenery, the high buildings, the droids flying by, some birds. Ksecs were fewer than usual, I assume it's somewhat linked to the runner they caught.. Something phoenix..
"If you know a friend or even a family member who is a runner, please contact the kruger secs immediately!" The woman on the radio said, as always, before the music continued.
Every day is the same, everything is an always in Cascadia.
I got off the stop with some other student who also go to my school but I didn't make friends much since most of the girls I befriended were always jealous of how I always looked so "perfect" and boys usually just wanted to play with me. I go to this school because of my mother and father. My parents are huge fans of Gabriel Kruger and ever since I was small they have been telling me that I should do everything in my power to marry the son of Gabriel, Ethan, who is around my age so naturally they made me go to the same school as him.
I sighed while being occupied with my thoughts and walked into the school, a small droid flying by my head and scanning my gridprint.

"Welcome to school Miss Alicia." The droid told me and went to the next student.
I made my way to the classroom, watching the people passing by. I was quite surprised how some were dressed in mini skirts and makeup, which I believe is something disliked by the Krugers since Gabriel is dressed in classy, dark outfits and his family is usually seen dressed in more elegant outfits. I got too deep into my thoughts and spaced out, walking into a pole and earning some snickers behind me which just made me hurry up to my classroom.
I sat down by the wall so I can lean against it, watching the clock.

8 minutes before the lesson starts. Perfect.
Pulling out my music player I put on my headset, getting ready to listen to music while staring out through the window on the other side of the classroom. I shuffled through my playlist, unable to find my favorite songs.
I slumped down lower on my chair while looking through my playlist. I'm fairly certain my parents only gave birth to me to have a kid to marry into the Kruger family..
They really just see me as a pretty toy to get closer to the them..
3 minutes left.

I remember when I met Ethan Kruger for the first time. He was, well still is, two years above me in school and I was new at the school and got lost and he helped me find my classroom. He seems to be kind to people around him, not sure if it's an act though. I heard the door open so I put my headphones down.

"You are early as usually Alicia." Miss Samantha said smiling, as she walked to her cathedral. She is our teacher in basically every subject. She started sorting things on the screen behind her table. I smiled a little.

"Good morning." I greeted her and nodded.
Just as she turned back to continue programming the screen the rest of the class started to swarm the classroom, so I sat closer to the wall to avoid being looked.
"Sit down please!" Miss Samantha ordered them and she began her class straight away, exactly at 8 o'clock. "Today we will learn about our city's history..."

.
.

I always wanted this city to have more trees and possibly parks, it's almost like we are robots...Then again we might as well be robots, controlled by the Krugers.. Damn.. I'm starting to develop this hate towards them, probably because my parents drool over them..
I walked by the train stop, deciding to go home by foot. I looked up at the sky as a huge airplane's shadow caught my attention.

"I wish I could fly too.." I whispered and reached towards the sky. "I want to be free maybe just for one day." I sighed and kicked a small pebble.
"Interesting thoughts from a hicaste.."
I spun around my heel, noticing the 2 drunk guys walking towards me, tossing a bottle on the ground. I instantly understood that they meant nothing good. Damn, I should have taken the train..

"Hey, if you come with us we can give you some freedom that you wish for" One of them said while hiccuping and nearly tripping on a small edge.
I decided the ignore them, turning away and walking as fast as I could but they decided to run after me and running in heels wasn't an option for me so I turned around to kick one of them away the way my dad taught me. The one I managed to kick stumbled backwards while the other one snorted and reached to grab my arm.

I wish I paid more attention to father when he was teaching me self defense. I jerked my arm away from his reach, nearly losing my balance.
"Come ooon.." He whined, taking a sip from a wine bottle. "Don't play hard to get, we just want to play."

I gulped, an unpleasant feeling building up inside as I started to give up on getting away. I opened my mouth to scream as my last hope but the two drunkards yelled before me as they both got knocked to the ground.

"Bastards.." I looked towards the guy who rescued me, he had a rather scary expression. He was muscular and tall so knocking both the drunkards to the ground was easy for him, not to mention they barely stood on their feet.
"You alright, Alicia?" He asked and I nodded a little as he walked up to me. "They didn't hurt you, right?"
"N..no" I replied quietly, still a little shocked.

"Good.. Let's go before they get up." He told me, dragging me away as I stumbled after him. I honestly never felt clumsier. "I will take you home. You live by the ocean pier, right?"
"Y..yes?" I asked, quite surprised. "How do you know?" It was then I realized we are wearing the same uniform. "You go to my school?"

He snorted and slowed his pace so we were walking next to each other, still holding my hand though. "Do you pay this little attention to people around you? I'm a friend of Ethan. I see you sometimes since he always greets you when he sees you." He looked at me.

"You are pretty rude compared to your look.." He commented, making me look away a little hurt.
"I'm just not used to people.. You don't know what it's like to grow up being picked on by everyone.."

He raised an eyebrow. "So you just have problem talking with people."
"That's kind of right.." I mumbled, not wanting to go into details as to what I meant by getting picked on. I don't know why I even mentioned it. Guess I got shocked from the two drunkards.
He nodded as a way to show he understands. "I still think you are rude but you have somewhat a reason.." He said.I couldn't help but giggle.
"Yeah yeah funny.." He said but he did smile slightly.

I kept smiling as I looked up at the seagulls flying by. There are tons of them close to where I live. "You said you are a friend of Ethan, right?" I asked, breaking the silence.
"Yea.. Then again I can't blame you for not noticing me because Ethan doesn't let us talk to you. He treats you as some kind of property.." He said, a little disgusted.
"I think he is just protecting me since he once introduced me to his friends from another school and they wouldn't stop hitting on me.. They even found out my number so I had to change it." I mumbled, not used to talking so much with someone.

"Annoying kids.." He muttered under his breath. "If you want.."
My phone vibrating in my pocket cut him off. I pulled it out and quickly answered the call when I realized it was mom.
"Where are you? We have to go to dinner soon! We can't make Mr. Kruger wait and you know that! Come home this instant young lady!" She yelled and cut the call before I could reply.
Sighing, I rolled my eyes then stopped walking as we reached the entrance of the ocean pier apartments. "What were you going to say?"
He shrugged. "Nevermind that. See you tomorrow and take care."
"Okay.." I nodded slowly and watched him turn away. "Um.."
"Yes?" He turned back.
"What's your name..?" I asked sheepishly, staring at the ground.
He smirked. "Why do you want to know?"
"So I can greet you tomorrow.." I replied, kicking some pebbles with my shoe, peeking up at him.
His smile softened a little but was still cocky. "Icarus." I nodded and averted my eyes from his face.

"What I was going to say earlier.." He started so I looked up at him again. "From now I can walk you home."

"I don't want you to get home late because of me being defenseless at times." I told him honestly.
He then smirked and leaned closer to me. "Miss hicaste thinks I'm a midcaste?"
"I.. I didn't mean that!" I shook my head in panic.
He laughed. "I live in the ocean pier too." He told me and pointed towards another apartment entrance.
"Oooh." I gasped in surprise then blushed as I heard him laugh at my reaction.
"You are pretty cute when you don't pay attention to being polite and quiet." He told me then smiled at me. "See you tomorrow, Alicia."
"See you." I told him. "Icarus."
He smiled again and waved goodbye while leaving as I walked to the entrance, letting the camera scan me, then entered the elevator, watching my reflection while waiting. I still had a slight blush covering my cheeks. He called me cute.. But not in a bad or perverted way. He sounded like he meant it.