Annouhis (and a few others) will be a Risebelle Focused Chapter.Risebelle drifted into slumber within the fines of the tank. Her sciousness became immersed in the unfolding memories. The whispers that had reached out to her earlier guided her through the fragmented recolles of her past.

  Risebelle’s sciousness drifted back to her college days, a time when she was striving to be an A+ student to excel and make her parents proud. It was a memory tinged with both ambition and the weight of expectations.

  As the se unfolded, Risebelle found herself in a , surrounded by her friends.

  Risebelle found herself sitting in a , her desk ly anized with notebooks abooks. Her determination to excel academically was ohat was unmatched by the people around her, and she gained friends who joined her along the way despite her goal. The memory unfolded like a vibrant painting of her past.

  The buzzed with excitement as students chatted animatedly. Risebelle’s friends were by her side, sharing pyful versation as they waited for the day’s lessons to begin.

  In this memory, Risebelle’s teacher was a fun and charismati who had a knaaking learning enjoyable. He bounced into css with ical enthusiasm, asking his students if they were ready for another day of learning.

  “Good m, everyone!” he would excim, his energy iious. “Are you ready for ahrilling adventure in the world of knowledge?!”

  The students would ugh and nod, appreciating the teacher’s light-hearted approach to education.

  In the midst of the lively atmosphere, Angie, Risebelle’s friend, leaned in from the side, her appearance distinctively that of a gamer-girl. Angie had ized her school uniform to fit her uyle. Her uniform bore small, game-reted patches and pins, and her skirt had been slightly altered to make it more fortable for her gaming sessions. She wore knee-high socks and sneakers, ready for a both in the and in the virtual world.

  Angie leaned closer to Risebelle in a hushed while having a touch of desperation.

  “Yo Risebelle,” she whispered, “Did you do the homework st night?”

  Risebelle g her friend with a smirk. “Of course, Angie. I always e prepared. Why? Did you fet to do it again? Typical.”

  Angie’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment . “Well, you know how it is. I got caught up in that new video game st night. I lost track of time! That boss was freaken hard! Let me tell you! 80 bars of hp! Holy shit! You got to wonder what the developers were thinking! A---um… you please help me out just this once? I’ll owe you big time!”

  Risebelle chuckled softly, shaking her head in disappoi. “You really o get your priorities straight, you idiot,” she teased. “Alright Angie, but you owe me big time for this.”

  Angie’s face lit up with gratitude, and she csped her hands together in relief. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Risebelle! I promise I’ll make it up to you somehow!”

  She gave Risebelle a quick, pyful hug before settling bato her seat, ready to tackle the day’s lessons.

  As the college day tinued, Risebelle’s dedication to her studies remained. She always made an effort to take notes during the lessons and actively participated in css which earned her a level of respect among teachers and her cssmates.

  During the lunch break, Risebelle made her way to the cafeteria where she had arrao meet her friend Jess. Jess had a reputation for her striking appearand her unique sense of style. Today, she had her long hair tied up.

  Jess’s attire was both cssy and slightly provocative. She wore a fashionable skirt that was shorter than the school uniform norm, along with a fitted blouse that atuated her figure. Her outfit always seemed to push the boundaries of the school dress code while still managing to remain within the acceptable limits.

  When Jess spotted Risebelle, she waved enthusiastically, her pigtails swaying with her movements. Her makeup was expertly done,highlighting her features and she always had this mischievous look in her eyes that hi being a ‘troublemaker’.

  “Risebelle, over here!” Jess called out carrying a carefree and fident tone.

  Risebelle approached Jess, affe and in her gaze.

  Jess smiled “Risebelle, it’s been too long! How have you been?”

  Risebelle lowered her eyes slightly “Jess, I know you didn’t ask me to lunch for a simple and casual catch-up session. What’s going on?”

  Jess Sighs “You always see right through me, don’t you? That’s why I like you! Alright, you got me. I need a favor, Risebelle.”

  Risebelle Nods “I figured as much. What is it this time, Jess?”

  Jess leans in, speaking more low. “It’s about those history papers due week. You know I’ve been struggling to keep up with all this academic stuff.”

  Risebelle raises an eyebrow Jess “You… had weeks to work on those papers. Why didn’t you ask for help earlier?”

  ”You know how it is, Risebelle. I get caught up in other things, and before I know it, the deadline is looming.”

  Risebelle Sighs (Why the hell are all my friends ‘Idiots’)?”Alright, fine. I’ll help you with the papers, but this is the st time, Jess. You o start taking your studies seriously.”

  Jess grins you’re a lifesaver, Rissy! I promise i’ll do better from now on.

  Risebelle gives a stern look “You better, Jess. Your eduatters, too, you know.”

  Jess Nods “I get it, Risebelle. Thanks for always looking out for me.”

  Jess pyfully touches Risebelle’s blue hair with a flirtatious smile “You know, Risebelle, when I heard about that fight in another css, I couldn’t help but think of you.”

  Risebelle raises an eyebrow “Fight? Me? What are you talking about, Jess?”

  Jess Grins “Well, the girl involved had long, flowing yellow hair. While her hair was yellow, you had the same style, looks, face. It was almost like looking at your twin.”

  Risebelle Frowned. “Yellow hair? That’s strange. I don’t know ah a style like mine.”

  Jess Teased. “Are you sure you weren’t in another css causing trouble, Risebelle?”

  Risebelle Smirked. “Jess, you should know me better by now. I don’t go around pig fights. Besides, my hair is as blue as the o, not as yellow as the sun.”

  Jess Laughed. “You’re right, Risebelle. I kind of thought it was a funny ce. But enough about that, let’s focus on these history papers.”

  Jess and Risebelle delved into their history papers pressed for time. The lunch bell rang in the background, but they remained engrossed in their work. Risebelle’s knowledge and assistance proved invaluable, and Jess made impressive progress on her paper thanks to the smarts.

  As they tio researd write, Jess found herself blown away by Risebelle’s speed and expertise.

  Jess Paused a moment to admire Risebelle’s work Risebelle,”you’re like a superhero when it es to this stuff. I’ve never seen anyone researd write so quickly.”

  Risebelle smiled modestly “Well, I do take my academics seriously. And you’re not too shabby yourself, Jess. With a bit of focus, you aplish a lot.”

  By the end of the lunch break, Jess had made a remarkable amount ress on her history paper, thanks to Risebelle.

  As Risebelle made her way back to css after her lunch break, she was stopped iracks by the stern-looking principal. She was a woman with a well known no-nonseitude. The principal’s presenanded authority, and Risebelle felt a sense of apprehension as she was called into the office.

  The Principal stated firmly” Risebelle, I’d like to have a word with you. Please e to my office immediately.”

  Risebelle nodded, her curiosity piqued and a hint of came to her mind. She followed the principal to her office, w what this ued meeting was about.

  In the principal’s office, Risebelle listened ily as the stern woman expihe reason for this ued meeting. The principal spoke with a no-nonseone.

  The Principal Speaks Sternly “Risebelle, we have a serious matter at hand. There’s been someone on campus causing trouble, and their as resulted in a studeing injured.”

  Risebelle’s deepened, and she had to question, “Who was the student that got injured?”

  The principal raised a hand, indig for Risebelle to let her finish before asking further questions.

  “Let me tinue, Risebelle. I want to be clear. In the past, I may have punished someone unjustly, and I do not wish to make the same mistake twice. That’s why I’m speaking to you first.”

  Risebelle furrowed her brow with fusion and curiosity. “I’m gd you aren’t throwing out suspensions like mad, Principal. Please, go on. Who is the iudent?”

  The Principal’s face remaiern as she tinued, “The iudent is Jessica Waters, a young woman who had a reputation fetting into trouble. However, it appears that this time, she was an i victim. We have reason to believe that you might have informatiarding the i, Risebelle.”

  Risebelle’s eyes widened in surprise at the mention of Jess’s name. “Jess? She’s the iudent? I... had lunch with her only moments ago, but I didn’t know anything about this. She seemed fine… Why would you suspect me?”

  The principal maintained her stern demeanor as she respoo Risebelle’s question.

  “We don’t have any crete evidence pointing directly at you, Risebelle. However, Jess was found injured shortly after the altercation, and a few witnesses reported seeing someoh long, flowing yellow hair simir to yours he se. Given your history of academic excellend the i involving a student who has a e with you, we o explore all possibilities.”

  Risebelle found herself fused.

  “I get that you are iigating students, but I assure you, I had nothing to do with this. Jess and I were studying together during lunch, and I had no knowledge of any altercation or injury, so it’s not even possible for me to have dohat.”

  The principal leaned forward. “I’m not acg you, Risebelle, but we o rule out all possibilities and ehe safety of our students. If you have any information, even the smallest detail, it could be crucial in resolving this matter.”

  Risebelle nodded. “I’ll cooperate fully with your iigation, Principal. I’ll do whatever I to help Jess and find out what happened.”

  The principal aowledged her cooperation with a curt nod. “Thank you, Risebelle. Please, if you remember anything or e across any relevant informatio it immediately to me or the school authorities. This is a serious matter, and we o resolve it swiftly.”

  Risebelle left the principal’s office with a sense of unease.

  Risebelle stepped out of the principal’s office, her mind still filled with questions and s about the i involving Jess. As she emerged into the hallway, she was taken aback to find Jess waiting there, her posture slouched, her hands hidden behind her back, and her head hanging down.

  Risebelle approached Jess with surprise. “Jess, what are you doing here? Are you okay?”

  Jess slowly lifted her head, revealing a somber expression. She spoke in a hushed tone.

  “Risebelle, I o talk to you. It’s important.”

  Risebelle’s deepened as she looked into Jess’s eyes which seemed clouded with turmoil. She nodded aured for Jess to follow her to a quieter er of the hallway, away fr eyes and ears.

  Ohey were in a more secluded spot, Risebelle asked, “What’s going on, Jess? Why are you here, and what happeo you?”

  Jess took a deep breath, her hands trembling as she finally revealed what had been weighing on her sce. “Risebelle, I o fess something. I…lied to you earlier when we were studying. I wasirely ho about why I asked you to join me for lunch.”

  Risebelle’s brows furrowed in fusion. “Lied? About what?”

  Jess hesitated, her words heavy with guilt. “I needed your help with something, Risebelle, and I didn’t know how else to get you to listen. But I didn’t expect things to escate like this…”

  Curiousity filled Risebelle’s face. “What do you mean? Jess, what’s going on?”