Key in his pocket

Zendaya Baron's fingers trembled as she held the key, her eyes darting nervously to Principal Malcom, who was now stepping towards his office door. She swallowed hard, her palms clammy as she tried to focus, but every step toward him felt like an eternity.

Kamsi, sensing her friend's unease, gave her a quick nudge. "You're doing great," she whispered, her voice steady, though there was a flicker of tension in her eyes.

Zendaya managed a tight nod, but her stomach churned. This wasn't just about returning a key; it was about pushing the boundaries, doing something wrong for a right she wasn't even sure of. Her heart pounded in her chest as she tried to act natural, her fingers curling around the key with an anxiety she couldn't shake off.

The principal reached the door and placed his hand on the handle, but then, as if sensing something amiss, he paused and looked over at the two girls. His gaze lingered for a moment longer than usual, a barely perceptible furrow in his brow.

"Is everything alright, Miss Baron?" His voice was polite, but there was an underlying sharpness to it.

"Is she?" The principal raised an eyebrow, his suspicion evident, but he seemed to buy into Zendaya's half-hearted excuse.

Zendaya stepped forward, her movements deliberate, even though her heart was slamming against her ribs. She forced a calmness she didn't feel, pushing the key into her pocket and then surreptitiously sliding it from her hand. Her fingers, still shaky, pressed the cold metal against the fabric of the principal's suit as she subtly dropped it into the inside pocket of his jacket. She felt a surge of panic, waiting for him to react, but his hand brushed over the fabric, and he didn't seem to notice.

But something in his eyes told her he knew. Just a flicker of doubt. He glanced down at the pocket again, then up at her, his stare now more intense. For a moment, Zendaya thought her heart might burst from her chest.

"Everything alright?" he asked, his voice a touch sharper now, as if waiting for a misstep.

Zendaya's throat tightened. She forced a smile. "Yes, Mr. Malcom. Of course. Just trying to do my part."

The principal didn't respond right away. Instead, he reached into his coat pocket, fingers brushing over the key before pulling out a form for Zendaya, his eyes lingering on her a moment longer than necessary. Zendaya's pulse raced, and she could swear she heard her heart thundering in her ears.

"Here you go," the principal said, offering the paper to Zendaya without another word, his eyes not quite meeting hers as he examined the form. His fingers brushed against the key once more, a slight hesitation before he let it fall back into place.

Zendaya exhaled slowly, her body tense with the relief of narrowly escaping. But the look in his eyes made it clear he suspected something. Maybe he didn't know yet, but he was watching them. He was definitely watching her.

Zendaya reached for the paper, oblivious to the moment of tension. "Thanks, sir. I'll get that signed." She turned to Kamsi with a flicker of a grin, as though nothing had happened, but Zendaya could feel the weight of what had just transpired.

"Let's go," Zendaya whispered urgently, stepping away from the door. She felt Kamsi's eyes on her, but Zendaya couldn't bring herself to meet her gaze. She didn't know what to say. She wasn't sure how much longer she could keep playing this game.

Kamsi hesitated for just a second, then leaned in, her voice low. "You did it, but we need to be careful. I don't think he bought the act completely." Her tone was more serious now, an edge of worry creeping into her words.

Zendaya nodded, her eyes darting toward the door one last time. She knew Kamsi was right. The principal had been too calm, too measured. He knew something wasn't right.

They turned to leave, but before Zendaya could even make it halfway down the hall, she heard a voice behind her.

"Miss Chibuike."

Her heart sank. She froze.

She didn't look back immediately. Slowly, as if her every instinct screamed at her to flee, she turned. Principal Malcom was standing in the doorway, watching her, his gaze intense. For a long moment, they simply stared at each other, the distance between them a battlefield of unspoken words.

"Don't forget to lock up when you leave," he said, his voice calm, almost casual—but there was something darker hidden beneath. A warning.

Kamsi's breath caught in her throat. "I… I won't," she stammered.

As she hurried away, she could feel his eyes on her back, and the weight of the key in his pocket seemed to grow heavier with every step.

---

"Wow, way to, girls?" Damon asked, leaning back with a lazy smirk, his gaze flicking between them. His tone carried a playful edge, but the curiosity in his eyes betrayed his genuine intrigue.

Gilbert crossed his arms, feigning astonishment as he tilted his head. "Never thought I'd see the day you'd hit those fancy malls for help," he teased, his grin widening. Despite the jest, admiration glimmered faintly in his voice.

Kamsi's cheeks warmed under the attention, and she bit the inside of her lip, glancing down briefly. She brushed her fingers over the edges of her shirt as though smoothing it out, a small smile breaking through despite herself.

"Nice job," Alexander remarked quietly, his calm, steady tone cutting through the chatter. His dark eyes lingered on Kamsi for a second longer than necessary, and she felt her breath hitch. His reserved demeanor gave little away, but the subtle nod he offered seemed to carry weight.

"So, what's the next move?" Damon asked, his smirk never faltering as he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.

"We find her," Kamsi said firmly, straightening her posture. Determination flared in her expression as she met Damon's gaze. "We need to locate Sophia Eaton."

"What's her address?" Alexander asked, turning toward Zendaya.

Zendaya, who had been skimming through the file with quiet focus, paused. Her brows furrowed as she scanned the page, then she looked up. "Here," she said, holding up the document for them to see.

The group exchanged glances, weighing their options. Eventually, Gilbert suggested heading out to track Sophia down, but Kamsi, her lips already pressed into a determined line, was quick to insist on joining.

"No way you're leaving me behind," she argued, her voice firm but tinged with a hint of pleading.

Gilbert sighed, running a hand through his hair. "You're persistent, I'll give you that." His tone was teasing, but the fondness in his eyes was unmistakable.

Alexander's lips curved into the faintest of smiles as he observed her. "If you're coming, you better keep up," he said simply, his calm voice making it sound less like a warning and more like a challenge.

Kamsi's eyes lit up, and a triumphant grin spread across her face. She clasped her hands together, practically bouncing on the balls of her feet. "Thank you!"

"How cute," Gilbert said, shaking his head with a chuckle, though the warmth in his expression softened the words.

Damon rolled his eyes theatrically, pushing off the couch. "Well, while you three play detectives, I'll be here enjoying my freedom."

"Typical," Zendaya muttered under her breath, earning a quirked brow from Damon. She quickly looked back at the file, her lips pressing into a tight line as if to signal the end of their exchange.

With the plan set, Kamsi, Gilbert, and Alexander decided they would head out later in the day, giving them time to prepare. The air seemed charged with anticipation as they glanced at the file one more time, ready to face whatever came next.