The principal's office felt colder than the rest of the school.
Not just in temperature colder in a way that made Sarah's skin prickle.
Principal Monroe sat behind her desk, her fingers laced together, eyes sharp and unreadable. Mrs. Greer closed the door behind them, the click echoing like a lock on a cell.
Sarah clutched her bag, her voice small.
"Why am I here?"
Monroe's gaze didn't waver.
"We have concerns about your recent… associations."
Sarah blinked. "Associations?"
Mrs. Greer crossed her arms. "You've been seen spending a lot of time with John Hayes. And given his current situation, that's not a wise choice."
Sarah's pulse spiked. "What situation?"
Monroe leaned forward, her tone lowering.
"That's not information I can freely give. But for your own good, distance yourself. Immediately."
Sarah swallowed. "You're telling me to stop talking to him without even telling me why?"
Monroe's lips thinned. "Sometimes knowing why is more dangerous than not knowing."
Sarah's heart hammered. "What does that even mean?"
Mrs. Greer stepped closer, her voice low but sharp.
"It means you don't want to get caught up in something you can't handle."
A chill ran down Sarah's spine. She thought of John's tense expression earlier, the way he had scanned the hall like someone was watching.
"Is this about the disciplinary meeting?" she asked before she could stop herself.
Monroe's eyes flickered just for a second but enough for Sarah to catch it.
"Where did you hear that?"
Sarah hesitated. "…Around."
Monroe's pen tapped against the desk, her voice growing colder.
"I strongly suggest you stay away from Hayes. If you keep pushing, you'll find yourself in a situation you can't walk out of."
The weight in her chest grew heavier.
"Is he in trouble with the school?"
Silence.
Sarah looked between Monroe and Mrs. Greer. "Or is it something outside of school?"
Still nothing.
Then Monroe said something she didn't expect.
"Do you know the name Daniel Crawford?"
Sarah frowned. "No… Should I?"
Mrs. Greer shot Monroe a look that clearly said you've said too much.
Monroe straightened her posture. "Forget I mentioned it. You may go."
But Sarah knew she wouldn't forget. She couldn't.
As she walked out of the office, her mind was spinning.
Who was Daniel Crawford? What did he have to do with John? And why did the principal look like she'd accidentally stepped on a landmine by saying his name?
And for the first time, Sarah felt something she hadn't before
this wasn't just school drama anymore.
It was something far bigger… and far more dangerous.