The sun dipped lower as we finished laughing. It felt like the whole world belonged to us. But there also lingered a feeling of unease. I had the sense that someone was watching us.
I quickly shook my head from side to side, trying to catch the intruder in the act. But there was no one to be seen.
"Is something wrong?" Mio asked, turning her head to the side.
With a bit of worry, I said, "No, it's nothing. Really!"
Mio narrowed her eyes. "You know, Cleo, you can't just lie like that. But if you don't want to tell me what's bothering you, I won't ask again."
"It's okay, Mio. It's really not that important," I said with a half-baked smile.
"If you say so... then I won't ask further questions."
"Thank you, Mio," I breathed out.
Mio smiled, showing a glimpse of her perfect white teeth. "There's no need to thank me. I just wish you were a little more honest with me."
Before I could answer, my phone rang.
"Sorry, I have to take this," I said, taking it out of my pocket.
Mio nodded understandingly.
I swiped the screen to the right without looking at who was calling and put the phone to my ear...
Suddenly, a sharp sound blasted through the speakers. The phone might have been on its lowest volume, but the noise was far too loud—I thought you could even hear it from outside the building. My ears felt like they were bleeding.
"You! Classroom! Now!" Mita's voice echoed through the hallway. She immediately hung up.
I nervously breathed out and murmured, "Just what does she need now?"
Mio tilted her head, her expression unreadable. "Seems like your little friend needs something from you. You should go."
I nodded. "Yeah, you're right... See you later?"
She smiled and nodded. "Later."
I walked down the hallway and stopped in front of the doors of the abandoned classroom. I breathed out, and just as I was about to put my hand on the doorknob, the doors swung open, and there stood Mita, hands on her hips, pouting.
"Took you long enough," she raised her voice. "Did you get lost on the way here? Or were you too busy... laughing with her?"
I froze. Was it her who had been watching us?
"Just what do you want?" I asked, annoyed by her antics.
"That keychain. Give it to me." She extended her hand, palm outstretched.
"What? No!" I squeaked. "Why would I give it to you?"
"Oh! Come on! It could be dangerous!" She waved her hands while explaining.
"Why would it be dangerous? And what do you have against Mio?" I raised my voice, now angry.
"You don't know what she's capable of yet. You should stop talking to her altogether."
Her words cut deep, like knives. "You can't just choose who I'm friends with and who I'm not!" I yelled a bit too loudly.
"Don't be so naïve, Cleo! She's not what she seems. And the keychain is proof enough."
I instinctively gripped the keychain in my pocket, holding it tightly in fear it would be taken away.
"If you know something I don't know about Mio, then say it! And don't just play these weird games with me!"
Mita's face softened. "You know I warned you. So when something happens, it will be your fault," she said, her voice low and tinged with sadness, as she walked out of the classroom.
After Mita left, the only sound in the empty classroom was my own pounding heartbeat. My hands still clutched the keychain tightly as I let out a nervous breath.
Is there really something about Mio that I don't know?
To calm myself, I walked over to the window and pushed it open, letting a stream of fresh air fill the room. The cool breeze brushed against my face, carrying the faint scent of the afternoon outside.
I leaned against the windowsill, staring out at the quiet courtyard below. For a moment, everything seemed normal. But deep down, I couldn't shake the feeling that things were far from ordinary.
"Oh? Is that Mio I see?" I wanted to yell her name, but a strange feeling in my chest stopped me. What if Mita was right about everything?
Suddenly, a black cat darted across the courtyard, its small bell jingling with every step. It ran straight toward Mio, something shiny clutched in its mouth.
My eyes widened. What is it holding?
Mio bent down, taking the shiny object from the cat's mouth, and petted the animal with a smile.
It was small, glimmering in the sunlight, but I had no idea what it was.