~Haunted in harmony ~ /Paige bueckers/

002

Nobody's pov -

The following week at Uconn was a blur of classes, practices, and social events, but an unsettling sense of unease had settled over both Paige and Gabriella. Despite their ongoing rivalry, both girls couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, a lingering shadow that seemed to follow them everywhere. Being next-door neighbors, their proximity only heightened their awareness of each other's discomfort.

Paige was the first to notice the strange occurrences. It started with small, easily dismissible things—a locker left open when she was sure she'd closed it, books knocked over in her room, and her gym bag moved from its usual spot. At first, she brushed it off as forgetfulness or clumsiness, but as the days went on, the incidents became harder to ignore.

One evening, after an exhausting practice, Paige returned home to find her front door slightly ajar. Her parents weren't due back for another hour, and her little brother was still at a friend's house. Heart pounding, she cautiously stepped inside, her eyes scanning the dimly lit hallway. Nothing seemed out of place, but the feeling of being watched sent chills down her spine. She quickly locked the door behind her, telling herself it was just her imagination playing tricks.

Across the driveway, Gabriella experienced similar unnerving events. It began with misplaced items—her phone not where she'd left it, her cheer uniform mysteriously crumpled in her locker, and strange noises in her house at night. Gabriella tried to rationalize it, but the fear gnawing at her was hard to ignore.

One night, while studying for an upcoming test, Gabriella heard a soft tap at her window. She looked up, but saw nothing in the darkness beyond the glass. Her heart raced as the tapping continued, slow and deliberate. Gathering her courage, she approached the window and peered outside, but there was no sign of anyone. The shadows seemed to play tricks on her, shifting and swirling in the dim light.

The next day at school, Paige and Gabriella's friends noticed their unease. During lunch, Azzi and the others tried to lighten the mood with jokes and gossip, but it was clear something was bothering the two rivals.

"Hey, you guys okay?" Nika asked, concern evident in her voice. "You both seem really on edge lately."

Paige exchanged a glance with Gabriella, a rare moment of mutual understanding passing between them. Neither wanted to admit their fears, especially not to each other.

"Just tired," Paige muttered, poking at her lunch with a fork.

"Yeah, same," Gabriella added, her usual sparkle dimmed.

Their friends exchanged worried looks but didn't press further.

As the day went on, the strange occurrences continued. Paige found another unsettling note in her locker, this one reading, "I see you." Her hands trembled as she crumpled the paper, a cold sweat breaking out on her forehead.

Gabriella, meanwhile, couldn't shake the feeling of being followed. Walking home after cheer practice, she heard footsteps echoing behind her. She quickened her pace, glancing over her shoulder, but saw no one. By the time she reached her house, she was practically running, slamming the door shut behind her and locking it tightly.

That night, as Gabriella tried to sleep, the shadows in her room seemed to creep closer. The soft rustle of leaves outside her window sounded like whispers, and the darkness felt oppressive. She tossed and turned, unable to find rest.