Chapter 4: Room 212 and the Blushing Ghost

I reached inside and found a key, with a note attached: "Room 212."

Grayson coughed and snatched the key from me. "If I’d known it was in there, I wouldn’t have let you open it."

I shot him a look, grabbed his chin, and gave him a quick once-over, eyebrow raised.

He slapped my hand away, annoyed. "What are you doing?"

I smirked. "Just checking if you’ve got a filter for all the garbage that comes out of your mouth."

I rolled my eyes and walked off, leaving him sputtering. He stared after me, completely lost.

Lila patted his arm gently. "She said you talk crap every time you open your mouth."

Grayson: "…"

Marcus tried to comfort him, but couldn’t stop himself from snickering and had to turn away, shoulders shaking.

Grayson’s face turned red as he glared at my back, plotting his next move.

"What’s the big deal? You only have Lila protecting you."

I almost laughed. Sure, Lila was protecting me, but he had no idea I’d seen more ghosts than he’d had exes.

But if I said that, he’d just call me superstitious.

So I shot back, "Yeah! Better than ditching your first love and running off alone. Besides, dream girl and rumored girlfriend—perfect match, right?"

I looked at the others. Riley nodded like a bobblehead, Marcus was red as a boiled shrimp trying not to laugh.

But Lila, the one involved, had her head down, cheeks pink, lips curled in a shy smile.

Wait! Why is she blushing?

Something’s off—did she misunderstand?

I rushed to explain, "No, I mean—"

Lila looked up, her eyes sparkling, a ripple of emotion passing through them.

I swallowed. The words stuck in my throat, panic fluttering in my chest.

"Sis, you don’t have to say anything. I get it."

She walked over, gently pushed the door. The crew had unlocked it when I found the key, so it opened easily.

Lila, cheeks still pink, ran out, looking so bashful it made people’s imaginations run wild.

Crap! She definitely misunderstood.

The chat was going crazy.

[I’m losing it—this is too good to be free!]

[No way, Nora-Lila is the real deal. It’s just for show.]

[I don’t care—girls with girls is the best. Men, stay out of it.]

[Seriously? You’re shipping this? It’s obviously a PR move for Nora. Wake up!]

[Yeah, get the nepotism out of here. Stop riding on Lila’s popularity.]

We all made our way to Room 212, each with our own thoughts swirling. There was a bloody handprint on the classroom door—enough to make your scalp tingle and your stomach drop.

While everyone was focused on the door, a shrill voice rang out.

"What are you all doing out there?"

Marcus yelped and jumped behind me. "Nora, protect me."

Lila hugged my arm, annoyed, and tried to push Marcus away, but he wouldn’t budge. She looked up at me with big, pleading eyes, making it impossible to say no.

Fine, fine, whatever you want.

I pulled Marcus out from behind me and shoved him toward Grayson. "Here, your chance to shine."

Grayson tried to protest, but the creepy voice came again.

"Come in. Class is starting."

Her tone was so commanding, it felt like there was no way to argue.