RUMORS AND REPUTATION
986 Words
By the end of the first week, the whispers had started.
It was almost impossible not to hear them. In the cafeteria, in the gym, even in the bathroom stalls—Springdale had a way of spreading stories faster than wildfire.
“Did you see Lexi in art class? She was totally partnered with the new guy.”
“I heard they sat together on purpose.”
“Why him, though? He doesn’t talk to anyone. He’s… creepy.”
Creepy. That word buzzed in Lexi’s ears as she carried her tray to her usual table. Mia was already there, waving her over with an exaggerated grin.
“Sit, sit, sit. Okay, tell me everything. How is Broody McSketchbook?”
Lexi nearly choked on her apple slice. “Mia!”
“What? Everyone’s talking about it. Might as well give me the inside scoop.”
Lexi rolled her eyes, setting down her tray. “He’s… fine. We’re partners. It’s not a big deal.”
Mia leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “You don’t usually waste time on people outside the circle, Lex. Especially not mysterious bad-boy types. And don’t tell me you didn’t notice his eyes. Even I noticed his eyes.”
Lexi shoved a fry in her mouth to keep from smiling. She wasn’t going to admit it—not out loud.
Before she could answer, Tyler dropped his tray across from her, sliding in with his usual swagger. His presence was magnetic—captain of the basketball team, all-American smile, and the confidence of someone who’d never been told “no.”
“What’s up, ladies?” he said, casually slinging his arm around Lexi’s shoulders.
Mia smirked. “We were just talking about the new guy.”
Tyler’s easy grin faltered. “Walker?”
Lexi shifted uncomfortably. “He’s in my art class. Ms. Rivera partnered us.”
Tyler leaned back, crossing his arms. “Figures. You should probably switch.”
“Switch? Why?”
“Because he’s trouble,” Tyler said flatly. “Transferred here for a reason. You don’t want to get dragged into whatever mess he left behind.”
Lexi frowned. “That’s a little harsh. You don’t even know him.”
“I don’t need to know him. Guys like that don’t change.”
Something in his tone made Lexi bristle. Tyler had always been protective—sometimes in ways that felt more controlling than caring. Usually, she brushed it off. But right now, his words grated against her skin.
“Not everyone has to fit into your box, Ty,” she said coolly, standing up with her tray.
“Lex, come on, I didn’t mean—”
But she was already walking away.
---
She found herself in the library later, wandering through the art history section. She told herself she was looking for inspiration for their project. But deep down, she knew she was hoping to see him.
And there he was.
Ethan sat at a corner table, sketchbook open, pencil gliding across the page. He was so focused that he didn’t notice her approach.
“Do you ever stop drawing?” she asked softly.
He looked up, startled. Then he smirked faintly. “Do you ever stop being everywhere?”
Lexi laughed, sliding into the chair across from him. “Touché. So… what are you working on?”
He hesitated, then angled the sketchbook so she could see. It was a half-finished portrait of the library itself—sunlight streaming through the tall windows, shadows dancing across the carpet. Every detail was alive.
“It’s… beautiful,” she whispered.
“It’s just lines.”
“No. It’s more than that. You see things differently.”
Their eyes met across the table, and for a moment, the world outside that library didn’t exist. No whispers. No reputations. Just the two of them, suspended in silence.
Until the librarian cleared her throat, reminding them where they were.
Lexi flushed, standing quickly. “Well. Guess I’ll see you in class.”
Ethan nodded, a shadow of a smile lingering. “Yeah. See you.”
---
By Friday, the rumor mill had shifted into overdrive.
“Lexi Thompson is hanging out with Ethan Walker.”
“She ditched Tyler at lunch to go to the library with him.”
“Do you think they’re a thing?”
Lexi tried to ignore it. She walked through the halls with her head high, her smile practiced. But inside, her stomach twisted. She hated being the subject of gossip. And yet—every time she thought of Ethan’s quiet smile, his steady gaze, she wondered if maybe… it was worth it.
The only problem? Tyler wasn’t going to let it slide.
She found that out the hard way after cheer practice, when he cornered her near the bleachers.
“Lex.” His tone was sharp, nothing like the charming boy everyone else saw. “What’s going on with you and Walker?”
Lexi crossed her arms. “Nothing. We’re partners for a project. That’s it.”
“Doesn’t look like nothing,” Tyler shot back. “People are talking. You’re making me look like an idiot.”
Her jaw tightened. “So this is about your reputation? Not me?”
“It’s about both of us,” he snapped. “You’re my girlfriend. You don’t need to waste time on some outsider who doesn’t even belong here.”
Lexi’s heart pounded. She wanted to yell, to defend Ethan, to tell Tyler that he didn’t get to decide who she talked to. But instead, she forced herself to breathe.
“I’m going home,” she said quietly, brushing past him.
And as she walked away, she realized the hallway of her life—the neat, polished one she’d always known—was starting to c***k.
And through the cracks, someone new was stepping in.
Someone she couldn’t ignore, no matter how hard she tried.
- Writer
