Darkness still clung to my room when I jolted awake.
The red digits of the clock glared at me 7:00 AM.
My heart kicked like it was trying to escape my chest.
"Crap."
I threw off the blankets and sprinted to the bathroom. Toothbrush in one hand, facewash in the other a chaotic routine I'd perfected out of pure survival.
Two minutes later, I was back in my room, tugging on my uniform and shoving books into my bag. I checked twice — hospitality book, inside. One mistake in Mrs. Stave's class could be fatal. Literally.
I thundered down the stairs.
"I'm up! I'm up!" I yelled, nearly tripping on the last step.
I hit the floor, rolled, and popped back up like nothing happened.
"Oh my goodness, Testimony, are you okay?" Mom asked, her voice sharp with concern.
"I'm fine," I said, catching my breath.
Ashley leaned against the wall, grinning. "Your hair looks like a crime scene."
I groaned. "I'll fix it on the way."
Dad appeared at the bottom of the stairs, crisp suit, cold aura. He looked like he could walk into a boardroom or a gunfight and win both.
"Let's go," he said simply.
"Testimony, breakfast?" Mom called after me.
"I'm good!" I shouted, already halfway out the door.
The car ride was silent except for the low hum of the engine. Dad's hands rested too calmly on the steering wheel — the kind of calm that hides danger. I'd seen that look before. Not in him. In Slavvy.
He pulled up to the usual spot near the gate, glanced at us in the rearview.
"Lunch money," he said, handing us each a hundred rand.
Ashley grinned. I just nodded. "Thanks."
As soon as my feet hit the pavement, the bell rang.
"Testimony, wait!" Ashley called, but I waved her off.
"See you at break!"
I darted into class, the air thick with Monday tension. The silence before chaos.
I was the first to arrive. The clock ticked, loud in the emptiness. My eyes kept flicking to the door. No sign of him.
Then came Sky and her entourage, heels clicking like they owned the place. Mrs. Stave entered right after, carrying her usual thunderstorm of mood.
"I hope your work is finished," she barked. "If not, get out now."
No one moved.
Her sharp eyes cut to me. "Book."
I handed it over, my palms damp. She flipped through the pages, her expression stone cold. Then — a nod.
"Good."
A breath of relief. Small victory.
But my attention was back at the door again. The seconds crawled. My nerves burned.
"Mrs. Broncos," Stave snapped. "Is the door teaching my lesson today?"
The class chuckled. I shrank into my seat. "Sorry, ma'am."
By the time English and Zulu passed, Slavvy still hadn't shown.
My chest tightened. Maybe he was in the principal's office again. Or maybe… he was avoiding me.
The lunch bell shattered my thoughts. I packed up and walked toward the cafeteria, trying not to look like I cared.
Then I heard it. The mocking voice.
"Well, well, if it isn't the little rat everyone's whispering about."
Sky.
I turned, meeting her eyes. Calm. Cold. "What do you want, Sky?"
Her smirk curled like smoke. "Oh, so the rat talks now." Her friends laughed behind her.
"I just thought I'd let you know Slavvy was with me last night." Her voice dripped venom. "All night. So if you think you mean something to him, don't fool yourself."
Her words cut deep, but I didn't flinch.
"Good for you," I said flatly, stepping past her.
She froze, like she hadn't expected that. Then flipped her hair and strutted away.
I exhaled slowly. My hands trembled not from fear. From fury.
I left the cafeteria, cutting through the back hallways. That's when I saw him.
Haze Brown.
Leaning against the lockers like he owned the place. Dark curls, crisp uniform, a calm smile that didn't reach his eyes.
"Hey, Testimony," he said smoothly. "Rough day?"
I forced a smile. "Something like that."
He chuckled, low and easy. "This school's brutal. Especially for new blood."
"You're new?"
He nodded. "Few weeks. Still learning the… structure."
"Structure?" I repeated.
He smirked. "Let's just say every school has its hierarchy. You just have to know who's really in charge."
Something in his tone made the hairs on my neck rise. He wasn't talking about teachers.
"Well, good luck figuring it out," I said, walking away.
"See you around, Testimony," he said, voice dropping an octave. "Soon."
When I got to class, something white caught my eye — a folded piece of paper on my desk.
I opened it.
Four words. Bold, deliberate handwriting.
"Meet me at the old warehouse. 5 PM. Come alone."
My heart thudded.
The old warehouse.
Which warehouse?
There was only one place people whispered about the one down by the freight yard. Abandoned. Locked. And, according to rumor, used for… other things.
It had to be Slavvy.
But why now? Why so secretive after ignoring me all night?
Sky's words echoed in my head I was with him the entire night.
A lie? Or a warning?
I crumpled the note in my fist, pulse racing.
Something about this wasn't just about detention or missed calls anymore.
This was bigger.
Darker.
And the fact that he wanted me alone meant one thing
Whatever world Slavvy came from… I was already being pulled into it.