The Stare

The next morning at Maplewood University dawned quietly, the air crisp and filled with the sound of bustling students returning to their routines. Lemon and her friends strolled into campus together, their conversation bubbling with hushed curiosity and a mix of unease still lingering after everything that had happened to Leon. They made their way to their usual classroom, the one where all their stories seemed to either begin or twist into something darker.

As they entered the classroom, Lemon, Riley, Hazel, Autumn, Scarlett, and Evelyn found their usual spot near the back, where desks formed a loose circle. They tossed their bags down and settled in with their drinks and half-eaten breakfast snacks, chatting about professors, recent assignments, and the upcoming campus fest. Still, beneath all the banter, there was tension. Everyone could feel it, even if no one said it out loud.

"I still can't get over it," Evelyn said, her voice hushed. "I mean, Leon's alive, thank God, but… that was too close."

Lemon nodded. "Yeah. He said he didn't see who attacked him, just that it was sudden and he blacked out."

"And the bracelet," Riley added quickly. "Don't forget that. That's the key."

"I haven't," Lemon replied, her voice tight.

"Guys," Scarlett cut in, trying to lighten the mood a bit. "Let's not ruin our whole morning thinking about it. We have class, and maybe some things will start making sense soon."

Lemon gave her a small smile. "You're right. I'm going to the library. I need a book for that boring history essay."

"Ooo, the cursed library," Hazel said dramatically.

Lemon laughed. "If I don't return in twenty minutes, come looking for me. And bring snacks."

With that, she grabbed her phone and headed out.

The corridor outside was wide and peaceful, the morning sunlight filtering through the large glass windows, casting soft shadows along the tiled floor. Lemon walked slowly, her thoughts drifting between Leon's incident and the photo she had seen—the one where the bracelet appeared on a wrist that seemed... far too familiar now.

She reached the hallway that led to the library when suddenly—BANG.

Someone slammed right into her shoulder, and Lemon's phone flew out of her hand and clattered onto the floor.

"Oh no—" Lemon muttered, crouching slightly. But before she could pick it up, the girl who had collided with her bent down first.

"I'm so sorry," the girl said, picking up the phone. But instead of handing it back, her eyes were frozen on the screen.

Lemon tilted her head, a bit confused. "Excuse me… that's my phone."

The girl seemed startled. "Oh. Right. Here."

She handed the phone back a little too quickly, but Lemon noticed something odd—the girl had stared at her wallpaper for way too long. Lemon's lock screen was a picture of her and her mom, one from last summer, laughing together under an umbrella in their backyard. It was sweet and personal—something only close friends had ever commented on.

But the girl's gaze had been different.

Lemon blinked. Her eyes quickly scanned the girl—straight black hair tucked behind her ears, soft features, eyes that seemed too aware. She had that familiar aura Lemon still couldn't place. That eerie déjà vu.

"Thanks," Lemon said, giving a small nod. But inside, her thoughts raced. Weird girl.

The girl didn't say anything else. She simply turned and walked away, disappearing into the crowd of students bustling through the corridor.

Lemon stared after her for a moment, then turned and continued toward the library.

She checked out her book and started walking back, her mind swirling. That girl—why did she look at the photo like that? Why did she seem so… shaken?

But her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by noise—a loud commotion echoing from the hallway near her classroom.

"What the—?"

She quickened her pace.

As she approached the classroom, she saw a small crowd forming. Students were murmuring, phones half-raised in curiosity. Lemon's eyes widened.

There, in the center of it all, were her friends.

Riley and Evelyn were full-on fighting two other girls—fists raised, hair flying. Hazel had a girl by the hair, gripping it so tight the other girl was shrieking. Autumn and Scarlett were frantically trying to break it all apart.

"Ohh shit," Lemon muttered under her breath and sprinted forward.

"STOPPP!! I SAID STOP ITT!!!" she screamed.

Everyone froze. Like someone had slapped a mute button on the entire hallway.

The girls backed off, panting heavily, hair tousled, faces red. Lemon planted herself in the middle, looking from one side to the other.

"What happened?" she demanded. "Why are you guys fighting?"

Riley pointed at the other girls with fury in her eyes. "These bitches were badmouthing about you and…"

Lemon narrowed her eyes. "And who?"

Hazel stepped forward, her grip still tight on the girl she was holding. "Leon."

Lemon's face turned cold. "What?"

Evelyn's voice came next. "They said you made Leon fall in love with you forcefully… that you're forcing yourself on him."

Lemon's mouth fell open in shock.

One of the girls scoffed. "Don't act like a saint. We know everything."

"Yeah," the other one chimed in. "You even made him post about you in his stories. Desperate much?"

Before anyone could stop her, Riley lunged again, landing a clean punch on the girl's cheek. The girl stumbled back, screaming.

"That's for talking about things you don't know!" Riley yelled.

"ENOUGH!!" Lemon's voice boomed through the corridor.

Everyone paused.

She stepped between them, placing a firm hand on Riley's shoulder. "We're leaving. Now."

Riley hesitated, fists still clenched, chest heaving.

Lemon looked at her, eyes calm but stern. "Let's go."

She began walking, and the others followed. Riley gave one last glare at the girls before turning and falling into step beside Lemon. Autumn, Scarlett, Evelyn, and Hazel came behind, silent and tense.

As they walked away from the scene, Lemon's mind was racing again.

Who were those girls? Why now? Why did they care about Leon and her? Had someone sent them?

And then there was that weird girl—the one who stared at her photo like it struck something deep inside her. Lemon didn't believe in coincidences anymore.

Something was going on.

And deep inside, she was starting to believe it all tied back to one person—the girl who wore the pink pearl bracelet.

Ellara.

The girl whose reality Lemon didn't know.

But she was sure of one thing.

She would find out.