The rumors had taken on a life of their own by the middle of the week.
Claire noticed it the moment she stepped into the hallway on Wednesday morning. A group of juniors near the water fountain stopped talking abruptly when she passed. One of them whispered something behind her hand, and the others giggled. By the time Claire reached her locker, her phone was buzzing with notifications from the school’s anonymous gossip account.
Claire Hudson is only with Xander for the money. Classic gold-digger move. Australian girl hits the jackpot.
The post had dozens of likes and comments already. Some defended her. Most did not. Becky’s influence was clear — the same venomous tone from the handball incident now spread across screens like poison.
Claire closed her locker with a quiet sigh. She ref
