WHO AM I

THE SHOWDOWN BEGINS

The day started like any other. But Lila knew better—nothing was normal anymore. The weight of the message from the unknown number still pressed on her chest as she sat through her classes, barely paying attention to the lessons. The minutes ticked by painfully slow as she wondered who had sent that message. What did they want?

Noah sat beside her in history, oblivious to her anxiety. His foot tapped lightly against the floor, and every so often, he would shoot her a smile, completely unaware of the storm raging in her mind. She tried to smile back, but it felt weak, forced. She could feel herself unraveling, and soon, she'd have to confront whatever was waiting for her.

When lunch finally came, Lila found a quiet corner in the school courtyard, away from the chaos of students and their drama. She needed time to think, time to figure out what her next move would be. But before she could settle into her thoughts, Cathy and Jasper appeared out of nowhere—again.

"Guess who brought snacks!" Cathy chirped, holding up a bag of chips as if it were the cure to all life's problems.

Jasper sat down beside her, smirking. "So, you gonna tell us why you've been spacing out all day, or do we have to guess?"

Lila sighed, running a hand through her hair. "I just have a lot on my mind, that's all."

Jasper gave her a look. "Lila, you've had a lot on your mind since the first day I met you. This feels different."

Cathy nudged her. "Yeah, spill! You've been more distant than usual."

Lila opened her mouth to respond, but before she could say anything, her phone buzzed again. Her heart jumped as she pulled it out, dreading what she might see.

Unknown: "Don't keep me waiting, Lila."

She quickly put her phone away, hoping Cathy and Jasper didn't notice. But of course, Jasper did.

"What was that? A secret admirer?" Jasper wiggled his eyebrows, but his teasing tone quickly faded when he saw the look on Lila's face.

"Lila, what's going on?" Cathy asked, her voice suddenly serious.

Before she could answer, Noah appeared, his usual calm demeanor immediately soothing Lila's frayed nerves. He sat down next to her, his arm brushing against hers. "Hey, everything okay?"

Lila shook her head. "Not really."

Noah's eyes narrowed in concern. "What's wrong?"

She hesitated for a moment, glancing around at her friends. She trusted them, but the weight of what she was about to say felt heavy in her chest. "I think someone's following me. I've been getting these weird messages—"

Noah's expression darkened, and he immediately leaned in. "What kind of messages?"

Lila unlocked her phone and handed it to him. He read through the texts, his jaw tightening with each one. "Who sent these?"

"I don't know," Lila whispered, her voice barely audible. "They want to meet me. Today."

Cathy gasped. "Lila, this sounds serious. You can't go alone."

"Yeah, this is like horror movie level stuff," Jasper added, his usual playful demeanor gone.

Noah shook his head. "You're not going. Not alone."

"But—" Lila started to protest.

"No 'but,'" Noah interrupted. "We're coming with you. I don't care what they said about coming alone."

The Meeting

Lila's heart pounded in her chest as they arrived at the meeting spot—a deserted parking lot near the edge of town. The sky was darkening, casting long shadows across the asphalt. Her stomach twisted with anxiety as she scanned the area, searching for any sign of whoever had been tormenting her.

Noah stood close beside her, his eyes sharp and alert. Cathy and Jasper lingered a little further back, trying (and failing) to look inconspicuous.

"Are you sure about this?" Noah whispered, his voice low and protective.

Lila nodded, even though she wasn't sure at all. "I just want to get this over with."

Suddenly, a car pulled into the lot, its headlights cutting through the gloom. The car door opened, and out stepped... Renzo.

Lila's eyes widened in shock. "Renzo?!"

He walked toward them slowly, his hands in his pockets, a cocky grin on his face. "Surprised to see me?"

Lila's mind raced. "You... You've been the one sending me those messages?"

Renzo chuckled. "Of course not. But I do know who did."

Lila's heart sank. If it wasn't Renzo, then who? And why was he here?

Noah stepped forward, his expression hard. "What's your game, Renzo?"

Renzo shrugged nonchalantly. "No game. I just thought I'd watch the show."

Before anyone could say anything else, another car pulled up—a sleek, black sports car. The door opened, and out stepped a man Lila had never seen before. He was tall, well-dressed, with an air of confidence that sent chills down her spine.

The man smiled, but there was no warmth in it. "Lila, we finally meet."

Lila's pulse quickened. This was it. Whoever this man was, he held all the answers.

Song: "Demons" by Imagine Dragons
(Perfect to heighten the tension, as Lila faces the unknown, unsure of what will come next.)

The man's eyes flickered to Noah, Cathy, and Jasper. "I told you to come alone, Lila."

Lila swallowed hard, her voice shaking. "Who are you?"

The man smirked. "All in good time. But for now... consider this a warning."

Before anyone could react, the man turned and got back into his car. The engine roared to life, and he sped off into the night, leaving them all standing there, stunned.

Renzo's grin widened. "Looks like the game just got a little more interesting, huh?"

Lila felt a chill run down her spine. This was far from over.

Suspense continues...