CHAPTER 31: CHAPTER 31: LANGLEY

The sharp scent of onions filled the air, stinging Aiden’s eyes as he chopped carefully the way the head chef had shown him. His hands moved slowly at first, unsure, but after a few minutes he found a rhythm. The sound of the knife tapping against the cutting board was oddly calming, grounding him after the chaos of the past day.

He had barely settled into the work when a boy, perhaps a year older than him, came striding over. His dark hair was slightly messy, and he carried himself with a confidence that made Aiden glance up curiously. The boy’s eyes flicked from Aiden to the head chef, narrowing with concern.

"Grandfather," the boy said sharply, his voice a mix of frustration and worry. "What are you doing? You can’t just ask a Skyline Academy student to chop onions for you. What if he reports you to the authorities? You know how wicked they are. What if they decide to punish you?"

The head chef didn’t even flinch at the accusation. He simply waved his hand, dismissing the boy’s concern. "Relax, Langley. Aiden wants to help. Besides, he’s human—or at least for now."

At those words, Aiden straightened and nodded firmly, supporting the chef. He gave the boy a small, reassuring smile. "It’s true. I want to help."

The boy, Langley, didn’t look convinced. He eyed Aiden with skepticism, his gaze sharp enough to cut through the smoky air. After a long pause, he leaned closer. "You really won’t screw us over?"

Aiden chuckled softly at his bluntness. "No, I won’t."

Something in Aiden’s tone must have rung true, because the boy relaxed a fraction. He nodded once, then extended a hand. "My name is Langley James."

Aiden wiped his slightly damp hands on his apron before taking the offered hand with a smile. "Aiden Rivera. Nice to meet you."

Satisfied with the introduction, the head chef stepped in. "Good. Since you two know each other now, Langley, help Aiden with the onions. I need to monitor the others. We only have an hour left before the students come down to eat."

Langley exhaled through his nose, but he nodded at his grandfather. "Fine." He picked up a knife and slid into place beside Aiden, quickly setting into the rhythm of peeling and chopping.

For a few minutes, they worked in silence. The kitchen bustled around them, pots clanged in the distance, and the sharp smell of onions grew stronger. Finally, Langley glanced sideways at Aiden.

"So," Langley said casually, "you’re a human. How did you even manage to get into Skyline Academy if that’s true?"

Aiden hesitated, then gave him the same explanation he had given the head chef: how he had gone to the library, how he had been asked to give a drop of blood, and how he had followed Ryker without a second thought.

When Aiden finished, Langley suddenly threw back his head and laughed. The sound was loud, genuine, and slightly mocking. "Oh my God, you’re really stupid. What if you had been kidnapped? What if they had sold you instead of bringing you here? Did you even think of that?" He wiped tears from his eyes, still laughing. "You’re unbelievably reckless."

Aiden couldn’t help but laugh too, even though his cheeks burned. "I admit I was stupid, alright? You don’t have to remind me." He set his knife down for a moment and sighed. "But when I met Ryker... he was the only thing on my mind. Honestly, he still is. Sometimes it feels like he and I were meant to be."

Langley paused in his chopping and looked at Aiden as though he had grown a second head. His expression was strange, caught between disbelief and curiosity.

Aiden quickly raised his hands defensively. "I know, I know. It sounds stupid, doesn’t it? But I’m not lying. That’s really how I feel. Normally, no matter how handsome someone is, I wouldn’t go this far for them. But with Ryker it’s different. I can’t resist him. It’s like something is pulling me toward him, something I can’t control. That’s why I’ve been making such impulsive decisions."

Langley studied him for a while, then let out a quiet sigh. "Although I don’t understand why you’re feeling that way, I do know one thing. Since you were admitted into Skyline Academy, and since your potential test results came out the way they did, then those results are real. Maybe there are things you don’t know yet, things that are interfering with your powers, but I don’t believe you’re just a human. You should listen to your friend’s advice. Don’t think of leaving the school just because of one bad day."

Aiden looked at him, startled by the words of encouragement. Slowly, he nodded. "Fine. I’ll stay. But only as long as you and your grandfather keep opening your door to me like this. I can’t eat with the other students. I know I’ll just be the topic of their gossip, and their fingers of disdain will be pointed at me."

Langley’s lips curved into a small smile. "Don’t worry. You can always come here. We’ll keep the back door open for you. Just keep helping out in the kitchen, and you’ll be fine."

Aiden returned the smile, feeling a warmth spread through him. For the first time, he didn’t feel entirely alone. But then a thought crossed his mind, and he turned to Langley with curiosity.

"What did your grandfather mean earlier," Aiden asked, "when he said some of you manage to leave the school grounds, even though you’re imprisoned here?"

Langley shrugged, continuing to chop onions. "Well, you know how your school uses the last three days of the week for normal classes, just like regular schools outside?"

Aiden nodded.

"So we’re also granted permission to attend school on those days. It means that, for three days a week, we humans can attend classes too. Those among us who are geniuses, who prove themselves capable, are sometimes given the opportunity to leave completely. They’re sent outside to further their education, and from there they can choose to build a normal life. They just have to promise to help the school if it ever needs them."

Aiden blinked in surprise. "So you go to school too. That means I’ll see you in class on Thursday, Friday, and Sunday."

Langley nodded with a small grin. "That’s right."

"Then you’re also students of Skyline Academy," Aiden said.

"Yes," Langley replied, "but only on those days. And our uniforms are different. Ours are purple, completely different from your gold and silver. It’s meant to separate us, to remind everyone that we’re just humans."

Aiden frowned, shaking his head. "But I don’t understand why the school is still keeping you here. It doesn’t make sense. This is the twenty-first century. Why are you being punished for sins that weren’t yours but your ancestors’? They should have let you all go."

Langley’s smile turned sad, almost bitter. "If they let us go, who would cook for you? Who would clean your dorms, mow your lawns, keep the academy spotless? We’re kept here because we’re useful."

"But it’s not right," Aiden said firmly. "It’s illegal to keep people imprisoned like this. They’re rich enough to hire others for those jobs. They don’t need to keep you here."

Langley nodded slowly. "True, they could. But could outsiders keep the school’s secrets? No. That’s why they prefer to keep us here, locked within these walls. As long as we never leave, their secrets never spread."

Aiden let out a sharp laugh. "That’s selfish of the school."

Langley ruffled Aiden’s hair playfully. "It is. But it’s not like we’re suffering here. Apart from being unable to leave, our lives are comfortable. We have steady jobs, good pay, and we can buy anything we want. The only thing we traded was our freedom. We don’t like it, but there’s nothing we can do."

Aiden frowned. "Are you sure you’re safe here?"

Langley nodded with confidence. "We’re safe. The authorities have already told the Skyline students they can’t harm us. And most of them wouldn’t touch us anyway, because they look down on us. So we’ve been living peacefully. Worry less about us and more about yourself. Your problems are the most pressing right now."

Aiden groaned, shoving the last pile of onions toward Langley. "Don’t remind me of my problems. It’s not like I can solve them."

Langley gathered the chopped onions into a large bowl, lifting it easily. Before leaving, he patted Aiden on the back. "You’ll be fine. Just be careful, alright? Don’t make more enemies than you already have. I’d hate to hear news of a gorgeous boy named Aiden freezing to death or something like that."

With that, Langley carried the onions away, leaving Aiden groaning to himself. He muttered under his breath, "I’ve already offended everyone. The head students of all three races are against me. As if my life isn’t difficult enough."

Before he could spiral deeper, the head chef returned, this time carrying a tray. He set it down in front of Aiden. "Here is your food. The other students will be here soon, and we need to continue preparing. There’s a door at the back you can use once you’re done."

Aiden’s chest warmed with gratitude. He bowed his head slightly. "Thank you, sir."

The head chef smiled faintly. "You’re welcome."

Aiden climbed onto one of the empty counters, balancing the tray on his lap. For a moment, he simply stared at the food, inhaling the comforting aroma. Then he picked up a spoon and began to eat, savoring every bite.