SARAH'S POV
I didn't expect much when I came to school this morning. Just another day, another crowd, another round of students rushing past me like the hallway belonged to them. But the second I stepped in, I knew something was different. Whispers. Stares. Phones out. The way people were looking at Ethan Walker made my stomach tighten.
I stayed back by my locker, notebook in hand, pretending to check my schedule, but my eyes couldn't leave him. Ethan didn't seem like the type to steal a laptop. I'd seen him carelessly toss his own things around before — but sneaky? Calculated? No. Not Ethan.
Mason Reed was right there beside him, trying to keep the mood light, but I could tell he was uneasy. His brow furrowed every time someone pointed or whispered. Chloe Adams walked slightly behind, like she was measuring the distance between chaos and calm. I couldn't help but notice how tense she was — the way her fingers twitched, the way her eyes flicked around like she was calculating risks.
I made a mental note: Chloe always notices things most people don't. That could be important later.
Then Mason got a glimpse of someone approaching. The boy smiled at him, casual, friendly. Too friendly.
"Crazy day, huh?" he said.
Mason nodded, but I saw the tiny flicker of doubt in his eyes — the hesitation he didn't even realize he had.
"Sometimes people you think are your best friends aren't always who they seem" the boy added casually.
I watched Mason stiffen. I knew something had just been planted in his mind. Subtle, but effective. I could feel the tension in him even from a few feet away.
Chloe noticed too. She whispered, "Mason...are you okay?"
He said, "yeah ... I'm fine." But I could tell he wasn't. I could see the wheels turning behind his eyes. Something about that boy's words had lodged there like a tiny stone, ready to grow into a landslide.
And Ethan? Ethan didn't even notice. He walked ahead, oblivious for now, but I knew the storm wasn't far behind him. The hallway seemed smaller somehow, louder somehow. Every glance Ethan got was a reminder that the world had already judged him. And Mason? Mason was about to start doubting the person he trusted most.
I flipped open my notebook and scribbled quickly:
Ethan isn't the type to steal.
Mason's loyalty is genuine… for now.
Someone is manipulating the situation — who benefits?
Chloe is aware of tension but cautious.
I tucked my notebook away. I had to keep observing. I had to know who was pulling the strings before things got worse.
And somewhere behind the crowd, I swear I saw a shadow linger longer than it should have. Hood drawn, notebook clutched. Someone watching, waiting. I don't know who it was yet, but I could feel their eyes on Ethan. On Mason. On me.
This wasn't over. Not by a long shot. And I had a feeling I was about to get involved more than I ever wanted to.