Hearing the chemistry teacher''s voice, Fiona finally stirred awake, feeling a bit


    groggy. She had dozed off, overwhelmed by tiredness. It was already three in the afternoon, and Alec, who sat next to her, had purposely let her sleep through the ss.


    As soon as she was awake, Fiona shot Alec a sharp look. She''d told him a million times to wake her whenever the teacher was nearby, but he''d clearly ignored her, probably hoping to see her caught out.


    "I know you''re a top student, Fiona, but that doesn''t mean you can ck off," the chemistry teacher remarked. "See me in my office after ss. I have some questions for you."


    With that, the teacher left the room just as the bell rang to end the ss.


    "Another trip to the office. Mr. Deston really has it in for me," Fiona muttered, reluctantly stuffing her books into her bag.


    "Well, you do keep nodding off in chemistry," Alec teased. "Even if you don''t love it, at least look like you''re paying attention."


    "It''s not that I don''t like it; it''s just way too easy. Not nearly as tough as what my dad used to teach me."


    "Your dad''s not just any dad, is he?"


    "Of course not, he''s just a regr dad," Fiona said, shing a mischievous grin. The whole world seemed to know she had the best parents, except for Fiona herself.


    Betty, looking worried, asked, "Fiona, are you alright? Do you think he''ll make you stand outside again, likest time?"


    Fiona shrugged, "How should I know? As long as he doesn''t make a scene, I''m good."


    She couldn''t quite shake the feeling that her chemistry teacher had some unexined grudge against her, though it never felt strong enough to genuinely worry about.


    "I think


    stern Deston''s alright, just a bit


    him.


    shouldn''t be too hard


    me toe with


    Betty offered, concerned.


    Fiona waved her off, "Nah, it''s no biggie."


    With that, she slung her bag over her shoulder and headed out of the ssroom.


    In the hallway, James was busy sorting his charts when he almost bumped into the chemistry teacher. He didn''t think much of it, but after a few steps, he turned back, feeling a strange familiarity with the tatt, slender figure he couldn''t quite ce.


    Back in the ssroom, James looked around and noticed Fiona''s usual spot was empty.


    "Alec, where''s Fiona?" he asked, his voice growing serious.


    Betty jumped in, "She dozed off in ss again, so the chemistry teacher took her


    to the office. She should be back soon."


    Hearing it was just another nap incident, James rxed a bit. He wondered when Fiona would get her aet together. Sleeping through school and scrolling her phone at night – she never to have a solid n.


    se


    Just then, his phone buzzed. Seeing it was Sophie, he quickly picked up.


    "Hey."


    "The person using The Silent Shadows'' name to cause trouble is Isaac."


    "Isaac?"