The Color of Secrets

Mariza walked down the crowded hallway of Kingston High, her turquoise-streaked hair catching the fluorescent lights. Students rushed past her, their eyes telling stories she'd learned to read like books.

"Hey, Mariza!" called Miku from across the hall. Her friend's yellow pupil gleamed as she looked toward where Neru stood by the lockers.

Mariza smiled and waved. Her white pupils had always made her different. While everyone else showed exactly who they liked, her eyes revealed she could care for anyone, regardless of gender.

Teto bounced over, her blue pupil bright with affection as she glanced at Miku. "Ready for lunch?"

The four friends gathered near Neru, who was carefully applying blue eyeshadow around her eyes. Mariza noticed how Neru's hands trembled slightly as she worked.

"Perfect as always," Neru said, checking her reflection in her compact mirror.

Something flickered in Miku's expression as she watched Neru's careful routine, but Mariza couldn't quite place what it was.

The Music Shop Discovery

The lunch bell rang, and the four friends walked toward the cafeteria. Mariza noticed Miku kept glancing at Neru's eyes, her expression growing darker each time.

"Actually, I forgot my lunch money," Neru said suddenly. "I'll meet you guys later."

She hurried away before anyone could respond. Miku's yellow pupil seemed to burn brighter as she watched Neru disappear around the corner.

"I'll catch up with you two," Miku told Mariza and Teto, then followed Neru's path.

Mariza felt uneasy but couldn't pinpoint why. She and Teto continued toward lunch, but Teto stopped at the music shop that had recently opened next to the school.

"Look at that vintage keyboard," Teto said, pressing her face against the window.

Through the glass, they could see the shop owner, a middle-aged baker who had switched careers, arranging musical instruments. His flour-dusted apron hung on a hook behind the counter.

"We should go in," Teto suggested.

As they entered the shop, Mariza's phone buzzed with a text from an unknown number. The message contained only a photo of Teto tied to a chair, her eyes wide with fear.