Whispers. A sideways glance here and people averting their eyes in another place. As I walk next to Naria and notice all this, even though she doesn't see a thing. She's talking to the Michaels, two of our friends. One is taller slightly, has black hair that is always styled to perfection, and has adorable dark freckles. He plays golf. Ayla likes him, but knows she'll never get him because he's focused on his academics. Even if he wasn't crazy smart, I would think he was the most ingenious teenage boy in the world.
The other Michael his brown hair that is sometimes messy, but never so neat as to be gelled. He's a swimmer, knows which swimmer I have a crush on, who is also focused on school, but maybe not for long, and does not have glasses. His mom died when he was young, and I don't know about his dad, but he lives with his aunt and uncle. He is head over heels for Ayla, even though she hates his guts because she can't forgive anyone.
Speaking of unforgiving Ayla, she's still not talking to me. Which is fine, because I don't want to be in the pack of sinners spreading gossip anyway. I'm in my herd, my happy place, with a couple of nerds and a couple of blondes we can conquer the world.
Naria has the gift of being oblivious to just about everything when she's in a good conversation, but if it's said right to her face... Well, she's not stupid. Brown-haired Michael peeps in, asking the question that drops the knife that falls on the neck of peace. "Hey, Naria, did Jace really cheat on you, or is that just a rumor?"
I want to throw up. The fact that he used the word "rumor" makes me want to punch him in the face.
I take in Naria's reaction. She's not upset, she's not confused... Shit, that's suspicion. Any second now she's going to turn to me...
"Maya, you didn't." The accusation in her voice is harsh, and I almost rat Ayla out on the spot. Naria will hate me for this, I know it, she will never forgive me for lying to her, but, Ayla...
My world splits in two. Yeah, I'm feuding with Ayla, but I don't want to pin any blame on her. She's just trying to help. Naria is focusing on me so hard, I can't do this, it'll hurt her more than anything, and suddenly Michael-with-glasses pipes up, "Didn't do what?"
"I have no idea where it came from. Michael," I turn to him, hating what a good little liar I am, "where did you hear that."
Brown-haired Michael responds simply, "Raena told me she heard it going around. Supposedly, he kissed Raena after walking Naria home last night. Decided he liked Raena after all."
"Didn't she deny anything?"
"Not to me, no."
My world is spinning, and I can't think. The homeroom bell rings, and we part ways with Michael-with-glasses, Naria still looking suspicious. "Maya, you really don't know anything about this?" she whispers.
"Not a thing," I say.
Guess I joined the pack of wolves.
YOU ARE READING
Rumor Has It...
Teen Fiction"I just can't. We can't." ...with a sigh she says. "I did it". "We can't end this, Naria, it's gone too far. We have to let it play out now." They never should have started it. Three girls, thinking they could manipulate people and and the truth, an...
