POLARIZE (Phan)

rumor.

(Phil's POV)

I slid into my lunch table with Louise and a few other friends; Zoë, Alfie, Joe, and Caspar. If I could, I would let Marcus sit with us but there's only six people to a table and Mr.Laws (the cafeteria monitor) will definitely notice if we try to sneak in another chair. He's a really nice man, but his job is to be the strict guy. Every day while walking in the cafeteria doors I like to do a little dance or a funny walk just to see him smile.

"Phil, where were you in second period? I heard Mrs.Brittan walked out in first when two kids started cursing each other out in first period. Aren't you in that class?" Zoë asked, sounding a bit worried but also just happy she finally found someone to gossip about.
"Yeah, when she was calling attendance Nash called Alex and Jake the 'f-word' and started an argument with me and Dan." I explained. "Dan Howell? Jack said Dan cursed 'em out and started yelling about God." Alfie pitched in. I gave him a side ways smile "well... Kinda. I told Nash to stop treating his beliefs like facts or something like that. I tried to be as respectful as possible but I was angry so it came out wrong and Dan tried to 'clarify' for him and ended up saying something a little rude..." I explained. "Oh my God! What'd he say?" Louise gasped. "I-it wasn't that bad but I don't feel comfortable repeating it. He just basically said God is fake and Nash just... Dropped it." I felt so weird being the center of attention at our table. Usually I just ask questions or comment but since I was the only one in that class at the table I was a key source to them for the whole story.
"Well you know the rumors are just gunna get worse, right? Everyone's already got their own little version of what happened." Joe said. "True, but that's just life." I rolled my eyes.

"I can't believe that this early in the year so much drama has already started. You know John heard two guys making out in the bathroom during second period?" Zoë replied. My eyes immediately went wide in shock, that would be me. "Does he know who it was?!?" I asked in panic. "No, he said he didn't know. He left because he felt too awkward." She said. "Oh thank god!" I sighed in relief. "Was it you?!?" Louise asked, quite enough to keep other tables from hearing. I blushed crimson "Maybe..." I smiled.

"Phil! Oh my god, who was it?" Joe asked, a proud smile spreading across his face. I broke out a toothy smile to match his, it's been a while since I've been in a relationship. Although I'm technically not in a relationship, it's still better than being alone all my life. "I can't say. He's not out yet." I said, seeming to let down the whole table, but they all understood. They all liked their fair share of gossip but they had basic respect for others, they would never ask me to out someone.

****

I stopped by my locker before seventh period, counting that one there was two more classes until it was time to go home. Dan was waiting by my locker. "Hey," he started. "So... Jon Cozart heard us in the bathrooms today. He didn't say who it was. If anyone asks, you're not gunna out me, right?" He tried to keep cool, but I could tell he was worried. Who wouldn't be?
"Nah it's okay, I won't snitch if you don't. Half because I have good morals and half because I'm still terrified of your friends." I joked. Dan smiled a bit, giving a little chuckle at my sorry attempt to be funny. "It's alright. Nobody's gunna hurt you if you don't hurt them. Remember that." Dan patted my shoulder. "What's that supposed to mean? Like I could ever fight.." I asked confused. "Pain isn't always physical, Phil."

Hey! Look what I did! Okay so basically I told my best friend I like her romantic styles and she said she likes me too so now I'm really happy and have been waiting to tell someone. So to quench my gossip thirst I put a little by having this chapter be about rumors and twisted truths and such. Thanks for reading, bye