Senior Year Secrets

The Group Project

Amara barely slept that night.

The message kept replaying in her mind.

Especially Daniel.

She had no idea who had sent it or why they were warning her.

The easiest thing would have been to ignore it.

But Amara had never been good at ignoring things that bothered her.

By morning, she had checked the unknown number more times than she wanted to admit.

Nothing.

No w******p picture.

No status.

No name.

Just a number.

"You're staring at your phone again."

Amara looked up.

Tessa was standing in front of her, holding a cup of tea.

"I'm not."

"You've been looking at that screen for five minutes."

Amara locked her phone.

"It's nothing."

Tessa narrowed her eyes.

"That means it's definitely something."

Amara hesitated.

She didn't know whether she should tell her.

Before she could decide, her phone vibrated.

Another message.

This time, it was from Daniel.

Daniel: We're meeting at two for the project. Don't forget.

Amara stared at the message.

Tessa noticed.

"Daniel?"

"Yes."

"You've saved his number already?"

"He sent it yesterday."

Tessa smiled.

"Interesting."

"There's nothing interesting about it."

"Okay."

Amara ignored her.

At two o'clock, the four members of their project group met in the library.

Amara, Tessa, Daniel and another student named Kelvin.

Kelvin dropped his books on the table.

"So we're really doing this?"

Tessa laughed.

"Unfortunately."

Daniel pulled out a chair.

"Let's just finish it early so we don't have to suffer later."

Amara opened her notebook.

"What exactly are we doing?"

Daniel handed her a sheet of paper.

"The lecturer gave us three possible topics. We have to choose one today."

She read through them carefully.

After a few minutes, they agreed on the second topic.

The meeting became surprisingly productive.

Daniel was organized.

He had already created a rough schedule and divided the work between everyone.

Amara looked at him differently.

"You actually came prepared."

Daniel smiled.

"I don't like wasting time."

"I can see that."

"Is that a compliment?"

"Don't get excited."

Tessa laughed from across the table.

Kelvin shook his head.

"You two have known each other for less than two days."

"We're just talking," Amara said.

"Sure."

They continued working.

For the first time since receiving the anonymous message, Amara almost forgot about it.

Almost.

Then her phone vibrated.

She looked down.

Another unknown message.

Unknown: I told you to be careful.

Her stomach tightened.

She quickly locked her phone.

Daniel noticed.

"Everything okay?"

"Yes."

He looked at her for a moment.

Then nodded.

"Okay."

The meeting continued for another hour.

When they were done, Kelvin left first.

Tessa followed shortly after, saying she had somewhere to be.

Amara packed her things.

Daniel remained seated.

"Amara."

She looked at him.

"Yes?"

"You've been distracted since we started."

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

He studied her face for a moment.

"You don't have to tell me anything. I just wanted to make sure."

She nodded.

"Thanks."

They walked out of the library together.

Outside, the sun was already beginning to set.

They walked silently for a while.

Then Daniel spoke.

"Have we met before?"

Amara looked at him.

"What?"

"I feel like I've seen you somewhere before."

"I don't think so."

"Maybe I'm wrong."

She smiled slightly.

"Probably."

They continued walking.

Neither of them noticed the person standing across the road, watching them.

The person pulled out a phone.

Took a picture.

And sent it to someone.

They're getting closer.

A reply came almost immediately.

Then it's time she knew the truth.

Back at the hostel, Amara's phone vibrated again.

She looked at the screen.

This time, there was no warning.

Just one sentence.

Ask Daniel about Sarah.

Amara froze.

She had never heard the name before.

Who was Sarah?

And why did the stranger want her to ask Daniel about her?

She stared at the message for a long time.

Then she slowly typed four words.

Who is Sarah?