Monday detention.
Sounds like a horror movie title, right? For me, it was more of a tragic comedy.
I sat in Room 302, AKA "The Room of Doom," along with a bunch of overconfident rule-breakers and one guy who clearly thought he was too cool for school—yes, Ashwin Verma himself.
Ms. Roy, our ever-grumpy English teacher, supervised detention like she was guarding the gates of hell. "No phones. No talking. No breathing loudly," she barked, then returned to grading papers with the enthusiasm of a soggy biscuit.
I opened my notebook to fake homework and snuck glances at Ashwin, who sat two benches ahead, doodling on the last page of his Physics notebook. I leaned forward, trying to see what it was.
A rough sketch of…a wolf? With glowing eyes and a crown?
Weird. Mysterious. Kinda hot?
Ashwin suddenly turned around, and our eyes met. I panicked, pretended to be intensely interested in my History of Revolts textbook, and failed spectacularly because the book was upside down.
He smirked. "Nice reading technique, West."
I rolled my eyes. "Glad you're finally using your eyes for something other than checking your reflection."
He chuckled and slid something across the desk when Ms. Roy wasn't looking.
A folded paper.
Another note?
I opened it slowly.
"You're not as invisible as you think."
What the heck was that supposed to mean?
After Detention…
Outside, the sun had dipped low, the campus buzzing with gossip, late buses, and leftover lunch packets. I was halfway to the gate when I heard footsteps behind me.
"Kia."
I turned. Ashwin. Again.
"What's with the cryptic notes?" I asked.
He looked at me for a moment, quiet. Then said, "You're the only one who noticed the library cameras aren't real."
I blinked. "Excuse me?"
He stepped closer. "You're smart, West. And something weird's going on. Just… be careful."
With that, he walked away, leaving behind the scent of mystery—and weirdly expensive perfume.
I stood frozen.
Library cameras? What was he talking about?
And why did it sound like something bigger than school drama?