Chapter 3 Shadows and lies

ARIEL'S POV

Friday came fast.

I couldn't focus in class. My mind kept drifting back to the note. "The truth is buried. East Wing. Friday."

What truth? And who left it?

Jamie didn't notice my strange mood. He was too busy talking about an upcoming combat exam. Zane and Zack were their usual selves-loud and teasing.

Zane kept throwing rolled-up paper at the back of my head.

Zack kept watching me when he thought I wasn't looking.

I ignored both.

At lunch, I slipped away.

The East Wing had been closed since the fire five years ago. Everyone said it was cursed. I didn't believe in curses, but I did believe in secrets.

I waited until just before sunset, then made my move.

---

The hallway was quiet.

Dust hung in the air. Old paintings lined the walls-faces faded by time. A rusty sign read: EAST WING - DO NOT ENTER.

I pushed the door.

Locked.

I reached into my hoodie and pulled out a pin. Years of sneaking around had taught me a thing or two.

Click.

The door creaked open.

I stepped inside.

Cold.

The air was sharp, colder than the rest of the school.

I walked past broken desks, cracked windows, torn curtains. Everything smelled like ash and old secrets.

My boots crunched over glass.

Then I saw it.

A small symbol, burned into the wall.

A fox tail wrapped around a crescent moon.

I froze.

That symbol... it was the same one carved into the stone near Caleb's grave.

Someone had been here. Someone knew Caleb.

I pulled out my phone and snapped a picture.

A sudden noise made me jump.

Footsteps.

Fast. Coming closer.

I turned off my flashlight.

Hid behind a tall shelf.

The footsteps stopped.

Then a voice. Low. Careful.

"He shouldn't be here."

Another voice. Female. Whispering. "We warned him."

I held my breath.

"They'll find out if we're not careful."

"Should we scare him off?"

"No. Let him dig. He's already too deep."

The footsteps faded.

I waited. Ten minutes. Maybe more.

Then I moved again.

Found a torn book on the floor. Pages ripped, but one was still whole.

I read it.

It wasn't a story.

It was a record.

A file from the school. A list of expelled students.

One name caught my eye.

Ariel Valemont – Expelled. Cause: Fire Incident.

My heart stopped.

My name. My real name.

They knew.

Someone had planted it here.

I shoved the paper into my pocket and ran.

---

Outside, I didn't stop until I reached my room. I locked the door and sat down, shaking.

Who put that there? And why?

Someone was playing games.

Dangerous ones.

And I was the target.

---

Later that night, I went to the field behind the dorms. I needed air.

To my surprise, Zane was there.

He tossed me a drink without a word. We sat in silence.

Finally, he asked, "Why do you look like you saw a ghost?"

I shrugged. "Just a long day."

He watched me carefully. "You don't talk much. But your eyes say a lot."

"Do they?"

He nodded. "You look like someone running from something."

I didn't answer.

He leaned back and sighed. "Just don't disappear, Xander. You're not as invisible as you think."

I gave a small nod.

But inside, I was falling apart.

They knew.

Someone in Arcanis knew I was Ariel Valemont.

And they were waiting for the right moment to expose me.

I didn't sleep that night.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the paper.

Ariel Valemont – Expelled.

It felt like the past was pulling me back. Like everything I ran from had caught up with me.

By morning, I looked like a ghost.

Dark circles under my eyes. Tired face. Heavy steps.

Jamie noticed first. "You okay, Xander? You look like death."

"I'm fine."

He raised a brow. "You sure? You didn't come back for dinner last night."

I forced a nod. "Just went for a walk."

He didn't believe me. But he didn't press.

---

In class, I kept to myself. But something felt off.

People were watching me again.

Whispers. Glances. Chuckles.

I sat down and opened my book, trying to ignore it.

Then I saw it.

A note tucked inside my book.

Written in pink ink.

"You're kinda cute, Xander. –Mira 💖"

I blinked.

Mira was in my class. A sweet girl with curly hair and bright green eyes. Always cheerful. Always giggling with her friends.

I looked up.

She smiled at me. Waved.

My face burned.

I gave a small nod. Then quickly looked away.

She thought I was a boy.

Another problem to add to the list.

---

After class, Mira caught up with me. "Hey, Xander!"

I stopped.

She stepped in front of me, twirling a pen in her hand. "Are you doing anything after classes?"

I shook my head. "No."

"Cool! There's a game night in the lounge. You should come."

I hesitated.

She leaned closer. "I'll be there."

Then walked away, her friends giggling behind her.

I sighed.

I didn't have time for this.

But I couldn't ignore her forever.

---

Later, I found myself in the lounge.

Zane, Zack, Jamie, and a few others were already there.

Games were spread out on tables. Cards. Dice. Snacks.

Mira waved me over. "We're doing dares!"

I almost turned around and left.

But then Zack called out, "Xander, sit with us!"

Zane looked up and smirked. "Finally leaving your cave, huh?"

I walked over and sat down.

They handed me a card.

"Truth or dare?" Mira asked.

"Truth," I said.

Jamie read the question. "If you could kiss anyone here, who would it be?"

My heart dropped.

Eyes turned to me.

Zane chuckled. "Come on, Vale. Don't go shy on us."

I looked around. Then said, "Pass."

"Nope!" Mira laughed. "No skipping!"

I panicked.

Then I pointed at the snack bowl. "I'd kiss the chips. I love food."

Laughter broke out.

Zane clapped. "Nice save."

Zack didn't laugh. He just kept staring.

---

It was my turn to give a dare.

I looked at Zane. "Dare."

He grinned. "Hit me."

"I dare you to kiss someone in this room."

Gasps and laughter followed.

Zane didn't even blink.

He looked around. Then stood up. Walked to me.

And kissed me.

Just like that.

Soft. Brief. On the corner of my lips.

Everyone screamed. Laughed. Cheered.

I sat there frozen.

My face turned red.

Zack's chair scraped the floor as he stood up.

"I'm out."

He walked away.

Zane sat back down and said nothing.

The game went on. But I wasn't really there.

I kept thinking about Zack.

Why did he look... angry?

---

Later that night, someone knocked on my door.

It was Zack.

He didn't wait for me to speak. "Are you messing with us?"

"What?"

"Zane. The kiss. The pranks. The looks."

"I didn't ask for the kiss."

Zack stepped forward. "But you didn't stop it."

I crossed my arms. "What's your problem?"

He didn't answer.

Just stared at me like he was trying to see through me.

Then he said, "Stay away from my brother."

And walked away.

I stood there, breathing hard.

He was jealous.

But of what?

Me? Zane? Or both?

---

Back in bed, I stared at the ceiling.

The game. The kiss. Mira. Zack's warning.

And the note from the East Wing.

This school was a mess of secrets.

And I was right in the middle of it.