Arian

Arian's pov

The moment I stepped onto campus, I felt preying eyes on me. They were everywhere around me, crawling up my spine like cold fingers.

Students whispered in corners. Some stopped walking altogether to look at me well. Others didn’t bother hiding their disgust. One guy even scoffed as he walked past, shaking his head like I was some pathetic joke.

I wanted to disappear. Only if the ground could open and swallow me whole. My feet could barely hold me up but I kept moving forward like they were detached from the rest of my body. Every step pushed me closer to judgmental gazes.

But what can I do? I didn't even do what they accused me of. I didn't steal anything.

“Arian!”

I turned my head and saw April storming down the walkway, her wild pink curls bouncing behind her and her brows pulled together in a straight line. She looked like she hadn’t slept either.

The moment she reached me, she grabbed my arm and pulled me to the side. “Where have you been?” she asked.

She didn't allow me to answer before she threw another question at me. “You didn't touch the money right?”

“You know me, April. You know I didn't touch the money.” I replied, voice barely above a whisper.

Her lips parted, but she paused. “But the news said you took the money… how is that even possible?”

“I don't know, April ” I stepped back. “I’d never do something like that. Why would I steal from the club I built from scratch?”

She searched my face for a second. I could see her doubt fading but not completely, just enough for her to nod and walk beside me.

“Is someone trying to set you up?” she asked.

I didn't answer her immediately. The thought also came to my mind but who would have done it? I'm not the type that makes enemies. And I haven't had a fight with anyone, not even recently. The only person I met recently was Kael and he didn't even know about it.

“If this is a set up, we have to find out who's behind it.” April added.

“I have to go to the director’s office first. She texted me this morning.”

I checked my phone again like the message would suddenly vanish but it didn't. The words hadn’t changed nor did the sinking feeling in my stomach.

“So the director already knows… that's big trouble, Arian.” April said beside me.

“I have to do something, April. I can't lose my scholarship and my future.” I sighed.

“We will get to the bottom of this, Arian. You are not alone.” she said, her hand squeezing my shoulder.

As we walked through campus, I felt like a ghost. A visible one to be precise. People moved out of the way, not like they feared me, but like I was contaminated. A scandal affecting the school reputation.

But I kept my head down, ashamed. I was tempted to scream that I was innocent but what would it do?

The director’s office sat on the third floor of the administration building. It has large windows, polished doors, and glass walls that made you feel watched before you even stepped in.

I knocked once, then again when no one answered.

“Come in,” said a calm voice.

I entered while April waited at the reception.

Director Palmer sat behind her desk, poised as ever. She was a tall woman, elegant and composed, always dressed in those plain but expensive-looking suits. Her face didn’t show anger or disgust. The only thing I saw on her face was exhaustion.

“Arian smith,” she said, gesturing to the seat across from her. “Please sit.”

I did.

The director folded her hands together and stared for a few seconds. Not cold, not cruel. Just in an assessing way.

“Arian, what happened?” she asked.

“I don't know ma'am,” I managed to say.

“What do you mean you don't know? The news about your embezzlement is everywhere.” She said with a surprising calm voice.

She wasn't accusing me. It looked like she didn't believe the news either.

“It is fake news” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “I woke up this morning to dozens of messages. Accusations and threats. People saying I stole money from the Book Club. I didn’t do that, ma’am.”

“I’m not here to throw accusations, Arian,” she said calmly. “I want the truth.”

“That is the truth,” I said quickly. “I have records. Every purchase we made with the money. I have records of every club activity that involved money. I documented all of it.”

The director sat back, watching me. Her eyes didn’t narrow with suspicion.

“Then you must understand how serious this is,” she said. “This isn’t just a school club gone wrong. The Book Club is tied to the Orleans College Community Initiative Grant. That money doesn’t come from the school’s budget, it’s from sponsors and donors who trusted this institution. The scandal reflects on us all.”

I swallowed hard. “I understand, ma'am.”

“I’ve already received calls from two donors demanding answers,” she continued. “They’ve seen the online chatter. And they want accountability.”

“I didn’t even know this was happening until I checked my phone a few minutes ago. I swear, I’ve done nothing wrong.”

She was quiet for a long moment, then turned her monitor around so I could see.

On the screen was a blurry screenshot from a chat group. My name, my face, and a fake spreadsheet, supposedly showing me transferring club funds to a personal account.

It made my stomach turn. The person who did this took it really personally. I really want to know what I did wrong to deserve all this.

“That’s not real,” I said instantly. “That document is fabricated. I’ve never made any transfers outside of the club’s expenses. You can check with the bursary. I submitted all official receipts.”

She looked at me carefully. “I’ll investigate. But until this is resolved, you’re suspended from all club activity.”

My heart dropped. “But Director Palmer, that club is all I have. My scholarship is tied to the club.”

“I know. And I’m not saying you’re guilty. But until this is cleared, you can’t hold a leadership position, and you can’t participate in any school representation.”

I felt the blood drain from my face. I gripped the edge of the chair as tight as I could.

“I’ll prove I didn’t do it,” I said, my voice trembling with desperation. “I’ll find out who’s behind this. I just need time.”

“You have until the review board meeting next week. If you can bring evidence, I’ll advocate for you. But if this turns out to be true, I won’t be able to protect your scholarship, Arian.”

She turned the monitor back toward herself and picked up a file.

“You may go.”

I stood slowly. “Thank you,” I said quietly.

As I stepped out of the office, I had only one mission on my mind, which is to find out who did this to me.