Rumors
1521 Words
Soraya was busy tidying up the books on her desk, while today's class was over. Since morning and the conversation with Kimberly was over, for some reason Soraya continued to feel a strange atmosphere.
As if someone was watching, without needing to find out, Soraya could guess that this unpleasant atmosphere came from Kimberly who was constantly observing her.
Soraya knew what she had to do or rather, what Kimberly had to do because all this awkwardness stemmed from her.
Kimberly got up from her place and went straight to Soraya who was still not moving. Kimberly still seems curious about what Soraya and David discussed this morning.
"I know you keep an eye on me, can you tell me what you want?" Although the question seemed serious, Kimberly knew that Soraya was trying to hold back a smile.
Kimberly burst out laughing, she didn't expect that Soraya had been aware of her stupid actions all day long.
"Hahaha... I'm sorry! You must be thinking that I'm still curious about the conversation between you and David this morning, right?"
"Aren't you curious?" Soraya asked. She didn't mind telling Kimberly about going to the movies with David. However, remembering David who seemed to want to keep it a secret put her in a difficult position.
"Okay, I'll tell you. David is taking me to the cinema this Saturday!"
"Really? He asked you out?"
"No, we're not dating! Just watching a movie together. We just happen to have a movie we want to see."
"Is that so? Oh s**t, why don't you guys take me too?" She asked disappointed.
"Honestly I don't mind, but you can ask David if you can come or not!"
David who passed in front of them was immediately caught by a curious Kimberly. Kimberly stood in front of him and blocked him.
"Wait a minute! I need an explanation from you!" Kimberly said with her hands on her hips.
"Explanation? What do you mean, Kim?" David asked. He frowned.
"Why don't you take me too? Why only Soraya?" Kimberly asked annoyed.
"Huh? What did you say?"
"You took Soraya to a movie together and kept it a secret from me! You're going too far, David!"
"What? Watching a movie?" Kimberly's question took David by surprise. His eyes immediately fell on Soraya who was still sitting in her place and wore a clumsy smile.
David was silent for a moment, then sighed. He felt a little disappointed and he tried to hide it.
"Okay, you can come too! Take James and Diana too if you want!" He said as he walked away.
Seeing David's disappointed reaction made Soraya feel guilty. She didn't think that David just wanted to go alone with her. In front of her, Kimberly looked annoyed rather than happy after David let her come along.
"You bastard, why did you have to keep it all a secret just to watch a movie?"
"Um- that-"
"It's okay, Soraya! You don't need to feel guilty. Actually I was just wondering what you were hiding. I didn't really want to come along!"
"Re-really?"
"Yes! I am indeed a very curious person, since childhood I have always been like this. Okay, Diana said earlier that she was waiting for us in the cafeteria. Let's go!"
"Yes, alright!"
***
At some place
In a dark and quiet dorm room, a man is seen sitting in front of a brightly lit computer. His hands were busy moving the mouse cursor, while his eyes focused on the screen in front of him.
The man giggled, his laughter sounded like a rat squeaking in a dirty place, just like the place where he was.
It was dark, the only source of light coming from his computer screen. While the incandescent lamp hanging in the sky was very dim. Not to mention that the damp and rotten smell of this room clearly shows what kind of human living in it is like.
Boxes of old fast food, wrappers and crumbs of potato chips and a moldy donut were strewn on the floor. Meanwhile, the humans in this room continued to stare at the computer screen without flinching at all.
"Tch, you bastard! How can a disgusting bastard like you roam this world freely. What were those bastards thinking when they let you go free? Just watch! I'll reveal who you really are!"
Tit tut tit tut
The cell phone on the table rang, the man gasped and forcefully grabbed it and put it to his ear.
"Yes Joe? What's wrong? I'm busy right now!"
"I've found what you asked for. Can you give me the money now?"
"Tch, fine. But send it to me, let me see it before I give you the money!"
"Ok, fine! I'm going to your place now!"
This man immediately ended the call. His face looks annoyed. His eyes returned to the screen in front of him. He smiled seeing how his efforts were starting to pay off.
Photos of a tall man with black hair filled the computer screen. Photos from different angles and for comparison, several photos of a toddler girl with light brown hair filling the screen.
"From any angle, it's clear that these two are the same person. If I'm right, this would be very shocking news. Hihihi, I'm sure of it!"
***
Faculty of Arts
"Hey, have you opened the link that's spread across the student group?"
"Link? What link?"
"The link in the art student group, the link goes to a website created by an anonymous person."
"What's a website? Adult films starring students? Or cases of bullying?"
"No, this is much more surprising. About our professor, Robert William Stanley."
"Huh? About what?"
"He said Robert William Stanley was a pedophile!"
"Oh my God! That's impossible! You're crazy! The one who created that website must be a lunatic!"
"I don't believe it either! But the site shows evidence."
"What kind of evidence? Photo or video?"
"Just normal photos, but I'm not sure either."
"It's all bullshit, just people jealous of Mr Robert's success."
"I think you're right!"
The conversation between the two students made Diana who accidentally heard it, feel disturbed. Although Diana was one of hundreds of students who visited the website, Diana was also one of the many people who thought that the site was just a scam and nothing more than sickening nonsense.
Seeing Diana's annoyed face, Kimberly who was sitting next to her tried hard not to laugh. Unlike Diana who idolized the Painting Lecturer, Kimberly thought this was an interesting joke that made her happy.
"You look really pissed off. Oh my gosh, I'd be so surprised if it's true that Robert Stanley is a child lover. It's unbelievable!" She said while holding back a laugh.
"Honestly, I was more surprised to hear your confession that you didn't believe the cheap gossip. You know, Kim? I know that right now you're laughing inside your heart. Don't you?"
"Geez, Diana! You really think I'm that bad, don't you? But yeah, I have to admit that I don't really sympathize with that flat-faced, stingy smiley man. But I'm not that stupid to justify such accusations outright."
"I don't have much sympathy for that flat-faced, stingy smiley man. But I'm not that stupid as to justify such accusations outright. Oh yeah? There's no point in talking to you about this gossip. I'd better find Soraya because I'm sure she's already hear this rumor!" Diana got up from her place and walked quickly to find the whereabouts of Soraya who had not seen her nose this morning.
Diana was worried that Soraya would wake up late again and miss her first class. Behind her, Kimberly followed with the happy smile of someone who had just won the lottery.
"Why did you follow me?" Asked an annoyed Diana.
"Following you? Who said? I also want to meet Soraya. I have something to tell her!"
"Is that true?" Diana asked with an expression of disbelief.
"Look, it's Soraya! She's sitting there alone!" Kimberly said while pointing at a young girl who seemed busy scribbling on a book on a park bench.
About 7 meters in front of her, Robert William Stanley as usual, always busy ignoring young girls who try to get close to him. Every now and then, Soraya's eyes fell on Robert and then she turned her gaze to the sketchbook in her hand. She smiled softly, like a girl in love.
Meanwhile, Diana and Kimberly who were observing her were silent for a moment with the same suspicion.
"Looks like you have a rival, do you consider Soraya a friend?" Kimberly asked.
Diana took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. She knew exactly what Kimberly wanted to say and Diana was not one to be easily influenced.
"To fall in love with anyone, it's everyone's right. Including those of you who like to hate, it's your right. But my right is to admire a great man and find a good friend."
"Tch, naive! Yes, but it's up to you! I don't want to interfere!"
"Good then, you don't have to interfere!"
***
- Writer
