.1.
The morning sunlight streamed through the curtains of Isla Rosaline Sinclair’s room, casting soft golden patterns across the wooden floor. She stirred awake, blinking at the brightness, before stretching and rubbing the sleep from her eyes. Today was another busy day at university.
A familiar voice called from downstairs. “Isla, breakfast is ready!”
“Coming, Mom!” she replied, slipping into her cozy slippers. She tied her hair into a loose bun before looking at her wardrobe, trying to choose an outfit for the day. After taking a quick shower, she wore pleated pants with a white shirt and a blazer, as she had a group presentation, and that included wearing something formal to the university.
She fastened her watch, grabbed her laptop bag, and made her way downstairs, where the warm scent of coffee and pancakes filled the air. Her dad, Charles Sinclair, sat at the table, flipping through the newspaper, while her mom, Margaret, moved around the kitchen with practiced ease.
Isla walked over and wrapped her arms around her dad in a quick hug before settling into her chair.
“Good morning, Mom. Dad,” she greeted, reaching for a plate of pancakes. “Mom, slow down. I still have time.”
Margaret sighed, shaking her head. “You always say that, and then you’re rushing out the door.”
Charles chuckled, setting the newspaper aside. “Your Mom has got a point, kiddo.”
Isla rolled her eyes playfully, taking a sip of coffee. These are the mornings Isla was grateful for.
“So, how’s the presentation coming along?” Charles asked, watching her over the rim of his coffee cup.
“It’s fine,” Isla said, though she wasn’t particularly excited about it. “Just hoping everyone actually contributes this time.”
Margaret placed a hand on her shoulder. “You’ll do great. Just be confident.”
Her phone buzzed, drawing her attention. A message from Ava Belle Bennett, her best friend.
Ava: “Meet me at uni. We need caffeine and an excuse to procrastinate.”
Isla: “It’s 8 AM. Why are you like this?”
Ava: “Because I am the highlight of your life. See you soon!”
Isla: “That you are”
Isla shook her head with a small smile, finishing up her breakfast before standing.
“Bye Mom, bye Dad, have a good day both of you”
She checked her reflection in the hallway mirror—her black hair was styled into a loose ponytail. Satisfied, she grabbed her bag and stepped outside, the crisp morning air brushing against her skin.
The university campus was already alive with students. Conversations filled the air, blending into the distant hum of traffic. Isla stepped off the bus and walked toward the café near the library, spotting Ava waving enthusiastically from a table by the window.
“There you are!” Ava grinned as Isla approached. “I was beginning to think you’d ditch me.”
“I considered it,” Isla teased, setting her bag down before ordering her usual coffee. “But then I remembered you’d probably track me down.”
Ava gasped, placing a hand over her heart in mock offense. “I’m offended.”
Isla smirked, taking a seat. “What’s so urgent that you needed caffeine this early?”
Ava leaned forward dramatically. “The real question is—why wouldn’t I need caffeine this early?”
Shaking her head with a laugh, Isla took a sip of her coffee just as the café door swung open. A group of students walked in, chatting amongst themselves, but she barely paid attention. Her focus was on her schedule for the day, mentally preparing for the presentation ahead.
Ava, however, nudged her. “Oh, look who just walked in.”
Isla glanced up, her gaze unintentionally lingering for a moment longer than necessary before she quickly looked back down at her notes, hoping Ava wouldn’t notice. “And?”
Ava shrugged. “Nothing. Just observing.”
“Right.” Isla raised a brow. “Should I be worried about your ‘observations’?”
Ava grinned but said nothing, sipping her coffee as the café buzzed with the morning crowd. Isla shook her head, amused, before gathering her things. Just as she was about to stand, a shadow fell over their table.
“Skipping out on caffeine bonding time already?” a familiar voice teased.
Isla glanced up to find Ethan James Walker standing beside them, coffee cup in hand, his usual easygoing expression in place. He was effortlessly put together, as always, with an air of confidence that made him impossible to ignore.
Ava smirked. “Look who decided to grace us with his presence.”
Ethan chuckled, pulling out the empty chair beside Isla and sitting down uninvited. “You make it sound like I don’t see you two almost every day.”
Isla rolled her eyes but couldn’t fight the small smile tugging at her lips. “Maybe because you always show up unannounced.”
He feigned offense. “What, no warm welcome? I’m hurt.”
Ava snorted. “Please, you’re impossible to get rid of.”
Ethan turned his attention back to Isla, tilting his head slightly. “Nervous?”
She hesitated before offering a small shrug. “Not really. Just ready to get it over with.”
He studied her for a second before nodding. “You’ll do fine.”
Something about the casual reassurance caught Isla off guard, but before she could dwell on it, Ava cut in. “Alright, we all have places to be. Shoo, Walker.”
Ethan smirked, holding up his hands in surrender as he stood. “Fine, fine. Try not to miss me too much.”
As he walked away, Isla exhaled, realizing she’d been holding her breath.
Ava nudged her with a knowing look. “So…”
“No,” Isla said quickly, grabbing her bag and standing. “Let’s go.”
But as they left the café, she couldn’t shake the way her heartbeat had skipped, just for a second, when Ethan had looked at her like that.
Their trio had been inseparable since high school. Isla and Ava had been friends since middle school—Ava had always been the one to stand up for Isla when she was picked on. Ethan had transferred in their sophomore year, seamlessly becoming part of their world.
Later that morning, Isla entered the lecture hall where her group was supposed to present. The usual professor was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a man stood at the front, adjusting his sleeves.
“Good morning, everyone,” he greeted with a disarming smile. “I’m Mr. Mitchell. I’ll be taking over for Professor Hayes for the foreseeable future.”
A murmur spread through the room. Isla exchanged a glance with Ava.
“Now,” Mr. Mitchell continued, “I know some of you were expecting to present today, but consider yourselves lucky. Presentations have been postponed until next week.”
Relieved whispers filled the hall. Isla exhaled, tension melting from her shoulders, though something about Mr. Mitchell’s presence unsettled her. He was lively, engaging—even charming—but there was something else. Something she couldn’t quite place.
Mr. Mitchell clasped his hands together, offering the class a slow, easy smile. “I know, I know—some of you were looking forward to presenting today.” His tone held a teasing lilt as if he found the very idea amusing. “And some of you,” his gaze flickered across the room, pausing for a heartbeat longer in Isla’s direction, “were hoping for a little more time.”
Isla shifted in her seat, exchanging a glance with Ava, who raised an eyebrow in silent question.
Mr. Mitchell continued, pacing slightly in front of the podium. “I won’t keep you long today. Since we have a little extra time, I’d like to get to know you all better. Consider this an informal introduction. We’ll start with something simple—your name and something interesting about yourself.”
A collective groan rippled through the class.
“Come on now,” he said, chuckling, “I promise I don’t bite.” He leaned against the desk, his expression unreadable yet oddly intent. “Well, not unless necessary.”
The class laughed, but Isla felt the hairs on her arms rise. She wasn’t sure why. Maybe it was the way he said it like there was a joke hidden within his words that only he understood.
Ava shot her a sideways glance, mirroring her unease.
One by one, students started introducing themselves. Some went the predictable route—“My name is Jake, and I play for the university’s soccer team”—while others tried to be more amusing. “I’m Mia, and I once accidentally dyed my hair blue for a month.”
Then, it was Isla’s turn. She straightened in her seat, keeping her voice steady. “I’m Isla Sinclair, and… I once spent an entire summer trying to teach my cat how to high-five.”
A few chuckles followed, but she barely noticed. Mr. Mitchell had tilted his head slightly, watching her with the kind of interest that felt oddly scrutinizing.
“That’s dedication,” he remarked, his smile lingering a second too long. “Did it work?”
She hesitated before nodding. “Eventually.”
“Good.” He nodded as if that answer meant more to him than it should.
Ava nudged Isla’s knee under the desk, silent, What was that? Isla had no answer.
The introductions wrapped up, and Mr. Mitchell pushed off the desk. “Alright, I won’t keep you much longer. But I do expect all of you to be prepared for next week. No excuses.”
With that, he dismissed the class.
As Isla gathered her things, Ava leaned in. “Tell me I’m not the only one who thinks he’s… I don’t know. Suspicious?”
Isla exhaled, glancing toward Mr. Mitchell, who was organizing his notes with deliberate precision. “Yeah,” she muttered, watching as he looked up, his gaze sweeping across the room before locking onto hers—just for a fraction of a second.
“You’re not the only one.”
“Miss Sinclair?”
Isla turned slowly. “Yes sir?”
He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Looking forward to seeing your presentation next week.”
She nodded, offering a polite smile before hurrying out.
In a dimly lit room, two figures sat across from each other, their voices hushed yet urgent.
“We finally found her,” one of them said, fingers drumming anxiously against the wooden table.
The other leaned forward, eyes glinting in the low light. “After all these years... Isla Sinclair.”
A brief silence hung between them, thick with unspoken meaning.
“She doesn’t know yet.”
“Good. It needs to stay that way—at least for now. But we keep watching. She can’t slip through our fingers again.”
Meanwhile, Isla couldn’t shake the nagging sensation of being watched. At first, she dismissed it as paranoia, but as the hours passed, the feeling only grew stronger.
During lunch, she caught a glimpse of someone near the library entrance, their gaze fixed on her. But when she turned for a better look, they were gone. Later, as she walked through the campus courtyard, she felt it again—that prickle at the back of her neck. Each time she tried to spot whoever it was, they had already disappeared.
As Isla packed her things, Ethan leaned against the desk beside her. “You look like you’re carrying the weight of the world.”
She sighed. “More like the weight of this presentation.”
He grinned. “You’ll be fine. Worst case, you completely bomb it, embarrass yourself, and drop out.”
She shot him a look. “Wow. So encouraging.”
He laughed, nudging her shoulder. “Hey, if that happens, I’ll personally escort you out so you can dramatically declare, ‘I was too good for this place anyway.’”
She rolled her eyes but couldn’t help smiling. “Glad to know you have my back.”
“Always,” he said, a little softer this time.
They reached the campus gates, and Ethan ruffled her hair playfully. “Go home, Sinclair. Sleep. No more overthinking.”
She swatted his hand away with a laugh. “Goodnight, Ethan.”
“Night, Isla.”
As she walked home, warmth lingered from their exchange. By the time she curled up in bed, exhaustion took over, pulling her into much-needed rest.
