Electric Love ⇒ Heartstopper [ON HOLD]

12 → Rumour

♪
'Rumour'
♪

imogen.h.001

Hey :)
Just wanted to check up
on you after yesterday
How are you doing?

Gabriel stared at the message for what felt like ages. In a perfect world, he would tell her the truth that he was not doing too great because his family was falling apart. However, in a perfect world, he would not be feeling guilty for going over Imogen's yesterday as she repeatedly told him she was happy to help.

Doing better now that you've
texted me ;)

Ha.ha.
But are you sure you're okay?
I could come over?
Or we could go out somewhere?

Maybe later?
Have a few things to do

Okay :)
But remember I'm here if you need
someone <3

Always <3

He'd give anything not to feel the way he was feeling right now

"You look really cheerful," Gabriel commented as he sat opposite Tao, the year 10 boy slamming his phone down angrily on the picnic table. "You alright?"

"Did you also know?" Tao looked up at Gabriel, hurt clouding his eyes.

"About?" The year 11 replied in confusion while Tao brought out his sketchbook in an attempt to distract him from the news he'd received from Elle the other day.

"Nick and Charlie," Tao stated. Gabriel still looked confused. "They're going out," the words spilled from his lips.

"What? Since when?" Gabriel exclaimed. Did Charlie not trust him enough with this?

Before Tao could answer, Harry approached their table. "All right, mate?" He slid in beside Gabriel. "I knew you and Imogen were gonna be a thing."

Something is Gabriel's gut twisted. "What?" He questioned, unsure what Harry meant by the statement.

"Well I introduced you to her because I thought it was time you got a girl but now there's a rumour that she's got a boyfriend," Harry explained with a grin on his face, patting the Barnett boy's back in congratulation. "It's you, yeah?"

"No? When did this rumour start?" Gabriel asked, Harry noticing the boy's cluelessness to the information.

"I hear it for a Higg's girl this morning. Guess it's not you then, mate," Harry informed with a laugh before turning to Tao. "Not in the mood for that fight then?"

"Harry, leave him alone," Gabriel told the boy but he was ultimately ignored. His voice felt stuck in his throat because of the information he received. It was probably not true, right? What did it matter anyway? The pair were not dating or anything like that. They friends... just friends.

"Only if it's in the form of a board game or a cake-eating contest," Harry's friends laughed in response until Harry grabbed Tao's sketchbook.

"What's this?" Harry asked with a smirk, looking at a drawing of a shoe. "Tao and Elle? Who's Elle?"

"Just give it back," Tao said desperately, attempting to take the drawing back.

"Aw! Did your girlfriend draw it?"

"Harry, just drop it," Gabriel pleaded, hoping the situation would not escalate as he heard Tao's tone shift from desperation into anger.

"Come and get it," Harry teased, getting up from the table. Gabriel made an attempt to grab him but was too slow. Tao followed after the cocky year 11 and pushed him over.