What happened yesterday—Jessica was sure it wasn't just her imagination. She knew something was seriously wrong with Sintria Palace. Especially since Jammy had been getting sick a lot lately for no clear reason. Isn't it true that toddlers randomly getting sick and fussy could be because of... supernatural stuff?
Could she ask her dad to leave this place? No way. Javiero would be in so much trouble. Jessica had no choice but to endure it for at least four more months—until the hotel was demolished. Well, four months isn't that long.
Knock knock knock!
Sam knocked on Jessica's room door.
"Hey! You done yet? Let's get breakfast!" he called out.
"Yeah, just a sec, bro!" Jessica replied while slipping on her shoes. Once ready, she grabbed her bag and headed out to meet him.
Sam smiled when he saw his little sister, and Jessica smiled back.
"Alright, let's go!" Sam slung his arm around her shoulder, and they walked together.
The elevator doors slid open, and they stepped inside, heading to the dining area. But just a few seconds in, the air inside suddenly turned cold and heavy. From the elevator's mirrored walls, Jessica saw a man standing between her and Sam. She couldn't see his face clearly, but he was definitely there. Her heart raced, her curiosity screaming to turn around and see his face—but fear held her in place.
Ding! The elevator finally opened.
Jessica rushed out like her life depended on it, leaving Sam confused as heck.
The two of them left the elevator behind.
"Wait up!" A boy came running, seemingly out of nowhere. He stuck his arm between the doors just in time, and the person already inside held it open for him.
"Thanks," the boy panted.
"You're up early. Rare sight," he said again.
"Shut it, Jaka."
"I'm just asking. Why are you always so cold, Sollon?"
"Because there's nothing to talk about between us."
Ding! The elevator opened again, and Sollon walked out without another word.
"Pfft. Whatever. I'm Belphegor. Way too lazy to start conversations with idiots like you. Now, where's that punk Halton? I'm starving."
***
"So, how's breakfast today?" Halton asked Jessica while they were walking in the lobby.
"Super yummy! Loved it," Jessica answered enthusiastically.
"Glad to hear that," Halton smiled shyly.
Behind them, Sam watched the boy with narrowed eyes. Something about Halton rubbed him the wrong way. Was he ... hitting on Jessica?
Sam suddenly cut between them, throwing an arm around both. "Wow, getting real close with Halton, huh? Forgot your big bro was walking right behind you?"
"Haha, no way. You're just super slow, bro," Jessica chuckled.
Sam turned to Halton. "What's with the cross necklace? You wear that all the time?"
"This?" Halton touched the silver crucifix around his neck. "I, uh … I get haunted a lot, so I wear it for protection."
"Haunted?" Sam echoed.
"Yeah. This place, Sintria Palace, it's been abandoned for years. They say it's super haunted," Jessica added.
Sam chuckled and nodded.
"Have you had anything weird happen since we moved in?"
Jessica glanced at Halton briefly, then smiled at Sam. "Nope, not at all."
"Good."
***
"See ya!" Jessica waved as Sam rode off on his motorbike. He always dropped her off at school before heading to his college classes. That was their daily routine.
Sam was already in his second year of university—super smart. He'd even skipped two grades, leaving Lucy behind in 12th grade. If only Sam still went to this school, Jessica probably wouldn't be bullied so badly.
Jessica walked into her classroom… and froze. Serena and her gang—including Lucy—were sitting in her seat.
"W-what's going on?" Jessica asked nervously, facing the school's cheerleader trio.
Seeing her made Serena roll her eyes and smirk behind the lollipop she was sucking.
"You really wanna play dumb now?" Serena said, standing and walking toward her.
"W-what do you mean?" Jessica stepped back, her voice shaking.
"'W-wat do you mean'," Serena mocked in a high-pitched voice. "You seriously got guts, huh? Posting that video of me smoking and bullying someone? Trying to ruin me online? You tryna die?!"
Jessica backed up until her spine hit the cold wall. Serena kept coming, casually but menacing.
Why wasn't anyone helping? The classroom was packed, but no one moved. They just watched—or worse, recorded.
Right. Jessica forgot—no one ever cared about her. Not even Winter, who was sitting nearby, looking down. Jessica knew she was scared of Serena too, but ... it still hurt.
Jessica was snapped out of her thoughts when Serena suddenly grabbed her chin harshly. "You know what happens to snitches like you, right?" Serena hissed.
"I-I didn't post anything, I swear!" Jessica stammered.
"Lies." Serena shoved her phone in Jessica's face. "That's your account! And you still wanna deny it?"
Without warning, Serena smacked Jessica across the face, knocking her to the floor.
Serena knelt and grabbed her hair, forcing her to look up. "If my parents get called to school because of this, I swear—you're done. Your life's gonna be hell. Don't even think about running from me."
Finally, she let go, and Jessica crumpled to the floor in sobs, her fists clenched around her skirt. She hadn't posted anything. Who was trying to frame her? Wasn't her life already miserable enough?
She glanced toward Winter again, who was just... watching from afar, looking sorry—but doing nothing. Maybe she was too ashamed to help someone like Jessica.
***
The lunch bell rang. Jessica queued with everyone else in the cafeteria. After getting her tray, she spotted Winter sitting alone and headed toward her—
Smack!
Clatter!
Someone purposely tripped her. Her tray flipped, food splattered across the floor.
Laughter erupted all around her.
"Oopsie. Did you fall? My bad. On purpose, though. Hahaha!" Serena said smugly.
Jessica sat up slowly. Yeah, that voice was unmistakable.
"Oh no, all your food's gone," Serena said mockingly. "Still hungry? Here, have mine." She placed her half-eaten tray on the floor in front of Jessica.
"Same, I'm full too," Hussey added, placing hers down too.
"Don't waste it, eat up," Lucy smirked, adding hers to the pile.
Jessica's dignity was crushed, but she was too scared to fight back. She lowered her head, trembling with embarrassment.
Suddenly—
"What the hell is this?!"
A voice rang out.
Not Winter. A different girl. Jessica looked up and her eyes widened. It was Karina—Joan's girlfriend, the most popular girl in school—standing beside him.
Karina helped Jessica to her feet, then turned to face Serena and the others. "I'm so done with your crap! Don't you feel ashamed? Bullying a girl who's smarter than all of you combined?! Is that all you can do?"
Serena snorted. She casually fixed her hair and got up to face Karina. "Wow, where've you been all this time? Don't act all high and mighty now. You've seen me bully her before and said nothing. Kinda late to play savior—four semesters too late."
"Serena!" Joan suddenly stepped in. "Watch your mouth! Don't talk to Karina like that!"
"Ugh, whatever. Let's bounce," Serena waved her hand and left, followed by Hussey and Lucy.
"You okay?" Karina asked Jessica.
"I-I'm fine," Jessica mumbled, head still bowed.
"Fine? You're bleeding!" Joan pointed out her bruised knee. Jessica looked down—surprised. She hadn't even noticed it.
"Let's get you to the nurse's office," Karina said, already taking Jessica's hand and leading her away.
At the nurse's room, Karina helped her onto the bed and grabbed the first-aid kit. Joan sat on the couch nearby, silently watching.
"You've had a rough time, haven't you?" Karina asked while preparing the cotton and antiseptic. "Honestly, I didn't mean to ignore what's been happening to you. But I heard people say you were the one who provoked her .…"
"I-it's okay. I'm just happy you helped me today," Jessica smiled shyly, flinching a little as Karina dabbed her wound.
"If they mess with you again, just tell me, okay? I'll have your back," Karina said with a sincere smile.
Jessica smiled back, heart swelling.
"I'm jealous of you," Jessica blurted out suddenly, making Karina freeze mid-motion.
"Why?" Karina asked.
"You're kind … smart … pretty … and you've got lots of friends and—"
And you're dating the guy I like, Jessica finished in her mind.
"And what?" Karina asked, tilting her head.
"And .…"
Just then, Karina's phone rang. Jessica breathed a sigh of relief as Karina got distracted.
Karina answered the call while Jessica stole a glance at Joan. A soft smile crept onto her lips.
'Even when he's just sitting quietly … he looks perfect,' she thought.
"Okay, I'm coming," Karina said, ending the call. "Joan!"
"Yeah?"
"Can you take care of her? Ningning says there's been an accident in the dance room."
"Uh, sure," Joan replied, slightly confused.
Karina left. Joan walked over to Jessica and took over the first-aid.
"What's your name?" he asked, breaking the silence.
"H-Harrison Jessica. From class 2 Science 1," she replied nervously.
Joan nodded.
"You don't like me, do you?" Jessica asked quietly, flinching as he applied the antiseptic.
"Huh?" Joan looked up. "Do we even know each other?"
"W-well, we've, like … bumped into each other a lot."
"Ohhh. You're that girl who keeps crashing into me."
Jessica turned bright red. She was too flustered to even scratch her neck.
"Don't overthink it," Joan said casually. "I'm cold to everyone I don't know. Sorry if I ever upset you." He smiled.
Oh. My. God, Jessica screamed inside.
"N-no, it's fine! I'm sorry for bumping into you so often," she stammered, trying to smile back.
Was this real? Was she actually talking to Joan? One-on-one? And he smiled at her?
Jessica silently wished … this moment would never end.