The next morning, sunlight streamed through the window, drawing golden lines across the floor of the girls' dorm room. The six girls—Lemon, Scarlett, Hazel, Evelyn, Autumn, and Riley—were already awake, their hair still damp from their showers, brushing it out or tying it up as they dressed for the day. The atmosphere was light for once, their usual buzz of banter filling the room like the chirping of morning birds.
Scarlett was in the middle of struggling with her eyeliner. "I swear, if this turns out uneven again, I'm just going to cry."
"You already look like you've been crying," Hazel teased, snatching the eyeliner from her. "Here, let me help before you turn into a raccoon."
Autumn was sitting cross-legged on her bed, scrolling through her phone. "Guys, I think something's up. There's an announcement about to happen."
As if on cue, a loud crackle came from the speakers installed in every room. A female voice, clear and authoritative, echoed through the hostel.
"Good morning, students," the principal began. It was Principal Raina Castor, whose voice was instantly recognizable. "You are all requested to assemble at the main field immediately. That includes students from both the girls' and boys' hostels. Thank you."
The announcement ended with a short beep.
"The main field again? Isn't that just the assembly ground?" Riley groaned, flopping backward on her bed.
"Maybe they're planning a surprise test," Evelyn said, her tone sarcastic.
Lemon rolled her eyes, brushing her long bangs out of her face. "Don't curse it, Eve."
"Let's just go and get it over with," Scarlett muttered, grabbing her sneakers.
The girls gathered their essentials and headed out. As they stepped into the morning air, dozens of other students emerged from their rooms, all heading in the same direction. The assembly ground was already filling up. Students from both hostels stood in small groups, sleepy and curious.
On the podium, Principal Raina stood confidently with a mic in her hand. She adjusted her glasses and cleared her throat before speaking.
"As you all are aware," she said, "you were scheduled to have two days off starting tomorrow. However, due to some unforeseen reasons, we will now extend that break to five days."
A collective cheer burst through the crowd.
"Oh, thank God!" someone from the boys' side yelled.
"We finally get a break from this hell," another muttered, drawing laughs.
The girls looked at each other and sighed simultaneously. It was the first peaceful news in a while.
"Five days off," Hazel whispered. "That's like… almost freedom."
"Almost," Riley agreed.
Once the announcement ended, the students began dispersing in excitement. The six girls walked back to their dorm, their steps light with the news.
Back in the room, they began gathering their belongings. Suitcases were pulled out, clothes tossed into bags, and snacks hidden in corners finally eaten.
Riley raised her brow and said slyly, "So, Lemon… going home means no Leon for five days. Tragic."
Lemon, who was folding a hoodie, paused mid-air. "Oh my God, here we go again."
Evelyn threw a sock at her. "Come on, don't lie. You're gonna message him the moment you step into the station."
Hazel giggled. "She probably already drafted it. 'Leon, I'm on my way, hold me in your virtual arms.'"
"You guys are so annoying," Lemon muttered, but she was smiling.
Scarlett leaned in with a mischievous look. "When's the wedding? Should we start practicing bridesmaid speeches?"
Lemon threw a pillow at her, and a mini pillow fight broke out before they finally settled down and finished packing.
Scarlett dropped onto the bed and grinned. "You can't lie anymore, girl. The way you look at him, it's like you're starring in a rom-com."
"Rom-com? More like a full-blown drama," Autumn said. "The kind where the girl tries to act tough but secretly wants to hold his hand."
"I do not!" Lemon snapped, cheeks tinted pink.
Evelyn walked by and gave her a light poke. "You literally smiled when he offered you his notes last week."
"Yeah," Hazel chimed in, "and let's not forget the lunch sharing."
"That was one time—!"
"Multiple times," Scarlett corrected.
"Whatever," Lemon mumbled, zipping her bag a little too hard.
The teasing didn't stop. It never did. But deep down, Lemon didn't mind. Not really.
The next day, early in the morning, the girls began leaving one by one.
Riley, Autumn, and Hazel took buses. Evelyn and Scarlett had booked cabs together. Lemon was the only one heading out through the metro.
As she waited for her train, she pulled out her phone and messaged Leon.
Lemon: I'm on the way home.
A minute later, his reply came.
Leon: Take care, and message me when you reach home, okay?
Lemon smiled softly and replied with a thumbs-up emoji.
The metro ride was uneventful. She stared out the window most of the way, headphones in, trying not to think about the events of the past few weeks. But Ellara's photo still hovered at the back of her mind like a shadow.
When she finally reached home, she wheeled her suitcase through the front door and dropped onto the living room couch.
She opened the girls' group chat.
Lemon: Reached home.
Riley: Me too.
Evelyn: Me three.
Autumn: Me four.
Hazel: Me five.
Scarlett: Me six.
She smiled at the chaotic responses.
Then she opened her private chat with Leon.
Lemon: Now home.
Leon: Rest well, my detective
She chuckled at the reply.
Later that evening, Lemon sat at her desk, scrolling through photos again. Her eyes paused on one—the same photo she had been staring at for days. The girl with the round glasses. Ellara.
Her thoughts swirled.
A gentle knock came on her door. Then it opened slightly.
"Lemon?" her mother called, stepping inside. Flora Elise Carter was a graceful woman with sharp, kind eyes and a soothing voice.
"Hey, Mom," Lemon replied.
Flora walked over and placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder. "What are you doing?"
Lemon turned the phone slightly. "Remember I told you about the murders… and the investigation?"
Her mother frowned slightly. "Yes, I remember. But you really shouldn't stress yourself with this too much."
Lemon sighed, but her eyes didn't leave the phone screen.
Flora leaned closer and glanced at the screen. Her face changed slightly.
"Wait… that girl," she said, pointing. "Why does she look so familiar?"
Lemon's head whipped toward her mother. "Which girl?"
"That one," Flora said, tapping the image of Ellara.
"You mean… Ellara?" Lemon stood up, eyes wide. "You've seen her before?"
"I don't know. Maybe. She just seems… familiar. I feel like I've seen her somewhere before, but I can't place it."
Lemon grabbed her mother's hand tightly. "Please, Mom, if you remember anything—even the smallest thing—tell me. It's so important."
Flora gave her daughter a gentle, reassuring squeeze. "Okay. I promise. I'll try to remember. But for now, don't stress. Just… rest a little, okay?"
Lemon nodded slowly, and Flora exited the room.
Left alone, Lemon sat back down. She stared at the photo again.
Then she whispered softly to herself.
"I also feel like she's familiar. And now Mom does too."
But why?
Who is she?