RED HAIR

Approach

Georgia forced a smile, trying to sound casual. "Nothing, just... thinking about some stuff."

Horla raised an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. "Uh-huh. And does this 'stuff' have anything to do with a certain someone we ran into this morning?"

Georgia's cheeks flushed. She hated how easily Horla could read her. "Maybe," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Horla grinned, leaning in closer. "Spill. What happened after I left? Did he finally ask you out?"

Georgia shook her head, her smile fading slightly. "No, nothing like that. We just... talked."

"Talked?" Horla repeated, clearly disappointed. "About what?"

"About... us. About whatever this is between us," Georgia said, feeling a bit shy now that she was saying it out loud.

Horla's eyes widened. "And? What did you say? What did he say?"

Georgia sighed, knowing there was no escaping this conversation. "We both admitted that we've been thinking about each other a lot. And we agreed to figure it out together."

Horla let out a low whistle. "Wow. That's big. So, what are you going to do now?"

"I don't know," Georgia said honestly. "I'm excited, but I'm also scared. What if this just complicates everything?"

Horla gave her a sympathetic look. "It probably will, to be honest. But that doesn't mean it's not worth exploring. If you like him and he likes you, why not see where it goes?"

Georgia nodded, feeling a bit more reassured. "You're right. I just hope I'm ready for whatever comes next."

As the day wore on, Georgia couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen. It was like a storm brewing on the horizon, just out of sight but impossible to ignore. And as much as she wanted to focus on her classes, her mind kept drifting back to Mellisa. Georgia hadn't forgotten the look of hatred in Mellisa's eyes the last time they crossed paths, and she had a nagging suspicion that Mellisa wouldn't just let this go.

Sure enough, as the final bell rang and students began packing up to leave, Georgia found herself lingering by the door, hesitant to leave the safety of the classroom. Horla noticed and frowned. "You coming?"

"Yeah, I'm just... I think I forgot something in my locker," Georgia lied, hoping Horla wouldn't press the issue.

Horla gave her a curious look but shrugged. "Alright, I'll meet you outside."

Georgia watched her friend leave, feeling a sense of dread creeping up her spine. She didn't know what she was expecting, but as she walked down the hallway alone, the feeling only intensified. Every shadow seemed to hold a threat, every distant sound made her jump.

When she finally reached her locker, Georgia let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She quickly grabbed her things, eager to get out of the building and back to the safety of her hostel. But as she turned to leave, she saw Mellisa, Alexis, and Miara standing at the end of the hallway, blocking her path.

Mellisa's smile was all teeth, predatory and cold. "Well, well, look who we have here," she purred, her voice dripping with malice.

Georgia's heart raced, and she instinctively took a step back, but there was nowhere to go. The hallway was deserted, and the exit was on the other side of the trio blocking her way.

"What do you want "