The morning air in RIDGEVIEW HIGH carried its usual buzz - lockers slamming chatter bouncing off the walls and sheakers squeaking across polished floors, students shuffled to their first classes , earbuds in,heads down some already gossiping about who'd stayed out too late, who'd fought over a game or who had finally done something stupid.
Ethan walker didn't care,he never did.He strode down the hallway with Mason Reed his Best friend at his side, backpack slung over one shoulder eyes scanning the crowd without really seeing anyone, Mason's laugh cut through the noise the kind of loud, careless sound that usually got him in trouble and sometimes dragged Ethan along.
Ethan didn't respond , not because he was rude but because he didn't bother Mason knew it that was why the worked as a team.They didn't talk about feelings or plans - they just existed in sync.
Then Chloe Adams appeared, perched on the edge of a locker, waving with that sly, knowing grin she always wore.Her auburn hair fell over one eye brushing her cheek in a way that made Ethan's stomach twist.she wa his friend and she had been his ex.That history lingered between them like a quiet storm.
"Morning,Walker",she said softly
"Hey", Ethan replied keeping it brief
"I heard something" , Chloe whispered glancing around nervously. "They found something....in your locker"
Ethan froze mid step, "What do you mean?"
"Just...come see" ,she said tugging Mason gently along
By the time they arrived, a crowd had formed the him of whispers thick enough to make the walls vibrate.Phones were out, recording.Students pressed close,eager for drama.Mr Hartman their law teacher, stood at the edge of the crowd arms crossed, eyes sharp and calculating . Something about his gaze made Ethan's stomach tightnen
Ethan's locker sat open.At first glance it looked normal...I mean torn notebooks,half empty pencil case , hoodie shoved in the corner.But on the top shelf gleamed a sleek silver laptop with a school sticker on it.
" Its Ms Field laptop" said Zoe Blake , Sarah's best friend from the edge of the crowd. "She reported it missing yesterday "
Ethan's chest tightened,Mason leaned close." Don't freak out ". He murmud "we'll figure this out ".
"Figure what out? " , Ethan snapped"I didn't touch it ".
But it didn't matter.The crowd already had their verdict,Ethan walker - the trouble maker,the " bad boy " - had done it.
Chloe stopped forward," Ethan do you want me to check who might have seen anything?"
Ethan shook his head ,"No ,Just let's get this over done with."
Mr Hartman's voice cut through the murmurs, firm and unyielding," Ethan Walker ,until this is sorted you're coming with me to the office".
As they walked, the whispers grew louder ,twisting into rumors and halfe truths, Mason stayed close ,vigilant eyes scanning the crowd, Chloe followed silently, her expression unreadable and somewhere in the shadows of hallway a figure watched , hood drawn low notebook clutched tight ,Ethan felt they gaze settle on him like weight.
The locker has started it or all .And whatever came next... it was only going to get darker.