Chapter Four: The One Who Watches

 Title:"When stars forgot to fall"

*Chapter Four: The One Who Watches*

The wind whistled gently outside as Adaeze sat by her window that night, staring into the darkness. Her phone lay beside her, screen black, unmoving. The mystery that once sparked curiosity was now growing into something else something deeper. A mixture of fear, hope, and thrill.

Suddenly, her phone buzzed again.

*Unknown Number*: *I see how you hide behind your smile. But I also see your strength.*

She stood up quickly, drawing the curtains. Her breath hitched.

*Adaeze*: *Why won’t you show yourself?*

The reply came after a few seconds.

*Unknown Number*: *Because you’ll never look at me the same again.*

Her heart dropped. What did that mean?

The next day at school, Adaeze was more alert. Watching. Listening. Who could it be?

She glanced at Leo again. Calm, friendly, and distant. Then Ifunanya. Loyal, but something about her seemed… off lately. Was it possible? Could it be her playing tricks?

During break, she got a strange envelope slipped into her backpack. No name. Just her handwriting, traced in charcoal.

She opened it in the restroom stall.

Inside was a note: 
*“Your silence is beautiful. But your story is louder than you think.”*

And a photograph.
It was her. Sitting alone on the school rooftop, from behind. She hadn’t even known someone was there that day.

Her hands trembled. This was no longer just cute. This was someone watching her—closely.

Back at class, she couldn’t focus. She kept replaying the photo in her head. When was that taken? Who took it?

After school, she rushed to confront Leo.

“Leo,” she called.

He turned. “Hey. What’s up?”

“Where were you during lunch yesterday?” she asked.

He raised a brow. “Why?”

“I just want to know.”

“I was with Coach. Extra training.” He smiled. “Why? You worried about me?”

She forced a smile back, heart sinking. “No. Just asking.”

He walked off.

But someone else had been nearby. Watching her again.

That night, she got a voice note.

It was her name… whispered.

“Adaeze.”

Just once.

And then nothing.

She dropped her phone in shock. Someone was near. Someone wanted her attention—badly.

And they were getting it.

*End of Chapter Four*

Authored by: Dah caramel girl 💕
NBD/SP/AG/IV/PT151