Chapter 1: The New Me
Samira Ayensu had mastered the art of going unnoticed. At Kingston High, it was safer to be invisible—no drama, no rumors, no disappointments. She walked the halls like a ghost, blending into the walls, never raising her voice or her hand.
But that was before summer happened.
Before she cut her braids, bought her first red lipstick, and promised herself that this year, things would be different.
“Hey... Samira, right?” a voice called behind her.
She turned, heart nearly leaping out of her chest. Aiden Blake. Star of the soccer team, perfect hair, always surrounded by people. The boy she’d secretly liked since freshman year. He was talking to her.
“Uh, yeah,” she said, gripping her binder so tightly her fingers ached.
“I like your necklace,” he said. “Looks kinda... vintage.”
It was. Her grandmother’s. A tiny gold heart locket that never opened, no matter how hard she tried.
That same day, the fire alarm blared during sixth period. Chaos. Smoke. Screams. Sirens.
The east wing went up in flames.
When school resumed two weeks later, things were different. The halls were quieter. The teachers looked tired.
And one person was missing: Janelle Aboagye.
Queen bee. Fashion queen. Aiden’s ex.
Gone.
Everyone said she moved away suddenly. But Samira remembered seeing her right before the fire—arguing with someone in the stairwell. Someone with a red backpack. Someone Samira recognized.
But when she asked around, people stared blankly.
“Janelle? Who’s that?”
Even Aiden.
“Are you okay, Samira?” he asked gently. “There’s no one at this school by that name.”
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