The Unknowables

Chapter 13

The next day when I arrive at school I’m immediately greeted by both Chelsea and Leo at the front door, which is unusual. Leo is dressed I his usual blue jeans and striped t-shirt but he’s biting his lip, a sure sign that something’s wrong. Chelsea is dressed in her favourite red sweater and wears a smile that is just a bit to wide, a sign that something’s really wrong.

“Hey Wren.” Chelsea greets me.

I greet her cautiously back. She’s never been one to just drop the bomb quickly, she beats around the bush to much. I look to Leo to give me quick clarification on what’s going on. He just shakes his head and opens the door for Chelsea and I. Chelsea chatters on about some show or other while we walk down the halls but I’m not really listening to her. Instead I’m noticing that a lot of people are poking their friends and pointing in our direction, my direction.

Leo’s still biting his lip but he’s glaring at the whisperers and pointers like he’s been appointed to be my personal bodyguard. I can put two and two together and can deduce that the rumour that Wendy was freaking out over yesterday, is a whole lot worse then I had originally feared. Or bad enough to make both Chelsea and Leo worry enough that they feel the need to escort me into the school to keep the rumour vultures from descending.

I open my locker and dump my things, Chelsea still chattering in my ear. Finally I close my locker and lean against it, lock eyes with Chelsea and wait. The quickest way to get Chelsea to spill the beans was to make her aware that I know she’s hiding something. Chelsea knows the look I’m giving her and the meaningless chatter coming from her mouth quickly slows to a halt. She gives me a guilty look, like a kid caught with her hand in the cookie jar.

“Ok Chelsea, enough evasion. You found out what the rumour going around the school is didn’t you? Want to tell me before I find out from someone else?”

Chelsea and Leo share a look. Leo shakes his sandy haired head at Chelsea’s worried look.

“She has to know Chelsea. We know it’s not true and that’s what matters, ok?” He says.

Leo turns to me and takes a deep breath.

“The word going around is that you and Alex are a couple. It started yesterday and was reinforced when someone saw you jumping into his truck yesterday. Word is you’ve been together since before the party that Chelsea had for your birthday, there’re also debate going on if you guys have ‘done the deed’ or not.”

He blushes at the sex part. He doen't want to say it but he wants me to know what's being said.

“That’s ridiculous!” I half shout, earning myself even more glances from wandering students. I quiet down.

“We know it is Wren. But that’s what’s being said around the school. That’s what Wendy’s so mad about. Someone told me that when she heard she almost punched the poor kid.” Leo say’s worriedly, his eyebrows deeply furrowed.

“They say last girl who tried to steal Alex moved away, but a lot of people think she transferred to another school to get away from Wendy.” Chelsea supplies unhelpfully.

“That makes me feel so much better.” I say with dripping sarcasm.

I ponder my situation. If only the rumour was that I’m getting together with some other guy, that wouldn’t have nearly the damaging potential as it does with Alex. I’m not generally well known in the school, and now I would be. Alex is the football captain and top athlete at school, he’s been the most wanted guy by all the girls since eighth grade. And since eighth grade he’s been spoken for by Wendy.

Now just when he broke it off with Wendy he gets together with me? I get the feeling the next few weeks are going to be impossible. I’m going to have to be careful, the interest of nearly everyone in the school is going to be chasing this rumour windmill, bringing more attention to me then I’m comfortable with. Not to mention that Wendy and her friends are no doubt plotting to murder me in my sleep. I don’t dare to think what Alex is thinking of this whole situation. I fold my arms, pinch the bridge of my nose and sigh.