The next day, Allie Brooks went to campus like any other day. On the surface, everything seemed normal, yet she knew better. Cher Waverly had been absent for two weeks, citing a mysterious leave.
Allie didn’t expect to see Cher again so soon, but there she was, the very picture of confidence, chatting animatedly with her peers in the journalism group meeting room.
Cher’s eyes met Allie’s as she entered. A flicker of something sharp passed between them—dismissive, almost contemptuous.
Allie ignored it and settled into a seat near the back of the room.
Kane, the president of the journalism group, soon took the stage, addressing the members with his usual commanding presence. "Thanks for coming, everyone. I’ve called this meeting to announce something important. Since I’ll be graduating s
