The Rumor
425 Words
Monday morning started better than usual.
Lila walked through the school gates with Emma, talking about the English assignment due that week. Noah was waiting by the entrance, leaning against the wall with his backpack over one shoulder.
“You two are late,” he said.
Emma looked at her watch. “We’re two minutes early.”
“So… you’re late.”
Lila laughed.
“I don’t think that’s how it works.”
“It does in my world,” Noah replied.
The three of them walked to class together, joking the entire way. For the first time since moving, Lila forgot she was the new girl.
After second period, she stopped by her locker to get her history book.
As she reached for the handle, she noticed people looking at her.
Two girls whispered to each other.
A boy looked at her, then quickly looked away.
“That’s her.”
“I heard it too.”
Lila frowned.
Heard what?
She opened her locker and found another folded piece of paper.
This time it didn’t make her smile.
Written across the front were the words:
Stay away from Noah.
Her heart skipped.
She looked around, but no one was watching anymore.
“Lila!”
Emma walked over.
“You okay?”
Lila quietly handed her the note.
Emma’s smile disappeared.
“Who did this?”
“I don’t know.”
Before Emma could answer, Noah joined them.
“Hey, are you—”
He stopped when he saw the note.
“What happened?”
Someone behind them laughed.
“Oh please,” a voice said. “She’s acting like she’s innocent.”
Lila turned around.
The blonde girl from the cafeteria stood there with three of her friends.
“My name is Vanessa,” she said. “In case you forgot.”
Lila stayed silent.
Vanessa smiled, but there was nothing kind about it.
“You’ve been here for one week, and you’re already following Noah around.”
“We’re just friends,” Lila replied quietly.
Vanessa stepped closer.
“Then keep it that way.”
Emma moved between them.
“Leave her alone, Vanessa.”
Vanessa rolled her eyes.
“Whatever.”
She turned and walked away with her friends, laughing as they disappeared down the hallway.
Lila stared at the note in her hand.
She hadn’t done anything wrong.
So why did it feel like everything was about to get worse?
From the other end of the hallway, Noah watched Vanessa leave.
His expression changed.
For the first time, he looked angry.
- Writer
