Arthur reached school, unaware that this day would turn his world inside out.
He spotted Sophie Elwood, his longtime crush, just as he entered the school gate. His heart stumbled, caught in that moment — and then everything around him spun.
He blacked out.
When he opened his eyes, Sophie was standing over him. "You okay?" she asked.
"I'm sorry," Arthur mumbled, embarrassed.
"It's okay," she smiled. "You're my friend."
His brain stopped. Did she just call me her friend? He blinked, stunned, floating in a strange mix of joy and shock.
Later, in the classroom, he found Spencer Vale, his close friend, and couldn't wait to tell him. "She said I'm her friend. Bro, she said it like it meant something."
Spencer laughed, shaking his head. "Focus on surviving class first, lover boy."
As the day went on, they reached the second last period. The room buzzed with chatter as the teacher explained something no one was paying attention to.
Then—
A distant groan. A dragging sound.
The teacher paused, frowning, and walked out into the hallway.
Moments passed. The murmurs in the class grew louder.
Then came the scream.
A wet, violent scream that didn't sound human.
Everyone went still.
What would happen next???