I didn't breathe properly again until the bell rang.
The moment it did, the classroom exploded into noise—chairs scraping, students talking, thoughts crashing into me all at once.
Finally, freedom.
I'm starving.
Did he look at me? He definitely looked at me.
I need to copy someone's notes…
It slammed into my head like a wave.
Normal.
This was normal.
This was what I understood.
What I could survive.
But that silence earlier…
That wasn't normal
I shoved my books into my bag, my movements sharper than usual. My phone felt heavier in my pocket, like it was burning against my leg.
Whoever was texting me—
No.
Whatever was texting me—
It knew too much.
> Unknown: Don't panic.
My phone buzzed again.
I froze.
Slowly, I pulled it out, angling it away from curious eyes.
> Unknown: Act normal. Someone is watching you.
My chest tightened.
Instinctively, I glanced around.
Too fast.
Too obvious.
> Unknown: I said don't react
I clenched my jaw.
> Me: Then stop sending messages during class.
A pause.
Then—
> Unknown: You're already messing this up.
Anger flickered through me.
> Me: If you're really me, then you should know I don't like being controlled.
This time, the reply took longer.
> Unknown: …Yeah. I remember.
Something about that response made my stomach twist.
It felt… real.
Too real.
"Yo, Noah."
I flinched slightly as Kunle slung an arm over my shoulder.
I already heard him before he spoke.
He looks weird today… did something happen?
"I've been calling you," he said. "You good?"
I forced a small shrug. "Yeah. Just tired."
He's lying, Kunle thought immediately.
Of course he knew.
Everyone always knew, in their own way.
"Anyway," Kunle continued, lowering his voice slightly, "have you seen the new transfer student?"
My grip tightened on my bag strap.
She's fine though… but kind of scary, he thought.
So it was a girl.
Good.
For some reason, that made things… less complicated.
"No," I said casually. "Why?"
Kunle grinned. "Whole class is already talking about her. Quiet type. Pretty. Doesn't talk to anyone."
And she ignored me earlier. Who ignores me?
I almost rolled my eyes.
"Not interested," I muttered, stepping away from him.
That was a lie.
And I hated that it was.
Because I was interested.
Not in her.
In the silence.
> Unknown: Don't go near her
I stopped walking.
My eyes dropped to the screen.
> Unknown: I mean it.
> Me: You just said "him" earlier.
There was a long pause.
Longer than before.
> Unknown: Things changed.
A chill ran down my spine.
> Me: What does that mean?
No response.
"Hey."
I stiffened.
That voice again.
Calm. Even. Too controlled.
I turned slowly.
She stood there.
Closer this time.
Up close, I could see her clearly.
Dark eyes. Sharp gaze. Expression unreadable.
Like she was watching everything…
And revealing nothing.
And still—
Nothing.
No thoughts.
No whispers.
No noise.
It felt wrong.
Like standing in a room where sound should exist… but didn't.
"You dropped this," she said, holding out a pen.
I blinked.
I hadn't even noticed.
"Thanks," I said, reaching for it.
Our fingers brushed—
And my entire body froze.
For a split second—
Something flickered.
Not a thought.
Not a voice.
Just—
A feeling.
Cold.
Deep.
Endless.
I pulled my hand back like I'd been burned.
Her eyes narrowed slightly.
Not in confusion.
In recognition.
"You're… weird," she said quietly.
My breath hitched.
Now you're judging me too?
The thought should have come.
But—
Nothing.
"I could say the same about you," I shot back, my voice lower than I intended.
Her lips curved—just slightly.
Not quite a smile.
"Maybe," she said.
Then she turned and walked away.
I stood there, heart racing.
Something wasn't right.
Something was very, very wrong.
> Unknown: I told you not to get close.
My phone buzzed again.
> Unknown: Did you touch her?
My fingers tightened around the device.
> Me: Why does it matter?
The reply came instantly this time.
> Unknown: Because that's how it starts.
My stomach dropped.
> Me: Starts what?
Three dots appeared.
Disappeared.
Appeared again.
Then—
> Unknown: Your end.
I exhaled sharply, running a hand through my hair.
"This is insane…" I muttered under my breath.
He's definitely acting strange today, someone nearby thought.
Maybe he's sick?
I needed space.
I needed to think
Without another word, I turned and walked out of the classroom, ignoring Kunle calling after me.
The hallway was worse.
More people.
More thoughts.
More noise.
Move.
Why is he rushing?
I need to get to class—
He almost bumped into me—
"Stop…"
I pressed a hand to my head.
Too loud.
Everything was too loud.
Except
Her.
I stopped walking.
Slowly… I turned.
She was there.
At the far end of the hallway.
Standing still.
Watching me.
And just like before—
Silence.
My phone vibrated again.
> Unknown: Look at me.
My breath caught.
> Unknown: I'm the only one telling you the truth.
My grip tightened.
> Unknown: Stay away from her.
I looked up.
She hadn't moved.
But this time…
It felt different.
Like she was waiting.
For me.
And for the first time since this started—
A new thought crossed my mind.
One I couldn't hear.
But somehow…
I felt it.
What if…
she already knows?