Jessica POV
The sun was rising in the east, painting the sky in hues of red and pinks. It was at this moment when I was standing in front of the window, looking out at the rising sun that promised a new day, I realized that my new life was about to begin. Sang had cautioned me that finding people that I could feel comfortable with would be a long journey. She had told me a story about her friends Lake and Karla who did not seem like they seemed compatible but did form a group of their own.
I sighed, glancing at my cellphone. The time read that there was enough time for me to get ready before meeting up with the mysterious blonde girl. As I started to brush my teeth, I thought about her. She was a small thing, so frail and petite against me yet she seemed like she had all the confidence and happiness in the world. She held herself with a confidence that I was slightly jealous of. How she could find herself as a lone agent yet be happy with her position while I was struggling with the want of a family ate at me, but she had soothed my guilt by saying that everyone was different and that things might seem different from the surface.
Pulling my hair into a ponytail, I looked at my reflection. I was tall at 5'8 which I hated. I was taller than my so-called friends who averaged at 5'3. They had a cute and frail look about them while I had a more tall and slightly muscular frame from playing volleyball. I didn't have the soft curves as them, and my body was covered in bruises and scrapes from diving and hitting the floor in the sport. My eyes were a boring green with short eyelashes. My eyes were shaped weirdly that I could never wear the glamorous false eyelashes all of my ex-friends wore. My eyebrows were full which I thought looked slightly bushy. My lips were too large for my face, and I always wished for smaller lips. At least, my hair was my best features. The dark chocolate hair with natural hazelnut and caramel highlights had a slight wave, giving my hair volume without even trying.
I looked away from my image, disgusted with my appearance. Why was I so different from my friends? Was it because I looked different from them that they decided to separate themselves from me despite knowing me for years? Why couldn't I be like them?
Grabbing a sweater to hide my muscular arms, I made my way to the cafeteria. A small smile appeared on my face at the sight of Sang standing near the entrance. Her green eyes, so much lighter and such a prettier color than mine, glowed with happiness, and she skipped towards me. "Good morning, Jessica!"
I smiled shyly. "Good morning, Sang."
Sang smiled behind her mask. "You're so cute." My heart leapt at the compliment. I've been so used to my ex-friends' degrading remarks. "You'll be meeting a lot of people today. I know quite a lot of them, and I know that they will be nice to you."
I nodded my head, feeling a bit queasy. What if they didn't like me? Following Sang into the cafeteria, I kept my head down. My heart beat increased when I heard people greet Sang so carefree without the inconspicuous teasing tones. I pulled my sweater closer around my body when I didn't watch my step and I walked straight into someone's side.
With a gasp, I looked up. My hands were awkwardly in front of me as to grab onto the person I had bumped into to make sure I didn't hurt them. "I'm so sorry."
"It's okay," a warm voice said gently. It was so kind that it made me pause to look at the person. They were tall, probably around 6'1. Their features were so perfectly balanced between male and female that I couldn't tell what gender he was until he spoke in his deep voice. He had long black hair that reached his shoulders but the top half was pulled into a messy bun at the base of his neck. Warm and captivating amber eyes blinked at me, and his full lips were parted slightly in a smile. He chuckled. "It's no problem. No harm done."
I felt a blush warm my face. Great, the first time that I've met a person who I've felt attraction to, I had to ram my shoulder into their side. "Sorry."
He tilted his head slightly before reaching out with his hand. Silver rings adorned his long fingers. "I'm Ji-hoon Park."
Putting my hand in his, I blinked at the strength in his fingers. "Jessica Lee."
His lips quirked in a knowing smile. "Ah, are you related to Kota Lee?"
I felt my smile falter before pushing my fake smile forward. Oh. He already knew my brother. "Yep. He's my brother."
He blinked before a slender hand appeared on his shoulder. My breath was taken away at the new person who appeared behind Ji-hoon. She was as tall as me with blonde hair that fell down her back in voluptuous curls down her back. She had a classical beauty about her that she reminded me of the beautiful actresses in old movies. Blue eyes smiled warmly at me, making me feel a bit nervous to be around her. "Are you here for the Academy event?"
I blinked. "Academy event?"
"Yeah," the stranger who was making my heart race nodded. "It's a small gathering of teams and members who haven't found their team to socialize and join a team if they want."
I fidgeted, suddenly looking for Sang who was talking to Raven and a burly guy with reddish caramel hair not that far away. I fidgeted, wringing my sleeves over my hands in a nervous habit. "Uh, I'm technically not Academy yet. I- uh- I think I'm searching for a fa- I mean, team." I tugged a piece of loose hair behind my hair. "I think I just joined yesterday."
Her blue eyes brightened, and she perked up. "Really? That's great! Welcome to the Academy. Have I introduced myself to you yet?" Without waiting for my response, she continued. "I'm Elizabeth Andrews, but please, call me Liz."
She thrust her hand outward. A silver ring on her pinky was the same as the man's, making my heart sink slightly. They were a couple. It was stupid of me to get my hopes up. Taking her hand in mine, I was surprised at the callouses on her hand. They weren't soft like so many others. "Jessica Lee. Call me Jess, if you'd like."
Ji-hoon quirked an eyebrow with a swoon-inducing smile. "Does that include me?"
I felt my eyebrows wrinkle in confusion. Was he flirting with me or was he being nice? "Sure."
A shout of pain came from a little bit away, making me jump. A snort escaped me when I saw Raven collapsing on Sang while cradling his royal jewels. A wheeze escaped his lips as Sang struggled to keep them both standing. The caramel headed boy seemed smug as he skipped my way. I bit my lip to keep the wince and laughter that wanted to escape me. It was rare to see Raven look so defeated. It was a sight to savor in.
The caramel headed boy stopped in front of me, bending down at his waist. A huge smile was on his face, and his eyes lit up. "Hi! I'm Niko Klaus."
I stepped back in caution. He was tall and loaded with muscle that he could snap me in half with a stomp. Considering what he did to Raven a few moments ago, I wasn't sure that I was entirely safe. Brown eyes seemed to dim at my retreat before he took a step back and calmed down slightly. "Sorry about that. I've been told that I intrude personal space too much." He looked at the two others and pouted. "It looks like these two have been getting to know the beautiful lady before I could."
I blushed. Beautiful? Surely, he was lying.
I watched as he ran his hand through his hair. The glint of a similar ring to the others was around his pointer finger. I blinked. The parts were finally coming together. "You're a team?"
The three of them stopped their playful bickering before smiling. Liz smiled. "Yep. We've been a team for a few years for now."
I nodded, feeling awkward. I noticed that Raven was limping out of the cafeteria and Sang was alone once again. I gave them a smile that seemed way to weird and forced. "Well, I got to go. I guess I'll see you later."
Before they could say anything, I fast tracked towards Sang who smiled at me. "Well, how did your conversation go?"
I flushed, hiding my mouth behind my hand. "Awkward."
Sang smiled. "A lot of them will be but most first introductions are. Come on. Let's eat and then we can meet more people."
As we walked away, I kept my eyes on the floor, unaware of what was going on around her. Which included Sang's questioning green eyes looking at the three pair of eyes that were watching the shy girl.
We get to know more about Jessica, and the illustrate Niko, Ji-hoon, and their third member Liz. I slightly patterned Jessica's insecurity after myself. Instead of being muscular and tall, I'm short and chubby which made me feel bad. Part of the reason why I have such long periods is because I become depressed about my image that I feel like i can't do anything but focus on that. Mental health is important so please don't feel like it should be swept under the carpet or things,
Anyway, I hope that you guys liked this update!