Hallow's Edge

Chapter 7 -Raven

The main office smells like old paper, burnt coffee, and lemon cleaner. A woman behind the counter looks up when Grace and I walk in, her smile warm but tired in a way that says she’s been here too long.

“Good morning,” she says. “You must be Raven Connor.” I still flinch at the last name. It never feels like mine, not really. Grace squeezes my shoulder. “She’s here to get her schedule.”

The office aide hands me a stack of papers, schedule, map, rules, and a bright orange slip that screams NEW STUDENT like a warning label. “Principal Harris will see you in a moment.” I nod, clutching everything too tightly.

A few minutes later, the principal steps out of his office. He’s tall and balding, with kind eyes and a sweater vest that practically guarantees dad jokes. “Raven,” he says warmly. “Welcome to Hallow’s Edge High. We’re glad to have you.”

I give a polite smile. “Thanks.”

He runs through the usual speech, attendance, counselors, expectations. I nod along, but my brain is buzzing too loudly to absorb any of it. When he’s done, the office aide waves me over. “I’ll show you to your locker and your first class.” Grace hugs me quickly. “You’ll do great. Emily will find you at lunch.” I hope so.

The aide leads me through the maze of hallways, pointing out classrooms and bulletin boards plastered with flyers. Students stare as we pass, some curious, some whispering behind their hands. I keep my eyes forward. Locker. Combination. First class. Easy. Except it isn’t.

Everywhere I go, I feel eyes on me. Not just students, something else. Like the dream from last night followed me here. Like the shadows in the corners are watching.

By the time lunch rolls around, my nerves are frayed. The cafeteria is loud, voices echoing, trays clattering, the smell of pizza and something burnt hanging in the air. I hover near the entrance, unsure where to go. Then...

“Raven!”

Emily waves wildly from across the room, practically bouncing out of her seat. Relief floods through me. I weave through the tables until I reach her. She pats the seat beside her. “Sit! I saved you a spot.”

I drop my bag and sit, grateful for something familiar. We’ve barely settled when the room shifts, like someone hit pause. Noah walks in. He scans the cafeteria, spots us, and heads straight toward our table. His presence changes the air; people whisper, heads turn, and a few girls straighten their hair. He pulls out the chair across from me and is halfway to sitting when...

“Baby!” A blonde girl practically launches herself at him. Of course. Cheerleader girlfriend. I knew it.

She wraps an arm around his neck like she owns him and leans in to kiss him. Noah’s hand shoots up between them, stopping her cold. The cafeteria goes silent. Lily blinks, confused. “What are you doing? I missed you.”

Noah stands, jaw tight. “Lily, we’re not together.”

A ripple of whispers spreads across the room. Lily laughs too loudly. “You’re still mad about last night. And the text. I get it. But you didn’t mean it.”

“I did,” Noah says, voice steady. “It wasn’t just about last night. I’ve been wanting to break up for a while.”

Lily’s smile falters. People are definitely listening now. She glances at me, sharp, assessing, then back at Noah. “So this is about her?”

My stomach drops. Noah’s eyes flick to mine for half a second before he shakes his head. “This is about us not working. That’s it.”

Lily’s face crumples, but she forces a brittle smile. “Fine. Whatever. You’ll regret this.” She spins on her heel and storms out, her friends scrambling after her. The cafeteria erupts in whispers. Noah exhales and sits down, rubbing a hand over his face. Emily kicks him under the table. “Ow...what?”

“You could’ve warned us,” she hisses.

He glares at her. “I didn’t know she’d ambush me in the cafeteria.”

Emily rolls her eyes. “You always know.”

I sit quietly, unsure what to say. The tension between them, the stares from everyone else, the way Noah keeps glancing at me like he’s checking if I’m okay, it’s all too much. But when our eyes meet, something warm flickers in my chest. Dangerous. Confusing. Real. I look away quickly. Emily nudges me. “Welcome to Hallow’s Edge High,” she whispers.

Yeah. Welcome.