THE LIGHT BEYOND LOSS

Rumors Fly

The next few days at Gothenburg International Academy passed in a blur of new faces, introductions, and a growing sense of familiarity with her surroundings. Livia was slowly adjusting to the rhythm of life at the boarding school, though the memory of her old life and Viktor's absence still lingered in the back of her mind. Each night, she felt the faint pull of homesickness, missing the quiet moments she used to share with him, their hidden spot in the old maple park, and the effortless comfort they had around each other. But here, in this new place, everything felt different—faster, louder, and more complicated.

One thing that kept her grounded was her newfound group of friends. Emma, Sophie, and Isabelle were quickly becoming her constants, and though their personalities were much more energetic than what Livia was used to, she found comfort in their company. They always made sure she was included, even when the conversation shifted to topics she was unfamiliar with. Emma especially had a way of making Livia feel welcome, offering her an easy smile or lighthearted joke when she seemed lost.

But it wasn't just her friends that Livia had to adjust to. The school itself had its own unique ecosystem of rumors, relationships, and reputations. The story of Jonas Karlsson still echoed in her mind, especially after the encounter in the cafeteria. Emma and the others had gone on and on about how lucky she was that Jonas had even noticed her, but Livia couldn't help but feel like it was all just unnecessary drama. Jonas was just a guy—sure, a friendly one, but still just a guy. Right?

The gossip about her brief interaction with Jonas spread faster than she could have imagined. Whispers followed her in the halls, and students she barely knew would shoot her curious glances. Every time she walked into a room, she could almost feel the eyes on her, wondering if she had some sort of connection with the school's infamous football star. It was uncomfortable, to say the least.

It was midweek when Livia finally felt the full weight of the rumors. After a long morning of classes, she headed to the courtyard for a breath of fresh air. She found a quiet bench near the far end of the garden, hoping to enjoy a few moments of peace. As she sat down, she overheard a group of girls chatting nearby. At first, she tried to tune them out, but her ears perked up when she heard her name.

"She's the one, right? The new girl who Jonas was talking to the other day?" one of the girls whispered, her voice filled with curiosity.

"Yeah, that's her," another girl responded, her tone slightly more judgmental. "Can you believe it? She's only been here for a few days, and she's already got his attention. I mean, seriously, who does she think she is?"

Livia felt her heart sink. She hadn't asked for any of this. All she wanted was to blend in, to quietly get through her days without drawing unnecessary attention. But now, she was at the center of a rumor mill she had no control over.

"Honestly, I don't get what he sees in her," a third girl chimed in. "She's not even that pretty. Just another transfer student trying to make a name for herself by cozying up to popular guys."

That last comment stung more than Livia expected it to. She had never cared much about how she was perceived by others before, but something about this entire situation made her feel exposed and vulnerable. Her chest tightened as she fought back the wave of emotions threatening to overwhelm her.

Trying to maintain her composure, Livia stood up and quickly left the courtyard, her feet carrying her toward the library without a second thought. Once inside the quiet, book-filled space, she found a secluded corner and sat down, burying her face in her hands. She felt foolish—how had she become the subject of school gossip so quickly? She barely knew Jonas, and now people were already making assumptions about her.