Whispers of Affection

Chapter 17: Rumor Mill

The following weeks were a delicate dance for Faye and Yoko. They became experts at navigating their secret, stealing moments together while maintaining a façade of normalcy in public. Every glance across the classroom, every accidental brush of hands, was charged with the knowledge of their hidden affection.

But as the final month of the school year wore on, the pressure began to mount. Rumors started to swirl around campus—whispers about why Faye, a beloved professor, was suddenly resigning. Despite their efforts to be discreet, the tension of maintaining their secret began to weigh heavily on both of them.

One afternoon, as they met in Faye's classroom, Yoko’s face was etched with worry. “Faye, I overheard some students talking. They’re starting to wonder why you’re leaving so suddenly.”

Faye frowned, her mind racing. “I was afraid of this. We’ve been careful, but it’s natural for people to start speculating.”

Yoko bit her lip, looking around nervously. “Some of them are even saying there might be... a relationship involved.”

Faye’s heart sank at the thought of those rumors gaining traction. “That’s the last thing we need,” she said, her voice tinged with anxiety. “If that kind of speculation gets out, it could cause serious trouble.”

Yoko looked at her with wide, concerned eyes. “What should we do?”

Faye took Yoko’s hands in hers, squeezing them reassuringly. “We just need to stay calm and be even more careful. We’re almost there, Yoko. Just a few more weeks, and then we can be together openly.”

Yoko nodded, but the worry in her eyes didn’t fade. “It’s so hard to keep pretending. I hate seeing you at school and not being able to just... be with you.”

Faye pulled her into a tight embrace, feeling Yoko’s tension melt slightly as they held each other. “I hate it too, but we’re doing this for us. Once it’s over, we can move on, and no one can say anything.”

As the days passed, Faye and Yoko grew even more cautious. They stopped meeting on campus altogether, choosing instead to spend time at Faye’s apartment, where they could be completely themselves without fear of being seen or overheard. These moments, though filled with love, were also tinged with the sadness of their situation.

One evening, as they sat together on Faye’s couch, Yoko snuggled into Faye’s side, feeling the comforting warmth of her embrace. “I love it here,” Yoko murmured. “It’s the one place where we don’t have to hide.”

Faye kissed the top of Yoko’s head, her heart aching with the knowledge that their time together in this safe haven was coming to an end. “I love it too. I love being able to just be with you, without worrying about who might see us.”

Yoko sighed, her fingers tracing absent patterns on Faye’s arm. “But I wish it didn’t have to end. I wish we could stay here forever.”

Faye’s grip tightened slightly, her own fears surfacing. “Me too. But we’ll figure something out. We’ll make it work, no matter what.”

As comforting as these words were, Yoko couldn’t shake the anxiety that had taken root in her chest. The pressure was building not only at school but also at home. Her parents had started to notice her frequent absences and the changes in her behavior.

“Yoko, you’re never home anymore,” her mother remarked one evening, her tone laced with concern as they sat around the dinner table. “You come back late, and when you’re here, you’re always locked up in your room or on your phone. Is everything okay?”

Her father, usually quieter, chimed in with a frown. “We’ve noticed you seem happier lately, but also worried. This isn’t just about school, is it?”