Chapter 8: Unsettling Encounter

Lena stormed into the empty school, her mind still reeling from the mysterious woman's warning. "Aria has a secret, Lena... and so do you." The words echoed in her mind like a mantra.

She had to get her phone and get out of there. As she entered the classroom, she spotted Kaelin sitting in the corner, his eyes fixed on her. Lena's instincts told her to run, but her feet seemed rooted to the spot.

"What are you doing here?" Lena demanded, trying to keep her voice steady.

Kaelin shrugged, his eyes never leaving hers. "Just enjoying the view."

Lena's anger flared. "You're stalking me."

Kaelin chuckled, a low, husky sound. "I don't need to stalk you, Lena. I know exactly where to find you."

Lena's eyes narrowed. "What do you want?"

Kaelin's gaze seemed to bore into her soul. "I want to know why you're so scared of me."

Lena took a step back, her heart racing. "I'm not scared of you."

Kaelin's smile grew wider. "Don't lie to me, Lena. I can smell your fear... and I can hear your heart racing."

Lena's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean you can hear my heart racing?"

Kaelin's expression turned enigmatic. "Just that I can sense your emotions, Lena. You're not as calm as you seem."

Lena's thoughts swirled. How can he hear my heart racing? What does he mean by sensing my emotions? And why does he seem to enjoy making me uncomfortable?

She pushed aside her doubts and focused on her anger. "I'm not scared of you, Kaelin. I just don't like you."

Kaelin chuckled. "I think you're lying to yourself, Lena. You're intrigued by me... and I can sense it."

Lena's face flushed. How does he know? Does he somehow know I have a crush on him?

Before she could respond, Aria slipped into the classroom. "Lena, I've been looking all over for you."

Lena's eyes flicked to Aria, then back to Kaelin. "I was just... uh... getting my phone."

Aria's gaze locked onto Kaelin. "What's going on here?"

Kaelin's expression turned innocent. "Just having a friendly chat with Lena."

Aria's eyes narrowed. "I don't think so."

Lena wondered what Aria meant by that. Did she sense something was off?

As the tension between them escalated, Lena felt a strange sensation building inside her. It was as if her presence was affecting Kaelin, calming him somehow.

But before she could process this revelation, a loud crash echoed from outside, followed by the sound of snarling and growling. Kaelin's eyes snapped towards the window, his expression tense.

"What's going on?" Lena asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Kaelin's gaze locked onto hers. "Get out of here, Now."

But Lena stood frozen, unsure of what to do next.