ALWAYS YOU

Chapter 9- RUMORS IN THE HALLWAY.

The following Monday started like any other.

Rory was halfway through brushing her hair when she heard three familiar knocks on her bedroom window.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

She smiled.

"You're early."

Noah looked up from outside, balancing a basketball on one finger.

"You've got exactly eight minutes before we're late."

She checked her clock.

"I have plenty of time."

"You said that yesterday."

"And we weren't late."

"We ran the last two blocks."

"Exercise is healthy."

He laughed.

"I'll be waiting."

By the time they reached Willow Creek High, the hallways were already crowded.

Students hurried from locker to locker while teachers reminded everyone that midterm exams were only a few weeks away.

Emma met them at the entrance.

"Morning, lovebirds."

Rory sighed.

"Emma..."

"What?"

"We're not—"

"I know."

Emma grinned.

"But watching you deny it is entertaining."

Noah chuckled.

"You'll never let this go, will you?"

"Absolutely not."

As they walked toward their lockers, Rory noticed a small crowd gathered around the noticeboard.

Curious, she stepped closer.

A colorful poster had been pinned in the center.

Willow Creek Autumn Charity Gala

One month from now.

The annual gala would include music, dancing, dinner, and a fundraising auction for the local children's hospital.

Every senior student was encouraged to attend.

Emma gasped.

"A dance!"

Rory smiled.

"I've never been to one."

Noah read the poster carefully.

"It says formal attire."

Emma nudged Rory.

"You know what this means."

"What?"

"You need a dress."

"I already have one."

"No."

Emma shook her head dramatically.

"You need a dress."

Noah laughed.

"I'm staying out of this conversation."

"Smart choice," Rory said.

English class passed quickly.

Mr. Walker assigned a partner project worth thirty percent of their final grade.

"I'll be choosing your partners."

Groans echoed across the classroom.

Mr. Walker began reading names.

"Lily Carter..."

He looked down at his list.

"...Noah Brooks."

Several students whispered excitedly.

"Oh..."

"That'll be interesting."

Rory's smile faded for only a second.

Then—

"Rory Hart..."

"...Emma Collins."

Emma gave Rory a thumbs-up.

"Looks like we're together."

Rory nodded.

"Yeah."

She told herself it didn't matter who Noah's partner was.

It was just a school project.

Nothing more.

After class, Noah caught up with Rory.

"You okay?"

"Of course."

"You got really quiet."

"I'm thinking about the assignment."

"You'll ace it."

She smiled.

"So will you."

Just then, Lily walked over.

"Noah?"

He turned.

"Yeah?"

"I was wondering if we could meet after school tomorrow to start planning."

"Sure."

"Library?"

"Works for me."

"Great."

She smiled politely before walking away.

Rory watched them for a moment.

An unfamiliar feeling settled in her chest.

Not anger.

Not sadness.

Just...

Something.

Emma noticed immediately.

"You okay?"

"I'm fine."

"You're doing that thing."

"What thing?"

"The fake smile."

Rory sighed.

"I don't know what's wrong with me."

Emma linked their arms together as they walked.

"Can I ask you something?"

"You'll ask anyway."

"I probably will."

Emma smiled.

"Does it bother you... seeing Noah with another girl?"

Rory opened her mouth.

Closed it.

"I..."

She honestly didn't know.

"They're just working on a project."

"I know."

"So why does it feel..."

She searched for the words.

"...weird?"

Emma gave her a gentle smile.

"Maybe because things are changing."

Rory looked ahead.

Maybe.

Or maybe it was something else entirely.

Basketball practice ended just before sunset.

Rory waited outside the gym with her camera.

She had promised to take photos for the school newspaper.

Players laughed as they left the court.

Coach Reynolds congratulated them on another successful practice.

Finally, Noah appeared.

"Sorry."

"The coach kept us."

"It's okay."

She lifted her camera.

"Smile."

"No."

"Why?"

"I'm sweaty."

"Exactly."

Click.

She captured him making the most dramatic annoyed face she had ever seen.

"You are impossible."

"So I've heard."

He stepped closer.

"My turn."

"What?"

Before she could react, he gently took her camera and pointed it toward her.

"Smile."

"I wasn't ready!"

"You are now."

Click.

Rory blinked.

"You actually took one."

He looked at the screen.

"It's perfect."

She laughed.

"I probably look surprised."

"You look happy."

He handed the camera back.

"Keep it."

She glanced at the photo.

She was smiling.

Not because of the camera.

Because Noah was behind it.

The next morning, whispers followed them through the hallway.

"Did you hear?"

"I saw them yesterday."

"They're definitely together."

Rory frowned.

"What are they talking about?"

Emma sighed dramatically.

"You."

"And Noah."

"What?"

"Someone from the newspaper club saw him taking your picture yesterday."

Rory's eyes widened.

"Seriously?"

Emma nodded.

"Now half the school thinks you're dating."

Before Rory could respond, a group of students walked past.

One of them smiled.

"You guys make a cute couple."

Rory's face turned bright red.

"We're not dating!"

The students only laughed and continued walking.

Noah scratched the back of his neck awkwardly.

"Well..."

"This is... unexpected."

Rory covered her face with both hands.

"I'm never leaving my house again."

Noah laughed softly.

"You'll survive."

She looked at him.

"You think it's funny?"

"A little."

She tried to glare at him.

Instead...

She started laughing too.

Neither of them realized that what had begun as a harmless rumor...

Would soon force both of them to question whether it was really a rumor at all.

Sometimes...

People on the outside noticed feelings long before the people living them did.

And somewhere beneath the old oak tree...

A rusty lunchbox waited patiently.

Inside were two childhood letters.

Letters that might just explain why everyone else could already see what Rory and Noah still couldn't.