Raye stopped in her track hands moving to her knee as she tried to catch her breath . She just realized that she didn't even know where she was going to at all .
She needed to call Danielle or maybe Jane , but she couldn't disturb Jane because she was having creative writing test now .
And only she knew how Jane prepared hard for that test . But then , Danielle was suppose to be having the test too .
That was one of the reasons , why Raye was worried . Danielle calling her at this time , meant she wasn't taken the test and she wasn't the type to miss a test ...so something was definitely wrong .
Taking her phone from her jean pocket she was about to call Danielle when her phone buzzed again sighing in relief to see it was Danielle message
I hope Joshua didn't do something stupid she thought quickly tapping on the message icon .
"Meet me at the archives room. It's urgent. – Danielle"
Raye frowned.
Archive room ...that was somewhere student weren't allowed to go to ...what was Danielle doing there .
Danielle hadn't sounded urgent before in her life. Curiosity piqued, she adjusted her bag and headed toward the old library building, the part of campus rarely visited by students. The archives were tucked behind heavy wooden doors, past the rows of silent stacks.
When she arrived, the door was slightly ajar. Raye pushed it open slowly, her heart already racing.
The room was… chaos. Papers were scattered across the floor, books toppled from shelves, and glass display cases tilted slightly from what looked like a struggle.
And worst the new audio system — slashed wires, torn sheet music, even spray-painted something nasty on the wall about Mr Ellington bald spot.
"What the—?" she muttered, stepping inside. Her sneakers made soft thuds against the wooden floor.
"Danielle?" she called, glancing around. "Is this some joke?"
Silence answered her, only broken by the soft rustle of pages from the mess around her.
Before she could take another step, the door swung open sharply.
"Stop right there!"
Raye whipped around. Joshua was standing in the doorway, arms crossed, smirk nowhere in sight. His eyes were sharp, calculating. Behind him, a teacher stepped in, expression serious and eyes narrowed.
"Raye," the teacher said, voice steady but severe. "We received a report you were inside the archives unauthorized. And from what I see…" He gestured at the room, the scattered books and papers. "…you're responsible for this mess."
Raye's stomach dropped. "I—I didn't—this isn't mine! I didn't do this!" Her voice shook, panic creeping in.
What was happening Raye thought looking at Joshua and then the teacher who was giving her the worst glare she could even think of .
She had walked into this place to see the room messed up as ever and now they were blaming her for something she didn't do or know of
Was this some kind of sick joke Raye though speechless as she ran her clammy hand which shook profusely through her hair .
She couldn't place her head on what had happened. Joshua's eyes gleamed with quiet satisfaction. "Funny how you're always around when things… happen." His tone was low, pointed, almost teasing, but there was a sharpness under it that made her knees wobble.
"I—I just came because Danielle asked me to!" Raye protested, stepping forward, gesturing toward the mess. "I swear, I didn't touch anything!"
He smirked. "Honestly, this explains everything."
Raye looked up. "What?"
"That I ever liked you," he said. "You're chaotic. Messy. Drama follows you like a shadow. I'm lucky I chose someone normal."
Raye clenched her fists. "I didn't do it."
"Sure," he said. "And I'm the pope."
Raye glanced at Joshua fist clenched at her side as she looked between the racks on the floor and the destroyed audio machine .
Hot tears pricked in her eyes which she tried to blink back .
Raye started to panick her whole body was trembling she quickly walked to Mr Frank .
"Sir I didn't -".
"Save it for the board , you didn't do well destroying the audio machine , what got into your head " Mr Frank snapped loudly while Raye shut her eyes close a tear slipped out .
She sat there alone, hot tears prickling the corners of her eyes.
The teacher shook his head. "Regardless, Raye, you were seen entering the room. We'll need to investigate, but until then, you're suspended. Campus rules are strict about archives access and property damage."
Raye's hands flew to her head. "Suspended? But—this isn't fair!"
Joshua stepped closer, just enough to make her flinch. "Sometimes life isn't fair, cupcake," he said quietly, almost mockingly. His eyes glimmered with something dark and knowing.
Raye's breaths came faster, heart hammering in her chest. She glanced at Joshua again, suddenly realizing the trap. Danielle had lured her here—and Joshua had timed it perfectly.
"I… I can't believe this," Raye whispered, trembling as the teacher gestured toward the door. "I didn't—"
"Raye, it's okay," Joshua's tone was soft, almost dangerous. "You just… got caught in the wrong place at the wrong time." His smirk returned, but it didn't reach his eyes.
Raye's head spun. She wanted to scream, to argue, to somehow prove her innocence—but the room, the teacher, and Joshua's unwavering stare left her frozen.
As they escorted her toward the exit, she glanced back at the archives. Papers fluttered in the draft, a silent accusation against her. Her stomach churned. How could Danielle betray her like this?
And worse… how could Joshua plan something so perfectly, so cold?
She took a shaky breath, trying to steady herself.
the words couldn't stop ringing in her head.
Jane was right ....
She should have listen to Jane , not everybobdy changed .
Suspended. Her first suspension. And she had no idea what the fallout would be, or how she'd face Kyle—or anyone—after this.
Outside, the afternoon sunlight felt surreal, almost mocking, as she was led down the steps, each one heavier than the last.