Tuesday morning began like any other.
Michelle sat in the cafeteria, laughing softly at something Lila said. Steve was just arriving with two coffees, handing one to her with a warm smile and a wink that made her heart skip.
Everything looked… normal.
Too normal.
Until Michelle caught a glimpse of Claire.
She stood by the juice machine, surrounded by two unfamiliar girls. One of them whispered something into Claire's ear and then glanced—no, glared—straight at Michelle.
Michelle's heart froze for a second.
"New faces," Lila muttered. "And none of them are friendly."
Steve followed her gaze. "They're not from our program."
"They don't need to be," Lila replied. "If Claire's pulling strings, they'll follow."
Michelle forced a smile. "Let's not jump to conclusions."
But her hand trembled slightly on the coffee cup.
Later that day, Michelle found a note slipped into her literature book. It wasn't handwritten—it was printed, typed, and perfectly folded.
Some people don't learn unless they're taught a lesson.You think you're safe. You're not.
Michelle's breath hitched. She looked around, but the classroom was already half-empty.
She rushed to find Steve, who was waiting outside the library with Jordan.
"Hey—" Steve's expression shifted instantly when he saw her face.
Without a word, she handed him the note.
Jordan read over his shoulder and muttered, "What the hell is this?"
Steve looked at her. "We're going to the dean."
"No," Michelle said firmly. "Not yet."
"Michelle—"
"I want to see who it is. I want to catch them."
Steve hesitated. "Then we do it carefully. Together."
That evening, Michelle, Steve, Lila, and Jordan met in the common room. A plan began to form.
"I know someone who can track blocked numbers," Jordan said. "A guy in IT. He owes me."
"And we'll watch who hangs out with Claire," Lila added. "She's not smart enough to cover her trail."
Michelle sat in the center, silent. The room buzzed with strategies and whispered theories—but inside her, there was a quiet storm.
Because this wasn't just about anonymous notes.
This was about fear.
And power.
And the one thing Michelle had learned over the past months:
They only win if you stay quiet.
But outside, someone was already preparing the next move.
Another message.
A photo.
Michelle, walking alone toward her dorm.
Taken that same evening.
Sent to the same unknown number.
Soon.