The whispers started before Chloe Bennett even walked into the classroom.
She felt them the moment she stepped through the door.
A pause in conversation.
Eyes lifting.
Phones lowering.
Then the quick, guilty looks away.
Westview High had always been good at gossip. Secrets moved through the halls faster than wildfire, especially when those secrets involved the school’s most popular couple.
Chloe and Tristan Hale.
Or at least… what people thought they were.
Chloe kept her expression perfectly neutral as she walked down the aisle between desks, her white sneakers squeaking softly against the polished floor. On the outside, she looked exactly the same as she had every other morning—perfectly styled hair, light gloss on her lips, cheer uniform jacket slung casually over one shoulder.
Inside, though, something cold had taken root.
The memory of last night still burned behind her eyes.
Tristan’s hands on Luna’s waist.
Luna wearing her necklace.
And that ring—engraved with the initials Z.C.
Zoe Collins.
Chloe slid into her seat by the window.
Tristan sat two rows ahead, leaning back in his chair like he owned the room. His golden-boy smile was firmly in place as he joked with two guys from the basketball team.
For a moment, Chloe studied him carefully.
Anyone else would think he looked normal.
Relaxed.
Confident.
But Chloe noticed the small things.
The way his fingers tapped against the desk.
The way his shoulders stiffened when someone mentioned the party.
The way his gaze flicked—briefly, nervously—toward the door.
Waiting.
For Luna.
Right on cue, Luna Garcia walked in.
She looked as angelic as always—long dark hair, soft smile, oversized sweater hanging off one shoulder. The picture of sweetness.
If Chloe didn’t know better, she might have believed it too.
Luna’s gaze swept the room before landing on Chloe.
For a split second, something sharp flashed in her eyes.
Then it vanished.
“Chlo!”
Her voice was bright, warm, perfectly normal as she hurried over and dropped into the seat beside her.
“You left the party early last night. I was worried.”
Chloe forced a small laugh.
“Yeah. I wasn’t feeling great.”
That part, at least, wasn’t a lie.
Luna tilted her head, studying her face.
“You look tired.”
“I barely slept.”
Luna’s lips curved slightly.
“Bad dreams?”
The words were casual.
But Chloe felt the hidden blade inside them.
For a brief second, neither girl spoke.
Then Chloe shrugged.
“Just stress. Cheer regionals are coming up.”
Luna watched her a moment longer.
Testing.
Probing.
Looking for cracks.
Chloe gave her none.
Finally, Luna leaned back in her chair.
“Yeah. Stress can mess with your head.”
Her tone carried something almost sympathetic.
Almost.
Across the room, Tristan turned in his seat.
His eyes met Chloe’s.
Concern flickered there.
Or maybe guilt.
He stood and walked toward them.
“Hey.”
His voice was soft as he stopped beside Chloe’s desk.
“You disappeared last night.”
Chloe forced her expression into something fragile.
“I told Luna—I wasn’t feeling good.”
Tristan’s brow furrowed.
“Why didn’t you text me?”
Because I was busy watching you kiss my best friend in the woods.
The thought burned through Chloe’s mind, but she kept her voice gentle.
“My phone died.”
Tristan hesitated.
Then he nodded slowly.
“Right.”
Luna leaned forward, resting her chin on her hand.
“You know,” she said lightly, “Chloe’s been acting kind of weird lately.”
Tristan’s gaze snapped to her.
“Weird?”
Luna gave a small shrug.
“She forgets things. Zones out during conversations.”
Chloe felt the shift in the room.
Students nearby were listening now.
The rumor mill turning.
“Yesterday she asked me where Zoe Collins used to sit,” Luna continued casually.
Chloe stiffened.
“That’s not—”
“You did,” Luna insisted softly. “Remember?”
Several students exchanged glances.
Zoe Collins.
Even a year later, the name carried weight.
The girl who fell from the rooftop of the abandoned science building.
The girl whose death Westview had quietly labeled an accident.
Tristan’s face drained of color.
“Why would you ask about Zoe?”
His voice sounded strained.
Perfect.
Chloe lowered her gaze, letting her shoulders tremble slightly.
“I… I don’t know.”
Silence filled the classroom.
“I’ve been having these dreams,” she whispered.
Luna’s eyes sharpened.
“Dreams?”
Chloe nodded slowly.
“About the night she died.”
The temperature in the room seemed to drop.
Tristan stepped closer.
“What kind of dreams?”
Chloe looked up at him.
Straight into his eyes.
“In the dream,” she said quietly, “she’s standing on the roof.”
Tristan’s breathing quickened.
“And?”
“She’s not alone.”
A chair scraped somewhere across the room.
No one was pretending not to listen anymore.
Tristan swallowed hard.
“Who’s with her?”
Chloe held his gaze for a long moment.
Then she shook her head.
“I never see their faces.”
Luna laughed suddenly.
Light and dismissive.
“Okay, that’s creepy.”
Her voice cut through the tension.
“See what I mean? Chloe’s been obsessing over this.”
“I’m not obsessing,” Chloe murmured.
Luna leaned back in her chair again.
“I think you’re just stressed.”
The classroom door opened before Chloe could respond.