Just my luck at Sapling High

Chapter 3: The Rumor Mill Begins

Within two weeks, Brooke’s life at Sapling High became infinitely more complicated, and it was entirely Chris’s fault.

He didn't just share his textbook; he became her shadow. Every morning, Chris would be waiting by the water cooler just to walk her to her locker. During lunch, he would slide his tray next to hers, completely ignoring his usual table of athletes and popular kids. He asked her questions about her old school, laughed genuinely at her quiet jokes, and constantly texted her after school asking for "help with homework"—though he spent most of the time just talking about his favorite bands.

Chris liked her. It was glaringly, painfully obvious to everyone except, apparently, Brooke.

To Brooke, Chris was a lifeline. He was the only person who had been kind to her in a sea of cold shoulders. She valued his friendship immensely, but whenever she looked at him, she didn't feel fireworks. She just felt safe. He was her best friend, nothing more.

The rest of the school, however, had a completely different narrative.

On a rainy Tuesday afternoon, Brooke and Chris were standing by the vending machines in the main hallway. Chris was trying to catch a falling bag of chips with his foot, making a total fool of himself, and Brooke was laughing so hard her stomach hurt. He reached over, playfully nudging her shoulder, his eyes bright.

A few feet away, a girl with short, blonde hair and a sharp, fox-like face whipped out her phone. It was Sarah, the school's notorious human megaphone. If something happened at Sapling High, Sarah knew about it, exaggerated it, and blasted it to the entire student body before the next period bell rang.

Click.

Brooke didn't hear the camera, but by the time she reached her next class, her phone buzzed violently in her pocket. Then it buzzed again. And again.

With a frowning brow, she slipped her phone out under her desk. Her screen was flooded with notifications from the school’s anonymous gossip forum.

SAPLING SPY: Move over, old news! Looks like AP Honors golden boy Chris has officially chosen his queen. Spotted getting incredibly cozy by the vending machines with the new transfer girl, Brooke. Sorry ladies, looks like he’s officially taken! #NewPowerCouple #SorryPiper

Brooke’s blood ran completely cold. She stared at the blurry photo of Chris laughing and leaning toward her. The comments section was already exploding with hundreds of replies.

"Hey, you okay?" the student next to her whispered.

Brooke couldn't even answer. She looked across the room and saw Sarah watching her from three rows away, a smirk plastered on her face. The rumor mill had officially started, and Brooke was about to be crushed by the gears.