Chapter 3 The edge of perfect

Zahra walked home faster than usual.

Her backpack felt heavier with every step - not because of textbooks, but because of questions. The letter. The petals. Tyler's words. The way he looked at her, like he already knew things she hadn't said out loud.

"Not everyone wants to see you stay perfect."

What the hell did that even mean?

She stopped outside their gate and took a deep breath. The old compound walls were cracked, the paint on the gate flaking like dried skin. Their bungalow stood quietly behind it, slouching into its own shadow.

She exhaled and pushed the gate open.

Inside, the chaos was already underway. Tiwa was arguing with Korede over who touched the remote. Sade was crying about not finding her school shoes. Moyo had managed to draw on the wall again.

Zahra slipped into the role like a second skin.

"Tiwa, let him have the remote. Korede, go do your homework. Sade, I told you to keep your shoes in the box."

She picked up a pack of wipes and started scrubbing the wall. "And someone please get Moyo a coloring book before she draws on the fridge."

They listened - not because she was scary, but because Zahra was gravity. Everything in the house revolved around her. If she cracked, the whole place might collapse.

Once the house calmed down, she locked herself in the bedroom she shared with Tiwa and opened her backpack.

The note was still there.

She read it again. Slowly. Like there might be something she missed.

"Even flawless girls crack.

Can't wait to watch you break."

- J

The handwriting was neat. Too neat. Printed, not cursive. That ruled out Tiwa - she wrote in loopy hearts. It also didn't match Aaliyah's bubbly script, or Jordan's messy chicken scratch from their old group project.

So... who?

She pulled out her notebook and started a list.

Suspects:

• Jordan – Too obvious. But maybe that's the point?

• Aaliyah – Always watching. Knows my soft spots.

• Tyler – Said too much. Said it too calmly.

• Jayden – Random. But quiet doesn't mean innocent.

• Someone else entirely?

A new anxiety prickled at the back of her neck. What if it was someone she didn't suspect? Someone she never even noticed?

She stared at the paper so long her vision blurred.

_______________________________________________

That night, she dreamt of flower petals falling from the ceiling - red, soft, endless. They filled the room, suffocated her, and just before she screamed, a voice whispered:

"Break already."

The next morning, she tried a new strategy.

Control the narrative.

If someone wanted her to spiral, she'd smile harder.

She wore her best outfit - navy pleated skirt, white crop cardigan, gold hoops. Her eyeliner was sharp enough to slice through lies. She walked through the school gate like nothing had happened.

But it was there again.

A single red petal. On her locker shelf.

No note this time.

Just the petal.

Placed carefully.

Deliberately.

Her jaw clenched. She closed her locker, turned on her heel - and nearly crashed into Tyler.

Again.

He looked down at her with those unreadable eyes.

"Careful," he said, backing off half a step.

She didn't move. "Why are you always around when this happens?"

Tyler blinked once. "You think I'm doing this?"

"I think you're watching. Closely."

A pause. His lips curled, not quite a smile.

"You think the world revolves around you?"

Zahra's eyes narrowed. "I think people who act invisible are usually hiding something."

"Interesting," he murmured. Then he leaned in just a little, voice low. "You should pay attention to your friends, Hart. Not just your enemies."

And with that, he left.

Again.

Zahra felt like screaming.

Instead, she turned sharply - and spotted Aaliyah, walking from the opposite direction.

Their eyes met.

Aaliyah smiled.

Waved.

Too sweet.

Zahra's stomach dropped. Her best friend was either the only person keeping her sane - or the one trying to make her unravel.

By closing time, Zahra was too rattled to go home immediately.

She sat on the bleachers near the basketball court, watching shadows stretch across the field. Most of the school had emptied. She liked the quiet. For once, no one needed her.

She pulled out her phone and opened a blank note.

Typed:

Who are you, J?

What do you want from me?

What did I ever do to you?

She stared at the screen, fingers hovering, unsure whether to keep going.

Suddenly, she felt it.

That same prickle on her skin. Like eyes on her.

She looked up fast.

Someone was there.

By the classroom block.

Standing still.

Watching.

Too far to see their face.

Zahra stood slowly, heart in her throat.

But just as she stepped forward, the figure turned and walked away.

Gone.

No voice. No note. No warning.

But she knew - without proof, without logic - this wasn't over.