The dorm was unusually quiet that night.
Rachel had already dozed off halfway through a conversation, her phone slipping from her hand.
Maysha, insisting on staying since Valentine's spirits were low, sat cross-legged on the extra bed, tapping idly at her laptop.
Valentine stood by the window, arms folded, staring at the clouds drifting over Malcolm College. Her reflection in the glass looked almost unfamiliar—eyes shadowed, expression blank. Every moment from yesterday replayed: Louis holding her hand, Andre's cold, unreadable stare directed at Louis, whispers from classmates, and that ridiculous forum post twisting the truth.
She exhaled softly. "It's just student council business," she muttered. "Nothing more."
"Still awake?" Maysha asked quietly without looking up.
"Yeah," Valentine said. "Can't sleep."
"Because of the rumor?" Rachel murmured drowsily from her bed.
Valentine smiled faintly, shaking her head. "Because of… everything."
Maysha shut her laptop with a gentle click. "Then we'll fix it. Tomorrow. You'll see."
"Tomorrow," Valentine echoed softly.
Outside, thunder rumbled somewhere beyond the hills. The storm hadn't started yet—but the air felt like it was waiting.
---
Soon It was Saturday morning , and the dorm was brighter but no less tense. Valentine just woke up, along with Rachel and Maysha still on their bed when all three phones pinged at the same time.
Valentine checked hers first. Rachel and Maysha did the same.
Forum notification:
"Guess the President's favorite girl likes special treatment. Look at how she 'let them' hold her—so dramatic!"
Valentine's stomach sank. "They… made it look like I staged it?"
Rachel's jaw dropped. "Wait… they're saying Louis held your hand on purpose?"
"Yes," Valentine said, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Louis just… helped me. That's all. Andre was staring at him—cold, like he was ready to snap. I didn't do anything."
Maysha blinked. "That… makes it even worse?"
Rachel groaned. "Who even thinks of twisting something like that? It's so—ugh."
Another ping—a private message from an unknown number:
Text: "Need a digital eye? I can help. —Ren"
Rachel's eyes went wide. "No way… Ren?"
Maysha whispered, "The… legendary hacker?"
Valentine's heart skipped. "Looks like we might actually have a lead. Whoever did this is smart… and hiding well."
Rachel nudged her. "Well, we're not just going to sit here, right?"
Valentine laughed softly. "Of course not. Step by step—we figure it out."
Maysha bit her lip. "Do you think… we can catch them?"
Valentine nodded. "We'll try. Whoever it is won't get away."
Rachel grinned. "I like the sound of that. Let's see if our hacker friend Ren is really as good as everyone says."
Meanwhile
Somewhere behind the student council office doors, Andre's fingers tapped a tablet. A single message sent to Ren:
Message: Stage it today. Keep her guessing.
💬Authors note
Hey guys, sorry for the late chapter but I do hope you're enjoying the little mystery and adventure coming up. Don't stop scrolling cuz more is coming👀
Feeling poetic😊
Padr_es16 🌹