The hallway buzzed louder than usual.
Students crowded around the trophy display, phones already out, whispering over one unbelievable fact.
The Student of the Year Trophy was gone.
Not broken.
Not misplaced.
Gone.
Only an empty velvet stand remained behind the glass.
By second period, rumors had spread across the entire school.
Someone had stolen it.
By lunch…
The security footage had leaked.
The grainy recording showed only two students walking through the academic hallway before the cameras mysteriously cut out.
Guest.
And, five minutes later…
Ethan Nakamura-Hayes.
The principal wasted no time.
Now the two biggest rivals at Westbridge High were standing outside the principal’s office, both equally confused—and equally irritated to find the other already there.
Ethan adjusted his messenger bag and glanced sideways.
“…Of course it’s you.”