Episode 9:LOUD AND PROUD
421 Words
It was mid-morning, and the Maplewood College cafeteria was alive with the usual chaos. Students were in clusters, trays clattering, conversations overlapping, and somewhere in the middle of it all, rumors had decided to find Amina.
“Did you see them together yesterday?” someone whispered loudly near the salad bar.
“Yeah… at the courtyard! So sketchy!” another voice chimed in.
Amina felt her chest tighten. She grabbed her tray, took a deep breath, and for once, she decided: enough.
She set her tray down dramatically in the middle of the cafeteria, clapping her hands once. Silence fell — half confused, half intrigued.
“Excuse me,” she said, projecting her voice, “I have a statement.”
Heads turned. Students paused mid-bite. Even Tariq, lounging by the drinks station, raised an eyebrow.
Amina cleared her throat. “Yes, there have been whispers. Yes, people are talking about me and Zuri.” She paused for effect, letting the tension build — and a few gasps escaped.
Zuri appeared beside her quietly, arms crossed, smirking. Amina’s heart swelled. I’ve got backup.
Amina continued, louder this time:
“Let me make this very clear: Zuri and I are… dating. Yes. Shock, horror, scandal.”
A few students snickered.
“Secondly,” she added, pointing dramatically at the crowd, “I do not, I repeat, do NOT, owe anyone an explanation. My life is my business, my happiness is my business, and Maplewood College may continue speculating all it wants while I enjoy my lunch in peace.”
She paused, let it sink in, and then grinned mischievously. “And if anyone wants to start a betting pool on how long we’ll last… good luck. I’ve got patience. Zuri’s got charm. You’re all doomed.”
The cafeteria erupted into laughter. Some clapped. Some muttered, embarrassed for being caught gossiping. Tariq rolled his eyes but didn’t say a word, clearly defeated.
Zuri leaned in, whispering into Amina’s ear:
“That… was impressive.”
Amina shrugged, trying to play it cool. “I get dramatic when I’m hungry.”
Zuri laughed softly, wrapping an arm around her shoulder. “And a little bold,” she added.
Amina felt a thrill. For the first time, she realized something important: owning herself, her choices, and her relationship wasn’t scary at all — it was freeing.
As the whispers turned into quiet chatter, Amina smiled. Maybe Maplewood College could talk all it wanted. She didn’t care.
Because now, she and Zuri were loud, proud, and unapologetically together.
- Writer
