Pov Josiane
(Josie kept her eyes on her notebook, but her thoughts were far away.)
(Cain standing outside the classroom…
It didn't feel random.
It felt intentional
And that made her uneasy.)
(When the bell rang, she walked out quietly with the crowd.
Voices echoed in the corridor. Lockers slammed.
Laughter bounced off the walls.)
(Everything looked normal.
But Josie felt slightly out of place — like she was present, yet not fully there.)
(She stopped near the staircase to check her schedule.)
"Advanced Theory… Room 3B," she murmured.
"Same class."
Josie turned.
(Cain stood a few steps behind her.
Up close, he looked calmer than she expected.)
"Hi,"he said.
"Hi," she replied, trying to sound natural.
(For a moment, neither spoke.)
(Then Cain pointed at her notebook.)
"You write a lot."
Josie blinked. "It helps me think."
(A small smile appeared on his face. )"Thinking can be dangerous here."
Josie frowned. "What does that mean?"
(But Cain just shook his head lightly.)
"Nothing. Forget it."
(They walked toward the classroom together).
(Not exactly side by side.
Not strangers either.
Something in between.
Comfortable. Quiet.)
(Inside the class, Josie noticed whispers when Cain entered.
Some students glanced at him.
Then at her.)
Why are they staring at us ...
(She didn't understand why.)
(Cain took a seat near the window.
Josie sat two rows behind.
Still, she could feel his presence)
.
(Halfway through the lecture, a folded paper slid onto Josie's desk.
She looked around.
No one seemed to notice.
She slowly opened it.)
(Three words were written: )
Who wrote this ...
"Trust slowly. Observe everything."
(No name.
No handwriting she recognized.)
(Josie looked toward Cain.)
It seems like he do not know about this note
(He was staring outside.
Like he knew nothing.)
(After class ended, Cain left without a word.)
(Josie followed the crowd out, the note still in her hand.
Her mind felt heavier than before.
Not scared.
Just aware.
Like she had stepped into something deeper…)
(Without realizing when it began.)
Josie whispered to herself,
"This place is hiding something."
To be continued…