Back in the main hall, the section head stepped on stage.
"There will be no winter holidays for classes 9 to 12," she announced. "Students will remain on campus longer, focusing on exams, sports… and special training."
"Training?" Aleena Shehzadi whispered to Yumna. "Are we training to become spies now?"
"Maybe superheroes," Yumna replied with a grin.
"Aleena the Overthinker," Noor Fatima chuckled. "Her superpower is… asking too many questions."Everyone laughed softly, trying to hide it from the strict section head. As the announcement ended, the students began returning to their classes.
Before Class 9 could leave, another announcement echoed through the hall.
"Zanib Gulzar, you are appointed class proctor of Class 9."
Zanib walked up proudly. As the others returned to class, they felt something strange—almost like the air in the room had changed. A silence deeper than usual. A coldness, subtle but real.
They tried to shake it off. Probably just imagination.
A few minutes later, Zanib entered the class with a new girl beside her.
"Class, this is your new classmate. Her name is Minha."
Minha stood there quietly, dressed perfectly in uniform, with a soft smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
"Hello," she said softly. "My family just transferred here. I'll be studying with you from today."
She sat in the empty seat beside the window, looking around. Some girls waved at her. She waved back.
But then… she looked at Aleena Batool.
Her gaze was cold. Still. Sharp.
Fatima Noor Malik noticed it. She nudged Manahil Khan. "Did you see that?"
Manahil nodded. "She's staring at Aleena like she knows her… but not in a good way."
"Maybe it's nothing," Fatima whispered, trying to shake off the strange feeling.