The sun blazed overhead, unforgiving in its heat. The midday light was so harsh it seemed to pierce right through the air.
Diana slipped off her jacket with a sigh. She had planned to play golf after school, but the scorching weather made her abandon the idea. Instead, she cooled off with an iced coffee, taking a slow sip as she lounged on the café's cushioned bench. The place buzzed with passing customers, but Diana's focus remained locked on her phone. She was clearly waiting for someone.
A few minutes later, a girl with long hair tied back in a ponytail walked in and spotted her.
"Hey, Diana! Sorry I'm late. Mr. Brown made me hand in the chemistry assignment. Been waiting long?"
"Nah, just a few minutes. Go order your drink."
Tasya nodded and headed to the counter, placing her order with the barista. Soon she returned, a cup of coffee in hand, and slid into the seat across from Diana.
"So… you made up with her?" Tasya asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, I kind of had to. My credit card was being held hostage."
"I knew it. There had to be something in it for you. No way you'd just forgive her that easily."
"Honestly? I think we should stop focusing on her for now."
"What do you mean?" Tasya asked, confused.
"Miko. He's being threatened."
"Threatened?"
"Someone left a threatening note on his bag."
"It wasn't you, was it?"
"Sya, seriously? Why would I threaten the guy I like?"
"Heh. I mean… not entirely out of the question."
Diana gave her a look, but then her expression softened. "We need to find out who left that note," she said quietly.
"You think you know who it is?"
"I have a pretty good idea. But we can't do anything about it."
"Who?"
"There's someone… but let's just say it's better if their name doesn't come up."
Tasya fell silent, mulling it over. Whoever Diana was thinking of, it was clear she believed the person who left the note was someone with a connection to Claire.
The late afternoon sun filtered through the windows of Randy's house, casting a warm glow across the living room. Sam sat rigidly on the couch, his fingers loosely clasped around his phone. The silence between them stretched longer than usual.
"So," Randy said casually, grabbing a can of soda from the fridge and tossing one to Sam, "what's this really about?"
Sam caught the can, but didn't open it. "The note. The one Miko found on his bag today."
Randy raised an eyebrow, pretending to act surprised. "What about it?"
"You know what I mean," Sam said, quietly but firmly. "Did you write it?"
Randy didn't answer right away. He leaned against the kitchen counter, cracking open his drink. Then he let out a short laugh—dry, unamused.
"You really think I'd do something like that?"
"I think you already did."
Randy's expression dropped. The playful mask faded. "You got proof?"
Sam didn't answer. He didn't need to.
Randy stared at him for a moment, then sighed and sat across from him. His voice was lower now, harder. "Look. I'm not gonna lie. Yeah, it was me. I wrote it."
Sam's breath caught, even though he'd already suspected it.
"But you're not going to say anything," Randy added flatly.
Sam blinked. "Randy—"
"No." Randy cut him off. "After everything I've done for you? After all the times I bailed your family out? Paid your sister's medical bills? Got your mom sewing business? You're seriously going to look me in the eye and act like you don't owe me something?"
Sam clenched his jaw. "That doesn't make this okay."
"I'm not asking for your approval," Randy said coolly. "I'm telling you to keep your mouth shut. Miko's not good for Claire, and you know it. You've seen what happens when someone like him gets too close. He's going to ruin everything."
Sam looked down, the weight of guilt and debt pressing into his chest. "You're not the one who decides that."
"No," Randy said. "But I am the one who gave your family a roof when you couldn't pay rent. And I am the one who covered your school fees so you wouldn't get kicked out."
He leaned forward.
"So if I need you to stay quiet about one stupid note, you stay quiet. Got it?"
Sam swallowed hard. He hated this. Hated how Randy always knew exactly where to press. But worse than that — he hated that it worked.
"…Got it," he muttered.
Randy leaned back, satisfied. "Good. Friends look out for each other."
But Sam didn't feel like a friend. He felt like a pawn in something bigger, darker — something that was only just beginning.
The school library was unusually quiet for lunchtime. Sunlight filtered through the tall windows, casting soft, golden patterns across the tables. Sam sat alone near the back, a book open in front of him, though he wasn't reading it. His fingers tapped anxiously on the edge of the desk. The air around him felt thick — like guilt had a weight all its own.
He kept thinking about the note. The sharp words. The fear in Miko's eyes when he'd found it.
And Sam knew exactly who had written it. It was Randy.
"Hey."
Sam startled slightly as Claire slid into the seat across from him, smiling gently.
"You okay?" she asked, setting down her backpack. "You've looked like you're being haunted all day."
Sam forced a laugh. "Just tired. Chemistry's killing me."
Claire leaned back in her seat, her eyes scanning him for a second longer. But then she shrugged it off. "Tell me about it. Mr. Brown's questions are like riddles."
Sam gave a weak smile, grateful she didn't press further.
A few minutes later, Miko walked in and made his way over to their table, holding a tray with two drinks. He handed one to Claire and slid into the seat beside her.
"Saved you from the vending machine line," he said with a grin.
"You're a hero," Claire said with a wink.
Sam looked at them — how natural they seemed together, laughing, sharing small moments. Miko was trying hard to hide the nerves the note had left him with, but it was there — in the tightness of his smile, the way his eyes darted just a little too often toward the door.
But still… he didn't suspect anyone.
Neither of them did.
They had no idea that Randy had left that message. And they definitely had no clue that Sam was helping cover it up.
"Hey," Miko said suddenly, turning to Sam, "you coming to Claire's group study later?"
Sam hesitated, then nodded. "Yeah. Sure."
He didn't want to lie. But he couldn't speak the truth either.
Because Randy had made sure of that.
The courtyard was quiet after school, the fading sunlight casting a golden tint across the benches. Claire sat with Vienna under one of the trees, their bags tossed at their feet, books untouched.
Vienna took a sip of her iced tea, glancing at Claire, who was unusually quiet.
"You've been zoning out since lunch," Vienna said. "What's up?"
Claire hesitated for a second. Then, without looking at her, she spoke.
"Miko found something… weird in his bag. A while ago."
Vienna raised an eyebrow. "Weird how?"
Claire looked at her now. "Someone left a note. A threat, basically. It said something like, 'Don't stay close with Claire. Claire is not yours.'"
Vienna sat up straighter. "Wait—what?"
"Yeah," Claire said quietly. "He didn't tell anyone when it happened. Not even me, at first. I only found out recently."
Vienna's expression hardened. "You're serious?"
Claire nodded.
"That's—completely messed up," Vienna said. "Why didn't he report it? Or tell someone right away?"
"He thought it would go away," Claire replied. "Didn't want to cause drama. He said maybe it was just some jealous guy or someone trying to scare him off."
"Claire, that's not drama. That's harassment."
"I know."
Vienna crossed her arms, her foot tapping anxiously on the pavement. "Do you have any idea who might've done it?"
Claire shook her head. "None. Miko didn't recognize the handwriting. There were no clues. It could be anyone."
Vienna clenched her jaw. "This pisses me off. Miko's literally the nicest guy and someone's out here threatening him like it's a game. And if it's because of you—"
Claire's eyes dropped. "Yeah. That's what scares me."
Vienna was quiet for a moment, then spoke more softly. "You think someone's jealous of him? Of you two getting close?"
"I don't know what to think anymore."
Vienna looked away, her brows drawn together. "We should start paying attention. Whoever did this might try something again. And if they do—we'll be ready."
Claire gave her a grateful look, though worry still lingered in her chest.
What she didn't know was that the person responsible was closer than any of them realized.