Line Drawn
637 Words
The lunch bell echoed through Golden High School.
Students poured into the hallways, laughing as they made their way toward the cafeteria.
Rose closed her notebook and slipped it into her bag.
She had barely taken two steps outside the classroom when someone blocked her path.
Maltilda Hart.
Behind her stood Brielle and Naomi.
The hallway gradually grew quieter.
Students slowed down.
Everyone knew one thing.
Whenever the queen bee stopped someone...
Drama usually followed.
Rose looked at her calmly.
"Can I help you?"
Maltilda smiled.
A beautiful smile.
One that never reached her eyes.
"I just wanted to talk."
Rose nodded.
"Okay."
Jasmine, who was walking a few steps behind, immediately sensed trouble and stopped.
Maltilda folded her arms.
"You've been spending a lot of time with Kelvin."
Rose answered honestly.
"We're project partners."
"That's all?"
"Yes."
Maltilda took one slow step closer.
"You know... people are starting to talk."
Rose remained quiet.
"They think you're using the project as an excuse to get close to him."
A few students exchanged whispers.
Rose looked around before meeting Maltilda's eyes again.
"I can't control what people say."
"No," Maltilda replied softly.
"But you can control your actions."
Rose frowned slightly.
"My actions?"
"You're always around him."
"We study together."
"You laugh with him."
"We talk."
"You wear his jacket."
The hallway fell silent.
Rose blinked.
"...It was raining."
"So?"
"He didn't want me to get sick."
Maltilda laughed.
"That's cute."
Her voice turned colder.
"Do you really think you're special?"
The words hung in the air.
Jasmine clenched her fists.
Rose remained surprisingly calm.
"I never said I was."
Maltilda's smile faltered.
"You don't belong in his world."
Rose looked at her for a long moment.
Then she answered quietly.
"I wasn't trying to."
The response caught everyone off guard.
Even Brielle raised an eyebrow.
Maltilda took another step forward.
"Then stay away from him."
Rose's expression softened.
"I don't think you get to decide who people spend time with."
A few students gasped.
Not because Rose had shouted.
Because she hadn't.
She'd spoken so calmly that it somehow carried even more weight.
Maltilda's jaw tightened.
"You think you're clever?"
"No."
"You think you're better than me?"
"No."
"Then why are you answering back?"
Rose sighed softly.
"Because you asked me questions."
Several students struggled not to laugh.
Naomi lowered her head, hiding a smile.
Even Brielle bit her lip.
Maltilda felt the attention shifting.
She hated it.
"You really don't know your place."
Rose's eyes met hers.
"My place?"
She smiled politely.
"I'm standing in the hallway."
A few snorts escaped the crowd.
Someone actually laughed.
Maltilda's face flushed with embarrassment.
Before she could say another word—
"What's going on?"
The familiar voice cut through the crowd.
Kelvin.
The hallway instantly became silent.
He looked from Rose...
To Maltilda...
Then at the students gathered around them.
His expression hardened.
"Is there a problem?"
No one answered immediately.
Maltilda forced a smile.
"We were just talking."
Kelvin looked at Rose.
"Rose?"
Rose gave a small nod.
"We're done."
She picked up her bag and walked past Maltilda.
As she passed Kelvin, their eyes met briefly.
"I'm okay," she said quietly.
Kelvin watched her leave before turning back to Maltilda.
For several long seconds...
Neither of them spoke.
Finally, Kelvin said only four words.
"Don't do it again."
His voice wasn't loud.
It didn't need to be.
The warning was enough.
Maltilda stood frozen as Kelvin walked away to catch up with Rose.
Around them, whispers immediately erupted.
"Did Kelvin just defend her?"
"I've never seen him like that."
"Maltilda actually lost."
From across the hallway, Brielle sighed.
"You really made things worse."
Naomi nodded.
"And I don't think he's happy."
Maltilda realized she hadn't pushed Rose away.
She had only pushed Kelvin further away from herself.
- Writer
