Daniel stared at the note for what felt like forever.
Don't believe everything they tell you.
His heartbeat quickened.
He turned the paper over, hoping to find a name, but the back was blank.
"Who put this here?" he whispered.
The handwriting looked neat and careful. It didn't seem like a prank.
He slipped the note into his notebook and looked around his bedroom. His mother called from downstairs.
"Dinner's ready!"
"I'm coming!"
Throughout dinner, Daniel barely spoke. His mother noticed.
"First day wasn't too bad, was it?"
"It was... interesting."
"You'll make friends."
"I already met someone."
His mother smiled.
"That's good."
Daniel wanted to mention Zara, but something stopped him. Instead, he simply nodded and continued eating.
That night, sleep refused to come.
Every time he closed his eyes, he remembered Zara's lonely smile and the strange note hidden inside his notebook.
Had she written it?
Or had someone else wanted to warn him?
The questions followed him into the next morning.
---
The school hallways were already busy when Daniel arrived.
Students laughed around their lockers while teachers hurried to their classrooms.
As he reached his locker, Ethan appeared beside him.
"You came early."
"I couldn't sleep."
Ethan laughed.
"Homework already?"
Daniel shook his head.
"I've been thinking."
"About what?"
"...Zara."
Ethan's smile disappeared.
"I told you to stay away from her."
"You still haven't told me what she actually did."
Ethan looked uncomfortable.
"I don't know."
"What?"
"I only know what everyone says."
"So you've never seen her do anything wrong?"
"No."
Daniel folded his arms.
"Then why do you believe the rumors?"
Before Ethan could answer, the warning bell rang.
"We're going to be late," he said quickly before walking away.
Daniel watched him leave.
Something wasn't right.
People feared Zara, but nobody could explain why.
---
English class passed slowly.
Mrs. Thompson announced a group project.
"You'll be working in pairs."
The classroom filled with excitement as everyone chose partners.
Daniel looked around.
Almost everyone had someone.
Almost.
Zara sat alone.
Mrs. Thompson checked her list.
"It looks like Daniel and Zara will work together."
The room became silent.
Someone dropped a pencil.
Another student whispered, "He's finished."
Daniel ignored them and carried his books to the empty seat beside Zara.
She looked surprised.
"You don't have to sit here," she said quietly.
"It's okay."
"No... they'll only talk about you."
Daniel smiled.
"They already are."
For the first time, Zara let out a tiny laugh.
It lasted only a second.
But it was enough to make Daniel realize that she wasn't as cold as everyone believed.
Mrs. Thompson handed each pair their assignment.
"You'll prepare a presentation about famous American authors. You have one week."
As the teacher continued explaining, Daniel noticed something.
Zara wrote incredibly fast.
Her notebook was filled with neat handwriting and small sketches in the corners of every page.
"You draw?" he whispered.
"A little."
"They're really good."
She quickly closed the notebook.
"They're nothing special."
Daniel didn't argue.
He could tell she wasn't used to compliments.
---
During lunch, the rumors spread faster than ever.
"Did you see Daniel?"
"He's sitting with her."
"He won't last."
Daniel carried his tray across the cafeteria.
Without asking permission, he sat opposite Zara.
Several students stared.
Others pulled out their phones.
"They're taking pictures," Zara said softly.
"I know."
"You should leave."
"I'm eating lunch."
"They'll make your life difficult."
Daniel picked up his sandwich.
"Then let them."
For a moment, Zara simply looked at him.
Nobody had ever ignored the rumors before.
Nobody had ever chosen to sit with her.
"You really are strange," she said.
Daniel grinned.
"I've been told that before."
Another tiny smile appeared on Zara's face.
---
School ended with dark clouds covering the sky.
As students rushed toward the buses, heavy rain began to fall.
Daniel stood under the entrance roof, waiting.
Then he noticed Zara standing alone without an umbrella.
She looked up at the gray sky and sighed.
"You can share mine," Daniel offered.
She hesitated.
"I don't want people talking."
"They already are."
For a few seconds she remained silent.
Finally, she stepped under the umbrella.
The two of them walked toward the school gate in silence while rain tapped gently against the umbrella above them.
"So..." Daniel said, "did you write that note?"
Zara stopped walking.
"What note?"
"The one inside my notebook."
She looked genuinely confused.
"I didn't."
Daniel searched her face.
She didn't seem to be lying.
"If it wasn't you..."
A loud screech interrupted him.
A black car stopped across the street.
The same black SUV from yesterday.
The rear window rolled down slightly.
Someone inside seemed to be watching them.
Zara's expression changed instantly.
Fear flashed across her face.
"I have to go."
Before Daniel could ask another question, she ran toward the waiting SUV.
The door opened.
She climbed inside.
Within seconds, the vehicle disappeared into the rain.
Daniel stood frozen, still holding the umbrella.
Whoever was inside that car...
Zara was afraid of them.
As the class worked quietly, Mrs. Thompson walked between the rows of desks, checking everyone's progress.
Daniel glanced at the outline they had been given for the presentation.
"We should probably divide the work," he whispered.
Zara nodded. "I'll research the author's life. You can work on the books and why they're important."
"Sounds fair."
She reached into her backpack and handed him a small notebook.
"You can write your ideas here."
Daniel opened it carefully. Every page was organized with neat handwriting, colorful headings, and tiny pencil sketches in the corners. One page showed a detailed drawing of the school library.
"You drew all these?" he asked.
Zara looked away. "When I get bored."
"You're really talented."
A faint blush appeared on her face.
"No one has ever said that before."
"They should have."
For a moment, the silence between them wasn't awkward. It felt comfortable.
Just as Daniel was about to ask another question, a crumpled paper ball landed on their desk.
He unfolded it.
Don't get too close to her. You'll regret it.
Daniel frowned and looked around the classroom.
Several students quickly looked away, pretending to be busy.
"What does it say?" Zara asked quietly.
He hesitated for a second before folding the paper.
"Nothing important."
She gave him a knowing look.
"They're warning you again... aren't they?"
Daniel sighed.
"Yeah."
"I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing?"
"Because people always get dragged into my problems."
Daniel shook his head.
"I don't even know what your problems are."
She smiled sadly.
"Maybe that's a good thing."
The bell rang, ending the lesson.
Students rushed out of the classroom, chatting excitedly about lunch.
As Daniel packed his books, he noticed Zara carefully slipping the crumpled warning note into her bag instead of throwing it away.
That surprised him.
It was as if she had seen dozens of notes like it before... and had grown used to carrying them.
Daniel stood frozen in the rain, still holding the umbrella as the black SUV disappeared around the corner.
His mind raced with questions.
Who was inside that car?
Why had Zara looked so frightened?
And why did it seem like everyone at school knew something he didn't?
He looked down at the wet pavement.
Something was lying there.
It was a small silver bracelet.
Daniel picked it up carefully.
His eyes widened.
It belonged to Zara.
Just as he slipped it into his pocket, his phone vibrated.
He frowned.
He hadn't given his number to anyone at his new school.
A message from an unknown number appeared on the screen.
Stay away from Zara Carter.
This is your first and last warning.
Daniel's heart pounded.
A second message arrived only seconds later.
If you see this message... don't turn around.
Every hair on the back of his neck stood up.
Slowly, he tightened his grip on the phone.
Someone...
was standing right behind him.