The next morning felt different.
I couldn't explain it, but something about the air in school felt heavier—as if everyone was carrying a secret they didn't want to share. Maybe it was just me. Maybe it was because of her.
The mysterious new girl.
I reached school earlier than usual. The corridors were still quiet, only a few students scattered here and there. As I walked toward my classroom, my eyes instinctively searched for her.
And there she was.
Sitting alone at the last bench, just like yesterday.
Her long dark hair covered part of her face, and she was staring out the window again. It was strange… almost like she wasn't really present in the classroom. Like her mind was somewhere far away.
I hesitated for a moment.
Should I talk to her?
Before I could decide, my friend Riya came rushing toward me.
"Hey! Why are you standing like a statue?" she said, slightly out of breath.
I glanced back at the girl. "Nothing… just thinking."
Riya followed my gaze and immediately understood. "Ohhh… her again."
I sighed. "There's something weird about her, don't you think?"
"Weird? More like creepy," Riya whispered. "Did you notice yesterday? She didn't talk to anyone. Not even once."
"Maybe she's just shy."
"Or maybe she's hiding something," Riya said, raising an eyebrow.
Her words sent a small chill down my spine.
Hiding something…
Before I could respond, the teacher walked in, and the class began.
The entire morning passed in a blur, but one thing remained constant—my attention kept drifting back to her.
She didn't write notes.
She didn't answer questions.
She didn't even look at the teacher.
It was as if she existed in her own world.
During lunch break, I finally made up my mind.
"I'm going to talk to her," I told Riya.
"Are you serious?" she asked, almost choking on her sandwich.
"Yes."
"Okay… if something weird happens, don't say I didn't warn you."
Ignoring her dramatic reaction, I stood up and walked toward the last bench.
Each step felt heavier than the last.
Why was I nervous?
It's just a normal girl… right?
I stopped beside her desk. For a second, I didn't know what to say.
"Uh… hi," I finally managed.
She didn't respond.
I thought maybe she didn't hear me.
"Hi," I repeated, a little louder.
Slowly… very slowly… she turned her head.
And for the first time, I saw her eyes clearly.
They were… different.
Deep. Dark. And filled with something I couldn't understand.
It felt like she was looking through me, not at me.
"Do I know you?" she asked quietly.
Her voice was soft, but it carried a strange coldness.
I swallowed. "No… I mean, I'm in your class. I just wanted to say hi."
She stared at me for a few seconds.
Then she said something unexpected.
"You shouldn't."
"What?"
"You shouldn't talk to me."
I frowned. "Why not?"
She looked away again, back at the window. "It's better for you."
A silence fell between us.
I didn't know whether to laugh or feel scared.
"What does that even mean?" I asked, trying to sound casual.
She didn't answer.
Instead, she slowly stood up.
"I have to go," she said.
"But lunch break isn't over yet—"
"I know."
And with that, she walked out of the classroom.
Just like that.
Leaving me standing there, confused.
"What happened?" Riya rushed over the moment I returned.
I sat down, still trying to process everything. "She told me… not to talk to her."
Riya's eyes widened. "See? I told you! She's weird!"
"It's not just weird," I said slowly. "It felt… serious. Like she meant it."
Riya leaned closer. "What if she's dangerous?"
I let out a nervous laugh. "Okay, now you're overthinking."
But deep down… I wasn't so sure.
After school, I couldn't stop thinking about her.
Her words kept echoing in my mind.
"You shouldn't talk to me."
"It's better for you."
Better for me?
Why?
I decided to head home early, but as I passed by the old library building near the school, something caught my attention.
A figure.
Standing near the back gate.
It was her.
The mysterious new girl.
She was talking to someone… or at least, it looked like she was.
But when I looked closer, my heart skipped a beat.
There was no one there.
She was standing alone.
And yet… she was speaking softly, as if someone was right in front of her.
I felt a chill run down my spine.
What was she doing?
I took a step closer, trying to hear what she was saying.
"…I told you, I don't want this," she whispered.
A pause.
Then again—
"No… I won't do it."
My breathing became uneven.
Who was she talking to?
Suddenly, she stopped.
Her body stiffened.
Slowly… she turned her head.
And looked directly at me.
My heart dropped.
For a moment, neither of us moved.
Then, something even stranger happened.
Her expression changed.
From calm… to scared.
"No…" she whispered.
Before I could say anything, she ran.
Fast.
Disappearing behind the building in seconds.
"Wait!" I shouted, but she was already gone.
I stood there, frozen.
What did I just see?
Who was she talking to?
And why did she look afraid when she saw me?
That night, I couldn't sleep.
Something wasn't right.
This wasn't just about a shy new student anymore.
There was a mystery.
And somehow… I was already a part of it.
I didn't know what she was hiding.
But one thing was clear—
I wasn't going to stay away.
No matter what she said.
Even if it meant getting into something dangerous.
Because now…
I needed to know the truth.