Chapter 10: Shattered Peace
Eva POV
I woke up to a new day, a fresh start. I took a deep breath in and out, feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. I looked in the mirror, and my reflection showed a clean and neat girl, just the way I always liked to be. The events of the previous day seemed like a distant memory, and I was grateful to have a fresh start.
I put on my uniform, the one my father had bought me, and felt confident and prepared for the day. Just as I was about to leave the house, I heard the sound of the car outside. "I'm coming, Dad!" I exclaimed, grabbing my big textbook from the table.
I ran outside, and my father was waiting for me in the car, a warm smile on his face. "Good morning, baby," he said as I settled into the passenger seat. Today was special because my father had a contract with my school, and we would be going there together.
As we drove to school, my father's eyes kept drifting toward me, filled with a mix of concern and love. I knew he was still worried about the events of the previous day, but I didn't want him to be. So, I gave him a reassuring smile, trying to convey that I was okay.
"I'm fine, Daddy," I said, my voice light and carefree. "Don't worry about me."
He nodded, but his eyes still lingered on me, searching for any sign of distress.
When we arrived at school, my father parked the car and turned to me with a gentle reminder. "Be careful today, okay? Try to avoid any situations that might lead to what happened yesterday," he said, his eyes filled with concern.
I nodded, feeling a surge of determination. "I will, Daddy. I promise," I replied, trying to reassure him.
We parted ways, and I watched as he walked toward the school administration building, no doubt to finalize the contract for his carpentry work. I took a deep breath as I made my way to class.
I walked into the classroom, trying to shake off the lingering worries of the previous day. I tried to be careful, keeping a low profile as I scanned the room. I didn't want to draw attention to myself or become the target of anyone's cruelty. But as I glanced around, my eyes involuntarily searched for familiar faces. That's when I saw him—Garvin, sitting across the room, his eyes fixed on his phone.
He hadn't noticed my presence yet, or so it seemed. I felt a mix of relief. Maybe he had forgotten about yesterday's incident, or maybe he was just waiting for the perfect moment to strike again.
A shiver ran down my spine as I quickly looked away, trying to focus on the lesson. But my mind kept wandering back to Garvin, wondering what he was thinking, wondering if he would leave me alone today. I tried to push the thoughts aside.
I sat down at my desk, feeling a sense of relief wash over me as I laid my head down, trying to calm my racing thoughts. But my tranquility was short-lived, as I felt a gentle tap on my shoulder. I raised my head, expecting to see someone I knew, but there was no one there. Instead, I saw a small piece of paper on my desk, as if it had been left there for me to find.
Curious, I picked up the paper and unfolded it, revealing a brief message scrawled in hasty handwriting: "Be careful today and watch where you're going." A shiver ran down my spine as I read the words, wondering who could have written them and why.
Was it a warning from a friend, or a threat from an enemy? I looked around the classroom, trying to see if anyone was watching me.
That's when I saw him—Garvin, sitting across from me, his eyes locked onto mine with an unnerving intensity. My mind skipped a beat as our gazes met, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.
Then, he flashed me a wicked smirk before turning back to his phone, his expression a mask of nonchalance. But I knew. I knew he was the one who had written the note, and a surge of anger coursed through my veins.
I felt my face heat up as I stared at him, my eyes blazing with a mix of fear and fury. But I knew I couldn't let him get to me. I took a deep breath and tried to focus on my work, attempting to ignore him. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of seeing me rattled. But my heart still raced, and my mind whirled with questions—what did he want from me? And why was he playing these mind games?
As the morning class drew to a close, I felt an urge to escape the chaos of the classroom and clear my mind. I stepped out into the bright sunlight, searching for a quiet refuge where I could gather my thoughts. That's when I spotted the tree.
I walked towards it and settled down at its base, surrounded by the soothing rustle of leaves. I pulled out a book, a collection of poetry, and began to read.
As I flipped through the pages of my book, I noticed something strange—water droplets were splattering onto the paper. I tried to brush them off with my hand, but more kept coming. I looked up to see where the water was coming from and followed the drips with my eyes. That's when I saw him—Garvin, perched on a branch above me, a mischievous grin spreading across his face.
Before I could react, he poured an entire bowl of water over me, drenching me from head to toe. I gasped in shock, my book ruined, my clothes soaked. I looked up at Garvin, who was still sitting on the branch, laughing at me.