The Principal's Daughter

The warning

Amara had never paid attention to how the wind felt behind the school. But today, as she sat on the cold concrete steps next to Axel, everything felt sharper—like the world itself was holding its breath.

“I think he’s watching me,” she said.

Axel didn’t answer right away. He pulled the sleeves of his hoodie down over his hands and kept his eyes on the ground.

“He is,” he said finally. “He always watches people before he moves.”

Amara swallowed hard. “How do you know?”

“Because he watched me first. Back then. I was the one who tried to fight back. That’s why he made sure I got transferred.”

She turned to look at him. “You think Ellis had you removed?”

“I don’t think—I know. I told one of the case workers what he did. A week later, I was moved to another home. Records said it was for ‘behavioral issues.’ But I never caused a single fight in that place until he gave me a reason.”

Amara clenched her fists. “And now he’s walking these halls, handing out advice like he’s some kind of saint.”

Axel’s jaw tightened. “People like him know how to look perfect. That’s how they survive.”

She looked at him. “So how do we bring him down?”