Rumors
810 Words
Thursday morning arrived with a cool breeze sweeping across Westbridge University.
Students hurried between lectures while others gathered on the lawn, enjoying the warm sunshine before class.
Elena and Chloe were walking toward the Psychology building when Chloe suddenly grabbed Elena’s arm.
“Don’t look now.”
Elena frowned.
“What?”
“Too late.”
She looked up.
Damian was walking toward them with Mason and Ryan.
As usual, students turned to watch him.
Some girls smiled.
Others whispered.
Damian ignored them all.
His eyes landed on Elena.
“Morning.”
Elena smiled politely.
“Good morning.”
Chloe looked between them.
“You two seem… friendly.”
“We’re project partners,” Damian answered.
Before Elena could speak, Mason smirked.
“So, Elena…”
“How’s the boyfriend?”
Damian shot Mason a warning look.
Elena didn’t notice.
“He’s doing well.”
“Still coming this weekend?”
“Saturday.”
She smiled without hesitation.
“We’re spending the day together.”
Ryan noticed Damian’s expression.
It changed for only a second…
But he caught it.
Jealousy.
Interesting…
After class, Professor Andrews handed each group their project guidelines.
“This assignment requires interviews around campus.”
“You’ll need to work together outside class.”
Elena read through the papers.
“We have to interview twenty students.”
Damian nodded.
“We should start tomorrow after the library.”
She agreed.
“That’ll save us time.”
As everyone packed their bags, Chloe pulled Elena aside.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Sure.”
“Do you trust Damian?”
Elena looked confused.
“I barely know him.”
“Exactly.”
“He’s been nice to me.”
“I know…”
Chloe hesitated.
“…but people say he breaks hearts.”
Elena smiled gently.
“I’m not planning to fall in love with him.”
She laughed.
“I already have a boyfriend.”
Unknown to either of them…
Damian had been standing outside the classroom, waiting for Elena.
He hadn’t meant to overhear.
But those last words reached him clearly.
“I already have a boyfriend.”
For some reason…
They stung.
That afternoon…
Damian sat alone on the football field bleachers.
Ryan climbed the steps and sat beside him.
“You’ve gone quiet.”
“I’m thinking.”
“About Elena?”
Damian didn’t answer.
Ryan sighed.
“You know…”
“This bet isn’t like the others.”
“What do you mean?”
“She isn’t flirting.”
“She isn’t chasing you.”
“And every time someone mentions Ethan…”
Ryan looked at his friend carefully.
“…you look annoyed.”
Damian looked out across the empty field.
“I’m not annoyed.”
Ryan laughed.
“You keep lying to yourself.”
Before Damian could reply, his phone buzzed.
Unknown Number
Hi. It’s Elena. Just wanted to make sure you have my number too. See you tomorrow at the library. 🙂
He stared at the message.
Then…
Without realizing it…
He smiled.
Ryan looked over.
“Who is it?”
Damian quickly locked his phone.
“No one.”
Ryan laughed.
“You’re smiling at your phone.”
“I am not.”
“You are.”
Damian shook his head, climbed off the bleachers, and walked away.
Ryan watched him leave.
“This is going to end badly,” he muttered.
That evening…
Elena was sitting on her bed, reviewing lecture notes when Ethan called.
“Hi, beautiful.”
“Hi.”
“You sound tired.”
“Long day.”
He smiled through the video call.
“Only one more sleep.”
“I know.”
“I’m counting the hours.”
“So am I.”
They talked about their classes, laughed over Chloe’s dramatic stories, and made plans for Saturday.
“I found a little café near your campus online,” Ethan said.
“I thought we could go there.”
“I’d love that.”
“And maybe dinner after?”
She smiled brightly.
“It’s a date.”
“I love you.”
“I love you too.”
After the call ended, Elena placed her phone on her chest and smiled.
She had never doubted Ethan.
Not once.
Across town…
Damian sat on the balcony of his apartment, staring at Elena’s text message.
He could reply.
He should reply.
Instead, he typed one simple message.
See you tomorrow. Don’t be late.
A few seconds later…
His phone buzzed.
I’ll be there. 😊
Damian found himself staring at the tiny smiling emoji longer than he should have.
He didn’t understand why such a simple message made him smile.
But one thing was becoming clear.
He had started this because of a bet.
Now…
He was beginning to enjoy every conversation with Elena.
And that frightened him more than losing ever could.
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