The video was no longer just in the class group.
By Tuesday, it hung like a shadow over the entire school.
Teachers whispered in the hallways, students murmured in corners, and even the supervisors in the courtyard watched Alaric longer than usual, as if he were an animal that might break loose at any moment.
Lina felt the stares.
That mixture of fascination and fear clinging to every pair of eyes.
She heard the rustling when someone pulled out their phone to show the video again.
She heard the snickering that abruptly fell silent whenever she walked by.
Were you there?
Do you know more?
The questions hung in the air, unspoken, heavy.
---
Just before noon, the call came.
"Alaric Voss. Lina Weber. To the office."
Ms. Haller's voice sounded stern – but there was uncertainty in it.
The class went quiet. Only Jana's chair squeaked as she leaned forward.
"Have fun at the parent-teacher conference," she whispered with a grin.
Mia giggled shrilly.
