[JASMINE – POV]
By second period, I couldn't focus.
Math looked like gibberish. The whispers in the hallway felt louder. And every time a locker slammed, I jumped.
I hated this.
I wasn't scared of Ayo, but the note… that was different. That felt calculated. Intimate. Like someone knew things they shouldn't.
"Jasmine," Zara whispered, tapping my notebook. "You okay?"
I nodded too fast. "Yeah, just—tired."
"Is this about that guy from this morning?"
My heart thudded. "What guy?"
Zara frowned. "You know, the one who asked about you? He came to the art room before class. Tall. Kinda good-looking. Said he was a friend."
I froze.
Ayo didn't even know where the art room was.
So who the hell was asking about me now?
[LUCAS – POV]
My fists were still clenched long after Ayo disappeared. His words echoed in my head like a siren.
"I never said I was the only one watching her."
It wasn't just jealousy anymore.
It felt like something deeper. Dangerous.
I skipped fourth period and found Jasmine outside the library.
She was pacing.
When she saw me, she ran straight into my chest. No words. Just shaking hands and a whispered, "Lucas… something's wrong."
I held her tighter than I ever had before. "I know. And I'm going to fix it. But you need to tell me everything."
She hesitated.
Then, slowly, she reached into her bag and pulled out the note.
As I read it, my jaw clenched.
Be careful who you trust.
Not everyone is on your side.
– A Friend.
But it was the handwriting that really got me.
Because I'd seen it before.
And it didn't belong to Ayo.