Scarlet joined with Melissa

“ Let’s go”, Scarlet said.

A flicker of understanding passed between them. Scarlet moved towards the door, her body language tense. Melissa mirrored her movements, their shared goal evident in their cautious gazes sweeping the room.

"Alright, what's the plan?" Melissa blurted out, her voice barely a whisper. We need to get out of here before someone finds us.

"Alright," Scarlet said, her voice low. "First things first. How do we get your...belongings back?"

Melissa tapped her chin thoughtfully. "Let's see," she murmured. "I hid one by the tree in the forest, another in a vending machine... darn it, Mrs. Helen probably saw that one." Her voice dropped to a whisper as she revealed the remaining locations.

Scarlet's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Seriously? Mrs. Helen found it already? How did that even happen?"

Melissa bit her lip nervously. "Maybe it wasn't such a good idea after all," she muttered. "There's a chance Mrs. Helen found part of what I hid."

“Go to the forest”.

If anyone glanced into the schoolyard now, they'd see an unusual sight. Two figures huddled near the back entrance. Both girls were clearly missing something – their clothes. One clutched a bundle of fabric tightly to her chest, while the other stood with only her shoes and socks.

A determined glint flashed in Melissa's eyes as she approached a particular tree. Her hand darted towards a hidden spot beneath a low branch. "This should be the one," she said confidently, already reaching for her concealed belongings.

Melissa's brow furrowed. "Wait, why is it..." her voice trailed off as confusion washed over her.