(Arista's POV)
The next morning felt too quiet.
Not peaceful—just the kind of quiet that makes your stomach twist.
Maybe because I spent half the night replaying the moment Sarvin said:
"I'll fix it."
He meant it.
And that only scared me more.
---
At school,Students crowded around the notice board like bees around sugar.
Zoe grabbed my hand dramatically.
"ANNOUNCEMENT. TRIP DETAILS. NOW."
I groaned. "Why do I already regret this?"
Meera snorted. "Because your life is a K-drama without the cute sound effects."
We pushed through the crowd, and there it was:
SCHOOL TRIP — TWO DAYS, ONE NIGHT
VENUE: WINDCLIFF VALLEY RESORT
GROUPS WILL REMAIN THE SAME
My stomach dropped.
Same groups = means
Me
Devin
Derek
Kaelor
Of course.
Of course the universe wanted cinematic chaos.
---
Devin leaned over my shoulder to read the notice.
"Great. We can finish the project during the trip."
I nodded awkwardly.
"Yeah… sure."
Then I felt it.
Someone watching.
I didn't need to turn.
It was Kaelor.
Standing a little distance away.
Hands in his pockets.
Expression unreadable.
Always unreadable lately.
---
I moved away from the crowd, and before I knew it—
Both of them ended up next to me.
Devin on my left.
Kaelor on my right.
I was not emotionally prepared for this geometry.
Devin:
"You shouldn't walk alone on the trip. I'll stick around, okay?"
Kaelor:
"No."
(A calm, direct no.)
"I'll handle it."
Devin frowned.
"You? Why you?"
Kaelor didn't blink.
"Because I know who might be following her."
My eyes flew open.
"WHAT? And you're only telling me now?!"
He didn't answer immediately.
He just said softly,
"I'm trying to confirm it."
Devin stepped forward.
"Or you could stop being cryptic and just say what you know."
Kaelor's voice lowered.
"It's not your concern."
"Oh really?" Devin snapped.
"You think I'm going to let Arista deal with threats alone?"
Their shoulders squared.
I backed up two steps.
This was not a triangle.
This was a battlefield.
---
I entered class.
Derek was already there.
Leaning back.
Watching me.
Like he knew something.
"Trip will be fun," he said casually.
I didn't respond.
"You look worried," he added.
"Because I am," I muttered.
He tilted his head.
"Maybe you should stay close to the right people."
My blood ran cold.
The message.
The phrasing.
Too similar.
But before I could react—
He whispered,
"See you in the bus tomorrow."
I didn't know why…
but something in my mind screamed
don't sit near him.
---
It started drizzling again by the time I stepped out.
I didn't even take my umbrella out.
I was too lost in thought.
Someone suddenly held an umbrella over my head.
For a second, I thought it was Kaelor.
But—
It was Devin.
"You shouldn't walk home alone in this weather," he said simply.
I exhaled.
"Is this about the car? Or about the trip?"
"Both," he admitted.
"And… because you looked like you needed company."
It wasn't romantic.
It wasn't flirty.
It was just Devin trying to keep me safe.
Still—
Footsteps splashed behind us.
I turned.
Kaelor walked a few steps behind, no umbrella, rain soaking his hair and uniform.
He didn't try to join us.
Didn't try to stop us.
He just… stayed close.
Protective in his own quiet, distant way.
---
At home when I was trying to sit peacefully, Sarvin came into my room and shut my room door behind him.
"Okay," he said, sitting on my bed.
"I did some digging."
My heart skidded.
"But how?!"
"Told you, I have my ways "
Gosh. This boy is no different from that Kaelor.
"Digging? Into who?"
"That car. And the number plate."
I swallowed.
"And?"
"I don't know who they are yet," he admitted.
"But they've been near the school more than once."
A cold shiver ran through me.
He placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Just… stay close to your friends on the trip, okay?"
"I will."
He looked at me seriously.
"And stay away from Derek."
---
Across town, Derek walked into a dim parking lot.
The same black car waited.
He knocked twice.
A window rolled down.
A voice asked,
"Is she scared yet?"
Derek smirked.
"She will be."
The man inside the car replied:
"Good.
Make sure she stays close enough to watch—
but far enough to break."
Derek's smile widened.
"It's all going according to plan."