Veiled Vendetta

CHAPTER THREE

During the break, the girls strolled together to the bustling cafeteria, grabbing their lunch before settling at a table. Amidst the chatter and the aroma of food, Izzy's attention was drawn to Luiz and his friends, encircled by a group of girls from different sections of the school.

Sensing Izzy's curiosity, Nina followed her gaze and reassured her, "It's fine, those girls are from other sections. The guys are really popular, especially Luiz and Alex." Acknowledging Nina's explanation, Izzy nodded in understanding, her focus shifting back to her friends at the table.

As they indulged in their meals, Jade's call beckoned Jay and the other boys to join their group. The table buzzed with conversation, laughter, and the shared camaraderie of friends coming together during the break.

During their interaction, Nina, in her friendly and welcoming manner, requested Izzy's phone number and social media handles. Extending a gesture of camaraderie, she added Izzy to their group chat, facilitating seamless communication among the friends. Izzy reciprocated, exchanging contacts with the others, solidifying the budding connections she was forming at her new school.

During lunchtime conversations, Evy's introduction of Izabella to Luiz initiated a brief exchange between them. Izzy's surprise at being a topic of conversation was evident as she turned to Evy, questioning, "You guys talked about me?"

Luiz, with a calm and amiable demeanor, explained, "Yeah, they just wanted to tell me about you since I wasn't here yesterday." Izzy accepted the explanation with a nod, understanding the context.

As they continued eating, Izzy's sense of being observed led her to glance around, only to find Luiz's gaze fixed on her. The sudden attention prompted Alex's inquiry, breaking the momentary silence. "Luiz, why are you staring at Izzy?" he questioned, unintentionally drawing everyone's attention.

With a subtle shift in the conversation, Luiz directed a query at Izzy, asking, "Izzy, were you in City W yesterday?" Caught off guard by the directness of the question, Izzy hesitated for a moment before responding, "I don't know. I did go there for a while. Mom gave me errands to run, that's all."

Acknowledging her response, Luiz casually mentioned, "Yeah, I thought I saw you yesterday." This interaction prompted a thought in Izzy's mind, signaling it as the right time to inquire about 'Izaiah,' the missing link from her life.

As the conversation steered towards the subject of a mysterious person, Izzy's inquiry about a certain individual stirred awkward tension among the group. Jade's curiosity prompted her to question Izzy further, "Who are you talking about? What is the guy's name?"

Responding tentatively, Izzy recalled, "I think it came from the letter I. Something like I... Izaiah, I think." Her words hung in the air, eliciting a peculiar reaction from everyone present. Their expressions turned peculiar, and Nina interjected abruptly, stating, "We don't talk about him."Perceiving the shift in the atmosphere, Izzy turned to Nina, her curiosity piqued, and questioned, 

"Why?" Jade chimed in, adding a layer of explanation, "It's just an unsaid rule in our school." The air of mystery surrounding the name 'Izaiah' remained unexplained, leaving Izzy puzzled by the unexpected reaction of her peers and the enigmatic nature of the subject.

As a group of seniors made their way into the cafeteria, their presence caught Izzy's attention. Alex, noticing her interest, shared some insights about them. "They are the same class as Izaiah used to be in," he informed her.

Izzy's gaze fixed upon the group, observing their behavior. She witnessed an unsettling sight as they pushed a boy aside, leaving her with a negative impression. Disturbed by their actions, she turned to Alex, expressing her desire to learn more about them.