The Boy Next DOOR.

Jordan couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had clung to him since the previous day. His thoughts were consumed by Ortho's strange actions and the ominous mention of Kelvin's name. He had spent the night tossing and turning, but no matter how he analyzed the situation, the pieces didn't fit.

When morning came, his resolve had solidified—he needed answers.

---

AT THE SCHOOL CAFETERIA

Lunch was unusually subdued. Jordan sat at the edge of the group, his plate untouched as he watched Ortho laugh and joke with the others. His cheerfulness felt rehearsed, his smiles just a little too perfect.

"Jordan, you okay?" Rihanna asked, nudging him.

"Huh? Yeah, I'm good," he replied, shaking his head.

"You've been staring at Ortho all day," she teased with a smirk.

"Just thinking about something," he said dismissively, but his tone was tight.

Meanwhile, Ortho was mid-conversation with Dave.

"You know, Dave, I'd really love to meet Kelvin. He seems like such an interesting guy," Ortho said, his voice casual but his eyes too intent.

"Kelvin's not that interesting," Jordan cut in abruptly, drawing the group's attention.

"Really?" Ortho asked with a tilt of his head. "I just feel like there's something… unique about him."

"Why the sudden interest?" Jordan challenged, his voice low.

Ortho held Jordan's gaze, a flicker of something unreadable passing through his eyes before he smiled. "No reason. Just curious."

The table fell silent, tension crackling in the air.

---

THAT NIGHT

Jordan's unease pushed him to act. He had been following Ortho from a distance, waiting for any sign of his next move. When Ortho slipped out of the dorms and headed towards the woods, Jordan's instincts screamed at him to follow.

Keeping his footsteps light, he tracked Ortho into the dense forest. The moonlight barely pierced the canopy, casting long, eerie shadows.

Ortho came to a stop in a clearing, where the same cloaked figure from the previous day materialized before him.

"You're late," the figure hissed.

"I'm sorry, but I'm making progress," Ortho replied.

"You've had weeks! Why isn't Kelvin here yet?"

Jordan's heart pounded. His grip on the tree tightened as he leaned closer.

"I'm working on it. Dave trusts me now. I'll use him to lure Kelvin out," Ortho promised.

The figure seemed dissatisfied, but handed him another object—a small, glowing crystal.

"This is your last chance. Master doesn't tolerate failure," the figure warned before disappearing.

Ortho exhaled shakily and pocketed the crystal, his expression uncharacteristically grim.

Jordan's mind raced... Master? Who the hell is that?

As Ortho turned back towards the school, Jordan stayed rooted in place. His thoughts were a whirlwind.

---

THE UPSIDEDOWN

Selvara sat in her lair, her fingers tracing the edge of an ancient map etched with glowing runes. She had calmed from her earlier rage, but her frustration simmered beneath the surface.

A portal shimmered to life beside her, and her lieutenant stepped through, bowing deeply.

"Veilkeeper, we've confirmed the location of the boy. He's hidden within a shielded realm—a mortal's doing," the lieutenant reported.

Selvara's eyes lit up. "Finally, some progress. Who's protecting him?"

"We're not certain, but the energy signature matches a mixed witch and wolf. A Hexwitch."

Selvara froze. "A Hexwitch? Impossible. They're supposed to be rare, barely surviving."

"The energy doesn't lie, Veilkeeper. The creature is formidable, and we believe it's guarding Valerian."

Selvara's lips curled into a sinister smile. "So, a relic of the past dares to defy me? How quaint. Prepare the Hunters. If the mixed witch and wolf won't surrender Valerian, we'll bring its head back as a trophy."

"Yes, Veilkeeper," the lieutenant said before vanishing.

Selvara leaned back, a gleam of triumph in her eyes. "The game is finally in motion."

---

BACK AT SCHOOL

Jordan waited until Ortho disappeared into the dorms before rushing back to his room. His mind was a tangle of questions and half-formed plans.

Kelvin. The Veilkeeper. A glowing crystal. What's the connection?

He pulled out his phone and typed a quick text to Kelvin:

"Hey, we need to talk. It's important."

A few minutes later, Kelvin replied:

"What's up?"

"Not over text. Can we meet tomorrow?"

There was a long pause before Kelvin responded:

"Sure. See you at lunch."

Jordan exhaled, feeling a sliver of relief. Whatever Ortho was planning, Jordan would figure it out—and stop it.

But deep down, he knew the storm was only just beginning.

THE NEXT DAY

Ding Dong...

The doorbell rang, and Kelvin walked over to answer it. As he swung the door open, his heart skipped a beat. There stood Dave, beaming with an infectious, bright smile that instantly made Kelvin's heart melt.

"Good morning!" Dave greeted, his voice full of cheer, his wild smile sending a warmth through Kelvin's chest.

Without a second thought, Kelvin lifted him into the air, pulling him close for a kiss, savoring the sweetness of the moment.

"Good morning, darling," Kelvin replied softly, his lips lingering on Dave's for a moment longer. He could feel the affection pouring from him, the love he felt for this man filling every inch of his being.

"Already heading to school?" Kelvin asked, pulling back slightly to gaze at him, brushing a strand of hair from Dave's face.

"Yeah, are you not coming?" Dave asked with a playful pout.

"I am, just give me a minute. Wait here while I get dressed," Kelvin replied, his hand gently guiding Dave back into the house.

As they entered, Kelvin's eyes softened as he took in Dave's appearance. "You're so beautiful," he murmured, placing another kiss on Dave's lips. Dave was wearing a lilac-colored outfit that radiated a soft elegance, and Kelvin couldn't help but be mesmerized by how well it suited him.

Dave grinned, reaching into his bag with excitement. "I made something for you," he said, pulling out a beaded bracelet adorned with delicate colors—white, lilac, baby pink, and sky blue—along with tiny charms that added a playful charm to the piece.

"You made this?" Kelvin asked, his heart swelling as he accepted the bracelet.

Dave nodded eagerly. "Yeah! Do you like it?" he asked, his eyes sparkling with anticipation.

"Yeah, I love it. It's cute," Kelvin said with a grin, his fingers brushing over the bracelet as Dave carefully placed it on his wrist. It wasn't just beautiful—it was a piece of Dave's love for him, a sentiment that made it even more special.

"I made a matching one too!" Dave said, his voice light with excitement as he raised his own wrist to show Kelvin the matching bracelet.

"This is great," Kelvin said with a smile, his heart swelling even more. Despite not being a fan of bright colors, there was something about the bracelet that felt so right, so personal.

Kelvin couldn't help but smile, feeling the warmth of Dave's words as he kissed him again, unable to stop himself from showering him with affection. He wrapped his arms around Dave's waist, pulling him closer, feeling the comfort of their closeness.

"How about you dress me up?" Kelvin asked with a teasing smile, a playful glint in his eyes.

Dave's laughter rang out, the sound so pure and bright that it made Kelvin's heart race. The joy in Dave's laughter was infectious, and Kelvin found himself unable to resist kissing him again, soft and tender, as he held him tighter.

Dave chuckled as he walked over to the wardrobe, pulling out a few clothes for Kelvin. "You're impossible," he teased, but his smile was as sweet as ever.

As Dave selected clothes for him, Kelvin couldn't help but stare, his heart full of warmth. He held Dave's waist again, drawing him close once more. His fingers gently caressed his back as they shared yet another kiss, the moment almost too perfect to be real.

He couldn't get enough of Dave. Every touch, every kiss, was a reminder of how much he loved him. There was something about the way Dave made everything feel so simple and pure, and Kelvin cherished every second of it.

But even in this peaceful moment, a dark thought lingered at the back of Kelvin's mind.

He knew this calm would be fleeting. He had already felt it—an uneasy stirring in the air, a sense that something was coming, something beyond his control. He had tried to push it away, but he couldn't ignore it.

Things couldn't stay this perfect forever. No matter how badly he wished for it.

There were forces out there—dangerous, unknown forces—that would tear through their happiness. And Kelvin wasn't ready. Not for what was coming. He wasn't prepared to face what lay ahead.

But he knew one thing for sure: He would do anything to protect Dave. Even if it meant facing the storm head-on.

As he pulled Dave close for one last kiss before they left, he wished with all his heart that the storm would never come. That they could remain in this perfect bubble, safe and happy, forever.

But he knew this is just the calm before the storm.