Chapter six: Flickers of light
971 Words
Charlotte barely heard Jasmine’s voice as they left the library, her mind still tangled in Nathaniel Hashlaw’s words.
You’re being watched.
She exhaled slowly, forcing herself to focus. This wasn’t the time to spiral.
“Earth to Charlotte,” Jasmine said, waving a hand in front of her face. “You good?”
Charlotte blinked. “Yeah. Just… thinking.”
Jasmine raised a brow. “About my dad?”
“About everything.” Charlotte forced a smile, though it probably wasn’t convincing. “He just caught me off guard, that’s all.”
Jasmine rolled her eyes. “He loves being cryptic. Don’t overthink it.”
Charlotte wished it were that simple.
They stepped into the hallway, the usual buzz of students filling the space. As they walked, Charlotte felt it again—that prickle at the back of her neck.
Someone’s watching.
She turned her head slightly, scanning the hallway.
A few students passed by, chatting and laughing. Nothing unusual.
But then—
At the far end of the corridor, Josephine Hartwell stood by the lockers, her eyes locked onto Charlotte.
Her gaze wasn’t hostile.
It was worse.
Calculated.
Charlotte’s pulse spiked, but she didn’t let it show. Instead, she looked straight ahead and kept walking.
Jasmine didn’t seem to notice. “I’ll text you later. Gotta grab something from my locker.”
Charlotte nodded. “Alright.”
She barely made it three steps before a voice stopped her.
“Charlotte.”
Josephine.
Charlotte exhaled through her nose, schooling her expression before turning. “Yeah?”
Josephine took a step closer, her blue eyes studying Charlotte like she was something to be deciphered. “You and Jasmine… you’ve been getting close.”
There was no question in her tone.
Charlotte kept her voice even. “She’s my friend.”
Josephine’s lips curled slightly. “Right.”
Silence stretched between them, thick with something unspoken.
Then, Josephine tilted her head, her expression unreadable. “Be careful, Charlotte.”
Charlotte’s stomach tightened. “Of what?”
Josephine’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Just… careful.”
And with that, she turned and walked away, leaving Charlotte standing there, heart pounding.
This wasn’t just about jealousy.
Josephine knew something.
And Charlotte needed to figure out what.
---
Meanwhile…
The Amazing D’s lounge was as exclusive as ever, the air thick with the scent of expensive cologne and quiet power.
Duncan leaned against the pool table, idly spinning a cue stick in his hand. “You looked way too interested back there, Damien.”
Damien, lounging on the couch, barely spared him a glance. “In what?”
Duncan smirked. “Charlotte.”
Damran hummed in amusement. “I noticed that too.”
Dylan chuckled. “Is this about the car thing? Or is there more?”
Damien finally looked up, his gaze sharp. “She’s just reckless.”
Duncan arched a brow. “Reckless… or intriguing?”
Damien didn’t answer.
Because, truthfully?
He wasn’t sure.
But one thing was clear—
Charlotte was a name that kept coming up.
And that?
That made her someone to watch.
---
That Night
Charlotte wasn’t the type to feel trapped, but tonight, everything felt suffocating.
So she grabbed her car keys, stepped into her sleek black Mercedes, and drove.
Not anywhere specific.
Just away.
The city stretched out before her in neon lights and blurred headlights, the hum of her engine smoothing her restless thoughts.
Eventually, she pulled into a quiet street and parked. Stepping out, she let the cool night air wash over her.
A walk.
That’s what she needed.
Her designer boots clicked softly against the pavement as she strolled, hands in the pockets of her leather jacket.
But even as she breathed in the crisp air, something nagged at her.
That feeling again.
Like eyes on her.
She stopped at the corner, scanning her surroundings. The street was mostly empty, just a few parked cars and the faint glow of streetlights.
Nothing suspicious.
And yet—
A shadow shifted at the edge of her vision.
Charlotte’s heart skipped.
She turned her head slightly, pretending to adjust her sleeve, and caught a glimpse of someone standing near a lamppost.
Tall. Dark clothing. Hood up.
Not moving. Just watching.
Her stomach tightened.
This wasn’t coincidence.
She exhaled slowly, refusing to show fear.
Then, with calculated ease, she turned and headed back toward her car.
Each step was measured. Controlled.
She wouldn’t run.
She wouldn’t let them know she was shaken.
But as she slid into her car and locked the doors, her hands clenched around the steering wheel.
Someone was following her.
And they weren’t even trying to hide it anymore.
---
The Next Day
Charlotte barely slept.
By the time she arrived at school, exhaustion weighed on her, but she pushed it aside.
She had to act normal.
Had to pretend nothing was wrong.
She walked into class, sliding into her seat beside Jasmine.
Jasmine studied her, frowning. “You look like you didn’t sleep.”
Charlotte forced a small smirk. “Insomnia.”
Jasmine didn’t look convinced. “You sure that’s all?”
Before Charlotte could answer, the classroom door swung open.
The energy shifted instantly.
Damien.
Except—he wasn’t in their classroom.
Because the Amazing D’s didn’t share classes with the rest of the school.
Yet here he was.
He leaned against the doorframe, his sharp gaze sweeping over the room before landing—briefly—on Charlotte.
A flicker of something unreadable passed through his eyes.
Then, just as quickly, he pushed off the door and walked away.
Charlotte let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding.
Jasmine blinked. “What was that about?”
Charlotte had no idea.
But she had a feeling—
Damien knew something.
And she wasn’t sure if that made things better…
Or worse.
- Writer
