Ren's POV

Lostprophets' "Everyday Combat" wakes me up. Half-opened eyes, I roll over and shut off the alarm set in my cell phone. I stretch and rub my face while sitting up before sliding off of my comfortable bed and walk down the small case of stairs to the living room. I live in a studio apartment that is ten minutes by foot from school and to the stores that I usually go to for clothes, food, and other things. It is pretty small, but it is well-designed and furnished rather nicely plus the rent is super cheap.

My parents died three years ago in an airplane bombing, and I sold the old apartment and my parents' Mercedes to live in this place to save money and for convenience. Without an actual job, I knew that I wouldn't be able to pay the rent there and I had to pay some of the school's tuition on top of that. The leftover money in my parents' accounts, receiving small monthly checks from my relatives, and earning money from my part-time job at the cafe down the street has been my source of income (and survival).

I sweatdrop at the sight on the couch. I'm not sure how he slept through the alarm, especially since he is just below me, but he is face-planted, body stretched out almost like a cat, with the pillows and blanket I gave him last night in the most disarray state possible. Shaking my head, I lean down to shake him awake like a mother. "Jun, wake up or we're going to be late."

"Five more minutes," he grumbles as he rolls away from me. For the next few minutes, I keep shaking him, but he scoots or shoos my hands away. This guy who refuses to wake up isn't my brother or even relative to my family. He's my best friend, Arai Jun. We met in the third year of middle school and our share of dread of the homeroom teacher at that time started our friendship. He started coming over last year when he's bored or doesn't want to be alone in his empty home; his mother died when he was little in a car crash and his father is busy running their family's hospital.

Finally, I hit him with the pillow that was lying on the floor and he groans, curling up in a ball. "Nope, come on. On your feet."

Jun rolls over, facing me, and reaches out with both hands like a child asking to be lifted. Except he isn't a child. He's a five foot ten, seventeen years old highschooler. "Help me up," he says, his voice sounding rough and groggy.

Rolling my eyes, I reach out to help him up, but he suddenly pulls me down beneath him and sits on my waist. I frown. "Seriously?"

"Relax, we still have an hour and a half before school starts. Now, give me my morning kiss," he teases.

I snort. "Please. If you had Kakashi's face, then maybe."

"You're into older men? How scandalous." I grab the pillow that is conveniently near my reach and hit him at the side of his head, but I move it slightly upward at the last second and his hair becomes lopsided. I laugh and he frowns, clearly unamused. "Very funny. Hey, I look like Kakashi now, does that mean I get my morning kiss?"

"No. Now, get off." He pouts but climbs off of me.

While I go wash, Jun makes breakfast as an exchange for letting him stay over. Today's menu is toast smeared with peanut butter, fried eggs, and a glass of orange juice. I finish early and go back upstairs to change clothes and grab my school stuff. By the time I'm climbing back down the stairs, Jun is taking off his shirt revealing his firm six-pack abs. Unlike most girls, seeing him half-naked doesn't affect me, and we don't see each other more than friends so there is that. "I'm going to go on ahead. Don't forget to lock the door," I remind him and he grunts as he pulls on the white collar shirt of the uniform.

I grab my key hanging on the wall by the door, slip my feet into the dress shoes that go along with the uniform, and walk out of the apartment to catch the train. Ashinaka High School is a large academic institute for students from wealthy and prestigious families, but students that pass the rigorous entrance exam from a middle-class family, such as myself, can also get in and have the scholarship to help them pay the fees. Jun has gotten in by the former, thanks to his dad being a big-time local doctor. It's on a remote island off the coast of Shizume City, accessible only by a train that runs from the mainland to the island directly beneath a large bridge.

After I got off the train and scan my PDA to enter the building, I stop by my locker to get my books for the morning sessions and change into my indoor shoes. "Akemi-san." I turn, closing my locker, and Suzuki flashes a peace sign with a nonchalant expression. "Yo."

"Morning, Suzuki-kun," I greet back.

Son of a famous musical actor and top model, that is the first thing that pops up in most people's minds about Suzuki Haru. As though to be expected, he inherited his mom's good looks and his dad's musical talents and personality. On top of that, he is just talented and bad-ass; he is ranked number one in academics, speaks six other languages, cooks well, and is super athletic.

Yes, he has an immense fan club- both girls and guys.

Jun and Suzuki were in the same class in their freshmen year and have been friends since then. Back then, Jun was our mutual friend so we talked to each other a couple times, but it was pretty light and quick. However, this year we were put in the same class and just naturally gotten closer to where we can banter without worrying about the other person's feelings.

We walk to our homeroom. "How was your concert in France on Saturday?"

He shrugs. "Successful, as usual."

"Wow, aren't you so humble."

"Just stating the truth."

"Are you sure that you're not being delusional?" I joke.

He smirks. "Don't worry, my doctor told me my mental health will be fine as long as I keep it in check when I'm around with you and Arai. Speaking of him, where is he?"

I sigh. "He was getting ready when I left. He'll probably be late."

"As usual," Suzuki adds. "The day he arrives on time is the day that I mess up on stage."

"Are you saying that you never mess up?"

"I am called a prodigy for a reason."

I lightly elbow his arm. "Now, you're just being cocky. Hey, what's going on?"

We stop, spotting a huge crowd at the doorway. We glance at each other before pushing our way through the crowd to peek in the classroom, ignoring the annoyed glares and unnecessary comments. Ninety-nine percent of which are directed to me because no one would dare to talk badly to the 'Ouji-sama' of Ashinaka High School unless you were suicidal.

There is someone who is talking to Ito-sensei, our homeroom teacher. He is noticeably built with broad shoulders and tall. His features are sharp and have a foreigner look, probably half-Asian and half-something else. What really stands out is his white hair (probably dyed) and dark crimson (probably colored contact lenses) eyes. Most people would look weird, but he somehow pulls it off nicely like a Kpop idol.

He stretches his arms above his head, letting his untucked shirt ride up and show off his two lowermost abs. One of the girls behind me squeals, and the new kid and Ito-sensei turn to our attention. The girls made their escapes, scattering, in such impressive speed that it looks like Suzuki and I were the only ones checking the new kid out.

"Um, it isn't what it looks like?" I awkwardly explain, feeling my face slightly burn.

"How convincing," Suzuki mumbles underneath his breath, but I hear him and elbow him in the ribs.

"Just come on in," Ito-sensei waves us in with the 'I don't care' look. "This is Sato Xavier. He came in from Canada yesterday. Sato-kun, this is Akemi Ren and Suzuki Haru, two of your new classmates."

The new kid smiles politely. "Hello. You can call me Xavier. I'm not used to the whole last name formality thing." His voice is semi-deep, kind of sexy, extra bonus to his hotness.

Ito-sensei brings our attention back to him. "So, Akemi, can you show him around the school? You have twenty minutes so make it brief." Ito-sensei, you are now my favorite teacher.

Suzuki and I show him around the school of where the library, clubs, gym, and labs are while grabbing ninety-nine percent of the females' attention. Suzuki and Xavier are going to be arguably the hottest guys in the entire school, this will surely be a deadly duo for the females' hearts.

After we finish our quick tour, we start walking back with five minutes to spare. "Were you born in Canada or did you moved from Japan to there?" Suzuki asks.

"The first one. My dad met my mom in Japan and they moved to Canada after they got married and then I was born."

"So, you just moved in yesterday from Canada? That sucks, you must be jet-lagged," I comment.

He shrugs. "My uncle didn't want me to fall behind, especially since I'm in a foreign country."

"Are you living your uncle, I'm guessing?"

Xavier nods. "I came here on my own. My parents like their jobs so they asked my uncle if I can live him while I attend this school."

"Why did you move here, no offense?" Suzuki asks.

"None taken. Ashinaka High School has a well-renowned reputation so my parents thought it would be a good idea for me to attend here. That's all really. My old school was good too, but it is nothing compared to here. "

I thought he was going to be a bit reserved, but he turns out to be pretty laid-back and open. Suzuki and I exchange looks before I turn to Xavier. "Do you want to hang out with us after school? We can show you some places around here."

Xavier smiles. "Yeah, that would be great."

"Alright, let's meet at the entrance," Suzuki says as we walk in our homeroom just as the bell rings.

I gnaw on my lips as I look up at the clock, I have only five minutes left until school is over. I look back down at my chemistry test with six blank questions left and click my tongue in annoyance. I wish that I have studied a little more, well I did, but my brain right now is having a brainfart. I sigh as I twirl my pencil in my hand on the tips of my fingers then finally my brain clicks and I quickly scribble down the answers just as the bell rings.

I hand in my test and pack my stuff. I go to my locker to put some stuff that I don't need away and change back into the outdoor shoes then scan my PDA to leave the school. After we all gather, including Jun (who turned out to be late this morning. We introduced him to Xavier during lunch, and he agreed to tag along), we take the train to go back to the mainland then walk to downtown and show Xavier some cool places. Jun and Suzuki do most of the talking so I just hang in the back of our mini group.

Behind me, I hear running footsteps. I turn around to see a group of men and, before I can react, one of them grabs me and drags me to a black van that quickly drives up next to them.

I do what any person would have done: scream.