The Premonition

Chapter 1

Have you ever walked into school to find your entire grade staring at you? My name is Ethan Azema. I am a fifteen-year-old boy, and this morning was one of the strangest in my entire life.

As I walked into geometry, my first class, I was surprised to see many of my peers eyeing me secretively. Some gazed at me with puzzled curiosity, but others seemed almost angry. Confused, I opened the camera on my phone and snuck a look at my face. As I glanced over my appearance, I could see nothing out of the ordinary. My looks have never been what might be called 'common,' but these people had known me for long enough not to goggle in awe.

I've been told more than once that I look like I could be a Native American. My skin is naturally caramel brown, and my hair is black and shiny as a raven's wing. I have a very masculine face shape and a pronounced nose, and my eyes are intense and deep-set. If it were not for their unique color, I might really be able to pass as a Native American Indian. They are a light, grayish-blue - the type of hue that could only come from a mutant gene. I'm the only one in my family who has light eyes. Both of my parents and my sister have deep, nearly-black irises.

However, I didn't really think that my appearance was the cause of these odd stares. My heart jumping into my throat, I wondered anxiously if I was included in a rumor about Felix Chan. It certainly wouldn't be the first time.

"Hey, bro!" I turned my head as Felix himself came up behind me, locking my head under his arm. "Can you do me a favor after school today?"

Prying off my best friend's choking hold, I quickly glanced around in concern. As I did this, I caught the eyes of several girls in the back of the room. At the same time, they turned red and deflected their gazes in embarrassment.

"Weird," I muttered to myself before turning to Felix. "What is it you need?"

"If my dad tries to contact you tonight, I need you to tell him that I'm studying with you." He brushed his curly, black hair out of his face.

I laughed shortly. "Where will you really be?"

"Skateboarding across town with some seniors. I'm not sure if I'll still be alive tomorrow if my parents find out."

I shook my head slowly. Felix moved here from Hong Kong when he was only three, so he's lived his entire life in the US. The way he thinks, acts, and speaks is entirely American. It drives his strict Chinese parents completely insane, as they place huge emphasis on studying and good behavior. Felix and his dad have gone head to head so many times that I could write an entire book on their arguments. Both are extremely stubborn, so their conflicting personalities cause a great deal of unrest within their family. Whereas I don't always approve of his disregard for his parents, Felix is my best friend and I would do just about anything for him.

"Fine," I complied unconcernedly. "If your dad asks, you're at my house studying."

"Thanks," sighed Felix as the teacher sailed into the room. "I really appreciate it."

Forcefully clapping me on the back, he turned towards his seat.

"Wait," I suddenly hissed, stopping him mid-stride. "You haven't been up to anything abnormally weird recently, right?"

Felix shrugged. "That depends on your definition of 'abnormal,' I suppose."

"Alright, I mean anything that could have half the school talking about us behind our backs?"

Felix pursed his lips and narrowed his eyes, thinking quickly. "Nope," he decided flatly. "I've been pretty well-behaved these days. Why do you ask?"