A Shift in the Air    

[EVE]

The moment I stepped out of the car, I felt the shift in the air. It was palpable, like the atmosphere had thickened with tension.

Whispers seemed to ripple through the crowd, and eyes that once barely acknowledged me now lingered with a strange intensity.

Something was different. It wasn't just the usual school buzz—it felt heavier, charged with gossip and speculation.

The fall of the Aldridge family had sent shockwaves through the entire campus, and somehow, I was caught in the middle of it.

Unlike before, no one dared to make eye contact with me, and the loud gossip that usually filled the hallways had quieted down to little more than whispers. It was almost like they were afraid I'd hear them.

Wow. Cole really did a number on everyone. No wonder he was so confident.