High School Populaire

Chapter 5

The morning of the next day, young Esmé walked into her biology class earlier than the rest to check on the hamsters. However, her smile was replaced by the expression of horror as a loud scream escaped her throat. People ran inside, standing behind or next to the frighten and shaking girl; their eyes widen. In front of them, the two hamsters were dead with their throat being sliced up. Their blood had been used to write a small but creepy message on the wall.

'Phantom's daughter beware.'

Our heroes read the words, repeatedly, different thoughts and expression. Still, all felt the pair of eyes watching them from somewhere.

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After the teachers came in, they locked the room and called the Janitor to clean it while hurried the rest to go to their classes. Students whispered between them, exchanging theories while also feeling sorry for the younger girl.

Gustave greeted his teeth, not liking how his little sister saw something like this. Yes, she would get on his nerves, but she would always be his little sister. He knew how sensitive she was and how such an incident would scar her. He dropped his books on the desk and sat on his chair, only for a second later to end up on the ground. He blinked in surprise and looked around him, his chair was now in pieces while the students around him laughed.

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Next class and Esmé was met with an empty locker. All her books and personal belongings had been missing, which filled her with panic and earned mockery from passing older girls when they spotted her standing in front of an empty locker.

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At the same time, Belle was sitting on the changing rooms' bench and talked with the other girls in the ballet class. She laughed and pulled her ballet shoes from beneath the bench before wearing the right one.

A gasp and a small scream echoed in the room as she pulled her leg away, only to see the blood that came from her shoes' inner. Something was telling her that this blood was not human and instead belonged to the dead hamsters.

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In the Theatre, a new rehearsal was held for the two protagonists to get better into their respective roles. Few students who worked backstage and the director were the only ones in the room with them.

The small rehearsal was cut short when a falling prop almost hit Joshua, saved by Angel. The girl had grabbed his forearm and pulled him out of harm's way as the prop banner landed a few feet away from them. She looked at it with narrowed eyes and then looked up, only to see no one there.

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During the break, the school was filled with whispers and gossips; all about our heroes who had suffered through the different pranks that took place throughout the school. None of them seems to like the attention and tried to seek refuge. A touch of destiny could be called, but our 4 heroes ended up all going to the library where they could find the longing peace they seek. However, that didn't mean they were friends as each one chose a different table and preferred the isolation.

The clock ticking sound was the only thing hearable in the big room as the seconds turned into minutes. Finally, Angel's silence was broken, who had noticed that Belle was pale and shaking slightly.

"Are you okay, Belle?" she asked from her table, her blue eyes filled with concern.

"Yeah... just a little... shaken..." the girl replied and swallowed the lump in her throat.