WHO AM I

THE GATHERING STORM

The atmosphere in the art room was thick with unease after Derek's warning. We gathered in a tight circle, strategizing our next move like soldiers preparing for battle.

"Okay, so if Derek's telling the truth, we need to figure out what the seniors are planning," I said, pacing back and forth. "We can't just sit here and wait for them to strike."

"I agree," Eli said, his eyes narrowed in concentration. "But how do we find out more without tipping them off?"

"Maybe we can gather intel," Noah suggested. "If we split up, we can keep an ear out for any chatter. We could blend in with the crowd at lunch tomorrow."

"Good idea," I replied, feeling a surge of determination. "We'll gather information and come back to regroup afterward."

As we made our plans, I couldn't shake the feeling that something was brewing beneath the surface. The laughter and camaraderie we'd built felt fragile, threatened by a storm of impending chaos.

The next day at lunch, we each took different tables, pretending to be absorbed in our own conversations. I sat with Lila, who was engrossed in a novel while trying to eavesdrop on the seniors' table nearby.

"Are you actually reading, or just using that book as a prop?" I teased, nudging her elbow.

"Hey, I'm multitasking!" she replied, flipping a page. "But I can still hear them talking."

Just then, I caught sight of Derek sitting at the senior table, looking tense. He glanced around, and I followed his gaze to see a few of his friends whispering and laughing, their eyes darting toward us.

"What's he looking at?" I murmured, leaning in closer.

"Looks like they're planning something," Lila whispered back, her eyes narrowing.

After lunch, we regrouped in the art room, tension bubbling beneath the surface.

"What did you hear?" Eli asked, leaning forward eagerly.

"I couldn't catch everything," I admitted, "but it sounded like they were making fun of the mural and planning to come back tonight."

"Great, we'll be ready for them," Jasper said, clenching his fists. "Let's show them we're not afraid!"

"Exactly," I said, my heart racing with adrenaline. "But we need a backup plan, just in case."

As evening approached, we set up our night watch again, this time with a more solid strategy. We stationed ourselves near the mural, with Jasper and Zara keeping watch at the entrance while the rest of us gathered closer to the artwork.

The night was eerily quiet, and the air was thick with anticipation. As the minutes ticked by, I found myself anxiously tapping my foot, my eyes darting around for any signs of trouble.

"Why does it feel like we're waiting for a horror movie to start?" Noah quipped, trying to lighten the mood.

"Because we are," I replied, a nervous laugh escaping my lips. "But we can't let our guard down."

Just then, we heard faint voices echoing through the hallway, growing louder as they approached. My heart raced as we exchanged glances, and I could feel the tension thickening in the air.

"Get ready," Eli whispered, tightening his grip on the flashlight.

The door swung open, and a group of seniors poured in, led by Derek. My heart sank as I recognized the troublemakers behind him—guys notorious for their pranks.

"Look what we have here," one of them sneered, eyeing our mural. "The art club, hard at work."

"Don't you dare touch it!" I shouted, stepping forward. "We're not afraid of you!"

Derek raised his hands, trying to diffuse the situation. "Guys, just chill. We're not here to vandalize anything."

"Then why are you here?" I challenged, my heart pounding in my chest. "If you're not here to cause trouble, why the secrecy?"

Before Derek could respond, one of his friends stepped forward, a smirk on his face. "We just wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Maybe we'll even give you some pointers."

"You mean pointers on how to ruin it?" Lila snapped, standing tall beside me.

"Relax, princess," he shot back, his tone mocking. "It's just paint."

But I could see the tension rising, the atmosphere electric with confrontation. This wasn't just a friendly visit—it was a challenge.

"Leave now, or you'll regret it," Eli warned, his voice steady but firm.

The seniors exchanged glances, clearly taken aback by our unity. But just as it seemed like they might back off, Derek took a step forward. "Wait. I came here to warn you for a reason. They really do want to ruin your mural. And if you think they're going to back off, you're wrong."

"Then what do we do?" I asked, the weight of the moment pressing down on me.

"You need to be prepared for anything," he said, a seriousness in his tone that cut through the tension. "And tonight might not be just about the mural—it might be about all of you."

With those words, the air shifted, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. The storm wasn't just brewing—it was about to break.