Chapter 38: Whispers in the Shadows
655 Words
The buzz around the campus was electric. The university's news agency had suddenly become a household name, thanks to its latest scoop. Their recent publication, The Eye of the Storm, had not only garnered praise from peers but had also drawn the attention of major media outlets. Even the principal had personally commended the team for their exceptional work.
Students whispered in admiration about the crew behind the story. Kane, the journalism club president, basked in the glory, but it was Allie Brooks, the sharp and poised anchor of the feature interview, who stood at the center of the storm.
Initially, Allie ignored the chatter surrounding her. The newfound fame didn’t faze her—not until the gossip turned malicious.
It was during lunch when Chloe West slid her phone across the table. “Allie, have you seen this?”
Allie, focused on her plate of braised ribs, barely glanced at the screen. “What is it now?”
Chloe’s voice dropped to a whisper. “They’re saying… the only reason Liam Hart agreed to the interview is because you’re his... mistress.”
The fork clattered onto Allie’s plate. She snatched the phone and scanned the forum post. Anonymous comments poured in, speculating about her “arrangement” with Liam, twisting her professional triumph into something sordid.
Allie sighed, placing the phone down. “It’s nonsense. The truth will come out eventually.”
Chloe frowned. “Nonsense or not, this stuff sticks. People love tearing others down when they’re at the top.”
“I’m not at the top,” Allie said, exhaling sharply. “And if I dignify this with a response, it’ll only get worse.”
“Still, you should at least—”
“No,” Allie cut her off, her tone firmer. “I refuse to give them that satisfaction.”
But as much as Allie tried to brush it off, the whispers followed her. Students stared in the hallways, their hushed conversations abruptly dying whenever she walked by. The weight of their judgment pressed on her, making her usually confident stride falter.
By the evening, even the solace of the library felt suffocating. As she sat with her notes, snippets of conversation floated to her ears.
“She must have some dirt on him…”
“…no way someone like Liam Hart would agree otherwise…”
Allie slammed her notebook shut and stuffed her things into her bag. She needed air.
Stepping outside the campus gates, she remembered something: Liam was due back in town that night. She hesitated, then pulled out her phone to check the flight schedule.
The last plane from Melbourne was landing in thirty minutes. Without overthinking, she hailed a cab and directed it to the airport.
The ride was a blur, her thoughts racing faster than the city lights flashing by the window. What would she say to Liam?
Would he laugh off the rumors, or would he be angry?
When Allie arrived at the airport, the flight was delayed due to bad weather. She found a seat in the waiting area, clutching her bag. The minutes stretched into hours. Before she knew it, exhaustion pulled her into an uneasy sleep.
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“Allie.”
A gentle voice broke through her slumber. She blinked, disoriented, and found herself staring into Liam Hart’s face.
“Liam?” she mumbled, straightening up. “You’re here… I came to pick you up.”
His gaze softened as he shrugged off his coat and draped it over her shoulders. “You’ve been waiting here this whole time?”
She rubbed her eyes. “I wanted to surprise you, but I guess I fell asleep. How did you even find me?”
Liam smirked. “You were curled up like a lost kitten. Hardly inconspicuous.”
Allie glared half-heartedly. “I do not look like a kitten.”
“Sure you don’t.” He chuckled, his tone unusually warm.
- Writer
