(Arista's POV)
I barely slept.
The unknown message kept flashing in my head like a warning sign:
Stop walking with him.
Who?
Why?
And why Devin?
By morning my thoughts were a tangled knot.
---
The school corridor felt different today.
Too many eyes on me.
Or maybe I was imagining it.
Meera slid beside me, whispering,
"Your face says you fought a ghost last night."
"I wish," I muttered.
Sana joined, leaning in. "Is this about the car again?"
I swallowed.
They still didn't know about the message.
Before I could answer, Zoe rushed in.
"Guys, big news—class teacher wants everyone in the assembly hall. Some announcement."
Great.
Because my life clearly needed another complication.
--
Our teacher stood on stage with that "I'm pretending to smile" expression.
"Class 11A ,11B and 11C will have a two-day school excursion next weekend," she announced.
Everyone went wild.
Everyone except me.
Because two things happened at the same time:
Devin turned to look at me
and
Kaelor also turned to look at me.
Their eyes met for half a second.
Forget fireworks—
This was lightning hitting a gas cylinder.
I looked away instantly.
---
We stepped out of the hall.
Devin caught up to me first.
"Arista. We need to talk about yesterday."
My stomach dropped.
"Later," I said.
He gently blocked my path—not aggressive, just trying to understand.
"That car wasn't normal. And the way it slowed down—someone was watching you."
"I know," I whispered.
Before he could continue—
Kaelor walked up.
Not rushed.
Not angry.
Just… controlled.
Almost too controlled.
"Arista," he said. "You're being followed."
That sentence punched the air out of me.
Devin stiffened.
"You KNOW about the car?"
Kaelor glanced at him, expression unreadable.
"I know the type."
The type?
What did that even mean?
Devin stepped closer to me, protective.
Kaelor's jaw tightened—barely, but noticeable.
The tension between them felt like it could split the hallway in half.
I raised both hands.
"Okay, STOP. I don't want a fight. I just want answers."
They didn't fight.
They didn't leave.
They just waited.
Both of them.
For me.
---
I walked in, hoping for five minutes of peace.
No chance.
Derek leaned back in his seat, watching me with that unsettling calm.
"You seem tired," he said.
"Mind your own business."
He chuckled softly.
"I do. Very well."
" I don't think so, you are much of nothing but trouble." I said .
He smirked.
I ignored him, but he kept talking.
"Be careful about who you walk with, Arista. People notice."
I froze.
The exact same wording as the message.
My heartbeat thudded painfully loud.
I turned slowly.
"What did you say?"
He smiled innocently.
"I said people talk. Don't take things too seriously."
But the look in his eyes wasn't innocent at all.
---
It drizzled again.
Of course it did.
I left quickly, hoping no one would follow me.
"Arista!"
Devin again.
I sighed internally. "Look, I'm really not—"
He held out his hands.
"I won't walk with you if it makes you uncomfortable. But that message you got-"
I stopped dead.
"…How do you know about the message?"
He blinked. "Message? I meant the car—"
I closed my eyes.
Great. I just exposed myself.
Before I could explain, a voice spoke behind us.
"Don't stand in the rain."
It was Kaelor.
Holding one umbrella.
Devin glanced between us.
"Oh. So he can carry one."
Kaelor ignored the jab and looked straight at me.
"You're not safe walking alone right now."
I didn't move.
Devin didn't move.
And then—
A car honked lightly.
The same black car.
Slowly turning the corner.
Again.
---
Devin stepped in front of me subconsciously.
Kaelor grabbed my wrist—not tight, but firm—pulling me back toward the footpath.
The car passed.
Not speeding.
Not slowing too much.
Just enough to say:
I'm watching.
My skin prickled.
--
I reached home,
I walked in, soaked again.
Sarvin frowned.
"Did you get caught in the rain AGAIN? Seriously—"
I cut him off.
"Someone's following me."
His expression dropped instantly.
"Give me your phone," he said quietly.
I handed it over.
He read the message.
His jaw tightened.
"Arista… you should've told me earlier."
I swallowed.
"I'm scared."
He didn't tease me like usual.
Didn't scold me.
He just said:
"I'll fix it. I promise."
I smiled by his words.
" Your too small, how are you gonna fix it?"
" Don't worry , I have my ways"
Oh my god! Why does that kaelor memory of me never passes out . that's the same way he said those lines.
*Flashback*
"But you live completely opposite from my house side" I said
"Don't worry. I have my own ways"
* End of flashback*
---
Across the street, Derek stood under a bus stop roof, speaking into his phone again.
"She's getting closer to the truth."
The voice on the other side replied:
"Good. Let her.
But not too much."
Derek's eyes glinted.
"I'll control it."
Then he looked toward Arista's house with a small, calculated smile.
"This game is just starting."