The next morning felt too normal.
That was the problem.
After everything that had happened, Crestview High looked the same, students walking, laughing, arguing over nothing. Like the school hadn't just watched her get humiliated. Like nothing was wrong.
Maya adjusted her bag on her shoulder, her steps slower than usual.
Her uniform was clean.
But she didn't feel clean.
"Group meeting."
The voice came from behind her.
Maya turned.
Kai.
Of course.
He didn't wait for her response. Just started walking.
Like he already knew she'd follow.
And for a second
She considered not going.
But then she remembered the leaderboard.
The competition.
The way everyone was already watching her.
She followed.
They met in an empty classroom.
Liam was already there, leaning back on a chair like he owned the place. Tessa sat on the desk, scrolling through her phone, barely looking up. Zina stood by the window, arms crossed, observing everything.
And Kai
He took the seat at the front.
No announcement.
No discussion.
Just… took it.
Leader.
Just like that.
"Alright," Liam said, clapping his hands once. "Let's make this quick before someone cries."
His eyes flicked to Maya.
She ignored him.
Barely.
"We need a group name," Tessa said, finally looking up. "Something strong. Something that actually sounds like we'll win."
Zina scoffed. "Please don't suggest anything embarrassing."
Liam grinned. "What? You don't like 'The Smart Five'?"
Tessa threw a pen at him. "That sounds like a primary school group."
"For your information," Liam shot back, "primary school groups win more than you."
Maya blinked.
She didn't expect that.
The tension
It shifted.
Just a little.
"Focus," Kai said.
One word.
And the room went quiet.
"Names," he repeated.
Zina spoke first.
"Black Circuit."
Liam made a face. "Sounds like a broken generator."
Tessa laughed. "Actually, that's not bad."
"It's terrible," Liam insisted.
Maya stayed quiet.
Listening.
Watching.
Trying to understand how this worked.
"Do you have something better?" Zina snapped.
Liam leaned forward, grinning.
"Yeah. 'The Untouchables.'"
Tessa rolled her eyes. "We're not in a movie."
"We could be," he shrugged.
Kai's gaze shifted.
To Maya.
"Yours."
Her chest tightened slightly.
Everyone looked at her now.
Waiting.
Judging.
Testing.
Maya hesitated.
Then
"Vanta."
Silence.
Liam blinked. "What?"
"Vanta," she repeated. "It means… something darker than black."
Zina's brows lifted slightly.
Tessa tilted her head.
Kai didn't react immediately.
Which somehow felt heavier than if he did.
"Vanta," Liam repeated slowly. "Okay… that actually sounds dangerous."
Tessa nodded. "I like it."
Zina shrugged. "Better than yours."
Liam raised his hands. "Alright, alright. I admit defeat."
Kai leaned back slightly.
Still watching Maya.
"Vanta," he said.
And just like that
It was decided.
"Congratulations," Liam smirked. "You just named a group that might either win… or get us all killed."
Tessa laughed.
Even Zina smiled slightly.
And for the first time since she arrived
Maya felt something strange.
Lightness.
Brief.
Unfamiliar.
But real.
"Meeting's done," Kai said, standing.
Everyone moved.
Chairs scraping.
Voices returning.
Normal again.
Almost.
Maya stepped out into the hallway.
Alone.
She exhaled slowly.
Her chest still felt tight.
But less.
Just a little.
She didn't notice where she was going until the hallway got quieter.
Too quiet.
Her steps slowed.
The air felt different here.
Heavier.
Then
A sound.
Soft.
Muffled.
Like someone trying not to be heard.
Maya froze.
Her eyes shifted toward one of the classrooms.
The door was slightly open.
Just enough.
She should have walked away.
She knew that.
But something
Something pulled her closer.
She moved quietly.
Step by step.
Until she reached the door.
Her hand hovered for a second.
Then she pushed it slightly.
Just enough to see.
And then
She froze.
The teacher.
The same one.
Standing too close.
Too close.
A girl stood in front of him.
Her back against the desk.
Trapped.
"Sir… please…" the girl whispered.
Her voice shook.
Maya's stomach dropped.
"You don't need to be scared," the teacher said softly.
His hand moved.
Rested on the girl's arm.
Sliding.
Slow.
Wrong.
The girl flinched.
Tried to step back.
But there was nowhere to go.
Maya's chest tightened.
Her fingers curled.
Her breathing slowed.
Sharp.
Focused.
The girl's eyes shifted
And met hers.
For a second
Everything stopped.
Fear.
Panic.
A silent scream.
Maya stepped back instantly.
Heart racing now.
Too fast.
Too loud.
She turned
And walked away.
Fast.
Faster.
Until the voices disappeared.
Until the hallway felt normal again.
But nothing was normal.
Not anymore.
Her hands trembled slightly.
Her chest rising and falling unevenly.
Her mind
Racing.
She had seen it.
Not imagined.
Not guessed.
Seen.
And now
She couldn't unsee it.
"Maya."
She flinched.
Turned.
Liam stood there, watching her.
Brows slightly furrowed.
"You look like you just saw a ghost."
Maya swallowed.
"I'm fine."
He didn't believe her.
That was obvious.
"You don't look fine," he said.
Maya forced a small shrug.
"I just… got lost."
Liam stared at her for a second longer.
Then sighed.
"Alright. If you collapse during the competition, I'm not carrying you."
Maya blinked.
"What?"
"I mean it," he continued seriously. "You look light, but I don't trust it."
Tessa's voice came from behind him.
"She looks like she'd fight you if you tried."
Liam turned. "That's even worse."
Tessa laughed.
Zina shook her head slightly.
"Idiots."
Maya exhaled softly.
The tension
Broke.
Just a little.
Again.
Kai stood behind them.
Silent.
Watching.
His eyes rested on Maya for a second longer than necessary.
Like he knew something.
Like he always knew something.
"Tomorrow," he said, "we start."
No one argued.
No one joked.
Because this time
It felt real.
As they walked away
Maya glanced back once.
Down the hallway.
Toward that classroom.
The door was closed now.
Nothing visible.
Nothing obvious.
But she knew.
Something was wrong.
Deeply wrong.
And now
She was part of it.
Whether she wanted to be
Or not.