Falling for Him

Chapter 6-Rumours

"Ohmigod, Jess are you ok?" It's Parker. The girls follow behind her, looking at my red eyes with curiosity.

"I'm fine," I mumble quietly, trying to push past them.

"Leave her, she just wants attention. Like usual." It's Harper. Surprise, surprise.

I continue to rush towards the bus stop which unfortunately passes our favourite café.

"J, is everything ok?" Maya now. She's not rushing forward to get to me. She's not telling everyone to give me some space. She doesn't even sound like she cares.

"Maya, are you deaf? Leave her. She wants this. She's a stupid cry-baby. Come back inside, yeah?" Out of the corner of my eye, I see my best friend follow Harper inside.

I should be standing up for myself. I should be telling Harper where she can shove her insults. I should be telling them all just how bad they are at being a friend. Because this is when people show their true colours at being friends. When something goes wrong. When they need you. When a hug is a necessity. I should be telling them to stay away from me, that I deserve better. That I deserve better than all of them, and him.

But I don't say any of this, I just run as fast as I can.

—

'"Are you and Adam a thing?"

"Adam's taken! Damn!"

"That slut! Throwing herself at him!"

"Didn't she do the exact same with her ex?"

"Can't believe he's off limits!"

"I'm like way prettier than her! He'd obviously prefer me!"

"Do you think he'd cheat?"'

These are some of the questions or comments I heard today. My friend's group were also full of questions. What would anyone do without social media?

-Well, I'd have a quiet life anyway.

I answered the questions as best I could though obviously, I don't know if he has a six pack or not. It wasn't just his female fan girls asking me this, my Maths teacher told me that I can't stop studying because of him and no boy is worth it if he makes you fail your Junior Cert. Like, does she really think that I'm the kind of person who would put her studies on hold because of a boy? I didn't do it the first time and I won't do it again. Not that I will get another boyfriend, I wouldn't put myself through that again.

All boys are self-absorbed idiots who think that girls have no feelings. All boys think it's okay to make someone fall in love with them and leave them after a year. All boys get bored of the same girl after a while. All boys think it's okay to make girls feel horrendous about themselves.

All boys think it's okay to cheat. All boys think we're so thick and madly in love that we won't notice.

I didn't notice. Not until after.

-

"Hey."

"That your catchphrase?" I ask my 'boyfriend' who has appeared behind me.

"I've only said it twice."

"I've only spoken to you twice."

"Fair point," he leans awkwardly against my locker.

"I don't mean to be rude, but is there anything you wanted to say because I've to go to class," I say turning to look at him.

"I was wondering if you want to hang out after school?"

"Like for?"

"Like for dinner."

"Like a date?"

"Perfect word for it!"

"Don't you think we should be staying away from each other?  Try to stop the rumours?"

"I think we should hang out even more now, to create more rumours."

"Really?"

"Let them gossip!  What do we care what they say?"

"I suppose," I say, not fully in agreement with him.

"Why do you care so much about what people think?"

"Adam-"

"I don't understand you, after everything that's happened to you you'd think you wouldn't care anymore!  Why is that?"

"I don't!"

He sighs, "please come".

"I'd love to!"

He gives me a look.  "You sure?  We don't have to."

I nod "one hundred percent sure!" 

"I'll see you later then," he says smiling.

"Not if I see you first!" I smile back.  He laughs at my terrible attempt at a joke and walks away.

I turn around to see Maya standing there, she's smiling.  "So, what are you going to wear?"

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Sorry, it's short, I wanted to save it.