People always say a rumor dies on its own.
They've clearly never been a teenage girl in a school where gossip travels faster than Wi-Fi.
At Ridgeview High, a single whispered sentence can stick to your name for years. For me, it was:
"Elara and Adrian are basically dating."
The rumor started in freshman year, after Adrian walked me home in the rain with his jacket draped over my shoulders. Someone snapped a photo, someone added a caption, and suddenly the whole school had decided my childhood best friend was my unofficial boyfriend.
And Adrian?
He didn't deny it.
He didn't confirm it.
He just smiled that heart-stopping, golden-boy smile and said,
"People can think what they want."
I should've said something then.
But fourteen-year-old me had butterflies where her spine should've been.
So the rumor stayed.
And evolved.
And cemented itself.
By senior year, people called me the school belle—the quiet girl beside the golden boy. Adrian always walked me to class, carried my books, draped an arm around my shoulders like it belonged there.
And maybe… I thought one day it would.
Maybe.
Until today.
Until her.
---
The Transfer Student
The first time I saw her, she was standing outside the principal's office clutching a worn backpack. Soft brown waves framed a face too delicate for this chaotic school.
She looked fragile, like a storybook character who needed protection.
Exactly the type Adrian loved to rescue.
"That must be the new girl," I whispered to my friend Zoe as we passed.
But before I could give it a second thought, Adrian appeared—bright smile, easy charm, eyes glowing like someone turned his spotlight back on.
And he walked straight past me.
"Elara, wait here a sec," he said, barely glancing back.
Then he went to her.
That was the moment something in my chest shifted—quietly, almost politely—but it cracked all the same.
I watched him lean in, introduce himself, offer to "show her around." Within minutes, he was carrying her bag, laughing at something she said, looking at her the way he never looked at me.
Zoe muttered, "Well, damn. That was fast."
But I didn't answer.
I couldn't.
---
The Teasing That Turned Cruel
By lunchtime, the rumor mill was spinning itself into flames.
"Adrian's totally into the new girl."
"Poor Elara—golden boy traded her in."
"Guess the belle got dethroned."
Normally, Adrian shut down the worst comments.
But this time?
He ignored them.
Worse—he laughed.
"Relax, guys," he said casually, an arm lingering a little too easily around Luna Hart's shoulder, "Elara and I aren't a thing."
The cafeteria froze.
My heart did too.
He'd never corrected the rumor before. Not once. Not in four years.
And now he did it… like it meant nothing.
Like I meant nothing.
Zoe reached for my hand, but the ringing bell saved me from having to smile or pretend I wasn't breaking.
---
The Scholarship Disaster
But the real humiliation came last period.
"Class," Ms. Rowan announced, "we need to finalize the nominee for the Starlight Academic Scholarship."
I already knew my name would be called. I had the highest GPA, the strongest resume, and the essay I spent two months perfecting.
So when Adrian lifted his hand, I thought he was about to congratulate me.
Instead, he said—
"I think we should give it to Luna."
My breath left my body.
Ms. Rowan blinked, surprised. "Mr. Hale, the scholarship is merit-based. Elara is—"
"Yeah, but Luna's background is… tougher. She's less fortunate. Elara can handle losing it."
A few students snickered.
"And," Adrian added, "Elara won't make a fuss. She's used to helping people."
Heat rushed to my face. My pulse roared. I felt stripped bare in front of everyone.
Used to helping people.
Was that all I'd ever been to him?
A convenience?
Luna looked down at her desk, clearly uncomfortable. At least someone had shame.
But Adrian sat tall, proud, as if he'd done something noble.
Ms. Rowan sighed. "Luna hasn't submitted any academic documents yet. This isn't how it works, Adrian."
A wave of relief almost hit me—
Until Adrian turned fully to face me.
"Elara," he said loudly, "you don't mind, right?"
The entire class turned toward me.
Waiting for me to step aside.
Waiting for me to play the role of Adrian's quiet shadow.
Waiting for me to sacrifice myself—again.
My lips trembled.
"I worked for—"
"You'll be fine," he cut in sharply. "Let someone else have an opportunity for once."
And then… they laughed.
Laughed at me.
At my effort. My dreams. My dignity.
Something inside me shattered.
This time, there were no butterflies—only shards.
I stood, grabbed my bag, and headed for the door.
If Adrian wanted me quiet… fine.
I'd give him silence.
Permanent silence.
But just before I reached the door—
A shadow moved.
A chair scraped.
A voice—low, dangerous, unmistakable—cut through the room.
---
The Bad Boy Steps In
"Sit down, Hale."
Every head whipped toward the back corner.
Kai Mercer.
Black hoodie. Piercings. Tattoo peeking from under his sleeve.
A reputation so dark even teachers stepped lightly around him.
He leaned back in his chair, eyes cold, jaw set.
Adrian frowned. "What are you—"
Kai stood.
And the room went still.
"If you don't want the school belle," he said, walking toward us slowly, powerfully,
"then I'll f**king take her."
A ripple of shock tore through the class.
He reached me, his hand brushing mine—not grabbing, not forcing, just offering a presence that grounded me.
Then he turned his glare back on Adrian.
"You don't get to humiliate her," he said softly, dangerously. "Not while I'm here."
Adrian stiffened, eyes narrowing. "Since when do you care—"
Kai smirked, a grin that didn't reach his eyes.
"Since you proved you never did."
And just like that, with the entire class watching, Kai slipped his arm around my waist like it belonged there.
"For the record," he added lazily, "if anyone's taking Elara home today…" He pulled me closer.
"It's me."
The classroom exploded with whispers.
And for the first time in a long time, the rumor didn't crush me.
It empowered me.
Because this rumor?
This one…
I wasn't planning to correct.