CZARINA

RED BOX

Seraphina arrived at school just in time, her heart racing as she parked her bike in its usual spot. The familiar sights and sounds of the bustling campus surrounded her, but an unsettling feeling lingered in the pit of her stomach.

As she walked through the corridor, she couldn’t shake the sensation that someone was watching her. She kept her head down, focusing on her worries rather than the curious glances of her classmates.

“Why do I feel like this?” she thought, anxiety gnawing at her. The weight of unspoken fears pressed heavily on her mind, making her feel isolated even in a crowd.Just as she was lost in her thoughts, she collided with Serene, her close friend.

“Hey, girl! Watch where you’re going! What’s wrong with you? Are you okay?” Serene asked, concern etched across her face. “Um, nothing. I’m just... um, never mind,” Seraphina replied, trying to brush off her unease. She didn’t want to burden Serene with her worries.

“Let’s go to class,” she said, forcing a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. As they walked together, Seraphina couldn’t help but glance back at the corridor behind her,

half-expecting to see someone lurking in the shadows. The feeling of being watched intensified, but she shook her head, trying to dismiss it as paranoia.

In class, the teacher droned on, but Seraphina struggled to concentrate. Her mind kept wandering back to the strange sensation that had followed her throughout the day. She glanced at Serene, who was taking notes diligently, and felt a pang of guilt for not being present in the moment.

“Focus, Seraphina,” she whispered to herself, but her thoughts remained clouded. The day dragged on, each tick of the clock amplifying her unease.When the bell finally rang, signaling the end of the lesson, Seraphina felt a wave of relief wash over her. She gathered her things, but as she moved to leave, she caught a glimpse of something—or someone—out of the corner of her eye. She turned quickly, but there was nothing there. Just the empty hallway and the distant chatter of students.

“Come on, let’s go,” Serene said, nudging her gently. “You okay? You seem a bit out of it today.”

“Yeah, I’m fine,” Seraphina replied, though her voice lacked conviction. “Just tired, I guess.”

As they stepped into the bustling hallway, Seraphina couldn’t shake the feeling that today would be different. The weight of her worries hung over her like a dark cloud, and she silently hoped that whatever was watching her would soon fade away.

Seraphina POV

I couldn't focus at all; my mind kept wandering back to the car that had been parked outside our shop for weeks. It felt like an ominous shadow looming over me, and I couldn't shake the growing unease that came with the nagging sensation of being watched.

RING!!! The school bell rang, pulling me back to reality. I sighed, realizing I hadn’t absorbed a single lesson today.

“Hey, let’s go to the canteen quick!” Serene exclaimed, her excitement infectious.

“You go ahead; I’ve got something to do,” I replied, forcing a smile to mask my unease. I watched as she skipped away, her energy a stark contrast to my swirling thoughts.

Once alone, I made my way to my locker. As I opened it, my heart skipped a beat at the sight of a small red box nestled among my books. Confusion washed over me. “Whose box is this?” I whispered, the words barely escaping my lips. The moment I touched the box, the feeling of being watched intensified, sending a chill down my spine.

With trembling hands, I reached for the box, my curiosity battling against the unease that clung to me. Suddenly, a hand landed on my shoulder, causing me to flinch and drop the box.

“Girl, what takes you so long?” Serene asked, her voice laced with concern. I sighed in relief, my heart still racing.

“Oh, it’s nothing. Just a little surprise,” I quickly replied, shutting my locker with a soft thud.

We made our way to the cafeteria, but the unease lingered. As we settled at our usual table, I found it hard to enjoy my lunch. My thoughts kept drifting back to the red box and the unsettling feeling that someone was watching me.

“Are you sure you’re okay?” Serene asked, her brow furrowing as she noticed my distracted demeanor.

“Yeah, I’m fine,” I lied, forcing a smile as I poked at my food.

But inside, I felt anything but fine.

The red box sat heavy on my mind, a mystery I couldn’t unravel. I glanced around the cafeteria, half-expecting to see someone staring at me, but all I saw were the usual faces of my classmates, lost in their conversations.

“Hey, let’s go sit outside,” Serene suggested, breaking through my thoughts. “It’s such a nice day!”
I nodded, grateful for the change of scenery. As we stepped outside, the sun bathed us in warmth, but the chill of my earlier thoughts still clung to me.

We found a spot on the grass, and I tried to immerse myself in the laughter and chatter around us.

But my mind kept drifting back to the box. What was inside? Who had left it for me? I felt a mix of anxiety and curiosity bubbling within me, and it was exhausting.

“Seraphina, you’re really quiet today,” Serene remarked, nudging me gently. “What’s going on?”

I hesitated, weighing my options. Should I share my concerns, or keep them to myself? “I just… I’ve been feeling a bit off lately,” I admitted, deciding to open up just a little. “Like someone’s watching me.”

Serene’s expression shifted to one of empathy. “That sounds creepy. Do you want me to walk you home after school? Just in case?”

I smiled, appreciating her concern. “Thanks, but I think I’ll be okay. I just need to shake this feeling off.”

As the lunch period drew to a close, I felt a sense of urgency to figure out the mystery of the red box. I resolved to open it as soon as I got home, hoping it would provide some clarity to the unsettling feelings that had plagued me for days.