Chapter 99

Later that day... I had convinced myself that would be the last time I'd see him today. But the moment I stepped out of the biology lab, I froze. There he was again, standing in the hallway, speaking in hushed tones with the same admin guy from earlier. He still wore that same expression—composed, unreadable, as if nothing in the world could shake him. I dropped my gaze instantly and fumbled with my backpack like I was searching for something urgent. My fingers trembled. He looked at me. I felt it—a flick of his eyes in my direction, just enough to make the air shift. But he didn't speak. He didn't call my name or confront me. He just turned back to the man beside him and continued their conversation. I lowered my head and moved quickly down the hallway. It felt like escaping a fire without knowing if I had already been burned. I came to the gym to clear my head. I thought I was alone. But then he showed up. Garcia. I froze mid-stretch. Him again? What the hell—was he following me? my