The last bell of the day rang like a warning.
Sarah Williams waited by the side gate, clutching her bag so tightly her fingers ached. She could see John in the distance, weaving through the crowd of students, his eyes scanning for her.
He reached her, looking… different. His usually relaxed shoulders were stiff, his jaw clenched.
"Come with me," he said.
She hesitated. "Where?"
"Somewhere we can talk without Naomi and her little news channel listening in."
They walked in silence, their footsteps echoing against the quiet back corridor of the school building. It felt deserted. The smell of old paper and floor polish lingered in the air. Sarah's heartbeat thudded in her ears.
When they reached the far end, John stopped and leaned against the wall.
"Sarah… whatever you've been hearing, it's not the whole truth."
"Then tell me the whole truth." Her voice cracked despite her effort to sound strong.
He glanced around as though expecting someone to jump out of the shadows.
"I can't. Not yet."
Her stomach twisted. "So you are hiding something."
His eyes softened, but there was a flicker of guilt just enough to break her heart a little.
"It's not about you. I'm just… trying to protect someone."
"Who?"
Before he could answer, a voice cut through the hallway like a knife.
"Williams!"
Sarah turned to see Mrs. Greer, one of the strictest teachers in the school, marching toward them. Her expression was unreadable.
"You. Principal's office. Now."
Sarah's chest tightened. "Why? I haven't done.."
"Now, Miss Williams."
John stepped forward. "She hasn't done anything. This is..."
Mrs. Greer's gaze snapped to him. "You should keep your head down, Hayes. You're already on thin ice."
Sarah's mind spun. Thin ice? The disciplinary meeting Carly mentioned… it was real.
As Mrs. Greer ushered her away, Sarah caught one last look at John. He wasn't angry he looked… worried. Deeply worried. Almost afraid.
And in that moment, Sarah realized the truth was bigger than gossip. Bigger than Naomi's rumors.
Whatever John was hiding… someone was making sure she didn't find out.