Chapter 26: Not So Innocent
216 Words
Daniel barely slept.
Even though he was the one who “won” the bet, something about Maria’s silence haunted him.
She didn’t scream.
She didn’t confront him.
She didn’t even send a single message.
That silence? It was worse than a slap.
He kept checking her status, hoping to see something — even a quote or a heartbreak song. But nothing. She had gone cold.
Meanwhile, Emeka couldn’t keep a straight face. He saw Maria that morning, and let’s just say… girl was glowing.
Different hair, fresh lashes, new energy.
She didn’t look like a girl who just found out she was a joke.
She looked like a girl plotting the perfect comeback.
And Daniel noticed.
He bumped into her near the cafeteria. Her perfume hit first — soft, elegant, confident.
Maria turned slowly, gave him a short look, then smiled.
Not the shy Maria smile he was used to.
No — this smile had thorns.
“Daniel,” she said calmly, “hope you’re still winning… whatever game this is.”
Before he could reply, she was gone, swaying confidently down the hallway like she owned the whole school.
For the first time, Daniel didn’t feel like the player.
He felt like the pawn.
And something told him — this was just the beginning.
- Writer
