JASMINEThe next morning, Lucas pulled the car to a smooth stop in front of the school gate. I stepped out, adjusted my skirt, and slung my bag over my shoulder before shutting the door behind me.
Usually, mornings on campus were noisy in a normal way. Students laughing too loudly, vendors shouting, shoes scraping against the pavement, girls fixing makeup in phone screens, boys pretending not to stare.
Today felt different, the air itself seemed strange.
Inside my head, the system's voice suddenly rang out.
(Why do I feel something else is happening? The whole school looks awful.) I frowned and slowed my pace.
Now that it mentioned it, I noticed it too.
Clusters of students stood together whispering. Several people were staring at their phones with wide eyes. Some looked up the moment I passed, then quickly bent their heads together again.
I glanced around once more, then clicked my tongue. Whatever fresh drama had happened was not my concern.
I had enough of my own problems.
