Morning came far too quickly. I had barely slept. At some point during the night, I must have drifted off for an hour or two, but it felt more like my brain had simply paused rather than rested.
When my alarm rang, it felt like a cruel joke. I groaned and buried my face into the pillow. School. I had to face them. Daniel. Ethan. My stomach twisted immediately.
I forced myself out of bed and slowly got ready for school, moving with the energy of someone who had just returned from a marathon rather than someone who had only slept badly.
When I finally made my way downstairs, Mum was already in the kitchen pouring tea.
She glanced at me and immediately frowned.
"Sharon."
I tried to act normal.
"Yes?"
"You look like someone who fought a war last night."
I forced a small laugh.
"I'm fine."
She studied my face carefully.
"You didn't sleep."
"I did."
"Not enough."
I opened the fridge and pulled out the milk carton just to avoid her eyes.
"I stayed up late finishing an assignment," I said casually.
Technically not a complete lie.
She nodded slowly.
"Hmm."
Then she softened her voice.
"Don't overwork yourself, okay?"
"I won't."
She handed me a small plate with toast.
"Eat."
"Yes, ma."
I finished breakfast quickly, grabbed my bag, and headed out.
The cool morning air hit my face as I stepped outside.
For a moment, I hoped—just maybe—I could reach school before running into anyone. But fate had other plans. Just a few houses down the road, I spotted them. Daniel and Ethan. Walking together. Talking. Laughing.
Daniel was gesturing wildly with his hands as he told some story, and Ethan was shaking his head, clearly amused.
My heart jumped straight into panic mode. Nope. Absolutely not. Not today.
I slowed down immediately and stepped behind a large tree along the sidewalk like some dramatic character in a spy movie. Two girls passing by gave me a confused look. I pretended to adjust my shoelace.
From behind the tree, I peeked carefully.
Daniel and Ethan continued walking normally, completely unaware that I was hiding like a criminal avoiding capture.
"Okay," I whispered to myself. "New plan."
I quickly turned around and took the small side street that curved around the neighborhood.
It was a longer route to school. But at least it was safer. Or so I hoped.
I walked quickly, glancing behind me once or twice just to make sure they hadn't somehow spotted me. The road eventually merged with the main path students usually took to school. And that's when I saw two familiar figures ahead. Chris and Amanda.
Chris was animatedly talking about something while Amanda laughed. Relief washed over me. Perfect.
I hurried to catch up.
"Hey!"
They both turned.
Amanda smiled immediately.
"Look who finally appeared."
Chris grinned.
"Morning, Shakespeare."
"Morning."
Amanda tilted her head slightly.
"You look tired."
Chris squinted at me.
"Very tired."
I sighed internally. Not this again.
"I stayed up late finishing an assignment," I said.
The same lie.
Amanda raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"Yes."
Chris nodded sympathetically.
"Academic life is tough."
Amanda wasn't convinced.
She studied my face for another moment.
"You sure that's all?"
"Yes."
"Hmm."
Chris continued walking.
"Well, at least we survived yesterday."
Amanda laughed.
"That performance was legendary."
Chris puffed out his chest proudly.
"My acting deserves an award."
"You forgot two lines," Amanda reminded him.
"That was artistic improvisation."
They both burst out laughing.
For a moment, their normal conversation helped calm my nerves.
Then—From behind us—
"Hey!"
I froze. Slowly. Very slowly. I turned my head. Daniel and Ethan were catching up. Of course they were. We were all going to the same school after all.
Chris waved enthusiastically.
"There they are!"
Daniel jogged forward slightly.
"Morning, guys!"
Ethan gave a small wave as well.
My brain screamed internally. 'Abort mission'. But it was too late.
Amanda looked between everyone.
"Well," she said, "the entire squad is here."
Daniel smiled at me.
"Morning, Sharon."
"Morning," I replied quietly.
Ethan looked at me, too.
"Morning."
"Morning."
Amanda's eyes narrowed slightly. Oh, no.
She noticed. Of course she noticed. She was Amanda.
She stepped closer to me.
"You're quiet."
"I'm just tired."
"From your assignment?"
"Yes."
She leaned closer.
"Or something else?"
"Nothing else."
She stared at me suspiciously.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes."
She crossed her arms.
"Because you're walking like someone who's hiding a secret."
"I'm not hiding anything."
Chris glanced back at us.
"What are you two whispering about now?"
"Nothing," Amanda replied.
But she wasn't finished.
She walked beside me for a few steps.
Then suddenly asked—
"Did something happen yesterday?"
My heart skipped.
"No."
"Nothing weird?"
"No."
"No unexpected moments?"
"No."
"No awkward situations?"
"No!"
I said it a little too quickly.
Amanda's eyes widened slightly.
"Aha."
"Aha what?"
"Your reaction just proved something happened."
"Nothing happened."
She smirked.
"I'll find out eventually."
Chris turned around again.
"Why do I feel like a detective story is unfolding behind me?"
Daniel laughed.
"You probably don't want to know."
Ethan said nothing. But once or twice I caught him glancing in my direction. Which only made me more self-conscious.
The group continued walking together, talking about random things.
Chris started describing an imaginary "movie adaptation" of our poetic play.
Amanda kept interrupting with sarcastic commentary.
Daniel added ridiculous plot twists.
Ethan occasionally laughed quietly.
And me? I slowly drifted toward the back of the group. Walking a few steps behind them. Listening. But barely speaking.
Amanda noticed after a while.
She glanced back.
"Sharon."
"Hm?"
"Why are you walking back there like a ghost?"
"I'm fine."
"You've said that ten times already."
Chris turned around.
"Yeah, you're unusually quiet today."
"I'm just tired," I repeated.
Daniel slowed down slightly to walk beside me.
"Did you sleep at all?"
"A little."
"Maybe you should rest more tonight."
"Maybe."
We reached the school gate soon after. Students were already gathering in small groups around the courtyard.
Chris stretched his arms dramatically.
"Another day of academic greatness."
Amanda rolled her eyes.
"Just go to class."
We walked into the building together.
The familiar classroom buzz filled the hallway.
Students chatting. Chairs scraping. Books opening.
We took our usual seats.
Chris dropped his bag onto his desk. Amanda sat beside me. Daniel and Ethan took their seats across the row.
Amanda leaned closer one last time and whispered—
"I'm still watching you."
I sighed.
"Please don't."
She grinned.
"Oh, I definitely will."
The bell rang.
And just like that—Another school day officially began.
But somehow, I had a feeling it was going to be a very long one.