Rumors
612 Words
The next morning, the rain had stopped.
The sky was bright again, and the cool breeze carried the fresh smell of wet grass. Lila got ready for school and noticed Noah’s hoodie hanging over the back of her chair.
For a moment, she simply looked at it.
Then she folded it neatly and placed it inside her backpack.
When she arrived at school, the hallways were unusually noisy.
Students kept looking in her direction before whispering to one another.
She frowned.
Emma hurried over to her.
“Good morning.”
“Morning.”
“You look confused.”
“I am.”
Emma hesitated.
“Have you checked the class group chat?”
Lila shook her head.
She took out her phone and opened the chat.
There were more than a hundred new messages.
Near the top was a photo.
It showed Noah placing his hoodie over her shoulders while they stood outside the school during yesterday’s rain.
Someone had written beneath it:
Looks like our newest couple.
Lila stared at the screen.
“Who took this?”
“I don’t know,” Emma replied. “Everyone’s been talking about it since this morning.”
Lila quickly locked her phone.
“This is so embarrassing.”
Just then, Noah walked toward them.
He looked just as uncomfortable.
“I guess you’ve seen the picture.”
Lila nodded.
“I’m sorry.”
He looked surprised.
“Why are you apologizing?”
“I feel like this happened because of me.”
He shook his head.
“It isn’t your fault.”
Emma sighed.
“People seriously need to mind their own business.”
The bell rang before anyone could say another word.
Throughout the morning, whispers followed Lila from one class to another.
Some students smiled whenever Noah sat near her.
Others nudged each other whenever they passed in the hallway.
Lila tried to ignore them, but it wasn’t easy.
During English class, Mrs. Carter made an announcement.
“I have some exciting news.”
The classroom became quiet.
“The school magazine will be returning this semester. We are looking for students who enjoy writing stories, articles, poems, or interviews.”
Lila listened quietly.
“If you’re interested, please see me after class.”
Emma leaned over.
“You should do it.”
“I don’t know.”
“You’re one of the best writers in our class.”
Lila smiled slightly but said nothing.
When the lesson ended, most students hurried out of the classroom.
Lila stayed behind.
Mrs. Carter looked up from her desk.
“I was hoping you’d stay.”
“Me?”
The teacher smiled.
“I’ve read every essay you’ve written this year.”
Lila looked down.
“I think you have real talent.”
“Thank you.”
“I’d like you to join the magazine staff.”
Lila blinked.
“I’ve never written for something like that before.”
“That’s exactly why you should try.”
After a moment, Lila nodded.
“I’ll do it.”
Mrs. Carter smiled.
“I think you’ll surprise yourself.”
As Lila stepped into the hallway, she almost bumped into Noah.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
She smiled.
“I just joined the school magazine.”
His face lit up.
“Really?”
She nodded.
“Congratulations.”
“Thanks.”
“You’ll be amazing.”
For the first time that day, Lila forgot about the rumors.
She was too busy thinking about the opportunity waiting for her.
She didn’t notice Vanessa watching from the other end of the hallway.
Vanessa had seen Noah smile at Lila.
And somehow, that hurt more than the picture ever had.
- Writer
