Rasazy's Fundamental Paper Education AU 2.0

Perplexity

Zip's POV

Zip couldn't help the wide grin that spread across her face as she and her two friends strolled out of the school gates, the sun dipping low on the horizon. The day's prank had been another successful one—well, at least in her opinion. The other students, of course, had responded with their usual mix of confusion and disgust, but what did that matter? For Zip, the only thing that counted was the thrill of the act and the entertainment that came from watching it all unfold.

She let out a soft chuckle, recalling their latest scheme. But as she was about to share her amusement, something caught her attention—Edward was frowning, a rare sight from her usually carefree friend. Curiosity piqued, she nudged him with her elbow.

Zip: "Hey, Edward, what's with the gloomy face? It's not like you to get all serious after a prank."

Edward shook his head, as if trying to shake off the odd feeling clinging to him.

Edward: "It's just... something felt off today."

Oliver, walking alongside them, raised a brow at that. "Weird? How so?"

Edward hesitated before continuing, his usual nonchalance faltering. "Normally, when Miss Grace lectures us after a prank, she tears into us for hours, right? But today... I don't know, it felt different. Hollow. And we didn't even get dragged into her office this time. I can't shake the feeling that something's up."

Oliver stroked his chin thoughtfully, his gaze fixed ahead as he mulled over Edward's words. "Now that you mention it, she was... different. Less fire, more... distracted. That's not like her at all."

Zip waved them off with a dismissive hand, laughing lightly. "C'mon, you guys are overthinking it. Maybe she's just in a good mood today! You know, even principals have their off days, right?"

But even as she said it, a small flicker of doubt crept into her mind. Miss Grace was nothing if not consistent—and "off days" weren't exactly her style.

Oliver: "Maybe... but I've got a gut feeling. Something's not right."

Edward: "Yeah, but... what can we do about it? We're not exactly detectives, you know."

Zip shrugged, though the carefree attitude wasn't quite as convincing as it had been a few moments ago. "I'm telling you guys, it's no big deal. We'll be back to detention soon enough—just give it time."

But as they walked into the setting sun, a sense of unease lingered between them, casting a long shadow over what should have been a triumphant day.

Mr. Demi's POV

Mr. Demi closed his front door with a soft click, the comforting weight of familiarity settling over him like a warm blanket. The smell of fresh coffee filled the small but cozy space, mingling with the savory aroma of the pizza he'd just heated up. His guitar sat propped up in the corner, waiting patiently for its next song.

As he sat down at the kitchen table, taking a bite of the cheesy, delicious pizza, he allowed himself to finally relax. The day had been long—too long. Between wrangling the usual troublemakers and dealing with their latest prank, all he wanted was a quiet night at home.

But as much as he tried to unwind, there was something that kept gnawing at him—a lingering thought, a moment that hadn't quite left him since it happened.

The girl.

He had seen her earlier, in the nurse's office, when he'd gone looking for Miss Grace to report the pool prank. She had been speaking to the girl—a student, he assumed. But there was something off, something strange about her.