Chapter 35

Laura POV

"The decorations in my favorite school cafeteria were surprisingly shockingly different, jolting me out of my thoughts. I wandered my gaze around, shaking off the fog, and realized that the cafeteria lady must have decided to give the place a new look. I walked down the crowded area, scanning the busy scene and noticing some hungry and annoyed students whose gazes were fixed on me."

As I navigated through the crowded cafeteria, I couldn't help but notice the curious glances from my fellow students. Some of them whispered to each other, pointing in my direction. I felt a surge of unease, my heart racing with anticipation.

Suddenly, a loud voice pierced the air, making me jump. “Laura! What's going on?" It was Nora, my best friend and confidant, at first when I got into the school. She pushed her way through the crowd with a concerned look on her face.

"Don't let her fool you, Laura," Valerie whispered, gently shrugging my shoulders. She flashed a fake smile at Nora, who approached us with a saccharine greeting. "Girl, you look stunning in that outfit!" Nora exclaimed, her voice laced with insincerity.

I thought to myself, That's a telltale sign of fake friends. Laura always looks stunning, Nora, so what's behind this sudden friendly tone and smile?

Valerie voiced my skepticism aloud, her eyes narrowing as she crossed her arms over her chest. "So, Nora, what's behind this sudden charm offensive? So what's the real reason for this flattery?”

"Well, we're friends, right?" Nora asked, her voice laced with a hint of uncertainty, as we walked down to the cafeteria. My stomach growled, protesting the delay in feeding, and I pulled out a chair, scraping it against the floor as I sat down and leaned back, trying to relax. Valerie took a seat next to me, while Nora stood awkwardly, her eyes fixed on us.

"Can I join you?" Nora asked softly, her index finger and thumb grasping the back of the chair, her eyes seeking permission.

I nodded, and Nora sat down, her eyes darting between Valerie and me, her smile faltering for a moment before she regained her composure. The tension at the table was palpable, and I wondered what Nora was really after.

"Hey Laura Stevenson, our pack's Luna, all hail Laura Stevenson!" the cafeteria lady exclaimed, her expression making me blush. I felt shy as everyone around us cheered and hailed from their respective tables. She placed the menu on our table, and my eyes widened as I scanned the options. "Ma'am, I'll have my usual," I requested, quickly handing the menu to Valerie.

The cafeteria lady smiled, her eyes twinkling with familiarity. "Coming right up, Laura. The usual, got it." She nodded and bustled off, leaving us to our conversation.

Valerie raised an eyebrow, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "The usual, huh? You're a creature of habit, Laura.”

"I guess so," I replied, shrugging nonchalantly. "I like what I like." Valerie chuckled. "That's our Laura. Predictable and loyal."

Nora, who had been quietly observing our exchange, spoke up. "So, Laura, what's the plan for today?"

I hesitated, unsure of how much to reveal. But Valerie's encouraging nod prompted me to open up. "I have a meeting with Frank by noon. He wants to discuss some... concerns."

Valerie's eyes narrowed. "Concerns? What kind of concerns?"

I waved my hand dismissively. "That's a question for another day, Val. Let's just enjoy our breakfast for now."

Valerie looked like she wanted to press the issue, but fortunately, the cafeteria lady arrived with our food, and the conversation was diverted. "Here you go, Laura, your favorite cheese and egg sandwich. And Valerie, I brought you the veggie omelet you asked for."

I smiled, taking a bite of my sandwich. The cheese and egg melted in my mouth, and for a moment, I forgot about meeting up with Frank by noon. But I knew it was only a temporary reprieve. The questions and concerns would resurface, and I would have to face them eventually.

As we ate, Nora chatted about her latest art project, and Valerie listened intently. I joined in, trying to push the worries to the back of my mind. But they lingered, like a shadow waiting to pounce.

"So, you girls are gossiping about me, huh?" I asked playfully, munching on my sandwich. My eyes glared with a hint of sarcasm, thinking, "Not again!"

But Valerie's sudden mutter caught my attention, and my eyes snapped back to her. "What's it, Val?" I asked, my conscience pricking at me.

Valerie's eyes darted around the cafeteria, as if she were checking to see if anyone was listening. "It's just... I overheard something," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

My heart began to race as I leaned in closer. "What did you hear?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

Nora's eyes widened, and she leaned in too, her curiosity piqued. "What's going on?" she asked, her voice full of concern.

But Valerie just shook her head, her eyes fixed on me. "I'll tell you later, Laura. Just be careful, okay?”

"Be careful?" I repeated, my mind racing with questions. But before Valerie could respond, the entire cafeteria fell silent. The majority of the students quickly got up and left, their faces filled with fear and anxiety.

I turned my gaze to the entrance, my heart sinking as I saw Clara standing there, her piercing eyes fixed on me. I felt a chill run down my spine as I sensed her presence, my eyes widening in fear.

Nora's voice was barely audible as she whispered, "What's going on, Laura?" But I couldn't respond; my eyes locked on Clara's menacing gaze.

Valerie's hand grasped my arm, her voice low and urgent. "Laura, we need to get out of here. Now."

But my legs felt like lead, and my body was frozen in fear. Clara's presence seemed to fill the entire room. I hate it when she's stalking me.