CHAPTER 2:THE FIRST ENCOUNTER

A week later, I sat in the back of a black car, staring out at the city blurring past.

Jake Griffo. An ordinary boy from an ordinary family. A student at Philli Elite.

The name feels foreign, but it has to become mine.

Because for the rest of this mission—Jack Griffo is who I am.

---

The school bus is packed. The scent of sweat, metal, and too many bodies crammed into a small space is overwhelming.

I keep my head down. No conversation. No attention.

A low whisper slithers through my thoughts.

"If he finds out who you are…"

I force the thought away. There's no room for doubt.

By the time I step onto school grounds, my posture is rigid, my expression neutral. The towering glass building reflects my disguise back at me. Blazer crisp. Eyes void of emotion. Jack. Not Fiona.

---

The principal's office reeks of fake warmth. A bald man sits behind a polished desk, his grin practiced.

A watchdog. My mother's plant.

He doesn't bother with pleasantries. Just hands me my schedule.

"Class B," he says.

Before he can say more, the door swings open.

A teacher steps in—young, easygoing, a stark contrast to the man behind the desk.

"I'm Robin," he greets with a smile. "I'll be taking you to your class."

I follow.

---

The second I step into the classroom, all conversation halts.

Eyes lock onto me, assessing.

Robin gestures. "Introduce yourself."

I step forward, my voice flat. "Jack Griffo."

Simple. Unremarkable. But the moment I scan the room—

I see him.

Adrian Morreti.

He doesn't need to do anything to stand out. His presence commands attention.

Golden-blond hair. Piercing blue eyes. An air of quiet authority.

His gaze flicks to me, sharp. Unreadable.

I force my stare away, but it's too late.

He noticed me.

And something in his gaze tells me one thing—

He doesn't ignore curiosity.

---

The morning drags on, uneventful. No openings. No inroads.

But as I exit the class, a familiar presence makes my breath hitch.

Adrian.

Walking past me. His best friend beside him.

I turn away, pretending not to notice.

Too late.

His gaze lingers. A flicker of suspicion.

"Adrian, something wrong?" his friend asks.

Adrian's stare doesn't waver. "Nothing."

But it isn't nothing.

For the first time, I'm not the only one watching.

He's watching me too.