Time Loop

09 - First Loop

Dante's POV:

[ The Beginning of Dante's Loop ]

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"Dante!"

I heard my name being called from behind, and when I turned, I saw Anna running toward me. Her long hair bounced with each step, and her breath was uneven, as if she had sprinted all the way here. I stopped in my tracks, waiting for her to catch up. She finally reached me, panting heavily, her hands on her knees as she tried to steady her breath.

I raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong? Why are you running like that?" I asked, tilting my head slightly. She straightened up, looking at me with a nervous yet determined expression. "Actually... I was thinking about what you said last night," she began, her voice slightly shaky but firm. "And um... I've made up my mind."

My heart pounded in my chest as I waited for her next words. She smiled..a little shy, a little hesitant, but genuine. "Fine lets date.."

For a split second, it felt like the world had stopped. My heart skipped a beat, and a rush of excitement flooded through me. But I didn't let it show. I kept my face composed, even as every cell in my body wanted to jump with joy. But she knows me well. I crossed my arms, pretending to be unaffected. "Oh? Just like that?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "You sure you didn't just have a weird dream and confuse your feelings?"

Anna rolled her eyes, playfully punching my shoulder. "Shut up, Dante. Don't make me change my mind," she said, laughing softly. I smirked. "Wouldn't want that now, would we?" I teased, though my voice was softer than usual. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear and looked at me expectantly.

"So... what now?." I glanced up at the sky for a moment before meeting her gaze again. "Then... tonight?" I asked.

Her eyes lit up. "Sure," she nodded without hesitation. For the first time in a long while, I felt like something in my life was finally going right. "Alright, I'm heading to school now. You should go home too," I said, reaching out to flick her forehead lightly. "You ran all the way here like a crazy person, you idiot."

"Ow!" She pouted, rubbing the spot where I flicked her. "I'm not an idiot! And I'm not crazy either!." I smirked. "Oh really?"

Anna huffed, crossing her arms, "yeah. Anyway, take care of yourself, okay?." I gave her a teasing look. "You're worried about me?." "Of course, dummy," she said with a small giggle. Then, before I could react, she suddenly stepped close. So close that I could feel her warmth. And then i felt a soft peck on my cheek.

The moment her lips brushed my skin, my entire body froze. My mind blanked out, and all I could register was the faint warmth lingering on my cheek. Anna stepped back, grinning at my stunned expression. "Hehe. You look cute when you blush," she teased.

Wait. Was I blushing?!

I quickly turned my head away, running a hand through my hair to play it cool. "I wasn't blushing". But my voice betrayed me, coming out a little too soft. Anna giggled again. "Alright, alright. I'll go home now. But don't be late tonight?" she said, pointing a finger at me.

I finally managed to look at her again, my lips curving into a small smirk. "I won't. You better be ready for the best date of your life." She beamed. "We'll see about that, Dante." And with that, she turned around and started walking away. I watched her go, still feeling the ghost of her kiss on my cheek.

Damn it.

She really had me wrapped around her finger, didn't she? I exhaled, shaking my head with a small smile before turning on my heel and heading toward school.

That's Anna Richardson. And my soon-to-be wife. Ahem. Sorry, I mean my future wife. Right now, we're both still young. Anyway, Anna and my mom are best friends. And once upon a time, Anna and I used to be enemies. I hated her. But look at fate's irony, I ended up falling in love with the very person I once considered my worst enemy. And the very person who changed me from a cold and distant soul to this.

Last night, I had even gotten down on one knee, right under the night sky, with one foot resting on the ground, and held out my hand to her as I said, "Anna, I love you... Will you go on a date with me?" She had asked for time to think about it. Maybe because it was too sudden for her. But now, here she was coming to me with a bright smile, telling me she wanted to go out with me.

I won.

Pushing these thoughts aside, I got into the car, and the driver started driving me to school. As soon as we arrived, I stepped out of the car, took a deep breath, and put on my usual cold demeanor before walking inside. People had called me cold and emotionless since childhood. I never really understood why. Oh i mean, yeah, I was like that before, but I've changed a lot. Yet, people still see me the same way. Even now, no one in my class considers me a friend. Not that i care duh. I walked into the classroom and took my seat.

After some time, the teacher arrived, and the lecture began. Time passed, and soon, the bell rang, signaling the start of the lunch break. I stood up from my seat, stretching slightly before making my way out of the classroom. The hallway was already bustling with students chatting, laughing, and heading toward the canteen.

I walked through the crowd, keeping my usual calm and composed demeanor as I made my way to the cafeteria.

Once inside, the familiar aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air. The place was crowded as students lined up, chatting among themselves while waiting for their turn to get their meals. I walked over to the food counter and grabbed a tray, picking out a decent meal before heading toward an empty table in the corner.

Sitting down, I placed my tray in front of me and picked up my fork, casually taking a bite of my food. The lively noise of the cafeteria surrounded me, students talking loudly, the occasional burst of laughter, and the clatter of trays and utensils. But I was used to it.

As I continued eating, my mind drifted for a moment, thinking about everything that had happened earlier. About Anna. About how things had changed between us. It still felt a little surreal, but at the same time, a small smirk tugged at the corner of my lips. I was already thinking about the date.

Everything was going good. But then..

A sudden, deafening explosion tore through the air. A blinding flash of light erupted from the far side of the canteen, followed by a monstrous wave of heat and pressure. Before I could even react, the force hit me like a truck, flinging me backward. My body slammed against the hard tiled floor, the impact sending a shockwave of pain through my bones. My ears rang violently, muting the world around me into nothing but a distant, distorted hum.

For a moment, I couldn't move. Everything felt heavy. My vision blurred as thick, dark smoke filled the cafeteria, making it hard to breathe. The scent of burnt flesh and metal clung to the air, suffocating me.

I tried to push myself up, but a sharp, searing pain shot through my arm. I gasped, my breath hitching as I glanced down my arm. Detached. covered in blood. Lying far away from me, motionless, severed completely. My whole body ached. My legs, my chest everything hurt.

Screams echoed around me. People were crying, calling for help. Some weren't moving at all. Bodies lay scattered across the cafeteria floor, some buried under broken tables, others barely recognizable through the smoke and blood.

The once lively canteen was now a battlefield of destruction and despair. I clenched my teeth, my breath coming out in ragged gasps as I forced myself to move, to crawl. But every movement sent waves of agony through me.

No... I don't want to die. Not like this.

Tears stung my eyes as I gritted my teeth, trying to suppress the sob threatening to escape. My mind was spinning, panic clawing at my chest. My body was too weak, too broken. I was losing too much blood. I could feel myself slipping, my consciousness fading. And then, a single thought cut through the chaos. Anna.

Her smile. Her laugh. The way she looked at me when she agreed to go out with me just this morning. The way she told me to take care of myself. The way she kissed my cheek right before we parted ways. Why.......I dont...want to die.

A desperate whimper left my lips as I tried again, using whatever little strength I had left to move. I need to get out of here. I need to see her again. I need to survive. But my vision blurred. My body grew weaker. The screams around me grew distant.

No, no, no... please...

And then... everything went black.

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