The Day James Met David | James, David, Ascension, new student, school, bullies, Greek mythology, epic fantasy, book excerpt

What happens in this part of the story

The story takes us to a high school in Seattle, where, after winter break, a new student appears – James Larter. Although he seems like an ordinary teenager trying to fit in, his past hides far more than anyone could imagine.

On his very first day, James becomes a target of school bullies. Even though he could easily defend himself, he is forced to hold back and remain unnoticed. Just as the situation spirals out of control, David appears, a student who steps in to protect him without hesitation.

That encounter seems like an ordinary school incident… but it is actually the beginning of a much larger story.

Excerpt from the book

After several weeks of enjoying the snowy break – snowball fights, shoveling driveways, and holiday celebrations – life in Seattle was slowly returning to normal. The snow still covered the streets, but it couldn’t stop people from going back to work, nor could it keep children from returning to their classrooms. The school year had resumed, and through the crowded hallways of one high school stepped a new student. His name was James Larter.

The hallway buzzed with students – voices, laughter, hurried footsteps. The daily struggle to reach lockers and classrooms was in full swing. For most of them, it was just another day, another chance to earn good grades and secure a place at a good college. But for James, this was an entirely new experience. He had spent most of his life in a camp of divine beings, far from this kind of world. Now, for the first time, he was just another high school student in the crowd.

He found his locker and started putting his books inside. Not far from him, two girls smiled his way. He smiled back, but before he could think much of it, a shadow fell across his books.

“Hey, new kid!”

James turned and saw three guys walking toward him. From the way they moved – the arrogant smirks on their faces – he immediately knew what kind they were. Everyone else ignored them or at least pretended not to notice. One of them, a big guy with a poorly shaved beard, shoved him against the locker.

“Nice backpack,” said the second one, thinner and shorter, yanking it off James’s shoulder. “I wonder what’s inside?”

James instinctively stepped forward to grab it back, but the third bully blocked his way and shoved him again. He could have taken them down in less than three seconds. He could have done it before anyone even realized what was happening. But he couldn’t reveal who he really was.

“Give me back my backpack,” he said, his voice tight with restrained anger.

Instead, the bully opened it and dumped all the books onto the floor without a trace of respect. Students passed by, ignoring the scene. This was normal for them. They had seen these guys pick on others before and knew it wasn’t worth getting involved.

“Pick it up!” The voice cut through the noise like a sharp blade. The bullies froze and turned around. Standing before them was a guy with short hair and an athletic build, wearing a school varsity jacket. His tone left no room for argument. “Pick up the books,” he repeated coldly, “if you still want to be on the starting lineup next week.”

The boy holding the backpack immediately bent down, gathered the books, and stuffed them back inside. James watched him intently. The bullies now looked like ordinary kids caught misbehaving.

“That’s not how we welcome new students,” said the guy. “Give him back his backpack. And apologize.”

“Sorry,” they muttered through clenched teeth, handed the backpack back to James, and quickly walked away.

James nodded. “Thanks.”

“Welcome to our school,” the guy said casually, leaning against a nearby locker. “Name’s David. Don’t worry – they won’t bother you again.”

James had no idea that David was the very reason he was there in that school.

Before James could even reply, David pushed off the locker and disappeared into the crowd. The hallway returned to normal, as if nothing had happened. Students went back to chatting, laughing, opening lockers. James sighed and slung his backpack over his shoulder. His first day of school had only just begun.

This was their first encounter. But what connects them is yet to be revealed.

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