Neima_11

Maplewood Hostel had always been a place of friendship, laughter, and late-night talks. For six best friends, it was their home away from home. But as the new school year begins, an unsettling feeling lingers in the air. Strange occurrences, forgotten whispers, and unanswered questions begin to surface. Some names are remembered, some are lost to time—but one name was never meant to be left behind.

A Name Left Behind

The evening air buzzed with the usual chatter of students in Maplewood. In Room 306, the six girls were across their beds and chairs, half-unpacking and half-lost in conversation.

"I swear, the food here gets worse every year," Riley groaned, pulling out a bun from her bag. She took a bite, chewed for a second, then made a face. "Ugh, it's like eating cardboard."

Scarlett smirked. "And yet, you're still eating it."

"I have no choice! I refuse to step into that creepy canteen alone," Riley shot back.

Hazel chuckled, shaking her head. "It's literally just a normal canteen."

"You wouldn't get it," Riley huffed. "It has bad vibes."

"Speaking of the canteen," Evelyn stretched her arms above her head, "we should go for dinner soon. Or we'll be stuck eating whatever leftovers they throw at us."

Autumn groaned. "Do we really have to? I'm too tired to deal with the warden's annoying rules again."

Lemon sat cross-legged on her bed, half-listening to them. Something felt... off.

She didn't know why, but a strange unease had settled in her chest since the morning. Like she was forgetting something—something important.

Her eyes drifted toward the open door, watching as a group of freshers walked past, their voices filled with excitement and nervous whispers.

That girl, she walking slightly behind the others, quiet yet confident.

She didn't know why, but something about her felt familiar.

The way she moved. The way her eyes flickered around the hallway, as if she were seeing it for the first time—but not surprised by it.

Her heart pounded. It was a strange, unsettling feeling, like a memory on the edge of her mind, refusing to take shape.

Without thinking, she stood up from her bed and spoke.

"Have I seen you somewhere before?"

For a brief second, their eyes met.

And in that second—Lemon swore she saw something in her expression.

It was gone just as quickly as it came.

"I don't think so," she said softly.

Lemon was just watching her. Something about the way the girl spoke—it felt rehearsed.

Before she could say anything else, the girl turned and walked away, disappearing down the corridor.

Lemon stared after her, her stomach twisting in a way she couldn't explain.

"What was that about?" Hazel asked, raising an eyebrow.

Lemon shook her head slowly. "Nothing... I just... I thought I knew her."

Scarlett shrugged. "Maybe you have seen her roaming around somewhere?"

"Yeah, or maybe you've seen her Instagram or something," Riley added.

Lemon forced a chuckle. "Yeah. Maybe."

But deep down, she wasn't convinced.

There was something about that girl—something she couldn't shake off.

And for some reason, Lemon felt like this wasn't the last time their paths would cross.

A Faint Memory