When The Bell First Rang

Chapter 7

The Missing Papers

I’ve always loved the play Romeo and Juliet. Ever since primary school, I would talk about it endlessly—about courage, choices, and standing firm even when the world is against you. Sarah used to tease me that I bragged about it too much. But secretly, I think that story made me believe that even ordinary people like me could be brave. Maybe that’s why I carry the name Juliet with so much pride.

That morning, however, courage felt far away.

When I reached class, my heart dropped instantly. My desk was open. My English and Science notebooks were gone—the same ones I needed to prepare for the upcoming competition. My hands began to shake.

Sarah rushed to my side. “Juliet… what’s wrong?”

“My books,” I whispered. “They’re gone.”

Panic spread through my chest. Without those notes, I would fall behind. And deep down, I already knew who could be behind it—but I had no proof.

During the first lesson, Rina kept glancing back at me with a calm smile, as if nothing was wrong. Her confidence made my stomach twist. I tried to concentrate, but the words on the board blurred before my eyes.

At break time, whispers spread again.

“She lost her notes.”
“She probably misplaced them.”
“Or maybe she’s not as smart as she wants us to think.”

Each word felt like a stone thrown at my heart.

As I stood alone near the classroom block, someone brushed past me gently. A folded paper slipped into my palm.

Check the old library shelf behind the history section.

I spun around—but no one was there.

My heart raced. Could this be a trap? Or help?

With Sarah by my side, I sneaked to the old library during lunch break. The place was dusty and quiet. Slowly, trembling with fear and hope, I moved toward the history shelves.

Then I saw them.

My missing notebooks.

Neatly stacked.

My breath caught in my throat.

“I knew it,” Sarah whispered. “Someone wanted to scare you.”

But who?

As we turned to leave, a shadow shifted near the doorway. A student stood there briefly before disappearing down the corridor.

That night, as I lay on my bed, clutching my books tightly to my chest, one thing became clear:

Someone in this school was watching me.

And they were quietly fighting on my side.

But the mystery had only just begun.
---