Chapter 4

"Come on, everyone! Dig in!" Toby stood up and addressed everyone. "If we run out of food, we'll just order more. Eat up!"

Everyone chimed in with agreement, picking up food and filling their plates. Compliments echoed around the room.

I was the only one sitting completely still.

Abby, sitting right next to me, chewed on a piece of meat and turned to look at me. "Leia, why aren't you eating? The food's really good."

I forced a weak smile. "I-I'm not really hungry. You guys go ahead."

"Even if you're not hungry, you've got to eat a little. It's our welcome party!"

As Abby spoke, she used the serving spoon to drop a piece of broccoli onto my plate.

"You kept saying everything was spicy today. Here, this broccoli doesn't have a speck of chili on it. Eat up."

As I stared down at the broccoli on my plate, my stomach knotted in fear.

"I'm really not hungry…" I nudged my plate slightly to the side.

A student sitting across from me leaned forward and offered a friendly smile. "Leia, what's wrong? Do you not like the food? There are plenty of other dishes here."

"Yeah, try some! Everything tastes amazing."

More and more eyes drifted toward me.

Toby noticed the commotion too. He walked over with a drink in hand. "Hey Leia, did I order something that's not to your taste?"

I gripped the fabric of my jeans tightly over my knees. "No, it's not that. I just…"

Every single eye in the room was fixed on me.

Right at that moment, a familiar voice called out from behind. "Leia?"

I spun around.

Mom was walking over with a bright smile on her face.

"Mom, what are you doing here?"

"Your dad and I are heading back tomorrow, so I wanted to pop in one last time to see how your get-together with your classmates was going."

Smiling, Mom stepped up beside me. She glanced down at the food on my plate and then around at my classmates. It didn't take her a second to catch on.

"Oh, Leia's just a bit socially anxious. That's all. She doesn't dare touch her food when there are too many people around."

I stared at the food inches away, then looked back at the eyes that were watching me.

To test my theory, I opened my mouth and bit off a small piece of broccoli.

The second it hit my tongue, I kept trying to reassure myself.

However, a split second later, a tidal wave of scorching heat exploded on my tongue, and a sharp pain instantly seared through my mouth.

That sensation again! It was even spicier than before!

Oxygen drained rapidly from my lungs. My vision flickered toward black, and a loud ringing buzzed in my ears.

Why? I was given a second chance at life, so why was it still ending like this?

Just as my consciousness threatened to slip away, every piece of the puzzle—along with my previous suspicions—suddenly clicked together.

I understood now! I finally knew what was going on!

Gathering the very last drop of my strength, I pulled out the carton of iced milk I'd prepared in advance. I shoved the straw into my mouth and took a massive gulp.

The cold milk flooded across my mouth and throat, finally diluting the fierce, burning spice.

The suffocating weight slowly ebbed away, and I gasped, gulping down massive lungfuls of fresh air.

Everyone stared at me with looks of intense concern.

Mom rushed forward, her face twisted with worry as she held me steady. "Leia, are you okay? You scared me to death!"

I nodded.

Then, under the watchful gaze of the entire room, I pulled out my phone. "Hello, police? I'd like to report a crime. Someone is trying to murder me. Yes, I have evidence, and I know who did it. Please send someone over."

Mom suddenly lunged forward and locked her hand around my wrist in a death grip. "What are you doing? Why are you calling the cops all of a sudden?"

As she said that, she snatched violently at my phone.