LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 1: Chapter 1: Fateful Encounter
The morning air was still crisp when Ethan Collins stepped out of the front door of his family's sprawling estate. The house, a grand design tucked behind high gates and long driveways, felt distant today. As he walked toward the sidewalk, he tried to ignore the luxury of it all. He'd already made up his mind: he wasn't going to let anyone find out about his wealth—at least, not yet.
He'd told his parents he was taking the bus this year. The local bus. Not the private chauffeur service that his family could easily afford. They were surprised, but they agreed. Ethan figured it would be the best way to stay under the radar, to blend in, to experience what most kids did. It wasn't like he disliked his life, but he had never wanted his wealth to define him. Today, he was going to be just another freshman.
The bus stop was only a short walk away, past neatly manicured lawns and a few sleepy houses. The bus itself arrived just as Ethan turned the corner. A rumble of engine noise, the squeak of the brakes, and then it stopped. He climbed aboard, ignoring the curious glances of a few kids in the front.
"Hey, Ethan, right?" a voice called from behind him.
Ethan turned to see two guys standing up from their seats. One was tall and lanky, with an easy grin and a mess of brown hair—Jack, if Ethan remembered correctly. The other was Charles, a shorter but stockier guy with a tough-looking demeanor, though his smile suggested he wasn't as intimidating as he appeared.
"Yeah, that's me," Ethan replied, offering a polite nod as he moved toward the empty seat beside them.
"You're new, right?" Charles asked, raising an eyebrow.
"First day," Ethan said. "You guys—are you freshmen too?"
"Yep," Jack said. "First day of high school. Can you believe it?" He slapped Ethan on the back as if they had known each other for years.
"Crazy," Ethan muttered, grateful for their friendliness. For a moment, he felt like just another guy on the bus, heading to the same unknown that everyone else was.
As the bus lurched into motion, Ethan let himself relax. The rhythmic thrum of the engine and the chatter of his new classmates filled the air. He could hear snippets of conversations—some about homework, others about summer vacations, and a few about sports.
But then, as the bus made a slow turn onto the main road, something unexpected happened.
Thud.
Someone collided with him, sending his books scattering across the floor. He didn't even see who it was, just the force of it and the jolt of his body before he regained his balance.
"Sorry!" a voice called out, but by the time he turned, the person who'd bumped into him was already halfway down the aisle.
He shook his head, surprised by how quickly things could go from ordinary to chaotic.
The ride continued, and soon enough, the school loomed ahead, a sprawling campus with bright, sun-drenched buildings and wide open spaces. Ethan could feel the excitement buzzing in the air, the nervous energy of a thousand new beginnings.
"Hey, Ethan!" a voice called out, snapping him out of his reverie.
It was Jack—his new friend from the bus. Jack had the kind of natural charisma that seemed to draw people in. A wide smile, the kind of confidence that made everyone else feel at ease, even if it was only their first day. Ethan hadn't known Jack long, but he could already tell they'd get along.
"Yo, man! You excited for this?" Jack asked as he fell into step beside him.
"Yeah. It's a lot to take in," Ethan admitted, adjusting his backpack.
"You nervous?" Jack asked, his eyes gleaming. "Don't be. You're gonna crush it. Just remember, freshman year is all about making an impression."
Ethan nodded, but inside, he wasn't sure if he wanted to "crush it" in the way Jack meant. He was more interested in blending in, in finding out who he really was in a place where nobody knew him.
Before he could respond, a girl came up behind them, her voice suddenly cutting through the noise of the campus.
"Jack! Hey, Jack!" she called out.
Jack turned around, grinning. "Isabella! What's up?"
Isabella was a tall girl with striking features, long dark hair, and a carefree attitude. She had been talking to Jack on the bus, though they hadn't had much of a conversation yet.
"Just wanted to say good luck on your goal, Jack!" Isabella teased, winking at him. "I hear you're trying out for varsity this year."
Jack puffed out his chest in mock pride. "You bet I am. I'm gonna make the team. Freshman on varsity? It's happening."
Isabella laughed, shaking her head. "Don't get too cocky, Jack."
"Too late for that," Jack replied with a grin.
Ethan chuckled, but as he watched the two interact, he couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to be that sure of yourself.
The bell rang, signaling the start of their first class. Ethan's heart skipped a beat. It was finally time. He followed Jack and Isabella into the building, trying to stay calm as they made their way to Chemistry.
Inside the classroom, the air was thick with anticipation. The rows of desks, the smell of dry-erase markers, the murmurs of other freshmen all made it feel like the first day of something big.
Ethan took a seat, and just as he was getting settled, someone slid into the chair next to him. He looked over.
The girl had her head down, her brown hair covering most of her face. She was scribbling something in her notebook. Ethan didn't think much of it—until he felt a tap on his shoulder.
"Hey, man. This class is gonna be tough, huh?" Jack's voice was low, as if he didn't want to disturb the quiet girl sitting next to him.
Ethan turned to Jack. "Yeah, looks like it. I mean, I've never done anything like this before."
"I'm gonna try to get on top of it early," Jack said. "You should, too. Freshman year's all about making your mark."
Ethan nodded. The last thing he wanted was to stand out in Chemistry, though. As he turned back toward his desk, the girl next to him suddenly raised her head.
Her eyes were a deep shade of green, and they locked with his for a split second before she quickly looked away. Ethan felt a flutter in his chest. Who was she?
Before he could process the moment, Jack called out from across the room, breaking the spell. But even as he returned his attention to his friend, Ethan couldn't shake the feeling that he had just crossed paths with someone important.
And he didn't even know her name yet.