The town of Maplewood always looked peaceful from the outside.
Tree-lined streets, cozy cafés, smiling neighbors, and a school that seemed almost perfect—Maplewood High School.
But people who lived there knew the truth.
Maplewood wasn't as normal as it looked.
And for Emily Carter, it was about to become the strangest first day of her life.
---
Chapter One: The New Girl
Emily stood in front of the mirror for the tenth time.
Her brown hair was neatly tied back, her white blouse was ironed perfectly, and her sneakers were clean.
Still, she looked nervous.
"Emily," her mom called from downstairs, "you'll be late!"
"I'm coming!" Emily shouted back.
She grabbed her bag, took a deep breath, and whispered to herself:
"New school. New beginning. Nothing embarrassing. Please."
Her family had moved to Maplewood only a week ago. Her dad had gotten a new job, and Emily had no choice but to leave her old friends behind.
The thought made her stomach twist.
As the car pulled up in front of Maplewood High, Emily's eyes widened.
The school was huge.
It looked like something out of a movie—tall brick walls, shiny windows, students everywhere.
Her mom smiled softly.
"You'll do great, sweetheart."
Emily forced a smile.
"I hope so."
She stepped out of the car.
The moment she walked through the gates, she felt hundreds of eyes on her.
Or maybe it was just her imagination.
"Okay," she muttered, gripping her books tighter. "Just walk. Don't trip. Don't trip—"
And of course…
She tripped.
Her foot caught on the edge of the pavement, and she stumbled forward.
Her books flew into the air like dramatic slow motion.
"Oh no!"
She was sure she was about to crash into the ground…
But instead, she bumped into someone.
A tall someone.
Strong arms steadied her.
Emily looked up.
A boy with messy dark hair and warm hazel eyes was staring at her with surprise… and then amusement.
"You okay?" he asked.
Emily's cheeks turned bright red.
"I—uh—yes. Mostly. My dignity? Not so much."
The boy chuckled as he bent down to pick up her books.
"First-day nerves?"
Emily groaned.
"Is it that obvious?"
He handed her the books carefully.
"I'm Lucas Bennett," he said, smiling. "And congratulations, you've officially made your first day memorable."
Emily blinked.
"That's one way to describe it."
Lucas laughed.
"Trust me, Maplewood High is full of weird moments. You'll fit right in."
Emily couldn't help but smile back.
"Emily Carter," she introduced herself.
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"The new girl."
Emily sighed.
"So everyone knows already?"
Lucas shrugged.
"This school has faster gossip than Wi-Fi."
Before Emily could reply, a loud voice echoed down the hallway.
"MOVE!"
Students instantly stepped aside.
A girl with perfect blonde hair and designer clothes walked through like she owned the place.
Her blue eyes scanned the hallway until they landed on Emily.
She smirked.
"Well, well… you must be Emily Carter."
Emily froze.
Lucas leaned closer.
"That's Madison Blake," he whispered. "School royalty."
Madison walked up slowly, her friends trailing behind her like backup dancers.
She looked Emily up and down.
"Cute outfit," she said sweetly. "Too bad it won't save you here."
Emily's throat went dry.
"I'm sorry?"
Madison's smile didn't reach her eyes.
"Maplewood High isn't exactly welcoming to outsiders. Just… don't get in anyone's way."
Then she turned and walked off, flipping her hair dramatically.
Emily stared after her.
"What… was that?"
Lucas rolled his eyes.
"That was Madison being Madison. She thinks she's the main character in everyone's story."
Emily let out a nervous laugh.
"Well, that was… comforting."
Lucas grinned.
"Come on. I'll show you where your first class is before you accidentally fight the queen again."
Emily followed him, trying not to smile too much.
Maybe this day wouldn't be so bad.
---
Chapter Two: The First Class Disaster
Lucas led Emily into the classroom just as the bell rang.
Students were already seated.
The teacher, a strict-looking woman with glasses, looked up.
"You must be our new student."
Emily nodded quickly.
"Yes, ma'am. Emily Carter."
The teacher smiled politely.
"I'm Mrs. Thompson. Please take a seat."
Emily glanced around.
Every seat felt like it was glowing with judgment.
Finally, she spotted an empty chair next to Lucas.
She sat down, exhaling softly.
Lucas whispered, "Relax. Mrs. Thompson only bites when you forget homework."
Emily whispered back, "Great. So I'll be eaten by lunch."
Lucas laughed quietly.
The class went on normally until Mrs. Thompson announced:
"Alright, everyone. Partner activity!"
Emily's heart sank.
Partner activity on the first day should be illegal.
Lucas turned to her with a grin.
"Looks like you're stuck with me."
Emily sighed dramatically.
"Oh no. Whatever will I do?"
Lucas smirked.
"Try not to throw your books at me again."
Emily laughed.
For the first time that morning, she felt… okay.
---
Chapter Three: Lunch Time Chaos
By lunchtime, Emily was starving.
Lucas guided her to the cafeteria.
The room was loud, crowded, and smelled like pizza.
Emily clutched her tray and followed Lucas to a table where another boy was sitting.
He looked up with a wide grin.
"Lucas! Finally! I thought you abandoned me."
Lucas rolled his eyes.
"Emily, meet Ethan Brooks. The human comedy show."
Ethan gasped.
"I prefer the term 'professional entertainer.'"
Emily giggled.
"Nice to meet you."
Ethan leaned forward dramatically.
"So, new girl. First-day review? Rate it from 1 to 'I want to disappear forever.'"
Emily laughed.
"Definitely a strong 'I want to disappear.'"
Lucas nodded.
"Accurate."
Ethan placed a hand over his heart.
"Don't worry. Maplewood High is weird, but we survive with humor."
Emily smiled, feeling warmth in her chest.
Maybe she could actually make friends here.
Across the cafeteria, Madison sat at the center of her group like a queen on her throne.
She glanced over at Emily, her eyes narrowing.
Emily quickly looked away.
Ethan noticed.
"Oh, Madison giving you the death stare already?"
Emily blinked.
"That was a death stare?"
Lucas sighed.
"Madison's hobby is intimidating people."
Ethan nodded seriously.
"She once scared a teacher into retiring."
Emily's eyes widened.
"Seriously?"
Ethan burst out laughing.
"No, but wouldn't that be iconic?"
Emily laughed too, shaking her head.
Then…
The lights flickered.
Once.
Twice.
The cafeteria slowly fell silent.
Emily frowned.
"What's happening?"
Suddenly, the big screen above the cafeteria turned on.
Everyone stared.
Words appeared.
WELCOME, EMILY CARTER.
Emily froze.
Her breath caught.
"How… how do they know my name?"
Lucas stood up sharply.
"That's not funny."
Ethan's smile vanished.
Madison shouted across the room:
"Okay, who's doing this prank?!"
But no one laughed.
No one moved.
Another line appeared.
THE GAME HAS STARTED.
The screen went black.
A cold chill ran down Emily's spine.
The cafeteria erupted into murmurs.
"What game?"
"Is this some kind of hack?"
"Who did that?"
Emily's heart pounded.
Then she noticed something.
For a split second, in the corner of the screen…
A symbol flashed.
A small red cross.
Lucas's face turned pale.
Emily whispered, "Lucas… what is that?"
Lucas's voice was barely audible.
"…I've seen that before."
Emily turned fully toward him.
"Where?"
Lucas swallowed hard.
But before he could answer…
The bell rang.
And the moment was gone.
---
Chapter Four: The Note
The rest of the day felt wrong.
Emily couldn't focus in class.
Her mind kept replaying the screen.
WELCOME, EMILY CARTER.
THE GAME HAS STARTED.
Who would do that?
And why her?
When the final bell rang, Emily rushed to her locker.
She needed air.
She spun the combination quickly, opened the door…
And froze.
Inside her locker was a single envelope.
Her name was written neatly on the front.
Emily's hands trembled.
Lucas appeared beside her.
"What's wrong?"
Emily swallowed.
"This… was in my locker."
Ethan leaned in.
"That's creepy."
Emily slowly opened the envelope.
Inside was a note.
Only three words.
DON'T TRUST ANYONE.
Emily's blood ran cold.
She looked up at Lucas and Ethan.
Her voice shook.
"Guys…"
Lucas stared at the note, jaw tight.
Ethan whispered, "Okay… this is officially not normal."
Emily's heart pounded louder.
Outside the hallway window, the sun was setting.
And for the first time…
Maplewood didn't look peaceful anymore.
It looked like a trap.
Emily clutched the note tightly.
And somewhere deep in the school…
Someone was watching.
---
END OF DAY 1
Emily thought her first day would be awkward.
She never expected it would be the beginning of something dangerous.
And the biggest question remained…
Who started the game?
And why was Emily the target?