CHAPTER 1: THE WARNING ⚠️
722 Words
The first Monday of a new term at Evercrest Academy was always filled with excitement. The hallways buzzed with laughter as students reunited with old friends, exchanged stories from the holidays, and hurried to their classrooms. Small groups gathered at every corner, eager to share the latest gossip.
But that morning, there was only one topic on everyone's lips.
"The new boy is coming today."
"I heard he was expelled from his former school."
"They say he almost put someone in the hospital."
"My cousin warned me never to go anywhere near him."
The whispers spread like wildfire, growing darker and more dramatic with every retelling. By the time the first bell rang, the mysterious newcomer had already become the most talked-about student in the entire school despite no one having seen him.
Sitting quietly by the window, Sophie Williams let out a soft sigh as she arranged her books neatly on her desk. She glanced at her best friend, Jemimah, who seemed just as curious as everyone else.
"Don't tell me you actually believe all those rumors," Sophie said, raising an eyebrow.
Jemimah shrugged.
"I honestly don't know what to believe," she admitted. "But when this many people are saying the same thing... there has to be some truth to it."
Sophie smiled faintly, though deep down, she couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was about to discover just how wrong they were.
"Rumors have a way of sounding like facts when enough people repeat them."
" Or maybe everyone is simply repeating the same lie," she added.
Before Jemimah could reply, the sharp ring of the school bell echoed through the building.
"Assembly!" a prefect shouted.
Within minutes, the students were lined up neatly on the assembly ground. Conversations faded into murmurs as the principal, Mr. Lucas, stepped onto the stage and adjusted the microphone.
"Good morning, students."
"Good morning, sir!" the students replied in unison.
"I'd like to welcome you all to a new term," Mr. Lucas began. "We also have a new student joining us today. I expect every one of you to make him feel welcome."
Several students exchanged doubtful glances.
The principal turned toward the side of the stage.
"You may come forward."
A tall boy walked calmly onto the stage. His posture was straight, and his expression remained unreadable. He neither smiled nor frowned. Despite the dozens of curious eyes fixed on him, he showed no sign of nervousness.
Whispers immediately swept across the assembly.
"That's him?"
"So that's the dangerous new student."
"I thought he'd look scarier."
Most of the students stared at him with suspicion, fear, or quiet disgust. Sophie, however, couldn't bring herself to join them. Instead, she studied his face carefully.
What if they're all wrong? she wondered.
The principal cleared his throat.
"Everyone, this is Ethan Johnson. He'll be joining SS2 this term. I trust you'll treat him with kindness and respect."
Silence followed.
No one clapped.
The absence of applause was louder than any sound Ethan could have heard.
Without showing disappointment, Ethan simply nodded once before stepping down from the stage. As he walked past the rows of students, Sophie noticed something unexpected.
He didn't seem angry.
He didn't seem arrogant.
If anything...
He looked lonely.
Almost as if he had grown used to being judged before anyone knew who he really was.
Just then, Ethan briefly turned his head.
For a single second, his eyes met Sophie's.
Neither of them spoke, yet something about that silent exchange lingered. It was as though Ethan had noticed she was the only person who hadn't looked at him with fear.
The moment ended as quickly as it began.
A prefect blew a whistle, signaling the students to return to their classrooms.
As Sophie reached into her pocket for her phone, the screen suddenly lit up with a notification from an unknown number.
Stay away from the new boy... unless you're ready to become the school's next victim.
Sophie's heart skipped a beat.
Her fingers tightened around the phone as she slowly lifted her head, scanning the crowd.
Students were already walking back toward their classrooms, laughing and chatting as though nothing had happened.
Yet she couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching her.
Someone who knew she had noticed Ethan.
Someone who had sent that message.
But who?......
- Writer
