Chapter 3 - Secrets After Midnight
571 Words
By Friday afternoon, Ravenwood Academy had become obsessed with the anonymous messages.
Students whispered during class. Screenshots spread through group chats. Even teachers had started noticing the tension surrounding the Ravenwood Five.
But nobody talked about it directly.
At Ravenwood, people preferred gossip over confrontation.
The rain from earlier that week had finally stopped, leaving the campus glowing beneath golden sunlight as students crowded around the courtyard after classes.
Celestine sat dramatically across from Seraphina at their usual garden table.
"I'm serious," she said. "If one more person stares at me like I'm secretly insane, I'm fighting someone."
"You threaten violence too casually," Adrian replied while scrolling through his phone.
"You deserve violence most of the time."
Damien laughed quietly beside them.
For a moment, things almost felt normal again.
Almost.
Then Rafael suddenly stood up.
"I have to go."
Adrian looked confused. "Go where?"
"Home."
"It's barely four."
"Family stuff."
Again.
Always the same excuse.
Before anyone could ask more questions, Rafael walked away quickly toward the academy parking lot.
Damien frowned slightly while watching him leave.
"He's been weird all week."
"He's probably stressed," Seraphina said calmly.
"Or hiding something," Adrian muttered.
Celestine rolled her eyes. "You people sound like detectives."
As the conversation continued, Seraphina quietly glanced toward Rafael disappearing through the academy gates.
Her expression remained completely normal.
Unreadable.
That evening, Ravenwood Academy held its annual pre-prom masquerade fitting inside the grand ballroom attached to the campus theater.
Gold curtains covered the walls while crystal chandeliers reflected across polished marble floors.
Students crowded around mirrors trying on masks and formal outfits while cameras flashed endlessly for social media posts.
"Okay, this one makes me look mysterious," Celestine announced while holding up a silver mask dramatically.
"It makes you look ridiculous," Adrian replied immediately.
"You're jealous because I'm prettier than you."
"That's biologically impossible."
Damien shook his head laughing while Seraphina adjusted the black gloves around her wrists.
"You already found your dress?" Patricia Gomez asked excitedly while approaching them.
Seraphina nodded softly. "Almost."
"It better be iconic," Patricia said. "People are literally waiting to see what you wear."
Celestine pointed proudly at Seraphina.
"She's carrying prom this year."
"Again," Adrian added.
Seraphina laughed quietly.
Then suddenly-
Buzz.
Everyone at the table froze.
Another message.
Unknown Number.
" Some secrets should stay buried. "
Celestine immediately grabbed Adrian's arm.
"Okay no, I officially hate this."
Damien looked around the ballroom carefully.
"Someone here is definitely sending these."
Students nearby had started whispering again after noticing their reactions.
Rafael, however, was nowhere in sight.
"He disappeared again," Damien muttered.
Seraphina looked toward the ballroom entrance briefly before speaking calmly.
"He probably just got overwhelmed."
"Or guilty," Adrian said quietly.
Before the conversation could continue, Professor Cortez suddenly stepped onto the ballroom stage.
"Everyone settle down," she announced loudly.
The ballroom slowly quieted.
"As part of tradition, prom king and queen candidates will begin opening rehearsals tomorrow evening."
Groans filled the room.
Celestine leaned dramatically against Seraphina.
"If I trip in front of the entire school, I'm dropping out permanently."
"You say that every day," Damien said.
"Because this school traumatizes me daily."
Laughter spread through the group again.
But Damien noticed something strange.
Seraphina had briefly checked her phone beneath the table.
And for the smallest second-
she smiled at something on the screen before locking it again.
It happened so quickly Damien almost thought he imagined it.
Almost.
- Writer
