We woke tired and horrified. Hunger hit, but we couldn't skip breakfast. Dragging ourselves to the canteen, the air felt too cold—warning me something was about to happen.
The hallway was crowded. Students moved fast, whispering, avoiding eye contact.
I turned to Adrian and Mila."I'm telling you, this school feels like it's watching us—"
BAM
I crashed into someone solid.
"Ow! Hey! Watch where you're going!" I shouted, rubbing my head.
The hallway went silent.
Tall. Sharp eyes. Calm.
"You're blocking my path," he said.
"Excuse me? You walked straight into me," I shot back.
"I don't move for obstacles," he said.
Gasps rippled through the students.
"Obstacle?"
"Oh wow. Did you just call me an obstacle?"
Adrian grabbed my sleeve. "Jay… stop talking," he whispered.
I yanked my arm free. "I'm not apologizing when he's rude."
The guy stepped closer. Whispered: "Lower your voice."
"Why? Afraid people will hear how arrogant you sound?" I snapped.
There was a sharp inhale from the students.
"Do you have any idea who you're speaking to?" he asked.
"Do you know how to say 'I'm sorry'?" I shot back.
"That's why people like you are so arrogant," he muttered.
"Name," he demanded.
"Why? Planning to report me?"
"Name," he repeated.
"Jasper Jean Mariano. But everyone calls me Jay," I said flatly.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"…That's the president—""…He's dead—"
I froze.
"…President?" I whispered to myself.
He stepped back."Next time, watch where you're going," he said."Next time, learn some manners," I replied.
He turned just enough to look at me.A faint smile."Careful, Jay. Curiosity gets people trapped here."
He walked away.
The hallway exploded into whispers.
Mila whispered, shocked: "You just yelled at the president."Adrian muttered: "I think I stopped breathing."Daniel added: "You may have shortened our lifespan."
I stared after him, heart pounding.…Why do I feel like I just started something?