Hi, I'm Bev. Let's not pretend this is a coincidence.

Hi. Bev. Back row, facing the door. Not because I'm paranoid. Because I like to see who's coming in. Those are different things. Mostly.

Let's get the obvious out of the way. Yes, I bring popcorn to Study Hall. Yes, every night. Have you watched a full slate of games? It's a drama. It has plot twists. It has a villain, and the villain is usually a late field goal.

I'm just asking questions. That's my whole thing. Why did that line move? Who moved it? Why did it move at 4:12 in the afternoon, which is a very specific time? Everybody says "it's just the market, Bev." Sure. That's what the market would want me to think.

Here's the twist, and I'll only say it once. Most of the time, when I actually check the prices, the prices are fine. The conspiracy falls apart. And honestly? I love that too. A good mystery is good either way. You just have to look.

On my classmates. Tommy is my favorite sparring partner. He shows up with four notebooks, I show up with one question, and somehow we're both late for lunch. Ethan pretends he's not interested in my theories and then quietly checks every one of them. I see you, Ethan. Rich is new. He is very polite and very calm and has never once looked worried during a game, which is exactly what someone with a secret would do. I'm keeping an eye on the chair.

Mr. Degen grades everything we post. Red pen, every result, no erasing. I trust the red pen. The red pen has no motive.

My slip is on the front page. Feel free to check my work. I'd expect nothing less.

Stay curious, Bev