Pov Josiane....
The message stayed on the screen.
Don't trust them completely.
Josie's fingers slowly tightened around her phone.
The air felt heavier.
Thicker.
Like something invisible had just slipped between them.
Linux noticed immediately.
"What is it?" he asked.
She hesitated.
Just for a second.
Then she turned the phone off.
"Nothing."
The lie came out too quickly.
Too sharp.
Cain frowned slightly.
Kaela's eyes narrowed.
But Linux—
He didn't question her.
Not out loud.
Which somehow made it worse.
The rest of the walk back was quiet.
Uncomfortably quiet.
No jokes.
No teasing.
No normal.
Just footsteps echoing in the corridor.
At the dorm entrance, Josie stopped.
"I'll go from here."
Linux nodded. "Text me when you're inside."
"I will."
She turned—
Then paused.
Looked back at him.
Like she wanted to say something.
But didn't.
"Goodnight," she said softly.
"Goodnight, Josie."
His voice was calm.
But his eyes—
They were searching.
That night—
Sleep didn't come.
Every time she closed her eyes, the message replayed.
Don't trust them completely.
Her mind betrayed her.
What if it's true?
What if they are hiding more?
What if Linux…
"No," she whispered.
She turned to the other side.
Pulled the blanket tighter.
But doubt—
Once it enters—
Doesn't leave easily.
Morning came.
Too bright.
Too normal.
Josie got ready slowly, her mind still foggy from lack of sleep.
Campus looked the same.
But she didn't feel the same.
When she reached the courtyard—
She saw them.
Linux.
Cain .
Kaela.
Standing together.
Talking.
Normal.
Like nothing had happened.
Like last night didn't exist.
Josie slowed her steps.
For a moment—
She just watched.
The way Cain stood slightly closer to Kaela.
Protective.
Natural.
The way Kaela spoke, serious but calm.
And Linux —
Quiet. Observing. Listening.
Her chest tightened.
They all know things I don't.
That thought hit harder than she expected.
"Josie."
Linux noticed her first.
Of course he did.
He walked toward her.
"Did you sleep?"
"Yeah," she lied.
"You look tired."
"So do you."
A small silence.
Different from before.
Less comfortable.
More… aware.
Cain joined them.
"Morning."
"Morning," Josie replied.
Kaela followed a second later.
Her gaze briefly met Josie's.
Not cold.
Not warm either.
Just… measured.
"So," Cain said lightly, trying to ease the mood,
"no mysterious messages today?"
Josie froze for a split second.
Too small for anyone to call out.
But Linux noticed.
He always did.
Before she could answer—
A girl's voice cut in.
"Well well… all four together again?"
They turned.
The same girl from before.
Vice Head Prefect's girlfriend.
Smirking.
Observing.
"Looks like things are getting serious," she added playfully.
Kaela sighed slightly. "Not now."
The girl laughed. "Relax, I'm not here to start drama."
Then she looked at Josie.
Carefully.
Curiously.
"So you're the one he's been hiding things for."
Josie blinked. "What?"
Noah's tone turned firm. "That's enough."
The girl raised her hands. "Okay, okay."
But her smile didn't fade.
"Just saying… when Linux hides something, it's never small."
She stepped closer slightly.
Lowered her voice.
"Be careful what you get involved in."
Then she walked away.
Just like that.
Leaving tension behind.
Josie looked at Linux.
"Is that true?"
"What?"
"That you're hiding something big."
He held her gaze.
Didn't look away.
"…Yes."
At least he was honest.
But that didn't make it easier.
Before I could respond—
A loud announcement echoed across campus.
Attention Students.
All Student Council members report immediately.
An emergency meeting has been called.
The four of them froze.
Cain muttered, "That's not normal."
Kaela's expression sharpened instantly.
"Something happened."
Linux looked at Josie.
Just for a second.
Conflict clear in his eyes.
Stay.
Go.
Protect.
Lead.
He chose.
Duty.
"I have to go," he said.
Josie nodded slowly.
"Yeah… Head Prefect."
The words slipped out.
Not angry.
But not soft either.
Linux paused.
Like that mattered more than the announcement.
Then he left.
With Cain and Kaela.
Josie stood there alone.
Again.
Watching them walk away together.
A group.
A unit.
A secret she wasn't part of.
Her phone buzzed.
She didn't even react this time.
Just slowly looked at it.
Good choice.
Her breath hitched.
Another message appeared.
Let's see how long you stay outside.
I clenched her phone.
Heart racing again.
No.
Not this time.
She lifted her head.
Eyes steady.
"…I'm not staying out."
For the first time—
She wasn't just reacting.
She was deciding.
To be continued…