Sophie's Life

Chapter 46: The Perspectives

### Sophie's POV  

I was sitting under the old oak tree near the library, the one place I could escape to when things felt too heavy. The rumors about Daniel were growing louder, and James's breakup with Ayla was still fresh in everyone's minds. It felt like the world was moving in chaotic spirals, and I was caught in the middle.  

"Sophie," a familiar voice called out. I looked up to see Aiden striding towards me, his usual calm demeanor replaced by something more serious.  

"Hey," I said, scooting over to make room. "What's up?"  

He sat down beside me, running a hand through his hair. "I need to talk to you about Daniel."  

My stomach tightened. "What about him?"  

Aiden sighed, his gaze fixed on the ground. "There's something going around campus about him. And I think you deserve to hear the truth from me before it gets twisted any further."  

I nodded, bracing myself.  

"You know Daniel's pretty private," Aiden began. "He's not the type to open up easily, even to his friends. But last year, there was this...situation with someone he used to know—a girl he used to tutor. She had feelings for him, but he didn't feel the same way. She didn't take the rejection well and started spreading rumors that he led her on."  

I frowned. "That doesn't sound like Daniel at all."  

"It wasn't," Aiden confirmed. "But people believed her. She even exaggerated some stuff, saying he did it to boost his grades or to get something out of her family. None of it was true, but the gossip stuck. Daniel's worked so hard to move past it, but now it's resurfacing for some reason. Probably because of how close he's been with you."  

"Me?" I asked, startled.  

"Yeah," Aiden said. "People are jealous. They see how much he cares about you, and they're trying to stir things up."  

I felt a pang of guilt. Daniel had been nothing but kind and steady, even when I wasn't sure where I stood with him. And now, because of me, he was back in the crosshairs of campus gossip.  

"What do I do?" I asked quietly.  

Aiden smiled, his tone softening. "Just be there for him, Soph. He doesn't let many people in, but he let you in. That means something."  

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### Riley's POV  

Aaron and I were sitting on the bleachers overlooking the campus soccer field. The sun was setting, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink.  

"You've been quiet," I said, nudging him. "What's going on in that head of yours?"