The morning sun spilled through the wide glass panes of the lecture hall, casting long shadows across the floor. Students hurried in groups, their chatter and laughter filling the air with a liveliness that only made Racheal feel more alone. To her, it wasn't joy—it was noise. Loud, distant, and mocking.
Her steps dragged as she moved down the corridor toward her locker. The whispers that followed her no longer surprised her. Some were stifled giggles, others low murmurs she couldn't quite catch. But she didn't need to hear the words; she already knew the story had spread farther than she feared.
And then, there was Erica.
Their eyes met across the hallway. For a brief second, Racheal thought her friend might smile, maybe offer the small wave that had always been their silent reassurance. Instead, Erica's face hardened. She turned sharply, walking past with the coldness of a stranger.
Racheal froze. The sting of betrayal cut deeper than any rumor. Swallowing hard, she turned back to her locker. Don't cry here. Don't let them see you break.
She spun the lock, pulled open the metal door, and buried her face inside, pretending to search for something—anything—to buy herself a moment.
That was when she felt it.
A presence. Heavy. Too close.
Slowly, she straightened and turned.
There he was.
Mr. Unknown.
Leaning casually against the locker beside hers, hands tucked into his pockets, eyes fixed on her with unsettling calm. To anyone passing by, it might have looked like an ordinary moment—a guy cornering a girl at her locker. Cute. Maybe even romantic. But for Racheal, a chill slid straight down her spine.
"You look… fragile today," he murmured, his voice low enough for only her to hear. His lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Almost like glass, ready to shatter."
Racheal forced an eye-roll, though her stomach twisted. "Move. You're blocking my locker."
Instead of moving, he leaned closer, the scent of expensive cologne laced with something darker wrapping around her. His hand came up—not touching, but hovering just above the locker door, caging her in.
"To them," he said smoothly, tilting his head toward the passing students, "we probably look like one of those campus couples. A stubborn girl and the boy trying to charm her. Cute, isn't it?" His gaze darkened. "But we both know better."
Her heartbeat thundered in her chest, but she refused to step back. She wouldn't let him see fear. "I don't know what you're talking about," she snapped, her voice steadier than she felt.
He studied her like a puzzle he was inches from solving. His tone dropped, sharp and quiet:
"You embarrassed me, Racheal Addison. Publicly. No one has ever dared to do that—not even my so-called friends."
For the briefest moment, something flickered in his eyes. Was it pride? Admiration? She couldn't tell. And that unsettled her more than the threat.
Racheal tightened her grip on her books. "If you came here to scare me, save your breath. I'm not afraid of you."
The corner of his mouth tugged upward in amusement. "Brave words. But bravery…" He leaned closer, his voice a whisper against her ear. "…is just fear dressed in prettier clothes. And sooner or later, everyone pays for their defiance. You will too."
Silence pressed between them, heavy and suffocating. Students passed by, some sneaking curious glances, others whispering. To them, it was just another hallway scene. To Racheal, it was war.
Finally, she slammed her locker shut, forcing him to step back. She lifted her chin, her eyes burning into his.
"Keep dreaming, Mr. Unknown," she hissed, brushing past him without looking back.
He watched her go, a dangerous smirk playing at his lips. To him, this wasn't over. It was only the beginning.