Chapter Four: The Records Room
957 Words
Chapter Four: The Records Room
The following afternoon, anticipation hung in the air as Iris made her way to the school library. She couldn't stop thinking about the historical records room Mrs. Carter had mentioned the day before. Unlike most students, Iris genuinely enjoyed history. She believed every old photograph, newspaper clipping, and forgotten document had a story waiting to be told.
As she pushed open the library doors, she found Declan already waiting.
He was leaning against one of the tall bookshelves with a history book tucked beneath his arm. Dressed in his neatly pressed uniform, he looked as calm and unreadable as ever.
"You're early," Iris said.
Declan glanced at the old clock on the wall.
"You're two minutes late."
She looked at her wristwatch and laughed.
"I guess punctuality is important to you."
"It saves time."
Mrs. Carter approached them carrying a small brass key.
"I trust both of you to handle the historical records carefully," she said, placing the key in Iris's hand. "Many of these documents are older than the school itself. Some are fragile, so please be careful."
"We will, ma'am," Iris replied.
The teacher smiled before leaving them alone.
Iris held up the key.
"Ready?"
Declan nodded.
They walked through a narrow hallway hidden behind the library shelves. At the end stood an old wooden door with a faded sign that read:
Historical Records Room
The lock clicked as Iris turned the key.
The door creaked open, releasing the scent of aged paper and polished wood.
Rows of shelves stretched across the room, filled with leather-bound books, newspaper files, trophies, and carefully labeled storage boxes.
"This is amazing," Iris whispered.
Declan quietly closed the door behind them.
"You really like history."
"I love it."
"Why?"
She smiled as she traced a finger along the spine of an old book.
"Because history tells us who we are."
Declan considered her answer for a moment before looking away.
They began sorting through the shelves.
Iris examined old yearbooks while Declan searched through files containing newspaper articles about Sapphire High's achievements.
Nearly thirty minutes passed without either of them speaking.
Finally, Iris broke the silence.
"Have you always gone to Sapphire High?"
"Since my first year."
"So you've never attended another school?"
"No."
"You really don't like talking about yourself, do you?"
"There isn't much to say."
"I doubt that."
Declan looked at her.
"You ask a lot of questions."
"My aunt says curiosity is one of my biggest strengths."
"And your biggest weakness."
She laughed.
"Maybe."
As they continued working, Iris reached for a dusty box on the highest shelf.
She stood on the tips of her toes, stretching as far as she could.
"I almost..."
The box slipped from her fingers.
Before it could hit the floor, Declan stepped forward and caught it with one hand.
"You should've asked for help," he said.
"I had it under control."
"You clearly didn't."
She rolled her eyes.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome."
For a brief second, they smiled at each other.
The moment disappeared as quickly as it came.
Inside the box were dozens of old photographs from previous Founder's Week celebrations.
Students dressed in vintage uniforms smiled proudly at the camera.
Iris carefully flipped through them.
"This school has changed so much."
Declan nodded.
"But some traditions never do."
As she turned another page, a folded piece of paper slipped from between two photographs.
It landed softly on the floor.
Iris bent down and picked it up.
It wasn't part of the album.
Someone had tucked it inside years ago.
"What is it?" Declan asked.
She unfolded it carefully.
The paper contained a list of student names from many years earlier.
Most had faded with age.
Only one sentence at the bottom remained perfectly clear.
"Some secrets are meant to stay buried."
A chill ran down Iris's spine.
"That's strange."
Declan gently took the paper from her.
His expression immediately changed.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"It obviously isn't nothing."
He folded the paper and slipped it back into the album.
"It's probably just an old joke."
"I don't think so."
Before he could answer, someone knocked on the door.
"Mrs. Carter?" Iris called.
No reply.
She walked toward the door and opened it.
The hallway was completely empty.
"That's odd."
When she turned around, Declan was staring at the paper again.
His face had grown unusually serious.
"Have you seen something like this before?" Iris asked.
He hesitated.
"No."
She wasn't convinced.
Before she could question him further, Mason appeared at the doorway.
"There you two are!"
He grinned as he stepped inside.
"I've been looking everywhere."
"What for?" Declan asked.
"The basketball coach is looking for you."
Declan sighed.
"I forgot about practice."
Mason looked at Iris and smiled.
"So you're the famous project partner."
"I guess I am."
"I've heard you survived three whole days with him."
"Barely," Iris joked.
Mason laughed loudly.
"I like her already."
Declan shook his head.
"Don't encourage him."
"I wasn't planning to," Iris replied with a smile.
As Declan left with Mason, he paused at the doorway and looked back at Iris.
"I'll finish the research tomorrow."
"You'd better," she replied.
For the first time, his eyes softened ever so slightly.
"I always keep my word."
He walked away, leaving Iris alone in the records room.
She looked down at the old photograph album resting on the table.
The mysterious note still lingered in her mind.
Some secrets are meant to stay buried.
Who had written those words?
And why did Declan seem as though he'd seen them before?
Without realizing it, Iris had taken another small step toward uncovering the truth hidden within Sapphire High—a truth that someone was determined to keep locked away.
- Writer
