Addison’s POV

The chill of the November breeze nipped at Addison’s cheeks as she approached the school parking lot. The familiar hum of voices and the scent of fall leaves should’ve comforted her, but they didn’t. Everything felt...off. Her heart was heavy, and the familiar weight of Zed’s concern was the last thing she wanted to face right now.

She barely stepped onto the cracked pavement when Zed appeared out of nowhere, his towering frame cutting through the crowd. His warm hazel eyes, usually filled with playfulness, were now darkened with worry. He crossed the distance between them in seconds, his brow furrowed as his gaze locked on hers.

“Addison!” he called, his voice tinged with desperation. “Where have you been?”

“Zed,” she started, attempting to sound nonchalant, “I was—”

“You were what?” he interrupted, his voice raising slightly as he stepped closer. “Addison, you disappeared for 6 months. I called you. I texted you. Nothing. Do you know how worried I was?”

Addison flinched, guilt twisting in her stomach. “I wasn’t trying to scare you, okay? I just...needed some time to myself.”

“To yourself?” Zed’s voice softened, but his frustration still simmered beneath the surface. “Addy, if something’s wrong, you can talk to me. Don’t shut me out like this.”

Her resolve wavered under his pleading tone, but she couldn’t tell him the truth. How could she explain the pull she felt toward Bellatrix or the strange memories surfacing in her dreams? It was too much, too dangerous to involve him in.

“I’m fine,” she insisted, forcing a smile. “Really, Zed. I promise. It was just...stress. School, family, everything.”

Zed didn’t look convinced. “If something’s going on, I want to help. But you have to trust me.”

Addison hesitated, looking into his earnest eyes. He deserved honesty, but for now, half-truths would have to suffice.

“I know,” she said softly, touching his arm. “I trust you, Zed. I just need time to sort things out.”

He sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. “Okay. But if this happens again, I’m not letting it slide. Deal?”

“Deal,” Addison replied, relieved that he was letting it go—for now.

---

Bellatrix’s POV

“So, what’s with the Barbie routine?” Bellatrix drawled, leaning against the lockers in the dim hallway. “You’re staring at her like she just walked out of a horror movie.”

Luna shot her a sharp look, her delicate features tense. “It’s not a joke, Bellatrix. Something’s wrong with Addison.”

“Something’s always wrong with Addison,” Bellatrix retorted, a smirk tugging at her lips. “She’s the poster child for existential crises and fake smiles. Did she finally crack?”

“Stop,” Luna said firmly, stepping closer. “I’m serious. She’s...different. Ever since she came back, she’s been acting strange. Distant. Like she’s hiding something.”

Bellatrix arched a dark brow. “Isn’t that her thing, though? Miss Perfect can’t keep her secrets straight?”

“It’s not just that,” Luna said, her voice low and urgent. “There’s something else. Something...unnatural. I feel it every time I’m near her.”

Bellatrix rolled her eyes. “Oh, please. You’re just paranoid because of the new kids.”

Luna’s lips pressed into a thin line. “Maybe. But you felt it too, didn’t you? When we walked by them this morning.”

The memory surfaced unbidden, and Bellatrix’s smirk faltered. There had been something odd about the new kids—an electric hum in the air, like the calm before a storm. But admitting it wasn’t her style.

“Fine,” she said, crossing her arms. “They’re weird. So what? It’s high school. Weirdos come with the territory.”

“This is different,” Luna insisted, lowering her voice. “I think they’re dangerous. And if Addison’s involved with them...”

“Addison wouldn’t know danger if it hit her in the face,” Bellatrix interrupted, her tone laced with sarcasm. “But fine. Let’s say you’re right. What do you want me to do about it? Play detective?”

Luna hesitated, her eyes scanning the hallway. “I want you to watch her. Keep an eye on those kids. If anything feels wrong, we’ll figure out what to do.”

Bellatrix snorted. “Babysitting Addison? Hard pass. But spying on people? That I can do.”

“I’m serious, Bellatrix,” Luna said, her tone sharp. “We can’t let this slide.”

“Relax, Luna,” Bellatrix said with a lazy wave of her hand. “I’ll handle it. If anything goes boom, I’ll make sure I’m far enough away not to get fried.”

Luna shook her head but said nothing more as Bellatrix sauntered off, her smirk firmly back in place. Beneath the sarcasm, though, a sliver of unease crept in. Something was brewing, and Bellatrix wasn’t sure she liked the smell of it.

---

Addison’s POV

By lunchtime, Addison was exhausted. Zed’s questions still lingered in her mind, but she pushed them aside as she entered the cafeteria. She spotted her friends at their usual table, but a flash of movement in the corner caught her attention.

Wiccan or the name he goes by now "Liam", ivy, and Rowan.

They were sitting together, their heads bent as they spoke in hushed tones before they saw her  and immediately motions for her to come over to them

“Addison,” Zed said, his voice gentle. “Come sit with us.”

She hesitated, glancing between him and wiccan and the witches.

“Okay,” she said softly, letting him guide her to their table.

Wiccan wasn't pleased in the slightest.

---

Bellatrix’s POV

Bellatrix perched on the edge of the roof, watching the parking lot below as students spilled out of the school. Her sharp eyes caught Addison’s stiff movements as she walked toward her car, Zed trailing behind her.

“Curious,” she muttered, tapping her fingers against her thigh.

“What’s curious?” a voice asked behind her.

Bellatrix didn’t turn. “Addison’s playing the mysterious loner act. And her new friends that she pretends not to know? They scream trouble.”

“Then why are you smiling?” Luna said, stepping beside her.

“Because trouble is fun,” Bellatrix replied, her grin widening. “And I have a feeling this little game is just getting started.”