Akira's POV

When the doorbell rang, I was confused because I wasn't expecting anyone. My mum stepped out not long ago and said she'd take her time, so I knew it wasn't her. I stood up from the couch and went to see who it was, and from the camera at the entrance, I saw my friends. I didn't expect them to be here. I thought they'd probably come tomorrow or wait till we meet in school on Monday. Still, I opened the door and their faces were masked with worry. Before I could utter any word, Aiden pulled me into a hug.

That was a gesture I wasn't expecting,...